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WATSONVILLE—A man has filed a civil lawsuit in Santa Cruz County Superior Court, claiming that 4th District Supervisorial candidate Jimmy Dutra molested him when he was 12. A case management conference is scheduled for Feb. 3. The Pajaronian typically does not name victims in stories involving...

Watsonville native Richard Gurnee, who revolutionized the field of scientific taxidermy by pioneering a freeze-drying technique still employed worldwide, died in October after a brief illness. He was 87. Gurnee graduated from Watsonville High School in 1954, and then studied zoology at Humboldt State University. But...

As high school seniors across the nation plan their adult lives, many are considering colleges and universities. Invariably, these questions are guided by a single factor: how to pay for it. While scholarships are an option, these are often competitive and come with a host...

The 2025-26 fiscal budget which cuts several positions, reduces operational fees and implements a five-year capital improvement plan.

After researching and running multiple pop-up venues, Eve Ayala and her wife, Teresa Madrigal, have swung open the doors to their new shop, TBH (To Be Honest). “We're locals, born and raised in Watsonville,” Ayala said. “We are second generation Mexican women. Our shop comes...

A new laundromat has opened in the East Lake Village Shopping Center.  Owner Robert Ruiz said Laundry Room features 30 driers and 35 heavy-duty washing machines that can handle from two to eight loads (80 pounds) of wash. The 2,000-square-foot facility, which replaces a former laundromat...

WATSONVILLE—A Watsonville man was shot and killed Sunday afternoon in downtown Watsonville. Watsonville Police Sgt. Jarrod Pisturino  said the shooting took place around 11:16am between the 100 block of Brennan Street and the 100 block of Sudden Street in a large parking lot shared by...

Chris Ishikawa took over as owner at Miyuki Japanese Restaurant in 2016 after starting off as a busboy and a server, before making his way behind the sushi bar where he and the kitchen staff continue to make what most consider the best sushi...

A long-standing fitness center—Toadal Fitness—has opened a new location at 25 Penny Lane in Watsonville. With other locations sprinkled around the county including downtown Santa Cruz, Live Oak, Westside Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley, the Watsonville location threw a soft opening Monday. “While the previous...

A longtime Pajaro Valley Unified School District substitute teacher is no longer working with the district after an expletive-laden, racist rant following a fender-bender was posted to TikTok on Monday. PVUSD interim Superintendent Murry Schekman did not name the teacher, and did not confirm that...