Local News

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A lightning storm that began at about 1am Sunday sparked 22 fires across Santa Cruz County, five of which have burned several hundred acres. No communities are currently threatened, and no warnings or evacuations have been given, said Cal Fire spokeswoman Cecile Juliette. The...

Santa Cruz County’s shelter-in-place order hasn’t put a lid on Santa Cruz artist Janas Durkee’s creative energy.  Recently the Pacific Coast Charter School art teacher took her skills out of her studio and onto the street, turning the sidewalk in front of her home into...

WATSONVILLE—Three shootings in Watsonville inside of 48 hours have left law enforcement investigators with their hands full. Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said the first shooting happened early Saturday morning on the Pajaro River levee at the end of Walker Street. That shooting left...

A weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like.

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police arrested a man on Jan. 8 for several gun-related charges after he allegedly fired a gun. Irineo Ramirez, 42, was charged with unlawfully discharging a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm in a public place and possession of a gun not registered to him....

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police say they are taking seriously threats made on social media of a “barbaric protest” that is set to begin at the Overlook Shopping Center on Main Street at 5pm. The garish yellow flier that circulated widely featured a drawing of George Floyd, who...

For a man as accustomed to unusual calls as Watsonville’s Fire Chief, Pablo Barreto started his day on Wednesday with an unusual one.

WATSONVILLE—In November Uriel Mendoza of Watsonville will mark 21 years of being a bus driver for Santa Cruz METRO. When asked what he liked about his job, he plainly responded, “My job.”  His preferred bus route? “I like all of them,” he said. He said his customers are...

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...