News

A jury on Tuesday found that Watsonville City Councilman Jimmy Dutra committed sexual battery and lewd and lascivious acts on a minor in his Los Angeles apartment 19 years ago. The jury also found that Dutra is liable for damages from the emotional and mental...

WATSONVILLE—This Friday the Watsonville Film Festival (WFF) will present its Fifth Annual Día de Muertos celebration at Watsonville City Plaza.  The event will feature a screening of the Disney/Pixar animated movie “Coco,” as well as music, dance and artwork inspired by the traditional Mexican holiday,...

WATSONVILLE—Work continues on Laundry Day, the new Laundromat on the corner of Brennan Street and East Lake Avenue.  Situated in the former Union Bank (and Watsonville Federal Savings and Loan before that), the remodeling project, which has gone on for more than a year, is...

WATSONVILLE—A man and a woman from Hollister died in a crash involving their motorcycle Saturday afternoon on Hecker Pass Road. They were identified Tuesday as Timothy Chisholm, 43, and Casey Lea Stephens, 41, by Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Ashley Keehn. California Highway Patrol spokesperson...

WATSONVILLE — A routine car stop led to an important break and a recovery of a loaded gun for Watsonville Police Friday. Sgt. Juan Trujillo of the Watsonville Police Investigations Unit said officer Aaron Chavarria pulled over a maroon Mercedes Benz E320 just after 10...

At Blossom’s Farm in Corralitos, owners Delmar McComb and Carin Fortin are doing things differently. A “biodynamic” farm, Blossom’s attempts to be self-sustaining—utilizing land, plants and animals to create a single living organism, which is a concept introduced by Rudolf Steinfer in 1924. “We are trying...

Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies on Saturday arrested two women who were allegedly running an unlicensed daycare center after a 3-month-old infant died in their care. Maria Marquez, 62, and her daughter, Johanna Marquez, 35, both of Royal Oaks, were charged with involuntary manslaughter, felony child...

WATSONVILLE—The family that owns Chevrolet Watsonville has purchased two new neighboring dealerships, giving it the lion’s share of the sales on Auto Center Drive. The Cooper family closed the deal on Wednesday for Monterey Bay Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Mid Bay Ford Lincoln. The family...

APTOS—Cabrillo College is planning to host a series of 90-minute community discussions in September and October as college officials weigh changing the school’s name. The first three sessions are scheduled for Sept. 21, 23 and 30. All three will be conducted via Zoom. Cabrillo wrapped up...

Watsonville Elks Lodge recently welcomed new Exalted Ruler Warren Anderson and First Lady Doris Williamson. Peter Telc (Past Exalted Ruler) passed the baton to Anderson during the installation of officers. “Peter has done a great job as Exalted Ruler and we appreciate him,” the lodge stated...