Fireworks seizure the largest in Watsonville history
Watsonville police arrested two men on July 3 after they were found with more than 4,500 pounds of illegal fireworks.
The bust is the largest in Watsonville Police history, and the biggest on the Central Coast this year, police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said.
Luis Martinez and...
Public input sought on Ramsay Park Nature Center design
The City of Watsonville, Watsonville Wetlands Watch (WWW), and Community Arts & Empowerment are teaming up to design and install a new mosaic mural for the entrance wall of the new Nature Center scheduled to open in Ramsay Park in late 2025.
The artwork includes...
HONORING YOUNG LEADERS
Nearly three decades ago, the Queer Youth Leadership Awards (QYLA) was created to honor young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people (LGBTQ+) whose advocacy and activism have made notable impacts on their communities.
Created by the Queer Youth Task Force, the annual ceremony is...
Pajaro Valley Health Care Board Chair John Friel Dies
Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board (PVHCD) Chair and former Watsonville Community Hospital CEO John Friel, who took the lead of the fledgling agency at its outset in 2022, died March 21 after battling an undisclosed illness.
Friel resigned from his position on March 19,...
Elkhorn Slough, other natural areas, receive $71M grant for climate resilience
Elkhorn Slough, the vast natural area south of Watsonville that serves as a transition zone between land and sea and is home to myriad species of birds—as well as water and land animals—got a boost last week with a $6 million award.
The money from...
Remembering the fallen: community celebrates Memorial Day
For Michelle Martinez Kamalani and her mother, Judy Martinez of Watsonville, Memorial Day meant setting time aside to visit Valley Catholic Cemetery.
With an electric weed-whacker, a whisk broom, hand clippers and two bunches of fresh flowers, the pair wandered through the rows of flower-festooned...
Photo story: Pajaro fire displaces two families
Photo by Tarmo Hannula of The Pajaronian - An early-morning fire tore through a home at 41 San Juan Road in Pajaro Wednesday. North Monterey County Fire Division Chief Jess Cortez said no-one was injured in the blaze at the corner of Gonda Street....
Powerful winds topple trees and power lines, prompt tornado warning
Winds were so strong Saturday night that meteorologists issued a tornado warning on the Central Coast including for Elkhorn and Prunedale, as well as areas around Aptos and Watsonville.
Just after 8pm, some residents reported seeing a “funnel cloud” touch down on the 700 block...
Man arrested for attempted murder
An 18-year-old Watsonville man was arrested Friday morning on suspicion of attempted murder.
Watsonville Police spokeswoman MIchelle Pulido said detectives served multiple search warrants linked to this case and arrested the suspect, Antwan Magaña.
On Feb. 10, WPD Officers responded to reports of a shooting on...
Photo story: Adding color at the fairgrounds with flowers
People pitch in their efforts Thursday in planting at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in preparation for the 2026 fair during its annual flower...




















