Fire damages St. Patrick’s Parish
WATSONVILLE—A fire that severely damaged St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish on Oct. 17 was arson, Watsonville Police Department confirmed Tuesday.
Church officials say they have video footage of the arson occurring.
It was not clear Tuesday afternoon if there is any suspect information.
Pastor Jason Simas said in...
Adrian Gonzalez’s bid for freedom denied, case heads to jury trial
A Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge ruled Tuesday that there is enough evidence that the man who raped and killed 8-year-old Madyson (Maddy) Middleton in 2015 would pose a continued danger to the public if he is released.
Adrian Jerry (A.J.) Gonzalez, now 24,...
Land Trust protects Silliman Ranch
WATSONVILLE—The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, together with the Martinelli and Silliman families, have protected the Silliman Ranch on Highway 129 from development.
Under the agreement signed the week before Thanksgiving, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County purchased the development rights to the...
Strike averted as County, employees reach agreement
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The union that represents some 1,600 County of Santa Cruz employees has averted a strike after hammering out a tentative agreement during all-day negotiations Monday.
The agreement between Service Employees International Union Local 521 and the County came just before demonstrations that were...
California State Parks announces $4.1m for park projects
California State Parks announced last week the selection of 26 local park projects that will receive grants totaling $4.1 million from the California Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) Grant Program, including one in Watsonville and two others in Santa Cruz County.
7-Eleven hands out hundreds of free pizzas on Christmas Eve
WATSONVILLE—A line was already forming in front of 7-Eleven on Main Street before 11am on Christmas Eve as people eagerly awaited Santa Claus—and pizza.
Sherry Dang and Kirk di Cicco, owners of local franchised 7-Elevens, handed out 500 free pizzas at the store, plus 200...
Felipe Hernandez launches campaign to keep 4th District seat
Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez formally launched his reelection campaign for District 4 on Jan. 29, citing a record of infrastructure improvements, park development and flood protection efforts during a kickoff event attended by community members and local leaders.
The South County event marked...
Community leaders host rally for Measure E
Dozens of community members and local leaders gathered at a rally Friday at Watsonville Community Hospital in support of Measure E, the temporary half-cent...
