Healthy grapes, less regulations spell good news for local wineries
After a year of ups and downs, things are looking good for wineries in the Pajaro Valley. That is according to two long-standing wineries, both nestled in the Pleasant Valley area between Watsonville and Aptos.
Alfaro Family Vineyard-Winery was first established in 1997 by Richard...
Calls mount for advance warning of pesticide spray
By Jane Sellen
SALINAS—On May 27 dozens gathered at the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s office in Salinas, calling on the state and county governments to web-post advance warning of agricultural pesticide use.
The event was one of several by farmworking communities across California who joined together...
Key environmental legislation passes assembly
CALIFORNIA—As California recovers from a historic heatwave, the State Assembly last week passed three bills by Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) to help fight the climate crisis, incentivize sustainable agriculture, and advance environmental justice for all.
“California has ambitious environmental goals, and the advancement of my...
Watsonville will fine property owners, tenants for illegal fireworks
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville police will start handing out fines to tenants and property owners for illegal fireworks if there is evidence that they were bought, sold or set off at the property, the department announced Tuesday.
Before the move, an officer needed to catch someone in the...
Heat wave will be tempered by coastal marine layer, meteorologists say
CENTRAL COAST—The heat wave expected to bake the inland parts of the Bay Area with temperatures as high as 110 degrees will largely miss Monterey Bay, thanks to the marine layer for which Santa Cruz County is known.
National Weather Service meteorologist Gerry Diaz says...
Santa Cruz police seeking ‘Winnie the Pooh Bandit’
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz Police Department is asking for the community’s help in identifying a suspect who wore a distinctive Winnie the Pooh sweatshirt while allegedly committing a burglary at the Costco store in Santa Cruz in March.
In addition, the man is wanted for...
Local water agency works toward long-term drought solutions
In 1983, a group of local farmers looking for ways to manage the Pajaro Valley’s groundwater basin formed the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PVWMA). A year later, the agency was officially recognized by the state legislature, who tasked them to stop groundwater overdraft...
City readies for renewed negotiations with PV Arts for Porter Building
WATSONVILLE—The city of Watsonville is expected to resume negotiations with the Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA) Council for the sale of the Porter Building after no affordable housing developers showed serious interest in the historic landmark.
Watsonville and PVA earlier this year had begun early discussions...
One dies, several injured in multi-vehicle Pajaro crash
PAJARO—One person was killed early Sunday morning when a suspected drunk driver crashed head-on into their vehicle in Pajaro, California Highway Patrol officer Jessica Madueño said.
Officers say the suspect, identified as Israel Cruz, 47, was driving east in a Toyota pickup on Hall Road...
A timeline of the coronavirus in California
At midnight, it became official: California is open.
Of course, the coronavirus pandemic isn’t over, and life isn’t back to the way it was before most of us had heard of the mysterious, deadly illness we now call Covid-19.
But the lifting of nearly all of...
Stagecraft: PV High celebrates new theater
After years of holding performances in their school’s wrestling room and in various spaces around campus, students at Pajaro Valley High School now have...
