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January 9, 2026

County releases draft battery storage ordinance

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 will review proposed rules governing large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), which are expected to allow the controversial facilities to be built in unincorporated areas of the county while giving local officials a measure...

Photo story: Minor injuries in rollover crash

A 2015 Toyota Prius sits on its roof in Browns Creek on the 800 block of Browns Valley Road near Corralitos on the afternoon of Dec. 30.  California Highway Patrol spokesman Israel Murillo said the driver suffered minor injuries and the passenger uninjured in...

Photo story: Día de los Reyes Magos

A worker from Jocelyn Bakery at 3 San Juan Road in Pajaro, serves samples of Roscas de los Reyes, or King’s Bread at the Watsonville Certified Farmers Market. The bread stems from a long Mexican tradition on Jan. 6 known as Día de los...

Locals feed homeless population in Pajaro

A group of local residents, businesses and organizations pooled their efforts last week to serve hot meals and provide warm clothing and other goods to those in need in Pajaro. The project, headed up by Victor and Norma Aguirre and staged in the parking lot...

A look back on notable stories of 2025

As the new year approaches, we take a look at the stories and imagesthat captured the most attention over the past year. All photos are by Pajaronian photographer Tarmo Hannula. January TERMINAL CONDITION The year started off with a literal bang, as the battery energy storage system...

Wet weather likely for New Year

The Monterey Bay region is expected to see a wet start to the new year, with several days of rain, fog and an elevated risk of coastal flooding affecting low-lying areas near Watsonville through the weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood...

County announces new probation chief

Santa Cruz County on Monday named Sandra Mendez as its next chief probation officer, selecting a veteran corrections administrator with more than 20 years of experience in community-based justice programs. Mendez will take over leadership of the county’s Probation Department on Feb. 2, county officials...

CHP announces holiday enforcement period

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is ringing in 2026 by launching a New Year’s holiday enforcement period by boosting patrols statewide from 6pm onWednesday, Dec. 31 to 11:59pm Thursday, Jan. 1.  While the time surrounding New Year's Eve is a time for celebration, the CHP...

Suspected shark bite victim’s body recovered

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has identified the woman who died after reportedly being bitten by a shark as 55-year-old Erica Fox. Sheriff’s officials said Fox’s body was found near Davenport Beach on Saturday around 2pm along the rugged coastline north of Santa Cruz....

Watsonville names new fire chief

The City of Watsonville has named longtime firefighter Corey Schaefer as its next fire chief following the retirement of Chief Rudy López. Schaefer, a 27-year veteran of the Watsonville Fire Department, has served as acting fire chief since August and was selected after a recruitment...
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Watsonville holds vigil for woman shot and killed by ICE 

Around 150 people gathered in Watsonville Plaza Thursday night in a vigil for 37-year-old Renee Nicole Macklin Good, who was shot and killed by...