News

Last-minute fine-tuning is underway at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds to throw the switch for two million lights at the fourth annual Holiday Lights drive-thru, which runs Nov. 24-Dec. 24. Event coordinator Dave Kegebein said new additions this year, including tulips and poinsettias, large snails,...

​​Rowland Rebele, a publisher and philanthropist who wanted to give away all of his money before he passed away, died Saturday at the age of 93. “Reb,” as he liked to be called, served in the U.S. Navy and attended Stanford University before embarking on...

After 18 months of work by 200 students, Pajaro Valley Unified School District unveiled a small house that will soon be home to someone who needs it. At just 20 by 8 feet, the tinyhome is ready for occupation, and comes equipped with living quarters...

A major upgrade on a section of Freedom Boulevard, between Alta Vista Avenue and Green Valley Road, is in its final stage. The months-long job included fresh asphalt, multi-modal bike lanes, new curbs, sidewalks and gutters (in places), new ADA ramps, a bus pullout at...

Big changes are now underway at the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO). As of Dec. 21, METRO is implementing bus service improvements as part of Reimagine METRO, an effort to increase service, adapt to post-Covid travel patterns and create a more useful transit...

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Unified School District Trustees who miss meetings without providing notice will lose their monthly stipend under a set of new bylaws approved by the board on Wednesday. The trustees also heard a budget report that shows some positive financial news that is tempered...

Since June, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees has been considering a plan to retool its Visual and Performing Arts program at its 16 elementary schools, a proposal that includes splitting art teachers between most schools. The shift would be part of...

Festival celebrates Filipino American History Month The Tobera Project will hold its second annual Filipino American History Month festival Saturday at the Watsonville City Plaza from noon to 5pm.  The free event will celebrate and honor Filipino history in the Pajaro Valley since the 1920s. The...

Live music, dance performances, community altars and family activities will fill the afternoon in Watsonville Plaza Friday during the annual Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. Hosted by Watsonville Film Festival, the sixth annual event will also feature a free showing of the...

Help plant flowers at the fairgrounds The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation is seeking volunteers to plant flowers for the upcoming Santa Cruz County Fair.  A workday is scheduled for July 27 at 4pm.  Planting will begin at 4pm and will wrap up by 6:30pm at which...