‘People simply loved it:’ County fair wraps up
The Santa Cruz County Fair wrapped up Sunday at the close of its five-day, 2025 season.
“We had an excellent fair,” said Ron Haedicke, marketing director. “ It was a great run with no issues. Attendance was down 10 percent from last year, but we...
Community celebrates Mexican Independence Day
Thousands of people gathered in downtown Watsonville Sunday for the annual Mexican Independence Day Festival.
Hosted by Fiestas Patrias, the free event featured a wealth of live bands, both local and from Mexico, folkloric dance groups, food booths, arts and crafts and information tables that...
Motorcyclist dies in Highway 17 crash
A San Jose man died in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 17 early Sunday morning.
The California Highway Patrol said an unknown person was driving a gray 2012 Nissan 370Z at an undetermined speed northbound on Hwy. 17, north of Santa’s Village Road at 5:20am.
For...
PVUSD hires new public information officer
Pajaro Valley Unified School District has hired a new public information officer.
Alejandro Chávez will serve as the intermediary between the public and media, and the district.
According to a Facebook post, Chávez brings more than two decades of experience in public service, nonprofit management and...
Back to the Land: Open Farm Tours approaching
Twelve years ago, the first Open Farms Tours event was literally a washout.
Held in early November at the Corralitos Women’s Center, the debut coincided with the heaviest rainstorm of the year. The 4-H animal zoo zone was mired in mud, music was canceled, and...
County supervisors wrap-up: nitrous oxide, changes at the Health Services Agency
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday passed an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of recreational nitrous oxide, and also made changes to lab services in the Health Services Agency.
The supervisors agreed to outsource the Health Services Agency’s (HSA) laboratory services...
City Council approves contract for license plate reader cameras, adds 17 more
The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday renewed the contract for 20 license plate reader cameras—and despite community opposition added 17 additional ones—for a $251,000, two-year contract.
Council members voted 5-2 in favor of the new contract, with Mayor Maria Orozco and Councilwoman Vanessa Quiroz-Carter dissenting.
The...
PVUSD trustees approve new CBO, $229K contract
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday unanimously approved the contract for a new Chief Business Officer.
Gerardo Castillo will make $229,000 annually, along with a yearly $5,806 stipend for his Certified Public Accountant certification.
In addition, he will get a 2.5%...
New shipping racks ease local rail
On Tuesday, a small group of railroad and warehouse officials from Chicago—and one from Felton—gathered in the S. Martinelli & Co. warehouse in Watsonville to watch as workers loaded a rail car with pallets full of apple juice and other products for an 8-day...
Thousands attend No Kings rallies
Thousands of people crowded into Watsonville Plaza and surrounding streets Saturday as part of the nationwide No Kings protest against President Trump, his administration...
