Three arrested in October 2021 Watsonville homicide
WATSONVILLE—Two minors and a 20-year-old man have been arrested for their suspected involvement in the October 2021 murder of 21-year-old Abel Ruiz.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Ashley Keehn said deputies arrested Juan Carlos Almaraz Rios and two other suspects, who are not being...
State grant will help Watsonville renovate City Plaza
WATSONVILLE—Less than a week after crews began construction of a new restroom in the City Plaza, the city of Watsonville was awarded a $3.5 million grant from State Parks to renovate the entire historic downtown park.
The grant was announced Wednesday evening as part of...
Hard cider business adapts to shelter-in-place
A single door was propped open, with a long table placed just inside of Santa Cruz Cider Company’s Apple City Tasting Room Monday afternoon.
A sign directed customers to the makeshift pickup window, which the owners have set up during the countywide shelter-in-place order.
Natalie Henz,...
Police seek double-carjacking suspect
Update at 7:18pm: The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputy who was shot while trying to arrest a man suspected in Saturday afternoon's double-carjacking in Felton has died, a law enforcement source confirmed. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed...
Body of missing UCSC student found, ID’d
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has identified the body found on Its Beach May 9, just off the shoulder of Lighthouse Point on the west side of Santa Cruz, as Noah Lee Kim, 21, of Los Angeles.
Kim and another man, both reported to...
Traffic signal at Airport-Holm intersection approved
WATSONVILLE—The tricky intersection at Airport Boulevard and Holm Road will soon be a bit safer.
That’s thanks to a $481,600 Highway Safety Improvement Program grant accepted by the City Council during its Tuesday meeting that will cover the costs of installing a traffic signal at...
Pablo Barreto leaving Watsonville for Salinas Fire Department
Watsonville Fire Chief Pablo Barreto has accepted a position with the Salinas Fire Department, and will continue his position here through March 15.
Salmon fishing season delayed
CENTRAL COAST—Precautions around the coronavirus outbreak have forced officials to restack this year’s salmon season and close launch ramps in area harbors.
California’s recreational ocean salmon fishing season will be delayed statewide through the end of the month, despite plans made earlier this year for...
Annual CAP report hits 25th year in Santa Cruz County
WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County has some work to do in the fight against obesity, discrimination and housing inequality. But it’s making steady progress in the diversity of its student body, teenage pregnancy rates and the number of incarcerated young people.
That’s according to the annual Santa...
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...
