Aromas Community Park donors honored with monument
AROMAS—Two decades ago, a fundraising drive was held to install dedication bricks at Aromas Community Park.
However, even after a number of community members had already donated to the effort, the project came to an abrupt halt.
“It was kind of sad, and no one knew...
Affordable housing developer celebrates Atkinson Lane groundbreaking
WATSONVILLE—About four dozen people were on hand to celebrate the groundbreaking of an 80-unit affordable housing complex off Atkinson Lane on Nov. 18.
In his opening remarks, MidPen Housing President and CEO Matt Franklin said that creating affordable housing communities like Pippin Orchards II is...
Shooting suspect nabbed within minutes
WATSONVILLE—A Watsonville man was taken into custody on suspicion for firing off two shots from a handgun near Watsonville High School as classes were letting out Tuesday. The suspect has since been identified as Rene Alamillo, 27, according to WPD’s spokeswoman Michelle Pulido.
Watsonville Police...
Veterans, Second Harvest Food Bank work together to ease hunger
People come together every Wednesday at the Veterans Memorial Building (VMB) in Santa Cruz to serve the community.
Many military veterans can’t afford the food they need. The Santa Cruz American Legion Post 64, part of a nationwide veterans’ service organization, and nonprofit Second Harvest...
Starlight Elementary unveils community teaching kitchen
WATSONVILLE—After years of cooking lessons conducted from push-carts wheeled into its classrooms, Starlight Elementary School on Wednesday unveiled a professional, state-of-the-art teaching kitchen created to imbue a knowledge of—and possibly a passion for—the culinary arts.Â
The facility is located adjacent to a garden, designed to...
Hernandez, Parker will likely win key seats
WATSONVILLE—Felipe Hernandez and Ari Parker have established large leads on their respective competitors and will likely capture key political seats in South County, updated results released Wednesday by the Santa Cruz County Elections Department show.
Hernandez, a former Watsonville mayor and current member of the...
Officers participate in civil disobedience training
WATSONVILLE—Officers from six law agencies met at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Tuesday through Thursday for training in how to respond to civil disobedience.
California Highway Patrol officer Dave Reed said the Mobile Field Force Disobedience course focuses on policy protocol for law enforcement officials...
El Sistema Santa Cruz a finalist for national award
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—El Sistema Santa Cruz/Pajaro Valley, a nonprofit aiming to bring music education and performance to students, has been selected as a finalist for a prestigious national award.
The Lewis Prize for Music announced 10 finalists for its fourth annual Accelerator Awards last week....
Holiday Lights returns to Fairgrounds Nov. 25
WATSONVILLE—Work is underway at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in preparation for the annual Holiday Lights drive-thru light show.
Born out of the 2020 Covid lockdowns as a way for the community to celebrate the season safely, the event invites families to drive though colorful...
Cabrillo College trustees approve name change
APTOS—Cabrillo College’s governing board voted Monday to change the institution’s name after a two-hour discussion that included comments from dozens of community members.
The trustees voted 6-1 in favor of renaming the college, with trustee Rachel Spencer dissenting.
The decision followed the Nov. 10 release of...
County Supervisors declare local emergency
In a brief special meeting Friday, three Santa Cruz County Supervisors declared a local emergency, which will allow officials to request state and federal...
