Watsonville police search for missing girl
UPDATE (6:15pm, 12/19)
The girl has been found safe, Watsonville police say.
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville police officers are searching for a missing 7-year-old girl visiting from out of state.
Sophia Serrato was last seen this afternoon inside a Watsonville apartment on the 400 block of Rogge Street. Police...
First Friday returns to Santa Cruz | About Town
Tarmo Hannula: This evening marks the first First Friday Art Tour of Santa Cruz of the New Year. The free, informal event is an arena for the public to visit area artists and take in the bounty of their work at various venues, including...
Fear of unknown as communities brace for mass deportations
Two years ago, Leticia Ruvacalba opened La Misma Taqueria in Plaza Vigil, the tiny business park in the heart of Watsonville’s downtown corridor.
The little restaurant is often busy, and by all accounts Ruvacalba and her husband Mario are successful members of the community.
But with...
Cabrillo College administrator charged with embezzlement
A high-ranking administrator at Cabrillo College has been charged with embezzlement by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Paul De La Cerda, the current Vice President of Instruction at Cabrillo, faces one felony count of misappropriation of government funds, and another felony count of...
Family Arts Nights arrive at schools this month
This month at 11 schools across Santa Cruz County, parents, grandparents and children will spend an evening together dancing, singing, storytelling and creating visual artworks under the guidance of professional teaching artists at a Family Arts Night event.
Two murder suspects escape Monterey County jail
SALINAS—Two inmates escaped from the Monterey County Adult Detention Facility early Saturday.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said 21-year-old Santos Samuel Fonseca and 20-year-old Jonathan Salazar were both awaiting trial on unrelated murder charges along with numerous other felony charges.
The MCSO said Sunday it was...
Annual Obon festival set for Sunday
The annual Obon Festival will take place July 21 at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple.
Open to the public, the event will include entertainment, a vendor’s market, childrens’ games and an array of traditional foods.
The festival culminates in a dance, known as Bon-Odori, which participants practice...
Watsonville Cyclery owner pushes public safety, involvement
WATSONVILLE—When Bike Santa Cruz County approached South County officials to start up a monthly community bike ride, Watsonville Cyclery owner Julian “Jules” Mandujano was eager to get involved.
Every last Friday of the month, Mandujano offers up his business at 25 East 5th St. as...
Watsonville cancels most of its annual events, mayor says
WATSONVILLE—The city of Watsonville has canceled most of its annual events slated for this year because of the ongoing pandemic, Mayor Jimmy Dutra said Friday evening.
The events canceled include the Spirit of Watsonville Fourth of July Parade, The Fire in the Sky Firework show...
District 4 Dairy Princess, alternates crowned
Ellie Dyt knows a lot more about the California Dairy Industry than most seventeen-year-old high schoolers.
Dyt was raised on a dairy farm her whole life in the small town of Crows Landing, home to thousands of dairy cows, gaining first-hand experience by working there...
From our archives: Funds drive
Members of Native Daughters prepare for a holiday event on Oct. 26, 1959 in Watsonville. (Sam Vestal/Pajaronian file)





















