Local News

WATSONVILLE—A large crowd of nonprofit, city and county officials gathered Wednesday to break ground on a development on Freedom Boulevard that will house 53 low-income families. “I’m pleased we’re able to offer affordable housing here to fulfill Watsonville’s downtown specific plan, to provide a range...

A little more than seven decades ago, as the nation recovered from World War II and Main Street America flourished, Taylor’s Office City opened its doors in Watsonville and henceforth became the city’s preferred destination for all manner of office supplies. On June 30, the...

WATSONVILLE—Two Watsonville Community Band members, trombonist Samuel Waite and bass clarinetist Yazlyn Estrada, have been awarded full scholarships to the Fresno Pacific University Summer Music Camp in June. Both students are graduates of the WCB Youth Band and now play with the adult unit. The...

WATSONVILLE—Thanks to Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Extended Learning Program, students at Cesar Chavez Middle School are learning unconventional but practical skills, like how to make pasta, homemade salsa, enchiladas nopales, and seasoned fruits and vegetables. The class, Fitness For Life (which is under the...

LA SELVA BEACH—After more than four decades as pastor of La Selva Beach Community Church, Rev. Jane Grady retired Sunday in a special service with her congregation. Grady arrived at La Selva Beach in 1980, fresh out of seminary and ready to serve a new...

SANTA CRUZ—A man who kidnapped, assaulted, robbed and shot his victim through the genitals last year was found guilty May 19 of aggravated mayhem, kidnapping, robbery and assault with a firearm, Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell announced. Tilden Ball, 37, is set to...

Watsonville artist Jaime Sanchez touches up the giant mural the faces Hansen Park in downtown Watsonville. The mural, entitled "Triumph" was painted by Sanchez and fellow artist Paul De Worken six years ago. —photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Community Bridges and its nonprofit partners, Nonprofit Connection Santa Cruz County, Human Care Alliance, and Santa Cruz Community Ventures, will host a virtual forum on May 25 with local supervisor candidates from the 3rd and 4th Districts.  Candidates will open the forum by...

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PV Water) received $7.6 million to support its College Lake Project, which will supply a supplemental source of water for the Pajaro Valley. The grant was awarded May 4 through the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Sustainable Groundwater Management...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Office of Education recently announced the county’s Educator of the Year awards.  The awards recognize educators and staff who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to students, education and the community. Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools...