Local News

SANTA CRUZ—The man and woman suspected of killing and robbing a woman in Pasatiempo on March 31 made their first court appearance on Tuesday, but did not enter a plea. Caitlin Crenshaw and Cody Huynh, both 23, return to court on April 14 for continued...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police Department is warning residents about a scam in which a caller pretends to be a police officer and asks for a callback to discuss “confidential legal matters.”  The caller reportedly falsely claimed to be WPD Sgt. Michael Ridgway. The person who received the call...

WATSONVILLE—Farmers markets around the county continue to operate through the COVID-19 crisis since they are deemed essential businesses.  Though some of the markets have pared down their offerings, eliminating things such as flowers, nursery goods, some prepared foods and entertainment, the outdoor venues still play...

WATSONVILLE—For 40 years, Watsonville’s Smith & Vandiver (S&V) has been manufacturing natural bath, body and skincare products at its FDA-certified facility on Airport Boulevard. But since the outbreak of COVID-19 last month, the company has switched gears—focusing on the production of alcohol-based hand cleansers. “We don’t...

APTOS—As businesses and services remain closed during the shelter-in-place order – and as Personal Protective Equipment becomes harder to find – a Cabrillo College instructor is staying on the job to make more. Art Studio Instructor Payson McNett, who runs the college’s Digital Fabrication department...

WATSONVILLE—As shoppers flock to grocery stores, stocking up on fresh, frozen and canned foods, California farms are working to keep up with the demand. In Watsonville, large and small farms alike are sending unprecedented amounts of products to local and national stores, as well as...

Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel issued a new order closing parks and beaches throughout Santa Cruz County beginning today through April 15th, 2020, a period that includes Easter weekend and much of Passover. The order is necessary to reduce the public health...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—One day after Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel announced she was closing parks, beaches and open spaces countywide starting Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. to combat the spread of coronavirus, Sheriff Jim Hart said that law enforcement personnel will start...

Do you have a photo you'd like to share with the community? Email it to @pajaronian.com or send by mail to 21 Brennan St., Ste. 14, Watsonville, CA, 95076 for consideration. Please include a brief description of the photo as well as the name...

APTOS—Cabrillo College President Matt Wetstein in a March 31 email thanked voters who supported Measure R, which would have funded construction and infrastructure projects at the college’s Aptos and Watsonville campuses.  The $274 million bond measure would have placed about $20 per $100,000 on the...