Free Republic

The future of the historic Redman-Hirahara house in Watsonville is uncertain as officials debate whether to preserve or demolish the deteriorating building. The Redman-Hirahara home, designed by architect William Weeks, was originally owned by the Redman family before being sold to the Hirahara family in the late 1930s. The Hirahara family was moved away by the internment policies of World War II, but when they returned, they turned the house into a community center for returning residents of Japanese ancestry. Barry Pearlman, a former chairman and now a member of the Historic Resources Commission, said, "In the meeting that followed...

It was 17 years ago that a group of volunteers began to restore the Rancho San Andreas Castro Adobe, a structure whose endurance over its 176-year lifespan helps paint a picture of California history. Now fully restored and equipped with interpretative displays, touchable exhibits and multimedia offerings, the building is open monthly—including this Sunday, Aug. 11. Restoration efforts began in 2007, when volunteers made more than 2,000 adobe bricks by hand and recreated the kitchen, which is one of just four Mexican-era “cocinas” in the state, says Bonny Hawley, executive director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, a nonprofit...

A zip line has become a lifeline for a Corralitos community after their access bridge was washed away in storm waters this winter. Darrell Hardy set up the line New Year's weekend when he thought the bridge connecting his community to the main road might go out. "KSBW was talking about all the weather that was coming in and I went, 'ho ho that bridge is not looking good,' so I went ahead and set up the zip line," said Hardy. The Corralitos man said he's happy he did by the second weekend in January, the bridge crossing Corralitos Creek...

The crash occurred shortly before 3 p.m. local time at the Watsonville Municipal Airport in Watsonville, an agricultural area located about 50 miles south of San Jose, officials said. The two planes were attempting to land when they collided, the city of Watsonville said on social media. "We have reports of multiple fatalities," it said. A single-engine Cessna 152 and a twin-engine Cessna 340 "collided while the pilots were on their final approaches," the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. Three people were on board the planes.... No injuries were reported to anyone on the ground, it said.

Families are getting ready for Thanksgiving and for many that includes a pie from Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville. For over 60 years, Gizdich Ranch has never missed a Thanksgiving, selling delicious pies to literally thousands. For Thanksgiving alone, they’re pumping out around 7,000 pies. “Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday that we have," said Cynthia Gizdich. "It’s the busiest two weeks all year long and we have to prepare for it. So that includes the grocery stores and all the people that did call in early enough to get their pre-paid pre-ordered pies.” Gizdich Ranch said its pies attract customers from...

An Idaho company that successfully brought genetically modified potatoes to the market announced an agreement Thursday to help a Watsonville-based plant breeding company grow strawberries they say will stay fresh longer and have a longer growing season. J.R. Simplot Company and Plant Sciences Inc., both privately-held companies, said they expect to launch the first commercially available, gene-edited strawberries within a few years. U.S. growers produced $2.2 billion in strawberries in 2020, mostly in California, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But consumers discarded an estimated 35% of the crop due to spoilage. Simplot and Plant Sciences officials said genetically...

After nearly two years of being closed to the public, Castro Adobe State Historic Park will once again invite people to come learn about an important part of California history.After nearly two years of being closed to the public, Castro Adobe State Historic Park will once again invite people to come learn about an important part of California history. Located on a hill off of Larkin Valley Road and overlooking the Pajaro Valley, Castro Adobe’s main draw is a historic, two-story hacienda built between 1848-49 by Juan Jose Castro, son of Jose Joaquin Castro (an original member of the Juan...

Lynn Hummer, founder and president of the Watsonville-based Pregnant Mare Rescue, remembers a woman named Tara McCabe emailing her in 2014 and asking if she could help out and volunteer with her nonprofit. Things started out fine, but Hummer says the relationship frayed after two years—once her volunteer had taken more than a combined $2,000 from Hummer herself and from her organization. Hummer grew to believe that the woman was constantly playing the angles or looking to run a scam. “She was always in crisis, always looking for money,” Hummer says.

A Watsonville couple was arrested for allegedly robbing women's purses at gun point with their three year old son in the car, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. Investigators said the couple, Diana Pacheco, 20 and Antonio Bravo, 20, robbed women at gunpoint in Live Oak and Capitola on Aug. 22nd.

WATSONVILLE — “I have been waiting for this day to come,” said Rosario Medina, a junior at Pajaro Valley High School and publicist for the school’s Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) club during the annual lunch-time rally in celebration of National Coming Out Day. “On this day I could just express myself and be me,” she said.

WATSONVILLE - Ivan Melnyk grows strawberries and apples on his 74 acres, selling his produce at a farm stand and through supermarkets. So a visit to Gizdich Ranch on Wednesday had a familiar ring for the onetime collective farm manager who now has his own operation near Kiev, Ukraine. Melnyk is part of a group of farmers and agricultural researchers on a tour of California agriculture through Bridges, a program founded in 2008 to bring American agribusiness expertise to Ukrainian growers. The group visited several berry and apple ranches, Driscoll's cooler, Sambrailo Packaging Co. and the Watsonville Strawberry Festival during...

Appalled by band's language during parade To the Editor Being born and raised in Watsonville, attending the Fourth of July parade, held in downtown Watsonville, has become a tradition for me. I was one of those kids sitting on the sidewalk enjoying the patriotic colors, horses, and overall family entertainment the parade provides. I now enjoy watching my own children participate in the parade as members of a local sports organization. This year, the parade was truly enjoyable until the end. I was extremely disappointed and offended by the final performance of the parade, Rancho Lua. As the lead singer...

Maria Shriver Rushed Out Of Watsonville Farmers Market - Video

California's first lady Maria Shriver is scheduled to visit the Watsonville Certified Farmers Market in the second week of July, to promote the health benefits of fresh produce and encourage more people to use their food stamps and electronic benefit cards at farmers markets across the state. Nancy Gammons, the director of Watsonville's market, said Shriver's visit has been tentatively scheduled between 4 and 6 p.m. July 14, but she added: "Anything can happen or change at the last minute in politics." The impending visit would be just another in a series of public appearances to promote California Connect, a...

Newsletter #22 Families and Friends of the Vanguard Brigade Weather is holding steady at about 114 degrees in the day and high 80s at night. For our troops on the streets, it feels much hotter because of the asphalt. We have seen a few thermometers that are pegged out at 130 degrees, but official temperatures never seem to rise above 120 degrees. Had some Soldiers tell me the other day they are going to Alaska after this experience. We were waiting the release of the proposed Constitution, but as most of you know, it has been delayed. While it may...

A tough 10 days in Iraq but our morale is strongLetters from IraqCol. CardonDear families and friends of the Vanguard Brigade:It has been a busy 10 days. We had the worst dust storm yet, with visibility down to about 50 meters. The temperature is rising and I am sure it has broken 120 degrees in our area of operations, but the official highs are just below 120 degrees.The last few days have been tough on the Iraqi security forces and the Iraqi population in our area.It is important to understand that every area in Iraq is different with different challenges...

Iraqi forces lose five, but stand and fightLetters from IraqCol. Ed CardonFamilies and friends of the Vanguard Brigade:It is plain hot - the 110 degree barrier was broken on June 15, and once broken, we had several days of similar temperatures. The upward trend condinues, and we have started taking bets for projections on the first day over 120 degrees.These hot temperatures have made it even more difficult for the average Iraqi citizen. Electrical power is still very problematic with supply, distribution and quality problems. Most citizens receive less than 12 hours of power per day with frequent rolling blackouts.While...

The body of Army Staff Sgt. Jason Hendrix, who was killed in Iraq last month, arrived home to his mother and stepfather on Friday. But Defense Department officials say the body can’t stay. They’ve granted custody of his remains to his natural father in Oklahoma, according to local relatives, touching off a family feud that has only heightened the unfinished grieving over the 28-year-old Watsonville native. "It’s extremely unfortunate that Jason’s family should be subjected to this sort of legal wrangling at their time of loss," said Mike Barsi, the attorney for Hendrix’s mother, Renee Amick of Freedom. A decision...

WATSONVILLE — When Richard de la Paz Jr. came out of nowhere to beat a better-funded, well-connected candidate for a City Council seat and then two years later became the city’s youngest-ever mayor, the recent college graduate and father was hailed as a rising political star. But the Watsonville native, who celebrated his 28th birthday last week, suffered a crushing defeat in his bid for a second term, rendering his political future unclear. Though even his critics believe he can make a comeback, de la Paz isn’t sure he wants to make his mark through elected office. "I still have...

Gonzalez, 19, died Wednesday of injuries received from enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Gonzalez was a rifleman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton. "He was an exemplary child. He didn't drink, didn't wander the streets making trouble," his father said. "He was a good, law-abiding person. He hoped to grow up into respected adult." As a sophomore in Watsonville High School, Gonzalez joined the city police cadet program, and for the next 3 1/2 years, he impressed veteran officers as he grew from a cocky young man to...