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Watsonville
September 16, 2025

Fires, pandemic present new challenges for gardeners

One facet of the stay-at-home, and work-from-home coronavirus ordeal is an uptick in home gardening and landscaping. With extra time spent around the home, some folks are putting more time, and money, into the land that surrounds their homes. “They’re stuck at home more and...

Most Santa Cruz County schools close for the week

Cabrillo College
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Cabrillo College on Monday joined most school districts across Santa Cruz County when officials announced that classes will be canceled through Aug. 28. The move came after the CZU August Lightning Complex fires forced the evacuation of teachers and staff. In making the...

Suspect nabbed for alleged drug sales

Elijah Phoenix Francis
SANTA CRUZ—A Santa Cruz man was arrested Aug. 21 on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance for sale at a home on the 500 block of Park Way. George Rivera, commander of the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team, said Elijah Phoenix Francis, 21, was...

City approves moratorium on Covid-19 evictions

Watsonville evictions
WATSONVILLE—In a surprise end-of-meeting redux, the Watsonville City Council approved a moratorium on Covid-19 related evictions, reversing a decision it made just hours prior during Tuesday night’s meeting. The council was preparing to wrap up the virtual session when Councilman Aurelio Gonzalez made a motion...

Covid-19 economic restrictions expected to remain in place

Watsonville coronavirus
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The economic restrictions imposed on various Santa Cruz County businesses are not expected to be loosened this week, according to Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency spokeswoman Corinne Hyland. That’s despite the fact that the county will have spent its 14th day off...

Ocean scene | Photo Gallery

Do you have a recent photo you’d like to share? Send it to us for consideration by emailing it to [email protected] or mailing it to 21 Brennan St., Suite 14, Watsonville, CA 95076. Please include a brief description of the photo as well as the name...

City issues fourth change for Trail segment contract

watsonville Rail Trail
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council approved the fourth change to a contract with Granite Rock for Phase 1 of the City’s segment of the Coastal Rail Trail, bringing the total price for changes to $501,328.94. The most recent contract change—included in the council’s consent agenda of...

On the move | About Town

Smoke. Ugh! These awful fires have been going on since Aug. 16. Now they have a grip on California, Oregon and Washington — the entire west coast. From what I understand, most of the smoke drifting over the Central Coast is from the Creek...

A search for fresh air | About Town

The other day I saw someone had dressed up the surfer statue on the westside of Santa Cruz as a firefighter. I imagine it's some form of acknowledgement of the hard work firefighters are doing in battling our wild land blazes. • Maybe desperation has hit...

County prepares to vote under extraordinary circumstances

Santa cruz county voting
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—With the presidential election day just two months away, Santa Cruz County elections officials are preparing to conduct an election beset by twin calamities—fires that have ravaged the county and displaced thousands and the Covid-19 pandemic. County Clerk Gail Pellerin says that two...
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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...