Local News

A Watsonville woman nearly lost thousands of dollars Wednesday by falling victim to a version of the so-called “grandparent scam.” According to the Federal Communications Commission, scammers posing as a loved one in a crisis call a relative to ask for money, telling their targets...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Nature Center reopened to visitors last weekend for the first time since the pandemic, holding an open house on June 26 that included a special workshop on emergency wildfire preparedness.  Various local organizations and agencies were on hand at the event, including Regeneración...

WATSONVILLE—David Toriumi, who ran his eponymous auto repair shop in Watsonville for nearly four decades–starting in a one-bay shop behind his home before expanding to the garage at 38 Menker St.—and who coached generations of young people after discovering an affinity for sports at...

CASTROVILLE—The North County Fire District swore in five new firefighters on Tuesday and held a badge pinning ceremony for three who have recently been promoted. During the ceremony at the Castroville Public Library, five new firefighters who have recently filled vacant positions received their badges:...

WATSONVILLE—The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office have disrupted a major hash oil lab on Hangar Way in Watsonville. Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin said agents from the Cannabis Licensing Office are investigating the discovery of an illegal operation using dangerous chemicals and equipment to...

Plaza decoration begins; tree lighting set for Nov. 24 WATSONVILLE—Downtown Watsonville was bustling with activity Tuesday morning as a 30-foot Blue Spruce arrived, carefully wrapped and attached to the back of a large tow truck. Workers from Auto Care Towing meticulously attached ropes and pulleys to...

​​Former Pajaronian editor to sign books In 1971, three men pulled off a daring robbery of an armored car in the Central Valley and escaped with more than $200,000. They were never caught, and the money was never traced. Three decades later, a retired insurance investigator,...

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has reshuffled its offerings in hopes of dealing with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.  While all of their rides have been shuttered since March, the Boardwalk has recently started holding drive-in movie nights on the corner of Beach and Third...

WATSONVILLE—A group of residents from Watsonville's senior neighborhoods gathered at the Pajaro Village Club House last week to hear a presentation on pesticide use, and on an upcoming pilot project to notify residents on nearby applications. Hosted by the Center for Farmworkers Families, Safe Ag...