Local News

WATSONVILLE—The Covid-19 pandemic has hit businesses hard, from the largest of companies to the smallest mom-and-pop shops. Rules continue to change as cases flatten and then spike, leaving business owners dealing with back-and-forth openings and closures. But for those who made their living off of...

Try This is a weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like. Food: Jack’s Cigars Sandwiches Since The Pajaronian moved downtown to Brennan Street in July I have enjoyed the wide range of businesses and other outlets that are now...

Santa Claus greets Tricia and Oliver Potts of Watsonville (center) and others Saturday during the Aptos Holiday Craft Fair and Tree Lighting in Aptos Village.

On March 5, voters living in the southern portion of Santa Cruz County and a small part of north Monterey County will decide on a bond that would help the financially struggling Watsonville Community Hospital pay for a series of long-awaited upgrades. The $116 million...

A Watsonville woman who reportedly blacked out at the wheel of her SUV tore through the Vista Point exit late Friday morning before side-swiping two vehicles and careening down an embankment.

WATSONVILLE—A blood drive will be held Friday at the Pajaro Valley Health Trust in honor of a 35-year veteran of the Watsonville Fire Department, Captain Danny Lucas.  On Nov. 20 Lucas was seriously injured in a hunting accident in Montana when a large caliber bullet...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville police are again warning the public to be careful with their credit and debit cards after an investigator found two card skimmers at a gas pump. Credit card skimmers are often installed on gas pumps by criminals to steal account information. They can be...

WATSONVILLE—Members of Santa Cruz County’s Auto Theft Reductions Enforcement (SCARE) Task Force seized 1,120 pounds of illegal fireworks recently.  The Sheriff’s Office said an investigation led to the arrest of 30-year-old Edgar Narez on Green Valley Road for possession of illegal aerial fireworks. “With the extreme...

Eight local healthcare leaders were recognized for their contributions to health throughout the past year.   The Community Health Trust (CHT), which serves the tri-county area to ensure equitable health, awarded two organizations and six individuals with the Phil Rather Award for Leadership in Healthcare. Rather...