73.8 F
Watsonville
February 27, 2026

Watsonville police officer retires after 29 years

After working behind the badge of Watsonville Police for nearly three decades, officer Lee Katich waved goodbye Tuesday. “It’s been quite a good ride,” Katich said during a festive farewell party Tuesday evening that included Katich’s wife and two children and a roomful of officers...

La elegibilidad para vacunas se amplía el 1 de abril

vaccination santa cruz county
Todos los adultos de California de 50 años o más serán elegibles para una vacuna a partir del 1 de abril, y todos los mayores de 16 años serán elegibles a partir del 15 de abril, anunció el estado el jueves. El cambio en la...

Jimmy Dutra liable in sexual abuse case

A jury on Tuesday found that Watsonville City Councilman Jimmy Dutra committed sexual battery and lewd and lascivious acts on a minor in his Los Angeles apartment 19 years ago. The jury also found that Dutra is liable for damages from the emotional and mental...

Local organizations rally for awareness of human trafficking

APTOS—Ten years ago, former President Barack Obama made a Presidential Proclamation deeming January National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, intending to raise awareness and equip people with the tools to recognize and combat the problem. It was only 10 years prior to that, that...

Group to file complaint against Watsonville housing project

Hillcrest estates
WATSONVILLE—A group is planning to file a complaint to the California Attorney General’s Office against the city of Watsonville and the County of Santa Cruz for advancing a housing project that they say will create an environmental hazard for its future residents and a...

The ‘art house’ of Moss Landing

Nancy Russell’s “art house” in Moss Landing stands a chance of being one of the most outlandish stops on the upcoming 29th Annual Monterey County Artists Studio Tour.  “I’m looking forward to the tour this year,” Russell said at the front door of her home,...

County launches intervention team

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday heard a report on a new program created to help some of the county’s most recalcitrant criminals.

Criminal justice, healthcare and more among new laws for ’23

With a flurry of new laws ready to take effect, the Pajaronian took a look at a handful of the more notable ones, which take on several aspects of criminal justice, health services and firearms.  WALKING A FINE LINE Before Assembly Bill 2147 was signed into...

Split vote derails RTC’s Rail-Trail plans

santa cruz county RTC Rail Trail
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—In a 6-6 vote, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) on Thursday narrowly rejected a business plan for the design, construction and operation of a passenger rail line along the 32-mile stretch from Davenport to Pajaro, which could mean, at...

WPD: Three Watsonville shootings unrelated; two likely gang-related

Watsonville police
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police on Monday said that three separate shootings that occurred Saturday night—which left two people dead—were not related. Two of them, however, are likely gang-related, WPD spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said. The first shooting, which police believe is gang-related, occurred in the area of Marchant...
7,695FansLike
4,949FollowersFollow
2,895FollowersFollow

Pickup slams into Ace Hardware on Main Street

A man was arrested early Friday morning after he reportedly lost control of his pickup and slammed into the front of the Ace Hardware...