Hi there, Watsonville! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: A Proper Autumn Tea and 10 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call somebody who crosses the ocean twice and doesn't take a bath? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Felicia Medrano seriously hurt in hit-and-run on Cynthia Drive (newsline.com) — An 80-year-old former Watsonville police dispatcher was seriously injured when a white Honda CR-V hit her at Cynthia Drive and Tuttle Avenue on September 28 and fled, before a 78-year-old driver was later arrested. She suffered multiple broken bones, and investigators are still working the case as legal experts emphasize the importance of evidence collection and understanding victims' rights after such crashes.
2. Grape Escapes: The Deep(est) Dive on 2026 Harvest (wineindustryadvisor.com) — Grape growers across the Santa Cruz Mountains report a light but high-quality 2026 harvest, and that includes Watsonville's Ahner Vineyard, where Marty Mathis still managed an "ok" crop for his six-varietal Gemischter Satz project. While many nearby vineyards saw yields cut by more than half due to poor fruit set and strange weather, winemakers say smaller berries are delivering concentrated flavors that could translate into standout wines for local drinkers.
3. Sentinel reporter wins California School Board Association's Golden Quill Award for PVUSD coverage (santacruzsentinel.com) — Coverage of Pajaro Valley Unified School District, including stories from Watsonville High School, has earned Sentinel reporter Nick Sestanovich a statewide Golden Quill journalism award. His reporting has spanned ethnic studies debates, teacher contract talks, and student success stories, and PVUSD leaders say his work helps residents better understand how local school decisions affect families across Watsonville and South County.
4. No. 12 nationally ranked Soquel boys water polo team advances to semis at Memorial Cup in San Jose (fresnobee.com) — Watsonville High's flag football team dominated Seaside 33-0, with quarterback Aaliyah Arellano accounting for four touchdowns and a defense full of big plays, and now prepares to host North Salinas on Tuesday evening. The roundup also highlights strong showings by Monte Vista Christian runners, Cabrillo College soccer teams, and local surfers, giving Watsonville sports fans several hometown performances to follow.
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Ok Watsonville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you call somebody who crosses the ocean twice and doesn't take a bath?" — A dirty double crosser ! (Thank you Theresia F. for sending it in!)
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