County supervisors allow outdoor dining, shopping
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a proposal to allow restaurants and businesses in the unincorporated areas of the county to use their parking lots for outdoor eating and shopping areas.
The plan was designed to help ease...
Major damage in Capitola explosion, fire
A powerful explosion and fire tore through a two-story apartment building in Capitola Village early Christmas morning. No injuries were reported in the 5:10am incident on the 100 block of Lawn Way.
Capitola Police and Central Fire responded to reports of a structure fire and...
Man caught burglarizing Watsonville business
WATSONVILLE—A Watsonville man was arrested late Tuesday night after he was caught burglarizing a business on Airport Boulevard.
Gabriel Soto-Gonzalez, 41, was charged with burglary, vehicle theft and providing false ID to police. He was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $25,000...
Pajaro Valley Arts reopens gallery after six-month closure
WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Arts’ gallery at 37 Sudden St. has once again open its doors after six months of being shuttered due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The State of California is now allowing most counties to reopen museums, aquariums and galleries at a limited capacity, after...
The Farm House opening in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—If Dino Saavedra had it his way, he would open his new Watsonville restaurant this weekend.
“My dad just wants to start cooking already,” Saavedra’s daughter, Andrea Saavedra, said. “I think we’re all excited to open up.”
Dino and Andrea Saavedra will have to keep a...
New Santa Cruz SPCA shelter moves ahead
The new Santa Cruz Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter is moving skyward as it goes through the framing and siding phase on Chanticleer Avenue.
PVUSD superintendent shares thoughts about state of District, its future
WATSONVILLE—Since the Covid-19 pandemic forced the closure of schools nationwide, education officials have been struggling to rebound from the significant—and unanticipated—academic and emotional toll at-home learning wrought on young people.
Pajaro Valley Unified School District has since boosted its ranks of socio-emotional counselors and mental...
PVWMA board advances College Lake Project
WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PVWMA) Board of Directors unanimously approved the College Lake Integrated Resources Management Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Addendum at its meeting on July 20.
As part of the action, the Board approved an updated version of the project that...
Covid-19 outbreak reported at Santa Cruz Main Jail
SANTA CRUZ—Several inmates at Santa Cruz County Main Jail tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday in what jail officials say is the most significant outbreak since the start of the pandemic.
According to Sheriff’s Sgt. Daniel Robbins, about 12 inmates have tested positive are under quarantine...
Cannabis dispensary opens in Watsonville
Watsonville has gotten its newest retail cannabis dispensary.
Catalyst Cannabis, which has 17 other locations statewide, is the city’s third pot shop.
The store opened on June 2, and plans a grand opening for the end of July.
General Manager Jon Kolodinski has roots in Santa Cruz...
Former Watsonville mayor Francisco “Paco” Estrada appointed to Cabrillo board
Cabrillo College’s Board of Trustees on Monday appointed Francisco “Paco” Estrada to fill the Trustee Area V seat.
The seat—which includes the City of Watsonville...























