Fatal Walker Street crash victim identified
The 24-year-old Watsonville man who died early Sunday morning in a solo-vehicle crash on the 800 block of Walker Street when his car plowed into a large utility pole was identified by his family as Jerry Lee, Jr.
“He was a good kid,” said his...
One killed in fiery early-morning crash
Update 1:50pm: The repairs are now expected to take until 11:59pm on Sunday.
One person was killed early Sunday morning in a solo-vehicle crash on the 800 block of Walker Street when their car plowed into a large utility pole.
The impact, which occurred just after...
Jimmy Panetta stresses the dire impacts of budget cuts on local health
Proposed cuts by the Trump administration would be devastating for new mothers, children, immigrants, seniors and lower and middle class community members, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-19th District), who represents much of Santa Cruz County, told a packed town hall meeting Friday.
Medicare and Medicaid are...
Bradley Elementary student, father killed by suspected DUI driver
A Bradley Elementary School student and his father were killed March 22 in Merced County by a suspected drunk driver, the Merced County CHP said.
Noah Reyes, 13, and his father, Adrian Reyes 40, were traveling north on State Route 165, south of Turner Avenue...
A look at artist Coeleen Kiebert and students
The artwork of Coeleen Kiebert, a long-running sculptor and educator in the Monterey Bay Area, is the center of focus in the latest exhibit at Pajaro Valley Arts, “Art & Spirit.”
The show showcases Kiebert’s legacy and the work of her longtime students, highlighting art...
Donations provide a new dining area at Salvation Army
Donations from local agencies have led to the completion of a new outdoor dining area at the Salvation Army in Watsonville.
The Second Harvest Food Bank, the Santa Cruz Community Foundation and a local citizen, were the primary donors for the 50-by-33-foot metal canopy that...
Cannabis lounges get final approval
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday gave the final stamp of approval for lounges attached to marijuana dispensaries, where people can legally smoke what they buy.
The proposal passed 3-2, with supervisors Monica Martinez and Kim De Serpa dissenting.
Supporters predict that so-called...
Meeting at Aptos High leaves parents and teachers with more questions than answers
Pajaro Valley Unified School District hosted a meeting Monday night to garner community input on the qualities people would like to see in the next Aptos High School principal.
However, many who went expected to receive information on former principal Alison Hanks-Sloan’s controversial resignation.
“The meeting...
Ceiba school to remain at site after Watsonville City Council, PVUSD Trustees waive zoning rules
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy will remain at its location at 215 Locust Street, and Pajaro Valley High School will not need to make room for Renaissance High School students, who will not be displaced by Ceiba.
All of that was made possible when the Pajaro...
Alison Hanks-Sloan did not resign, letter confirms
When Aptos High School Principal Alison Hanks-Sloan sent a letter on March 16 to the Pajaro Valley Unified School District community announcing she would not be returning for the 2025-26 school year—and that her last day will be June 30—district officials told The Pajaronian...
Queer Youth Leadership Awards set for Saturday
It has been almost three decades since local organizers launched the Queer Youth Leadership Awards, an event created to highlight young people whose work...
