Assemblymember Rivas urges Gov. Newsom for more farmworker relief
By Jazmine Juarez, Special to the Pajaronian
WATSONVILLE—Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) is calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to take urgent steps to protect farmworkers and the food supply chain in the wake of COVID-19.
Following reports of 41 agricultural workers being diagnosed with COVID-19 in...
PHOTO: Second Harvest kicks off holiday food drive
Jess Brown and Martina O'Sullivan take the stage at the "Be a Hunger Hero" kickoff event for Second Harvest Food Bank's Holiday Food & Fund Drive 2017.
County Arts Council proposes performing arts center in downtown
WATSONVILLE—In 2020, Arts Council Santa Cruz County formed the Watsonville Stewardship Committee for the Arts to bring resources, build spaces and improve access to the arts for South County residents.
That group of artists, teachers, political leaders and city of Watsonville staff spearheaded the creation...
Sheriff Hart: ‘We have the right people’ in Tushar Atre Murder case
SANTA CRUZ—Dozens of law enforcement officials in two states arrested four men on Tuesday in connection with the Oct. 1 kidnapping and murder of tech executive and Pleasure Point resident Tushar Atre.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said during a Thursday press conference that...
Youth N.O.W. celebrates 10 years
WATSONVILLE—For the past decade, Youth N.O.W. of Watsonville has aimed to provide students in the Pajaro Valley a safe, positive environment—long after the final school bell rings.
The nonprofit was the brainchild of Dave Grazian, who retired after more than 30 years with Granite Construction...
Santa Cruz police investigating county’s 3rd homicide of 2021
SANTA CRUZ—A man died of multiple injuries early Sunday on Emeline Avenue at Highway 1.
Around 6am Santa Cruz police were called to the 700 block of Emeline Avenue just under the Highway 1 overcrossing, according to the Santa Cruz Police Department. They found a...
Watsonville High gets new school resource officer
Arturo Rosas was strolling across the campus of Watsonville High School on Wednesday, greeting students and getting acquainted with his new position as school resource officer (SRO).
A SRO is tasked with providing a measure of security for schools, but is also there to serve...
Watsonville, Santa Cruz earn high marks for smoking policies
Watsonville has earned a “B” grade for the second year in a row in its efforts to reduce and prevent tobacco use among young people, a ranking that puts the South County city ahead of other surrounding cities.
National Agriculture Day scholarship, contest winners announced
WATSONVILLE—For years the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau (SCCFB) and the Agri-Culture organization have hosted the National Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon. However, due to the current COVID- 19 pandemic, the March 18 event was postponed, and its future remains uncertain.
Despite this, the two groups...
Hospital purchase ‘is going to happen’
WATSONVILLE—Through a series of contributions and donations, the Pajaro Valley Health Care District (PVHCD) has gathered together enough money to purchase Watsonville Community Hospital, ending months of nail-biting in which the fate of the 127-year-old institution hung in the balance.
PVHCD will close escrow on...
Parents of 14-year-old arrested in Baby Angelita investigation
The parents of a 14-year-old girl at the center of the Baby Angelita investigation have both been arrested, days after the girl was found...






















