Big Lots store closes its doors in Watsonville
The Big Lots retail store in Freedom Centre is now history in Watsonville.
The chain business, with hundreds of locations sprinkled across the U.S., announced late last year that it was closing all of its stores, which are commonly situated in popular shopping centers. However,...
Caroline’s Thrift holds gifting ceremony
Caroline’s Non Profit Thrift Store opened in 2010 with a single goal: raise funds to help the nonprofit organizations that work with children with special needs and their families.
Founder Christine Licker says her inspiration was her daughter Caroline, who died at 16 after receiving...
Many bridges to Sacramento
Editor's note: This is part two of photojournalist Tarmo Hannula's recent trip to Sacramento.
After exploring Grizzly Island Wildlife Area on the morning of the second day of our road trip to Sacramento recently, my wife, Sarah, and I steered toward a string of small...
County supervisors hear flood risk report
Since a series of storms ravaged Santa Cruz County earlier this year, county officials have been preparing for another potential winter of heavy rains.
This includes clearing debris from creeks and rivers and repairing three damaged portions of the Pajaro River Levee system.
All of this...
PHOTO: Car stop reveals handgun in Watsonville
Watsonville Police ready their guns during a high-risk car stop Wednesday on Main Street near Ohlone Parkway. Police initially got a tip that two males aboard a white Nissan sedan were handing a handgun back and forth between them, Michelle Pulido, spokeswoman for WPD...
Santa Cruz County grappling with millions in unpaid federal disaster relief
Santa Cruz County officials are considering a plan to borrow money to help pay for costs of the CZU fires, the Covid pandemic, the storms and floods from early 2023 and other federal disasters that have beset the county.
County staff will return to the...
World Toilet Day brings attention to local sewer system
To commemorate World Toilet Day this Sunday, Watsonville residents are invited to prevent backups by flushing only toilet paper and nothing else.
Watsonville’s Earliest Schools—The Pajaro School and the School for Black Children
In 1853, the Methodist Church housed the first group of school children taught by Seneca Carroll in the village of Pajaro (later known as Watsonville).
The church was on the corner of Main and East Fourth (now East Lake).
Ten years later in 1863, the first...
Airport Boulevard work begins
A work crew from Graniterock takes measurement on Airport Boulevard between Freedom Boulevard and Pajaro Lane Monday at the start of major improvement project.
County unveils “transformative” youth crisis center
For years, Santa Cruz County lacked a youth crisis center, meaning that young people experiencing a mental health crisis were taken to overloaded emergency...
