Parker, Bilicich deadlocked for Watsonville City Council seat
WATSONVILLE—The race for the District 7 seat on the Watsonville City Council has been the tightest contest in all of Santa Cruz County this general election.
Current District 7 representative Ari Parker and former Watsonville mayor Nancy Bilicich are separated by a mere 10 votes,...
Panel to discuss current state of democracy
“Saving Democracy” will take place June 29 at Twin Lakes Church’s Monschke Hall, 2701 Cabrillo College Drive in Aptos, from 7-9 p.m.
Longtime butcher opens new shop
After working as a manager at Freedom Meat Lockers for nearly three decades, William Panis was ready to set off on his own.
His new butcher shop—Willie’s Meat Market—is located at 20 Mariposa off Freedom Boulevard.
He offers a wide selection of meat, sausage and bacon,...
Consultant recommends Watsonville hike utilities costs over next five years
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its March 9 meeting will see the results of a recently conducted rate study that recommends the city increase the cost of its utilities over the next five years.
The study, conducted by Raftelis Financial Inc., says the hikes are...
PHOTOS: Strawberry Festival takes over downtown Watsonville
The annual Watsonville Strawberry Festival returned to its three-day format from Aug. 5-7.
Oral health team makes progress
The number of Santa Cruz County residents on Medi-Cal who have gone to the dentist increased by 20 percent since 2014, Oral Health Access Santa Cruz County announced in its recently released 2018 Report Card.
Guitarist returns to Watsonville
Guitarist Chris Cain will be bringing his style of jazz-tinged, blues-soaked guitar and vocals to the ballroom of the Appleton Grill, 410 Rodriguez St. in Watsonville, on Friday.
Students learn cooking skills during after-school program
WATSONVILLE—Thanks to Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Extended Learning Program, students at Cesar Chavez Middle School are learning unconventional but practical skills, like how to make pasta, homemade salsa, enchiladas nopales, and seasoned fruits and vegetables.
The class, Fitness For Life (which is under the...
‘Nuisance’ homeless camp on Airport Blvd. approved for clearing, cleanup
In a weed-strewn, vacant lot on Airport Boulevard Tuesday, Bryan Hilgeman was busy around his makeshift tarp dwelling where he lives, along with about 40 people in the unsanctioned homeless camp.
He says he’s been unsheltered since his wife died two years ago.
When the city...
County releases draft battery storage ordinance
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 will review proposed rules governing large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), which are expected...



















