Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a $39 million grant will remake downtown Watsonville transit and housing
Also check out Noche De Brillo on the Watsonville Patch calendar
Greetings Watsonville! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a $39 million grant will remake downtown Watsonville transit and housing
- What Watsonville’s buy-in to a $18 million radio upgrade means
- How Watsonville’s new state Cultural District could boost local arts and business
Also on today's calendar: Breakfast With Santa and 6 more events.
Find out what's happening in Watsonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Watsonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 64 and low of 44 degrees.
- Sunday: Low clouds, then some sun, temps: high: 65, low: 40.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 68 and low of 45 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Watsonville gets $39 million state grant for downtown affordable housing transit hub (ksbw.com) — Watsonville has secured a $39 million state grant to turn the downtown transit center into a mixed-use hub with 79 affordable apartments, better bus facilities, and new bike infrastructure. Partnering with Santa Cruz METRO and MidPen Housing, the city aims to revitalize Rodriguez Street and advance its 2023 Downtown Watsonville Specific Plan with more housing, businesses, and safer transportation options. 
2. County, cities agree to purchase encrypted emergency radio system (pajaronian.com) — Watsonville is joining Santa Cruz County and nearby cities in a new encrypted emergency radio system that will vastly improve first responders’ coverage and coordination. The $18 million Regional Interoperability Next Generation project, launching in January, will boost countywide radio coverage to 95%, with Watsonville sharing long-term costs and governance while officials decide how much of law enforcement traffic will be encrypted.
3. California Designates 10 New Cultural Districts (ca.gov) — Watsonville has just been officially named one of California’s newest state-designated Cultural Districts, recognizing the city’s creative energy and cultural diversity. The Watsonville Cultural District will receive state certification, funding, and marketing support from 2026 to 2030, aimed at boosting local arts, tourism, and economic vitality while spotlighting the community’s unique cultural identity.
4. Santa Cruz woman charged 8 months after deadly hit-and-run along North Coast (santacruzsentinel.com) — Watsonville residents should know that local police helped crack a deadly North Coast hit-and-run, with the city’s department serving on the county auto theft and enforcement task force. After months of investigation, CHP identified a Santa Cruz woman suspected of fleeing an April Highway 1 crash that killed a pedestrian, and felony charges have now been filed.
5. Community Bridges launches fund to support families facing detention or separation - Press Banner (pressbanner.com) — Families in Watsonville and nearby communities can now seek up to $2,500 in emergency help from Community Bridges’ new Puentes Para Familias fund when immigration enforcement detains or separates a caregiver. A recent survey at Watsonville resource centers found more than 90% of families fear deportation impacts, and organizers are asking local residents, faith groups, and donors to help grow the fund.
📸 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 ★
- Noche De Brillo
Watsonville Plaza, 358 Main St, Watsonville
2:00 pm
Sunday December 14
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Breakfast With Santa
2401 E Lake Ave , Watsonville
9:00 am - Night of Sparkle
Civic Plaza Parking Garage , 260 Rodriguez St , Watsonville
2:00 pm - Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Holiday Lights
Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds , 2601 E Lake Ave , Watsonville
5:30 pm - Enthusiastic Bird Watchers @ La Selva Beach
La Selva Beach Branch Library , La Selva Beach
10:30 am - Sensory Play
Main Library , 275 Main Street, Suite #100 , Watsonville
11:00 am - 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 - Bridge Club @ La Selva Beach
La Selva Beach Branch Library , 316 Estrella Ave , La Selva Beach
10:30 am
Sunday December 14
Tuesday December 16
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
📣 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
- 4×4 Cars and Coffee
Rite Aid , 80 Rancho Del Mar , Aptos
9:00 am - In-Person Tech Help @ La Selva Beach
La Selva Beach Branch Library , La Selva Beach
10:00 am - CANCELLED In-Person Tech Help @ La Selva Beach
La Selva Beach Branch Library , 316 Estrella Ave , La Selva Beach
10:00 am - 2nd Saturday on the Farm -Holidays On The Farm
Agricultural History Project Center & Museum , 2601 E Lake Ave , Watsonville
11:00 am
Saturday December 13
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
- Update: Pet Reunited
Miko, a dog who went missing in Watsonville, CA, has been safely reunited with their family after 13 hours, 32 minutes. Message from Owner: "My baby… (Nextdoor Briarwood) - Right out our kitchen window around 7am!
I knew they were up here but first time I've ever seen one. (Nextdoor Corralitos)
- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member in Watsonville. Apply here.
- The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Cashier in Watsonville. 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: I demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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