Local News

PAJARO—Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration that would allow for federal assistance in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, in addition to six other counties across the state affected by the recent series of atmospheric river storms. According to Newsom, the...

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...

WATSONVILLE—Lane closures are in place on Highway 1 where it crosses the Pájaro River to allow crews to repair the storm-damaged bridge. The work, which got underway Thursday, calls for the closure of one of two southbound lanes of Highway 1 south of Riverside Drive,...

PAJARO—On Thursday, Beatriz Lopez returned to the small apartment she shares with 10 family members on Associated Lane in the flood-ravaged town of Pajaro, 12 days after Monterey County officials imposed evacuation orders for more than 1,000 residents. Lopez, 20, was among hundreds of people...

WATSONVILLE—The 10th annual “Take Aways: Art to Go!” exhibition has opened at Pajaro Valley Arts in downtown Watsonville. More than 900 works, spanning a wide range of mediums, from sculpture and jewelry to ceramics, paintings, photography, assemblage and collage, fill out the entire Sudden...

Since December 2019, Arte Del Corazón has held pop-up markets where the Pajaro Valley community can meet and buy art from local creators. Their next event is Sunday, March 25 from noon to 5pm at The Slough Brewing Collective, 65 Hangar Way in Watsonville.  We...

WATSONVILLE—After seeing declining enrollment in the lower grades of its Virtual Academy, Pajaro Valley Unified School District has canceled that portion of the online school. But the District will keep the school’s 7-12 grades, since that portion has more robust student numbers. The District Board of...

WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Healthcare District Board of Directors on Wednesday unanimously appointed Watsonville Community Hospital Chief Operations Officer Matko Vranjes to serve as interim CEO, after Steven Salyer announced his resignation last week. Vranjes will begin on April 11, Salyer’s last day. According to Board member...

SCOTTS VALLEY—A 73-year-old Watsonville woman died in a solo-vehicle crash on Highway 17 early Tuesday. She has been identified as Maria Isabel Reyes, according to Ashley Keehn of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. California Highway Patrol officer Israel Murillo said Reyes was driving a...

The 13th annual Latino Role Models Conference will be held in-person on March 25 from 9am to 1pm at Cabrillo College Crocker Theater. This free conference is designed to inspire students in grades 6 through college to achieve their dreams for college and career.  Presentations...