News

Dozens of people gathered Friday to celebrate the opening of a 53-unit housing complex, the latest in Watsonville’s drive to provide housing for all income levels. The complex at 1482 Freedom Blvd., called Tabasa Gardens, was built by Hayward-based Eden Housing. A unique feature of the...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The shelter-in-place order issued Monday by Santa Cruz County officials applies to most residents, requiring them to stay home except to engage in – or work for –  services deemed essential. Violation of the order is a misdemeanor that can bring fines or...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Film Festival (WFF) will host a gathering at Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA) tonight to celebrate the organization’s first cohort of Cine se Puede fellows.  The Cine se Puede fellowship launched last year. It offers support to local up-and-coming filmmakers through a financial stipend,...

The RedBall Project, a global public art installation that has been to more than 30 cities since 2001, visits the Cabrillo College Watsonville Center Friday. The display is in celebration of the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History’s 25th anniversary. The 15-foot blow-up...

NOTE: Reporters Todd Guild, Johanna Miller, Tarmo Hannula and Erik Chalhoub contributed to this article. For more than two years, people have clamored for the return to “normal” after the uncertainties of a pandemic. In 2022, we got a taste of normalcy, but it was far...

Flames engulf a log pile and several outbuildings on a hillside above the 100 block of Hudson Landing Road Friday in Las Lomas. North Monterey County Fire Chief Joel Mendoza said the 1pm fire was about an acre in size. Flames raced across dray...

Victoria Bañales was the first in her family to attend college, but like many young people she was unsure where her path would take her.  She changed her major several times before settling on a path. That was after she made a discovery about her...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday will receive an update of ongoing talks between the city and Fox Theater owner Hank Garcia for the possible purchase or lease of the historic cinema in downtown. The item is included in the City Council’s closed session agenda...

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...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is warning of a scam in which callers warn residents they have a warrant, and demand money. The individual has identified himself as “John Steel” with the Sheriff’s Office and requests money from the victim. The number...