Local News

(Pajaronian reporter Tarmo Hannula contributed to this story. — Editor) WATSONVILLE—Bill Neighbors, whose proclivity to help and to improve his community extended into nearly every aspect of Watsonville civic life—and whose lifelong career of volunteerism led him to be dubbed “Mr. Watsonville” by those who...

The 40th annual Evening of Wine & Roses unfolded Saturday night at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Put on by the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, the event serves as a fundraiser in support of health and wellness services for the Pajaro Valley. Guests...

PAJARO—A longtime Royal Oaks resident, Graniterock employee and community organizer on Wednesday announced his run for the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. Steve Snodgrass, 66, has served as Graniterock’s Chief Financial Officer for 35 years, and plans to retire early next year. That experience, he...

“Emergence,” the latest exhibition at Pajaro Valley Arts, has opened at the Pajaro Valley Gallery, 37 Sudden St. The exhibit showcases 33 artists with more than 100 works in a wealth of mediums. Based on the definition of emergence—“coming into being or prominence”—the artwork features new...

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution to extend the emergency declarations that came in the wake of the CZU August Lightning Complex fires. The County first proclaimed a local emergency related to the fires on Aug. 19...

Author Viola Canales stood in front of a group of local high school migrant students Tuesday morning and told them to follow their dreams, embrace their Latino heritage and hold onto their family ties even as they graduate and venture out into the world.

AROMAS—A Watsonville man was arrested Monday after an illegal butane honey oil lab at his residence exploded, seriously injuring a woman. Jason Mendez, 22, was charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, arson and other drug-related charges. He was not in custody at Monterey County Jail...

WATSONVILLE—Second Harvest Food Bank volunteer Paul Garcia knows the importance of giving back to his community. “I was a heroin addict for many years… I tore this town up,” he said. “So now I’m giving back.” Garcia has been a volunteer for Second Harvest for 11...

WATSONVILLE—For the owners of The Slough Brewing Collective in Watsonville, beer is much more than just a drink, or a lucrative business—it’s a community. The brewery, formerly Elkhorn Slough Brewing Company, even reflects this in its motto: “Beer is people.” “Beer is a way of bringing...