Backed by report, advocates ask for safe pesticide use
SALINAS—Nurses, teachers, labor leaders, elected officials and concerned residents held a news conference and rally with more than 50 supporters at the Monterey County Government Center on Oct. 26 to release a report revealing extensive use in the Monterey Bay area of 13 pesticides...
Watsonville will open search for new city manager
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville City Council at a special meeting on Tuesday evening directed staff to search for two companies that will spearhead the city’s efforts to find a new chief executive.
One company will be in charge of finding a permanent replacement for outgoing city manager Matt...
With final CDC recommendation, vaccines coming for 5- to 11-year-olds
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday voted to recommend the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for children 5-11, a move that came four days after the Food and Drug Administration approved a smaller dose for young people.
The unanimous vote by the...
Two Watsonville men arrested in connection to double homicide
WATSONVILLE—Two Watsonville men were arrested early Tuesday morning on suspicion of fatally shooting a man and a woman in Gonzales on Oct. 23.
David Ireta-Reyes, 24, and William Garcia-Fuentes, 25, were arrested on $2 million warrants, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said.
On Oct. 23 gunfire...
Cabrillo theater arts presents: ‘Charley’s Aunt’
APTOS—Cabrillo College’s theater arts department is finally returning to in-person performances after three seasons of virtual shows.
“Charley’s Aunt” is a wacky farce chock full of love, deception, and confusion. Originally written by English playwright Brandon Thomas in 1862, Cabrillo’s production will be directed by...
Special meeting set to discuss Watsonville city manager appointment
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday regarding the city’s search for a new chief executive.
The meeting, scheduled for 5:30pm in the City Council Chambers, comes a few days after news broke that current city manager Matt Huffaker had been...
Cal Fire CZU chief announces retirement
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Ian Larkin, who has headed up Cal Fire’s San Mateo Santa Cruz Unit since May 2016, has announced his retirement, capping off a career that spanned three decades.
Born and raised in Watsonville, Larkin now lives in Scotts Valley with his wife and...
Author releases new installment of ongoing mystery series
WATSONVILLE—Local author and former Pajaronian editor Michael Wallace has released the ninth installment of his ongoing Quill Gordon Mystery series.
The series follows the private investigator as he solves mysteries, usually in familiar west coast settings. Wallace released the first book in 2012, and has...
Photo: 10 displaced by fire
Firefighters from multiple agencies deal with an early morning fire in the Vista Montaña housing complex in Watsonville that displaced 10 adults.
Watsonville Fire Division Chief Corey Schaefer said the initial call came in at 1am for the fire on the second floor of...
Measure N Milestones: Transparency, Progress, and Community Impact
When voters across the Pajaro Valley Health Care District approved Measure N in March 2024, they sent a clear and powerful message: our community...