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Watsonville
July 7, 2025

Pajaro to get $20 million in state budget

pajaro flood clean up
A state budget approved Monday by California legislators will, among other things, bring $20 million to the town of Pajaro to help residents recover from the flooding that inundated the area in March. The funds are available to all residents, regardless of immigration status. The budget...

Police: Man exposed himself at laundromat

A Watsonville man with an extensive criminal record was arrested Monday after he allegedly exposed himself to several women in a laundromat. Joel Navarro, 27, was charged with assault with intent to commit mayhem, rape, sodomy, oral copulation, sexual battery, attempted sexual battery and indecent...

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds hires new manager after months-long search

Zeke Fraser santa cruz county fairgrounds
Zeke Fraser was hired as the new manager of the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, the board of directors announced Tuesday, capping off a search that began when former manager Dave Kegebein was fired in October. Fraser, a resident of Santa Cruz for nearly 30 years,...

Capitola Police investigating hoax bomb threat at New Brighton

sirens
UPDATED, AUG. 10: Capitola Police are investigating after someone called in a false bomb threat to New Brighton Middle School, which prompted an evacuation of all students and the cancelation of classes on the first day back from summer break. Police found no devices during a...

Cannabis dispensary opens in Watsonville

catalyst cannabis
Watsonville has gotten its newest retail cannabis dispensary. Catalyst Cannabis, which has 17 other locations statewide, is the city’s third pot shop. The store opened on June 2, and plans a grand opening for the end of July. General Manager Jon Kolodinski has roots in Santa Cruz...

Watsonville Police seize two unregistered guns; arrest three suspects

A routine traffic stop by Watsonville Police Tuesday led to three arrests after officers reportedly discovered two unregistered guns in the vehicle. According to police, officers were patrolling in the area of Freedom Boulevard and Alta Vista Avenue on Tuesday when they pulled over Cierra...

Cesar Chavez Community Awards seeks nominations

Cesar-Chavez-day-AT2
The Friends of Watsonville Park and Community Services and the City of Watsonville are requesting nominations for their 21st Annual Cesar E. Chavez Community Awards.  This event will recognize individuals, organizations and businesses who engage Watsonville youth and empower them to help contribute to their...

Cabrillo College receives $3M grant

cabrillo college
Cabrillo College announced Oct. 10 that it is the recipient of a five-year, $3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). The Abriendo El Camino: Connecting & Supporting High School Students into Structured College & Career Pathways grant aims to strengthen career...

Supervisors approve Soquel Drive bike lane project

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday opened the bidding process for a project that will add bike lanes and make pedestrian and traffic improvements along a 5.6-mile stretch of Soquel Drive in Mid-County. Construction is expected to start in the summer...

PVUSD considering changes to art instruction

pvusd trustees
Since June, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees has been considering a plan to retool its Visual and Performing Arts program at its 16 elementary schools, a proposal that includes splitting art teachers between most schools. The shift would be part of...
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Monterey County Sheriff: ‘Bomb’ was lost computer

A suspicious bag left leaning against a California Highway Patrol vehicle in Prunedale Monday—which prompted a response from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad...