Watsonville police oversight committee in the works
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Police Department will help conduct 10 community listening sessions and the city will create a police oversight committee in hopes of increasing community trust and accountability in local law enforcement, Chief of Police David Honda announced during Tuesday afternoon’s Watsonville City Council...
Northern California fire forces 1,500 to evacuate
A massive wild fire that has scorched close to 18 square miles, or 11,500 acres, and forced 1,500 people to evacuate, continued to rage across rugged terrain and rolling hills in Lake County Tuesday.
History comes alive
In the days when ranches and wilderness made up much of the Central Coast, the Castro family owned some 13,000 acres, on which they farmed and raised cattle.
Man arrested for threats with gun
Watsonville Police on Friday arrested a man after he allegedly threatened several people with a handgun, and tried to choke a victim.
Man shot on Madison Street
WATSONVILLE—A man was shot in a brazen daylight attack on Madison Street on New Year’s Eve.
Watsonville Police Department Sgt. Henry Robles said the suspect, a man in his early 20s wearing black clothing, shot the male victim on the street around 4:30pm near the...
Santa Cruz County now has 13 COVID-19 cases
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency announced that there are now 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel announced the county’s first case on March 7.
The increasing...
Hundreds get free backpacks
More than 400 area students were given a running start for the upcoming school year when they were presented with free backpacks loaded with school supplies Saturday in an upbeat gathering in Watsonville Plaza.
Thanks to the Salvation Army in Watsonville, Freedom Rotary Club, Scouting...
PV Arts readies first show of 2026
Pajaro Valley Arts is preparing for its first show in 2026, an annual members’ exhibit titled “Welcome Home.”
Curated by first-time curator Jim Turner, the exhibit will feature 150 artists and will run from Jan. 13-Feb. 21 in the historic Porter Building in downtown Watsonville.
“We...
Local law enforcement professional publishes first novel
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—When Ed Delfin moved from the Philippines to the U.S. as a teenager, he was faced with more than just the usual challenges of a new immigrant. Settling in Watsonville, Delfin noticed immediately the underlying issues with gang violence and its effect...
State announces new pesticide rule
The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) on Dec. 19 announced a new rule that will provide notice to the public in advance of applications of certain hazardous and drift-prone agricultural pesticides.
The move was broadly welcomed in the farmworker communities of the San Joaquin Valley...
Photo story: One injured in 3-vehicle crash
Watsonville Police respond to a three-vehicle crash Wednesday on Green Valley Road at Freedom Boulevard. Watsonville Police said that around 2:50pm a man driving...























