Local News

WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville solidified its Sister City affiliation with Velas, a historic port town on the western coast of São Jorge Island in Portugal, at its Tuesday night City Council meeting. Watsonville Mayor Ari Parker and Vasco Cordeiro, the President of the European Committee...

SANTA CRUZ—A Santa Cruz man who shot a male victim to death in 2018 was sentenced on Oct. 6 to 35 years to life in state prison. Miguel Castañeda, 43, was convicted in May of killing Victor Vasquez Lopez, 36, of Santa Cruz.  The dispute that...

First United Methodist Church celebrating 170th Watsonville First United Methodist Church is celebrating 170 years on Oct. 22. A church service and luncheon will mark the occasion. The congregation was established when Rev. D.A. Dryden conducted a marriage ceremony on the banks of the Pajaro River...

Watsonville Public Library is currently showing an exhibit of archived photographs of community murals throughout the city's history. The display was put together by Marisol Medina-Cadena with the help of local organizations and educational institutions. To view the accompanying digital archive, visit bit.ly/3CTF0Va.

The Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast presented its Fall 2022 event on Oct. 8 at Watsonville High School. The student-led event, themed “The Umbrella is Open for Everyone,” included workshops, a resource fair and more for LGBTQIA+ youth, allies...

WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County Supervisor candidate Jimmy Dutra told a group of reporters and roughly two-dozen supporters that allegations of sexual abuse made against him last week are “completely false and untrue,” and stem from a dispute with his late father’s ex-wife over his estate. Dutra...

WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County Fair Board President Don Dietrich has taken over as CEO in the wake of the Oct. 4 dismissal of Dave Kegebein, and says he’ll stay at the helm as the Board recruits a replacement. It is unclear how long that could take,...

APTOS—This is the second of two articles showcasing the candidates vying for seats on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees.  Last week, incumbent Jennifer Schacher and Olivia Flores had their say. With four seats up for election, two went uncontested. Daniel Dodge Jr....

WATSONVILLE—A man has filed a civil lawsuit in Santa Cruz County Superior Court, claiming that 4th District Supervisorial candidate Jimmy Dutra molested him when he was 12. A case management conference is scheduled for Feb. 3. The Pajaronian typically does not name victims in stories involving...

WATSONVILLE—Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 1 signed a bill into law that gives full funding to the long-awaited Pajaro River Levee Project, giving 100-year protection to the people who live in the South County communities that are prone to destructive flooding. Senate Bill 489, authored...