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November 5, 2025

About Town, Week of Dec. 31

Of fire alarms and strong winds...

Masked music | About Town

Musician Eric Schowacherg was out performing a string of popular Holiday tunes on his violin in downtown Santa Cruz, over the weekend. • A Watsonville man died early Friday morning in a solo-vehicle crash on Amesti Road. California Highway Patrol officer Sam Courtney said, however, that the...

METRO launches electric bus fleet in Watsonville

watsonville electrict bus
WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz METRO has taken a big step in combating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the launch of two new electric buses, which will operate on a new route through the city of Watsonville. On Tuesday METRO staff, along with city officials, representatives from electric...

Watsonville homicide victim was striving to ‘clean up’ life, mother says

adrian ayala sudden brennan street homicide altar memorial
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville man who was shot and killed Sunday afternoon in downtown was working to turn his life around, his mother said. On Wednesday, at a large makeshift altar at the site of where her son died, Roxanne Ortiz said Adrian Ayala, 19, was one...

Police: man took candid photos of high school girls

A Santa Cruz man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly took secret pictures of female high school students

PHOTO: D’la Colmena wins People’s Choice award

Rotary Club of Watsonville members John Kane IV (left), Francisco Estrada (second from right) and Murry Schekman recently presented D’ la Colmena owner Adrian Gonzales (second from left) with the winning plaque for the “Best Burrito on the Central Coast — People’s Choice” award, voted on by this year’s Burrito Bash participants.

Cabrillo College receives $3M grant

cabrillo college
Cabrillo College announced Oct. 10 that it is the recipient of a five-year, $3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). The Abriendo El Camino: Connecting & Supporting High School Students into Structured College & Career Pathways grant aims to strengthen career...

Washington statue going to Watsonville Parks Commission

George Washington Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Parks and Recreation Commission will have a tough decision on its hands at its Nov. 3 meeting, as it is expected to make a recommendation to the city council on the fate of the much-debated George Washington bust in the City Plaza. Parks...

New warehouse approved for Manabe-Ow property

manabe ow property
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the construction of a two-story industrial warehouse on the Manabe-Ow property that will allow an existing beer and restaurant supply company to move to a new location. Reyes Holdings, a national wholesaler, distributor and bottler  acquired Elixyr...

Church Christmas Tree Farms open for business

ROYAL OAKS—Last year, Church Christmas Tree Farms celebrated its 60th year. The family-owned business, now run by Glenn Church and his two sons, has become a local destination for families to come and cut down their own tree during the holidays. And the Covid-19 pandemic...
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Proposition 50 starts strong, with 64% of the statewide vote

This story has been updated with new results and with a statement from the Santa Cruz County Republican party chair. Statewide voting results Wednesday morning...