News

WATSONVILLE—With police vehicles leading the way—their emergency lights flashing bright in the late-morning sun—a squad of Boy Scouts, U.S. Naval Sea Cadets and military veterans marched down East Lake Avenue Friday to kick off Watsonville’s annual Veterans Day ceremony. The parade ended at the Henry...

WATSONVILLE—When the home of the former Second Street Cafe in Watsonville became available last year, business partners Lacey Dent and Greg Bobeda saw an opportunity. The two had originally meant to expand their business, Corralitos Coffeehouse, into another space on the first floor of the...

The Circus has come to town, this time at Ramsay Park on Main Street in Watsonville.  Circus Royal Spectacular—out of Las Vegas—rolled into town Tuesday, and crews quickly began driving giant tent stakes into the softball diamond  to set up their mammoth bigtop tent. Circus spokesperson...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Forecasters are predicting a cooling trend and possible rain for the weekend, with possible snow in the mountains, bringing a small measure of much-needed moisture to an already parched Central Coast. But that weather will not last long, says Rick Canepa, a meteorologist...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) lifted its mandatory face mask mandate for vaccinated staff and riders effective Tuesday.  The move came a day after the Transportation Security Administration advised public transport operators that they no longer need to enforce the federal...

Residents in Santa Cruz County will face steep fines for using fireworks this Fourth of July, including at area beaches. “Illegal fireworks can be a threat to public safety, spark wildfires, and be harmful to the environment, vulnerable residents, and pets,” Santa Cruz County spokesman...

WATSONVILLE—A 33-year-old Watsonville man died in a solo-vehicle crash just before midnight Tuesday on Riverside Road, or Highway 129. California Highway Patrol officer Sam Courtney said the victim was driving a 1999 Lexus west on Riverside Road south of Lakeview Road with a 44-year-old female...

A bobcat was caught on camera in broad daylight on the Green Valley Road property of Joan and Bob Culbertson of Watsonville. They said the photo, taken with their newest motion-sensor camera, was the best one of a bobcat they’ve ever captured.

A total of 533 volunteers spread out across Santa Cruz and Monterey counties Saturday to celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up a number of beaches.