🌱 Patch AM: What’s next for the controversial Minto Road battery project near Watsonville?

Morning Watsonville! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What’s next for the controversial Minto Road battery project near Watsonville?
• How Watsonville volunteers keep hundreds of local veterans fed each week
• How a Watsonville teen’s two liver transplants led to the Rose Parade

Today's riddle: I quit my job as a banker. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Cloudy with a touch of rain, with a high of 65 and low of 53 degrees.
• Saturday: Periods of rain, temps: high: 63, low: 50.
• Sunday: Rain; breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 58 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Year in Review: Debate over battery energy storage safety persists in Santa Cruz County (santacruzsentinel.com) — A proposed large battery storage facility on Minto Road just outside Watsonville remains at the heart of Santa Cruz County’s debate over clean energy and safety after the Moss Landing battery fire. County supervisors plan to review a stricter local ordinance this month that could shape how, or if, the Seahawk Energy Project near Watsonville moves forward in coming years.
   

2. Volunteers Power Santa Cruz Veterans Meal and Pantry Program (goodtimes.sc) — Watsonville veterans and their families can access free groceries every Tuesday at the Watsonville Veterans Memorial Building, where volunteers now support more than 200 people weekly. The story follows the countywide Veterans Meal and Pantry Program, showing how local leaders like Doc Garza and many volunteers keep both the Watsonville pantry and Santa Cruz meal service running entirely on donations and community effort.
   

3. Watsonville teen honored at Rose Parade after two liver transplants (ksbw.com) — An 18-year-old Watsonville resident, Christian Gomez, is being honored on the Donor Network West float in the Rose Parade after surviving two liver transplants, including one involving his mom as a living donor. His care began at Watsonville Community Hospital and continued at Stanford, and now he’s using his story to encourage more people to consider lifesaving organ donation.
   

4. Thomas Watson is first baby born in Watsonville in 2026 (santacruzsentinel.com) — A Royal Oaks couple welcomed baby Thomas Watson at Watsonville Community Hospital early New Year’s Day, making him the first recorded baby born in Watsonville for 2026. The story follows his complicated but successful delivery, his parents’ ties to Santa Cruz County, and the joy of starting the year with a healthy new arrival.
   

📸 Around Watsonville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Watsonville

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday January 7

• Family Movie Night
  Main Library , 275 Main Street, Suite #100 , Watsonville
  5:30 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

Friday January 2

• Baby Bounce Storytime
  Gilroy Library , 350 West Sixth Street , Gilroy
  10:30 am
• Noon Yearâs Eve Countdown/ Celebre el aĂąo nuevo
  Gilroy Library , 350 West Sixth Street , Gilroy
  11:00 am

Saturday January 3

• Family Storytime [Hora de Cuentos]
  Gilroy Library , 350 West Sixth Street , Gilroy
  10:30 am
• Are You Game? Lancelot's Merry Band of Gamers
  Barbara Gorson Multiuse Room , Capitola
  12:00 pm
• Movie - The Fantastic Four: First Steps
  Gilroy Library , 350 West Sixth Street , Gilroy
  2:00 pm

Monday January 5

• 1-on-1 Tech Help / Ayuda con la TecnologĂ­a
  Gilroy Library , 350 West Sixth Street , Gilroy
  1:00 pm
• Free Snacks for Kids! / Meriendas Gratis Para NiĂąos!
  Gilroy Library , 350 West Sixth Street , Gilroy
  3:00 pm
• Create-N-Play [Crear-Y-Jugar]
  Gilroy Library , 350 West Sixth Street , Gilroy
  5:30 pm
• Pajama Storytime [Hora de Cuentos en Pijama]
  Gilroy Library , 350 West Sixth Street , Gilroy
  6:30 pm

Tuesday January 6

• Aptos Youth Chess Club @ Aptos
  The Betty Leonard Community Room , Aptos
  3:30 pm
• Ukulele Class Session B for Ages 12 and Older
  Gilroy Library , 350 West Sixth Street , Gilroy
  4:00 pm

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
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

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

• Hi family and friends,
  As we close out this year, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there for me through my health struggles, depression, and… (Nextdoor Pajaro Village)
• Fire prompts evacuation in Washington, DC.
  8:22PM on Dec 31: Nextdoor user reports a fire at DC apartments. (Nextdoor )

• Government Jobs posted a job opening for Senior Recreation Leader (Temporary/Hourly) in Watsonville. Apply here.
• Pajaro Valley Unified School District posted a job opening for 2025/26 School Year: TEMPORARY Bilingual Kinder Teacher 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 just lost interest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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