Local News

The plan, approved by the council in January 2018 and in the works since then, looks to boost Watsonville’s ongoing fight to make its streets safer for pedestrians in a multitude of ways. Along with education and enforcement, the plan also hopes to improve the safety of the city’s streets by prioritizing the development of safe roadways in areas identified most “at-risk.”

WATSONVILLE—Local author and former Pajaronian editor Michael Wallace has released the ninth installment of his ongoing Quill Gordon Mystery series. The series follows the private investigator as he solves mysteries, usually in familiar west coast settings. Wallace released the first book in 2012, and has...

WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County Supervisor candidate Jimmy Dutra told a group of reporters and roughly two-dozen supporters that allegations of sexual abuse made against him last week are “completely false and untrue,” and stem from a dispute with his late father’s ex-wife over his estate. Dutra...

Two people were shot Friday night on the west side of Santa Cruz, according to Santa Cruz Police. Around 8pm SCPD got reports of shots fired on Almar Avenue at Rankin Street in a typically quiet residential area between Mission Street and Delaware Avenue. “We can...

Watsonville is testing a pay-to-park program along parts of Aviation Way, a 30-day pilot that City Manager Tamara Vides said will be used to gauge the feasibility of future metered parking. Customers who recently visited the strip of restaurants at 45 Aviation Way—including Honeylux Coffee,...

When former Watsonville City Councilman Manuel Bersamin retired from his seat in 2012 to care for his ailing 95-year-old mother, The Pajaronian asked him for advice to future council members.  “Try not to speak so much,” he said. “I was sometimes too wordy, but I’ve...

More than 20 restaurants in Santa Cruz County will celebrate the art of pizza making during Santa Cruz Pizza Week, which kicks off Jan. 29.  Local restaurants from around the county are on board for the coordinated promotion, which features special pies, slices and prices. The...

The Watsonville Vaccine Center at old City Hall in downtown Watsonville will close on March 27. Thanks to the combined effort from the City of Watsonville, Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, Community Action Board and Community Bridges, the Watsonville Vaccine Center administered more than...

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved contracts with Watsonville Police Department and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office to place uniformed law enforcement officials at the district’s three comprehensive high schools as school resource officers (SROs). These SROs will...

This Friday from 5–7 p.m., Ann Soldo Elementary will host this year’s Fall Festival. The fundraiser is open to the community and will include a barbecue, silent auction, games, dancing and more.