🌱 Patch AM: How a $39 million grant could reshape downtown Watsonville transit and housing

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

In today's newsletter:

• How a $39 million grant could reshape downtown Watsonville transit and housing
• What Chief López’s retirement means for Watsonville’s fire and emergency response

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Watsonville? Post it to Watsonville photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near Watsonville.

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Clouds giving way to some sun, with a high of 68 and low of 46 degrees.
• Thursday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 65, low: 48.
• Friday: Clouds giving way to some sun, with a high of 65 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Watsonville awarded $39 million grant for new METRO transit center (pajaronian.com) — Watsonville has secured a $39 million state grant to transform the downtown transit center on Rodriguez Street into a mixed-use hub with 79 affordable apartments, upgraded bus facilities, and new bike infrastructure. The Watsonville Metro Project supports the city’s Downtown Specific Plan goals, aiming to create a more walkable, transit-connected core that reduces car dependence and boosts nearby businesses.
   

• Watsonville Fire Chief Rudy López to retire at end of year (santacruzsentinel.com) — Watsonville Fire Chief Rudy López will retire on Dec. 31 after 35 years of service, with Corey Schaefer stepping in as acting chief while a permanent replacement is recruited. López, a Watsonville native, is credited with strengthening emergency response and community safety, including leading the department through the 2023 Corralitos Creek flooding.
   

📸 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 ★

Thursday December 18

• Tech Drop-In
  Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St STE 100, Watsonville
  4:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• Passionate Readers Book Discussion Group @ La Selva Beach
  La Selva Beach Branch Library , 316 Estrella Ave , La Selva Beach
  10:30 am
• Bilingual Toddler Storytime
  Main Library Meeting Room , 275 Main Street, Suite #100 , Watsonville
  10:30 am

Friday December 19

• Bilingual Baby Laptime
  Main Library Meeting Room , 275 Main Street, Suite #100 , Watsonville
  10:30 am
• Bridge Club @ La Selva Beach
  La Selva Beach Branch Library , 316 Estrella Ave , La Selva Beach
  10:30 am

Saturday December 20

• In-Person Tech Help @ La Selva Beach
  La Selva Beach Branch Library , 316 Estrella Ave , La Selva Beach
  10:00 am

Thursday December 25

• Bilingual Toddler Storytime
  Main Library Meeting Room , 275 Main Street, Suite #100 , Watsonville
  10:30 am

Saturday December 27

• In-Person Tech Help @ La Selva Beach
  La Selva Beach Branch Library , La Selva Beach
  10:00 am

📣 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

Wednesday December 17

• Horses and BEYOND
  Beyond Liberty , 185 Dans Dr , La Selva Beach
  11:00 am
• Preschool Story Time @ La Selva Beach
  La Selva Beach Branch Library , 316 Estrella Ave , La Selva Beach
  11:00 am
• Crafternoon
  Watsonville Public Library , 275 Main St STE 100 , Watsonville
  2:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Passionate Readers Book Discussion Group @ La Selva Beach
  La Selva Beach Library , 316 Estrella Ave , La Selva Beach
  10:30 am

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Watsonville PatchAM possible:

• El Capulin Nursery — (831) 840-9195
  El Capulin Nursery

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• I highly recommend that everyone go on to youtube and watch the youtube channel called Scammer Payback.
  Here are some tips to help keep you safe: •If selling something online, only accept cash and meet in a public well lit location. •if you ever get a… (Nextdoor Briarwood)
• Hey Neighbors, My name is David and I just started my auto mobile detailing business.
  I’m a young entrepreneur looking to get some jobs on my hand. - I Come To Your Driveway For Your Convenience - Great Results If you or someone in… (Nextdoor Pinto Lake Park)

• Pajaro Valley Unified School District posted a job opening for 2025/26 School Year: TEMPORARY Bilingual Kinder Teacher in Watsonville. Apply here.
• Gavilan College posted a job opening for Part Time General Counselor Pool in Gilroy. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Watsonville here.

🗞 Nearby News

Aptos

• Holiday gatherings and unexpected surprises (santacruzsentinel.com)
• Reverend Dr. Robert W. Blaney ('66) (bu.edu)

Soquel

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: I don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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