Politics & Government

5 Things You Need to Know About Watsonville: April 13

Mural restoration postponed, fire departments collaborate, council considers new holiday festival, kids' fishing derby on deck and what the police crime tip line really is.

There's been lots of news in Watsonville this week. Here are some smaller stories and newsy tidbits.

issued this statement Tuesday: The correct crime tip line for Watsonville police is 831-768-3544, not 831-728-3544. Although some of our press releases say otherwise, the correct crime tip line is 831-768-3544. Thank you.

After left one man dead and two teenage boys badly hurt, detectives could use the community's assistance in arresting those responsible.

Find out what's happening in Watsonvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A request to allocate more than $11,000 to restore the Mona Lisa mural on Rodriguez and West Front streets was put on the back burner by the Watsonville City Council, because the city's Redevelopment Agency is tapped out.

Earlier this year, in a move to protect the money. Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed eliminating redevelopment agencies across the state so the tax revenues that fund them can be dedicated to other government programs.

Find out what's happening in Watsonvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Mona Lisa mural dates back decades but is falling into disrepair. City councilors expressed support for saving the mural and said they would take another look at rehabilitating the artwork in the future.

Dig out your fishing poles, kids. Young fishermen can come out for the annual at Pinto Lake on May 1. About 1,000 pounds of trout will be stocked in the lake, and there will be free prizes and hot dogs for the kids.

The Pajaro Valley Lions Club and the city of Watsonville will put on the event.

South County firefighters are working together more and more.

Fire chiefs and other department brass met Monday at to discuss their joint training and mutual aid practices.

In recent months, they started sending four fire engines and a fire truck to structure fires in the area and—in the near future—two battalion chiefs will likely head out to handle those incidents. Previously, it was four engines and one chief.

"All of our expertise provides a far better level of service," said Bob Martin Del Campo, battalion chief at Watsonville Fire. "... It's going to provide more safety for the community and more safety for firefighters."

, Aptos/La Selva Fire, North Monterey County Fire and Cal Fire stations in , Pajaro Dunes, Aromas and are a part of the regional collaboration.

"We're dropping borders to provide our neighbors equal service," Martin Del Campo said.

The fire department leaders plan to meet regularly in the future to keep the cooperation going, he added.

"We're configuring strategy together," the battalion chief said.

The City Council gave the nod for a new holiday festival for Watsonville at its meeting Tuesday evening.

The city will sponsor, but not fund, an event focused at sharing the holiday traditions of the city's diverse population. The festival is planned for 1-7 p.m. on Dec. 10 in the


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