Advocates call for more transparency on pesticide use
CENTRAL COAST—When Melissa Dennis began teaching third grade at Ohlone Elementary School, she noticed that an unusual number of her students at the school in the rural Royal Oaks community just south of Watsonville had health issues.
She says she finds it alarming how many...
Watsonville Plaza redesign efforts underway
Plans are underway to install four larger-than-life sculptures in downtown Watsonville as part of an overall redesign of Watsonville Plaza.
While the historical gazebo/bandstand, designed by famed architect William Weeks, will still maintain its spot in the plaza center, ideas are being discussed to retrofit...
Q&A: Watsonville printmaker describes process
We spoke with Melissa West, printmaker and visual artist, about Watsonville’s arts ecosystem, what inspires her to create, and where you can see her work in the coming weeks.
What do you love about Watsonville’s arts community and being an artist living and working here?
A...
Restaurant, bar approved for Aviation Way
The Watsonville Planning Commission unanimously approved a restaurant and bar near the Watsonville Municipal Airport on Tuesday.
Fired PVUSD chief: Board president used unofficial Zoom account for private meeting
Before Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board President Georgia Acosta called for a vote to oust Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez, she sent a non-district authorized Zoom link to her fellow board members for the closed-session meeting.
Food scrap composting program diverting tons from landfill
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Since it began in January, Santa Cruz County’s composting program has diverted nearly 50,000 tons of food scraps from the Buena Vista Landfill, vastly reducing the amount of methane being released into the atmosphere and reshaping the way residents view their trash.
That...
Aptos woman will serve 4 years for involuntary manslaughter
SANTA CRUZ—After an emotional three-hour sentencing hearing Friday that included testimony from friends and family of both suspect and victim, the woman who stabbed her husband to death in their Aptos home in 2019 learned her sentence.
Amanda Owens will spend three years in prison,...
Child dies crossing Highway 101 in Prunedale
PRUNEDALE—A 7-year-old girl was killed April 7 when she was struck by a car on Highway 101 near Prunedale.
California Highway Patrol officer Jessica Madueño said the girl was apparently trying to cross the highway just before 11pm when she stepped into the path of...
Mountain lion wanders into Capitola neighborhood
A 90-pound wild mountain lion wandered into a neighborhood in Capitola Monday afternoon. Officials eventually tranquilized it and safely carried it off to the mountains. Around 2 p.m. a resident on Washburn Ave. in Capitola called 911 to report the lion that showed up ...
Students learn the power of the vote at Civics Summit
On Friday, about 150 high school juniors from across Santa Cruz County cast their first ballots on three issues that, if passed, would dramatically...
