Local News

Michael McCollum, who worked as staff photographer at the Pajaronian from1987 to 1996, died March 9 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was 67.  Born on April 27, 1957, to Garland McCollum and Katherine Fromm-McCollum in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, Mik was 2 when the family moved...

Officials in Monterey County have canceled the Monterey County Fair this year due to the coronavirus outbreak. The event was special this year in that it was designed to celebrate the 250th year of Monterey under the theme “Fiesta.” • The mayor of Salinas, Joe Gunter,...

WATSONVILLE—In a decision that will likely head to the Watsonville City Council for another heated debate, the Planning Commission on Tuesday voted 4-3 to deny an appeal from a cannabis company that cried foul after missing out on one of the city’s three dispensary...

PAJARO—Pajaro Middle School will remain closed for the rest of the school year after a flood on March 11 damaged half the classrooms, Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez said Friday. A sizable pool of water still stands in a recessed floor in...

SACRAMENTO—Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 28 signed Assembly Bills 2043 and 2165, two pieces of the California Farmworker Covid-19 Relief Package, the nation’s first legislative package containing Covid-19 protections for agricultural workers. Assemblymember and Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) and Assemblymember...

Editor's note: Updated results of this race can be found here. SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Felipe Hernandez, who has served as a member of the Watsonville City Council since 2012, including a stint as mayor, is maintaining a lead over incumbent Leticia Mendoza for Cabrillo College Governing...

WATSONVILLE—The second round of voting for the next large installation of “Watsonville Brillante” has opened. A project from accomplished local artist Kathleen Crocetti, “Watsonville Brillante” is a 12,000-square-foot tile mosaic that will cover the outside of the six-story Watsonville Civic Plaza parking garage at the...

WATSONVILLE—On Feb. 17 the Board of Directors of the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PV Water) unanimously adopted the 2021 Cost of Service Rate Study and Resolution 2021-05. The move adopts procedures for public hearing, notice and protest concerning proposed revisions to charges for augmentation...

WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency has entered agreements with two engineering firms to help plan for a project that will help the area achieve sustainable groundwater resources by 2040. The College Lake Integrated Resources Management Project will use rainfall runoff to replace a portion...