Looking back on 2024: the year in photos
We wanted to end the old year and ring in the new one with a collection of photos from notable events from2024.
And what a year it was! Just a few months after local officials celebrated the reopening of the Capitola Wharf after months of...
Work begins on library cafe
Construction has started on a new rooftop cafe at the Watsonville Public Library on Main Street, a $2.7 million project that aims to give patrons a place to read and city residents a new place to grab a cup of coffee. The cafe, slated...
Watsonville bans no-fault evictions
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday joined other Santa Cruz County municipalities in enacting a moratorium on no-fault evictions until a new state law limiting rent increases and requiring just-cause evictions goes into effect next year.
The emergency ordinance passed unanimously with councilwoman Trina Coffman-Gomez...
Cal Fire issues red flag warning
With the first day of winter coming on Dec. 21, the fear of drought is once again in the air.
Watsonville Brillante project installs third and largest mosaic
WATSONVILLE—A year’s worth of work came to fruition on Oct. 1 as the third and largest mosaic that is part of the ongoing Watsonville Brillante project was installed at the Civic Plaza Parking Garage.
The piece, “Hermanita,” was designed by Juan Fuentes, a graduate of...
Save Our Shores kicks off Coastal Cleanup Month
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—For years Save Our Shores (SOS) has hosted Coastal Cleanup Day, where residents help clean beaches, parks, and other sites across Monterey Bay.
Due to Covid-19, the event—usually held the third weekend of September—will not take place in 2020. But that is not...
Santa Cruz County jury trials to resume
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Superior Court plans to resume jury trials in late summer, a little more than two months after they were temporarily suspended due to concerns over Covid-19.
Presiding Judge Paul Burdick announced on March 17 that all jury trials—including criminal, civil...
Students speak up in Watsonville Rotary speech contest
Three students from Watsonville High School stepped up to the microphone Wednesday in an Annual Speech Contest hosted by the Rotary Club of Watsonville.
The event, which was part of the club’s regular Wednesday lunch meeting at Jalisco Mexican restaurant, brought seniors Giovanni Herrera, Daisy...
Locals join efforts to recall Gavin Newsom
CAPITOLA—Efforts to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom are picking up steam, with proponents having gathered 911,000 signatures since June 10.
The all volunteer, grassroots group behind the drive—Recall Gavin 2020—has until March 17 to gather about 1.5 million signatures to qualify for a special election.
Another group,...
Students learn the power of the vote at Civics Summit
On Friday, about 150 high school juniors from across Santa Cruz County cast their first ballots on three issues that, if passed, would dramatically...




















