Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Watsonville career criminal sent back to prison after new charges

Happening soon: Mat Pilates on the Watsonville Patch calendar

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Hello Watsonville! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Watsonville career criminal sent back to prison after new charges
  • Why Watsonville's hospital is at risk in the county's budget crunch
  • How a Watsonville opera house helped launch today's county fair

Also on today's calendar: Santa Cruz Film Festival and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why was the scarecrow given an award? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 89 and low of 59 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Monday: Sunny and very warm, temps: high: 87, low: 57.
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 91 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Brett Miller, with 'appalling' criminal record, returned to prison (pajaronian.com) — A Watsonville man with a decades-long record of robberies, escapes, and other crimes has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading no contest to cockfighting and weapons charges tied to a Ranport Road property. The story revisits his past escapades in Watsonville and beyond, while noting local prosecutors' concerns about ongoing risks and unaccounted firearms.
   

• Officials reflect on budget, successes in first state-of-the-county address (pajaronian.com) — Santa Cruz County leaders warn that Watsonville Community Hospital could run out of cash and face possible closure within a year, even as they tout new health and housing projects. They outline a looming long-term budget shortfall, potential federal funding cuts, and a proposed temporary sales tax, all of which could significantly affect services Watsonville residents rely on.
   

• Santa Cruz County Fair promoters in the 1920s (santacruzsentinel.com) — The roots of today's Santa Cruz County Fair trace back to the 1880s, when the first local Pajaro Valley Fair filled the Watsonville Opera House with produce, crafts, and exhibits. This short history piece walks you through how those early Watsonville gatherings evolved and eventually led to the fair's permanent home off Highway 152.
   

📸 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!

★ Featured events ★

    Wednesday October 7
  • Mat Pilates →
    Kathleen King Community Room, 85 Nielson St, Watsonville
    9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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!

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

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Watsonville PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Anyone concerned about Watsonville Hospital Services, I would like to share.
    I had (lucky me) a colonoscopy today. If you don't count the prep, which is pretty awful, I have only the best to say about my experience. I'm with… (Nextdoor Corralitos)
  • Home Depot (Retail) posted a job opening for Customer Service/Sales in Watsonville. Apply here.
  • Monte Vista Christian School, Inc. posted a job opening for Head Varsity Swim Coach & Program Builder in Watsonville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Watsonville here.

🗞 Nearby News

Pajaro

  • Watsonville / Pajaro Neighborhood Newsletter for Friday, Oct. 2 (lookout.co)
  • El Niño's effects on aging California schools may be severe, experts warn (laist.com)

Aptos

  • Aptos Neighborhood Newsletter for Friday, Oct. 2 (lookout.co)
  • Strawberries drive increase in Santa Cruz County crop values - Aptos Life (aptoslife.com)
  • Dientes expands pediatric services - Aptos Life (aptoslife.com)

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: "Why was the scarecrow given an award?" — Because he was outstanding in his field! (Thank you Teresa M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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