Pilot program weighs notification of pesticide use
WATSONVILLE—A new pilot program to inform residents of hazardous pesticide applications at area farmlands, under the umbrella of the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, will go into motion in August.
The program was outlined by Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo at a community meeting at...
Watsonville Brillante to host community celebration
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Brillante, an ongoing mosaic mural project in downtown Watsonville, has officially reached its halfway point. Organizer and artist Kathleen Crocetti says that volunteers recently finished the six thousandth of 12,000 square feet of mosaic.
In celebration, Crocetti’s organization, Community Arts & Empowerment, will be...
Officials launch affordable housing project
WATSONVILLE—A large crowd of nonprofit, city and county officials gathered Wednesday to break ground on a development on Freedom Boulevard that will house 53 low-income families.
“I’m pleased we’re able to offer affordable housing here to fulfill Watsonville’s downtown specific plan, to provide a range...
Taylor’s Office City closing doors
A little more than seven decades ago, as the nation recovered from World War II and Main Street America flourished, Taylor’s Office City opened its doors in Watsonville and henceforth became the city’s preferred destination for all manner of office supplies.
On June 30, the...
Watsonville Band members score scholarships
WATSONVILLE—Two Watsonville Community Band members, trombonist Samuel Waite and bass clarinetist Yazlyn Estrada, have been awarded full scholarships to the Fresno Pacific University Summer Music Camp in June.
Both students are graduates of the WCB Youth Band and now play with the adult unit. The...
Students learn cooking skills during after-school program
WATSONVILLE—Thanks to Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Extended Learning Program, students at Cesar Chavez Middle School are learning unconventional but practical skills, like how to make pasta, homemade salsa, enchiladas nopales, and seasoned fruits and vegetables.
The class, Fitness For Life (which is under the...
Pastor retires after 42 years at La Selva Beach church
LA SELVA BEACH—After more than four decades as pastor of La Selva Beach Community Church, Rev. Jane Grady retired Sunday in a special service with her congregation.
Grady arrived at La Selva Beach in 1980, fresh out of seminary and ready to serve a new...
Man found guilty in kidnapping, assault case
SANTA CRUZ—A man who kidnapped, assaulted, robbed and shot his victim through the genitals last year was found guilty May 19 of aggravated mayhem, kidnapping, robbery and assault with a firearm, Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell announced.
Tilden Ball, 37, is set to...
Photo: Downtown mural gets touch-up
Watsonville artist Jaime Sanchez touches up the giant mural the faces Hansen Park in downtown Watsonville. The mural, entitled "Triumph" was painted by Sanchez and fellow artist Paul De Worken six years ago. —photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian
Community Bridges to host candidate forum
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Community Bridges and its nonprofit partners, Nonprofit Connection Santa Cruz County, Human Care Alliance, and Santa Cruz Community Ventures, will host a virtual forum on May 25 with local supervisor candidates from the 3rd and 4th Districts.
Candidates will open the forum by...
Bag containing gun, ammo found at Aptos High
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies and Pajaro Valley Unified School District officials are investigating after a bag containing a firearm and ammunition was found...
