As Cal Fire makes progress on Estrada Fire, questions linger about burn
WATSONVILLE—As firefighters continue to “mop up” a blaze in the Watsonville foothills sparked by a prescribed burn that went awry, some Santa Cruz County officials and residents are calling for the Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit (CZU) to answer lingering questions surrounding the...
PHOTO: Half-acre charred near PV High
A firefighter from Cal Fire chases down flames in a wild land fire that ignited on sloping terrain off of Harkins Slough Road behind Pajaro Valley High School Wednesday. Cal Fire Battalion Chief Sam Filson said the 2pm blaze burned about a half acre...
Changes approved for Watsonville’s downtown streets
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the Downtown Complete Streets Plan, a $27 million project that proposes sweeping changes to the corridor’s structure.
The plan presented at Tuesday’s meeting included the much-debated lane reduction on Main Street, which the public was strongly opposed...
Kindergarteners visit Watsonville’s Crystal Bay Farm
WATSONVILLE—Thick fog rolled in and blanketed Crystal Bay Farm Wednesday morning, but the fields of the farm were teeming with life.
A group of kindergarteners from Valencia Elementary School in Aptos, along with parents and teacher Karen Richmond, were visiting the organic farm just off...
Aptos area CHP gains 4 new officers
APTOS—The California Highway Patrol office in Aptos has welcomed four new officers who recently graduated from the CHP Academy in West Sacramento.
“We’re excited to be adding to our local staffing numbers and look forward to watching each of these officers provide the highest level...
Birding Festival on horizon
The 15th annual Monterey Bay Birding Festival is on deck for a three-day run of lectures, field trips, pelagic journeys, scintillating slide shows and local foods and wines.
4 juveniles arrested in Aptos hammer attack
Four Watsonville minors, between the ages of 15 and 16, were arrested on charges of attempted murder and robbery following a brazen early morning attack at an Aptos home on May 28.
PETA offering reward for help in finding Watsonville cat shooter
WATSONVILLE—Mary Hall was working the afternoon shift on Jan. 6 when Horchata strolled into the office. The cat was a frequent and beloved visitor of the residential facility in Watsonville, where there was always someone to give him food and love.
As Hall was combing...
Monte Vista middle schoolers present projects
Sixth-graders at Monte Vista Christian School participated in the annual Make A Change Project Showcase on Wednesday.
“Know their names” event memorializes dead Gazan children
Many of the several dozen people gathered at the Santa Cruz County Government Center Friday afternoon were in tears as Rolla Alaydi described her...
