WPD: murder suspect fled country
WATSONVILLE—The man suspected of murdering his wife in their Watsonville home last week has likely fled to Mexico, Watsonville police said Monday.
Cesar Hernandez, 47, allegedly murdered 24-year-old Brenda Elizabeth Becerra and then left her body in a Ford SUV on Mission Drive in Santa...
CHP on the rebound following officer shortage
SACRAMENTO—The California Highway Patrol is set to swear in 77 new officers at a ceremony today at its Academy in West Sacramento.
The move comes as the CHP is down a large number of officers during the pandemic blended with an unusual number of retiring...
Watsonville native embraces his roots while diving into L.A. music scene
For rapper and singer Kabwasa, staying connected to his hometown of Watsonville is a priority—even as he makes waves in the music scene in Los Angeles.
Raised in a house just off Rodriguez Street, Kabwasa was surrounded by music from an early age. He attended...
New roundabout at Hwy 129-Lakeview Road opens
WATSONVILLE—The newly constructed roundabout at the intersection of Highway 129 (Riverside Road) and Lakeview Road opened on Dec. 3 to through traffic.
Final roadway striping and a variety of construction details will be completed over the next few weeks, but the roadway and roundabout are...
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...
Watsonville native Marv Marinovich lived for the ‘challenge’
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville High School alumnus and former Oakland Raiders lineman Marv Marinovich—who captained the University of Southern California’s 1962 national championship team—once wrestled a champion bull that his dad brought home to their cattle ranch on Carlton Road.
He and his brother, Gary, were both in...
Farm store and cafe opens at historic Five Mile House
CORRALITOS—Late Monday morning the Five Mile House in Corralitos was bustling with activity for the first time in 12 years.
Blossom’s Farmstore & Coffee Shop now occupies the landmark Spanish-style building on the corner of Freedom Boulevard and Corralitos Road, which has housed various businesses...
Community responds to recent uptick in violence
WATSONVILLE—Two people were shot and killed in a span of just more than 48 hours in Watsonville, raising concerns about an uptick of violence in Santa Cruz County’s southernmost city.
Watsonville police are investigating the shooting deaths of 19-year-old Fancisco Mora and 30-year-old Octavio Varela...
A life, preserved: In memory of famed local taxidermist Richard Gurnee
Watsonville native Richard Gurnee, who revolutionized the field of scientific taxidermy by pioneering a freeze-drying technique still employed worldwide, died in October after a brief illness. He was 87.
Gurnee graduated from Watsonville High School in 1954, and then studied zoology at Humboldt State University.
But...
Program invests in Watsonville’s young people
WATSONVILLE — Beginning this month, babies born in Watsonville will have a small head start toward college.
That’s thanks to Santa Cruz Community Ventures, which has launched Savings and Engagement for Education and Development Success, otherwise known as SEEDS.
The program will launch with newborn babies from...
Prep Athletes of the Week: MVC’s Boston Ashe; St. Francis’ Maya...
The Pajaronian’s Prep Athletes of the Week were selected based on their performances during the week of Sept. 8-14. Coaches and athletic directors are...
