62 F
Watsonville
November 2, 2025

PVUSD high schools see record-high graduation rates

pvusd trustees
Late in 2022, when officials from Pajaro Valley Unified School District took a look at its high school seniors, they noticed a disturbing trend: many were not meeting their graduation requirements and were at risk of not receiving their diplomas. And so Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez...

Watsonville’s urban growth is a key issue before voters

measure u watsonville
WATSONVILLE—This fall, Watsonville voters face a decision that has been 20 years in the making. Should the city’s urban growth restrictions put in place in 2002 be extended through 2040, or should residents and their elected leaders have an opportunity to determine how and...

PVUSD to begin superintendent search, appoint interim

pvusd trustees
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday are scheduled to appoint an interim leader to fill the vacancy when current Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez leaves on June 30. Clint Rucker, who currently serves as the district’s Chief Business Officer, will take the...

PHOTOS: Pajaro Valley Chamber celebrates community

pajaro valley chamber of commerce annual awards dinner
With a theme of “Hometown USA,” the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture held its 61st annual Awards Dinner and Auction on Saturday at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. This year’s honorees were Woman of the Year Trina Coffman-Gomez, Man of the Year...

Friend announces he won’t seek reelection

Santa Cruz Supervisor and current Board Chair Zach Friend announced Friday that he will not seek a fourth term on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.  Friend was first elected in 2012, and was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2016 and 2020. His current term ends...

Latest storm prompts evacuation warnings in Watsonville, Pajaro

cloudy skies storm watsonville
WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County officials late Wednesday warned residents to be prepared for a high possibility of flooding, as the Watsonville Police Department issued evacuation warnings for the neighborhoods west of Corralitos Creek, the same areas that flooded during the series of storms that hit...

PHOTO: Car theft suspect caught in Watsonville

car theft suspect overlook center watsonville police
Watsonville Police detain a suspect in a stolen car incident Tuesday morning in the Overlook Center on Main Street in Watsonville. Sgt. Javier Ayala said the Toyota Sienna minivan had been reported stolen out of Watsonville and that it was spotted by WPD staff...

Watsonville High graduate eyes future leadership role

Morielle Mamaril
Two weeks after she graduates from Watsonville High School, Morielle Mamaril will travel to New York to attend a summer program at Cornell University. There, she’ll study Industrial and Labor Relations, a major specific to Cornell she says will prepare her for a career that...

2021 Crop Report released

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo released the 2021 Santa Cruz County Crop Report on Oct. 5, which shows a 3.4 percent increase in overall crop production values over the past year. Strawberries remain the top crop in Santa Cruz County, with...

Hecker Pass pursuit leads to DUI arrest

california highway patrol arrest hecker pass highway watsonville road
A 30-year-old Lemoore man was arrested Oct. 6 after he reportedly tried to evade police. California Highway Patrol officer Israel Murillo said CHP officers observed a BMW M4 fail to stop at a stop sign near East Lake Avenue at Casserly Road on the evening...
7,695FansLike
4,949FollowersFollow
2,895FollowersFollow

Photo story: A Dia de los Muertos celebration

Dancers from Estrellas de Esperanza prepare to take the stage in Watsonville during the Calle Libres and Dia de Los Muertos event Sunday. Music,...