Santa Cruz County Fair plans full return
WATSONVILLE—Organizers for the Santa Cruz County Fair say they are preparing for a complete in-person return of the annual event in September.
Carnival rides, livestock shows, floriculture, arts and crafts, the Agricultural History Project, food booths, the pumpkin contest and the apple pie contest—they’re all...
Santa Cruz homeless camp reopens
SANTA CRUZ—An unsanctioned homeless camp in Santa Cruz has reopened, this time with a new name, increased security and a set of rules designed to reduce crime and drug use.
Now called Camp Phoenix – after the mythological bird that rose anew out of its...
Summer soccer program scores goal
The program has grown in popularity, and always has a waiting list of kids hoping to score a spot in one of two coveted weeklong sessions.
‘Catz pounce on Gonzales to capture Mission Division crown | High school softball
In 2023, the Watsonville High softball team finished with a winless record in the top-tier Gabilan Division by going 0-14 in league play.
It stung at the time for senior co-captain Cameron Llamas who had to endure through what she called a disappointing season.
But in...
St. Patrick’s Parish is on the mend
As part of major renovations and improvements at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in downtown Watsonville, the historic brick structure, at Main Street and Freedom Boulevard, was wrapped up in dramatic black and yellow material Tuesday to allow for termite control.
A crew from Best Care...
PHOTO: Tree crashes over highway
A motorist drives south on Highway 1 early Saturday morning where a massive eucalyptus tree crashed over McGregor Drive in Aptos and into the southbound lane of Highway 1 just after 2 a.m.
Photo story: Then and now
For several years we have been publishing photos from our archive. These are pictures that were used in news stories in past issues, and which now give a brief snapshot of how things have changed over the years. In this case, it shows how...
LGBTQ community makes big strides in 2020 elections
The 2020 U.S. Election saw a record turnout, with more Americans voting than in any election in more than a century. And with the high number of voters came plenty of landmark wins—including for LGBTQ candidates in all levels of government.
LGBTQ representation in Congress...
Music group to perform Friday, Saturday & Sunday
The musical group Nematatlin of Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico, performs Wednesday at Pajaro Valley High School.
The group will also perform at the Crocker Theater in Aptos on Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm, located at 6500 Lower Perimeter Road.
There will also be a performance...
RTC looks to federal, state government to fill rail funding gap
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) will seek funding from the state and federal government to support construction planning for a passenger...




















