Tuesday marks the final day of Watsonville activist Omar Dieguez’s monthlong hunger strike to protest the application of pesticides near schools in the Pajaro Valley. On Friday, Dieguez checked into the hospital after experiencing intense stomach pain, but told Lookout that he’s feeling better and on track to finish out his fast.
Watsonville / Pajaro
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Watsonville council is betraying the community by approving Flock surveillance cameras
Watsonville leaders betrayed the community by approving 17 more Flock Safety surveillance cameras, writes a countywide grassroots coalition that opposes the cameras. The vote means Watsonville will have more than any other city in Santa Cruz County even as critics warn the devices erode privacy.
Posted inLatest News
Watsonville man sentenced to over 25 years in state prison for human trafficking
Luis Alberto Salas, 36, was sentenced to more than 25 years in state prison for human trafficking, sexual assault and drug crimes against minors, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office said in a media release.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
County supervisors meetings to relocate during chambers upgrade
With their chambers at the government center in Santa Cruz undergoing long-planned renovations, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will be meeting at various locations around the county for the rest of the year, starting with Tuesday’s gathering in Watsonville.
Posted inLatest News
Monday evening traffic: Trees block both lanes at N Plymouth & El Rancho Dr
Monday traffic trouble spots in and around Santa Cruz County.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Capitola City Council reverses Bay Avenue intersection redesign
Struggles to manage traffic at a busy Capitola intersection continue, as the city council voted to restore its original layout after many members of the public said that a redesign has worsened traffic in the area.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
The Konavle secret: Discovering Watsonville’s sister country in Croatia
The Pajaro Valley and the Konavle Valley in Croatia share a heritage though they are more than 6,000 miles apart. Authors Donna Mekis and Kathryn Mekis Miller have illuminated those connections with their book “Blossoms Into Gold,” which will be published in Croatian for the first time in 2026.
Posted inFood & Drink
Best of Santa Cruz County food & drink events, Sept. 26-Oct. 2
Lookout food & drink correspondent Lily Belli highlights top events happening around Santa Cruz County this weekend and into next week, plus more listings from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inLatest News
Friday evening traffic: Major crash closes Soquel San Jose Rd; Hwy 1 lane closed
Friday traffic trouble spots in and around Santa Cruz County.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
County supervisors will take up Watsonville battery storage plant safety issues Nov. 18
After the Moss Landing battery plant fire, New Leaf Energy’s plan to build a storage facility outside Watsonville has gotten more controversial. As Santa Cruz County’s environment commission finalizes its recommendations, the board of supervisors will decide how to move forward in November.