News

SALINAS—Two inmates escaped from the Monterey County Adult Detention Facility early Saturday. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said 21-year-old Santos Samuel Fonseca and 20-year-old Jonathan Salazar were both awaiting trial on unrelated murder charges along with numerous other felony charges. The MCSO said Sunday it was...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police are warning the public about the increasing prevalence of virtual kidnapping scams, in which callers claim to have kidnapped a family member and demand a ransom payment. “Within the last week, officers have received nearly a half dozen calls from virtual kidnapping victims,”...

Crews from Pacific Gas and Electric have begun work to replace sections of a natural gas pipeline on Walker Street, from Front Street to Ford Street in Watsonville. The work is expected to continue through November.

Editor’s note: a story on 19th Congressional incumbent Jimmy Panneta will follow this one. Republican challenger Jason Michael Anderson did not respond to a request for an interview. ••• District Sean Doughery realized his government needed a reboot when he went to Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s office...

For years, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office’s sciences lab has been analyzing crime scene evidence: data from cell phones and computers, tire tread marks and fingerprints, just to name a few. But analyzing DNA evidence—a field that takes not only a science background and...

MICHOACÁN, MEXICO—A Watsonville mother of four was killed—and her sister critically injured—in a mass shooting in Michoacán, Mexico on March 28. Melissa Silva was 36. She leaves behind four children, 20, 17, 12 and 10, two of whom attend Calabasas Elementary School. Her 16-year-old sister...

WATSONVILLE—Starting this month, most employers will be required by law to report workplace Covid-19 outbreaks to county health departments thanks to Assembly Bill 685. Reported outbreaks, defined as three or more cases at one address over a 14-day period, will then be public information published...

A Watsonville man was arrested Tuesday at his home for charges of attempted murder after he allegedly fired a gun into a residence.

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police arrested a teen male and recovered two loaded handguns Tuesday evening after responding to a report of a group of teenagers smoking and drinking at a park in a quiet suburb. Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said police got a call about...

WATSONVILLE—Jolly old St. Nicholas won’t be squeezing down the chimney and bringing gifts and holiday cheer for weeks. But he made an early visit to Watsonville on Sunday for the city’s Holiday in the Plaza celebration, an annual event that kicks off the city’s end-of-year...