Watsonville not included in state’s vaccine equity plan
WATSONVILLE—No communities in Santa Cruz County qualify for the California Department of Public Health’s vaccine equity plan, which Gov. Gavin Newsom last week pitched as a way for the state to prioritize disadvantaged and Latinx communities that have seen a disproportionate impact from the...
Fully vaccinated people can have small gatherings indoors, CDC says
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday issued long-awaited guidance to Americans fully vaccinated against Covid-19, freeing them to take some liberties that the unvaccinated should not, including gathering indoors with others who are fully vaccinated without precautions while still adhering to...
Watsonville looks to cut taxes on cannabis to compete with neighbors
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting will weigh whether to overhaul its tax rates on cannabis businesses, a move a consultant and city staff say would make the city more competitive with neighboring jurisdictions.
The proposed changes would cut taxes on retail cannabis...
Consultant recommends Watsonville hike utilities costs over next five years
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its March 9 meeting will see the results of a recently conducted rate study that recommends the city increase the cost of its utilities over the next five years.
The study, conducted by Raftelis Financial Inc., says the hikes are...
Photo: Man tried to rob several downtown businesses at knifepoint, police say
Watsonville police detain a man Saturday on West Beach Street near the City Plaza on suspicion of armed robbery.
WPD Sgt. Mike Ridgway said the suspect tried to rob several businesses at knifepoint on the 500 block of Main Street around 11:30am, however, he...
PVUSD trustees to question attorney expense; Acosta faces possible censure
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday will discuss whether former board president Georgia Acosta had the authority to use an attorney to advise the board, after she and three other members abruptly fired Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez.
Amusement parks allowed to reopen in red tier starting next month
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Outdoor amusement parks in California counties in the red tier of the state’s Covid-19 reopening plan will be allowed to welcome back customers next month, the California Department of Public Health announced Friday afternoon.
Live outdoor sporting events and performances will, too, be...
Prominent volunteer known as ‘Mr. Watsonville’ dies
(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...
Santa Cruz woman dies in DUI crash
BOULDER CREEK—A 24-year-old Santa Cruz woman died late Thursday night in a solo-vehicle DUI crash in Boulder Creek.
California Highway Patrol officer Sam Courtney said Chyanne Pilgreen, 21, of Ben Lomond was driving a 2004 Nissan Xterra northbound on Highway 9 north of Boulder Creek...
No contest plea in Watsonville involuntary manslaughter case
SANTA CRUZ—A 19-year-old Watsonville man pleaded no contest to charges of involuntary manslaughter Wednesday for allegedly firing a gun that killed his reported friend on S. Green Valley Road Jan. 7.
Santa Cruz County Assistant District Attorney Ilia McKinney said that Ricardo Jesus Garcia could...
Noche de Brillo shines
Thousands of people came to downtown Watsonville on Dec. 14 for the first-of-its-kind Noche de Brillo celebration. The free family-friendly evening included a snow...
