Local News

The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved “Watsonville Brillante,” an ambitious project that will cover the entire exterior of the Civic Plaza parking garage with mosaic over a period of five years.

A federal judge on Thursday ruled that the Trump administration must fund  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through November for the 42 million people who depend on them. “People have gone without for too long,” said U.S. District Judge John McConnell. “Not making payments...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville High School student Juan Baltazar spent some time in the school’s new barn Wednesday, caring for the cow he is raising to sell this summer during the Santa Cruz County Fair.  He said he has been involved in raising animals since he was in...

The Pajaro Valley Quilt Association held its annual show over the weekend with more than 300 quilts on display at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.  With the theme of “It’s Hip to Be Square,” the huge variety of homemade quilts, from machine to hand-sewn, from...

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS—Law enforcement officials on Thursday arrested a man suspected of running a “chop shop” high in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Victor Guizar Avalos, 40, was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on charges of operating a chop shop and possessing ammunition. He was...

WATSONVILLE—A family of a man who died from Covid-19 at Watsonville Post Acute Center (WPAC) has sued the facility. Donald Wickham, 94, died on Oct. 10. He was one of 16 residents who died after contracting the virus. According to the lawsuit filed Nov. 10 by...

Tarmo Hannula: The Pajaronian debuted our lifestyle magazine, Pajaro Valley, on Friday. Give it a look. ••• Tarmo Hannula: I’ve noticed gas prices edging down over the past few weeks. Regular was $3.55 a gallon on Soquel Avenue Thursday in Santa Cruz. On Friday on 41st...

Civil rights activist Dolores Huerta will speak at the Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts in Watsonville on Aug. 12 at 4pm.  She'll be joined on stage by local activists Mireya Gómez-Contreras, co-leader of Esperanza Community Farms, and Ann López, executive director of...

The new 80-unit housing development at 78 Atkinson Lane in Watsonville by MidPen Housing is moving skyward. Situated between Atkinson Lane and Brewington Avenue, the development is the second phase of the nearby Pippin Orchards. The project, part of a multiphase development plan approved some two...