Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How new crime-mapping software could change policing in Watsonville

And check out Toddler Tumble Time on the Watsonville Patch calendar

Saturday September 5th Patch AM
Saturday September 5th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning to you Watsonville! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How new crime-mapping software could change policing in Watsonville
  • Which Watsonville teams are surging despite the Wildcatz' rough start?
  • How ready is the Pajaro River levee for El Niño?

Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)


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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 76 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 76, low: 51.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 82 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Watsonville Police Department receives $22K in federal funding for crime analysis (santacruzsentinel.com) — Watsonville residents can expect more data-driven policing after the Watsonville Police Department received a $22,285 federal grant for new crime analysis software. The funding, announced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren, will help identify crime hot spots so limited officers and resources can be deployed more strategically to improve safety around town.
   

2. 'Catz football falls to 0-2 following nonleague loss to Alisal (pajaronian.com) — Watsonville High's football team has stumbled to an 0-2 start after a 34-10 nonleague loss to Alisal, with coaches and players vowing to fix penalties and execution before league play. Local fans also have brighter news: Pajaro Valley football is 2-0, Watsonville girls flag football is 3-0, and Monte Vista Christian volleyball remains unbeaten heading into key home matches next week.
   

3. County prepares for potentially strong El Niño (pajaronian.com) — Santa Cruz County is stepping up winter preparations that directly affect Watsonville, including work with the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency on the Pajaro River levee system and emergency flood-fighting plans. Residents can now access an updated El Niño resource webpage with sandbag locations, evacuation and alert information, and guidance on flooding, landslides, and storm impacts in English and Spanish.
   

4. New company takes over Minto Road BESS project (pajaronian.com) — A controversial battery energy storage project just outside Watsonville has a new owner, as Chicago-based Invenergy takes over the Seahawk Energy Storage proposal on Minto Road while keeping plans to seek state approval. Nearby residents and groups remain strongly opposed, citing fire, evacuation, and environmental risks, even as the company touts updated safety standards and millions in projected tax and economic benefits for Santa Cruz County.
   


📸 Around Watsonville

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!


🗓 Upcoming Events in Watsonville

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Tuesday September 8
  • Toddler Tumble Time
    Watsonville City Main Calendar Main Library > Main Library Meeting Room - 275 Main Street, Suite #100 Watsonville CA 95076
    10:30 am
  • Videogame Tournaments
    Watsonville City Main Calendar Main Library > Main Library Meeting Room - 275 Main Street, Suite #100 Watsonville CA 95076
    4:30 pm

📣 Watsonville Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!


🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.


 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Good afternoon,
    I found a kitten (looks to be 4-6 weeks old) outside of my work window. I think it's male and is favoring his right leg. It needs to go to a good… (Nextdoor Crestview)
  • If anyone finds/found a hottopic bag on the bus in Watsonville please contact me.
    My teen's friend left it on the bus and she is really upset. It was the #73 that left the mall about 3:40. Thank you!!! (Nextdoor Briarwood)
  • Svetness posted a job opening for Personal Trainer - Watsonville, California in Watsonville. Apply here.
  • Seacliff Inn posted a job opening for Sous Chef in Aptos. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Watsonville here.

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: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.


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