NEST Flight returns May 4-5
WATSONVILLE—Since 2018, Watsonville-based nonprofit Digital NEST has hosted NEST Flight, a career development conference aiming to inspire young professionals and propel their careers.
The event features speakers, workshops, panel discussions, networking opportunities and more for people ages 17-24. During the conference, attendees have the opportunity...
Small businesses holding steady through pandemic, local fires
WATSONVILLE—First came the coronavirus in March and then the fires and smoke in August. While the CZU August Lightning Complex fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains is 100% contained, the Covid-19 pandemic continues.
What have the dual disasters meant for Watsonville’s local businesses? So far,...
New pizza shop opens in historic Pajaro location
PAJARO—The tiny town of Pajaro, nestled on the most northerly corner of Monterey County, just got its first pizzeria.
Thanks to a dream of Pajaro native and resident Eric Ramirez, fresh homemade pizzas are prepared in-house and baked in a brick oven at Idle Hour...
Local personal trainer launches new business
WATSONVILLE—Opening a new business during a global pandemic might at first seem like a risky move. But for Christian Diaz, it was also an opportunity.
With most fitness centers throughout the state remaining closed to stop the spread of Covid-19, people have been looking for...
Beer Mule opens in Watsonville
The owners of Beer Mule were hoping for an easy “soft opening” when they announced their first night via Instagram on Saturday.
Store hands out 8,200 pounds of chicken to Second Harvest
WATSONVILLE—Second Harvest Food Bank’s efforts to aid Pajaro flood victims received a boost Wednesday when Staff of Life Natural Foods and Smart Chicken donated more than four tons of chicken.
With the Smart Giving Program, Staff of Life Natural Foods and Smart Chicken donated over...
Staff of Life market to open in East Lake Village
Staff of Life, a Santa Cruz-based natural foods store that launched nearly a half-century ago, will move into the space occupied by Super Max Discount Foods.
Watsonville’s Crystal Bay Farm opens annual pumpkin patch
For more than 20 years, Crystal Bay Farm owners Lori and Jeff Fiorovich have offered the Pajaro Valley community a homegrown harvest tradition.
Every October, the couple transforms their farm into a family-friendly pumpkin patch, where people can come and pick out the perfect pumpkin,...
Volunteers boost Camphill Communities
Workers from K&D Landscaping of Watsonville volunteer their efforts last week to fortify a stone patio with fresh grout at Camphill Communities, a life-sharing community for adults with developmental disabilities near Santa Cruz.
Aptos duo awarded top honors for stellar play on the pitch...
Aptos High seniors Ivan Zavala and Daniel Lozano each were recognized as two of the top players in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League...





















