Council approves $100K for emergency rental assistance
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville renters struggling to keep up with their monthly payments because of the Covid-19 pandemic could soon receive some relief.
The Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting approved the use of $100,000 from its general fund to establish an Emergency Rental Assistance Program for...
Couple asks for decorations to be returned
In the wake of last year’s rains that battered the Santa Cruz Mountains, Stephanie and Dave Casper of Aptos were eager to bring a bit of light to their community this holiday season. Unfortunately, someone chose to intervene.
Biden Vows Enough Vaccine ‘for Every Adult American’ by End of May
WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the United States was “on track” to have enough supply of coronavirus vaccines “for every adult in America by the end of May,” accelerating his effort to deliver the nation from the worst public health crisis in a...
Monterey Bay Caterers up for sale as owner rides into retirement
WATSONVILLE—Monterey Bay Caterers, a long-standing business in the Pajaro Valley which operated as a catering business and a restaurant, is for sale.
Owner Ken Schwan said a combination of things led to his decision. He’ll be 64 next month, and his recent motorcycle crash that...
Two die in solo vehicle crash
CORRALITOS—A man and a woman died in a solo-vehicle crash Saturday in Corralitos.
California Highway Patrol officer Julieta Trenado said the pair was traveling southbound on Eureka Canyon Road at 3:15 p.m. south of Geronimo Road.
For unknown reasons the convertible Corvette shot off the pavement...
Council approves several changes for ADU rules
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council approved wholesale changes to the City’s rules on accessory dwelling units (ADU) in hopes that those modifications will produce additional and safer housing options.
Spurred by more than a half-dozen state laws approved over the past three years, the changes limit...
Nonprofits, community groups celebrate farmworkers as lawmakers call for more support
WATSONVILLE—After working a long shift picking strawberries and greens, dozens of farmworkers and their families received the royal treatment thanks to a new program from El Pájaro Community Development Corporation.
Called the Farmworker’s Family Dinner, the initiative treated 38 families—roughly 230 people—to meals from El...
Students test their skills in math, science and engineering
More than 300 students, grades six through 12 from Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, converged at the Baskin Engineering building at UC Santa Cruz Saturday to compete in the annual Math, Engineering, Science Achievement preliminary competition.
Santa Cruz police evict homeless campers
SANTA CRUZ—Dozens of homeless people were roused by police officers in their tents early Friday morning at Phoenix Camp, the unsanctioned encampment behind the Gateway Plaza at River Street and Highway 1 in Santa Cruz.
The message was clear: the residents were trespassing on city-owned...
Bricks highlight Aptos community
APTOS—Lasting memories of loved ones, events, businesses and organizations might now last a little longer in Aptos thanks to the Celebration Brick Program and a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony that unfolded Saturday.
About 100 people gathered around one of eight tree wells at the Village Green,...
PV girls’ basketball hosts first annual toy drive event on campus
A little more than 100 Pajaro Valley Unified School District students received an early Christmas present at Pajaro Valley High’s first annual toy drive...
















