News

"Try This" is a weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like. • Tarmo Hannula Drink: Hotel Paradox cocktails Seeds of Time is a cocktail served at Hotel Paradox, 611 Ocean St., in Santa Cruz. The drink includes Maker’s Mark...

The federal government is preparing to open two new industry-specific small-business relief programs, one of them months in the works, as its signature pandemic aid effort, the Paycheck Protection Program, nears its end. The Small Business Administration said it hopes to start taking applications by...

WATSONVILLE—For 10 years, Youth N.O.W. has tutored and empowered hundreds of students throughout the Pajaro Valley, providing an essential outlet for those struggling to pick up various subjects in class or finding a safe space to study after the bell rings. Now, after a sudden...

Pajaro Valley Unified School District has hired a new public information officer. Alejandro Chávez will serve as the intermediary between the public and media, and the district. According to a Facebook post, Chávez brings more than two decades of experience in public service, nonprofit management and...

SANTA CRUZ—A Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy assigned as a correctional officer in the jail has been arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship win an inmate, Sheriff’s spokeswoman Ashley Keehn announced Saturday. Jessica Smith was charged with sexual activity with an inmate, assault by...

WATSONVILLE—When the home of the former Second Street Cafe in Watsonville became available last year, business partners Lacey Dent and Greg Bobeda saw an opportunity. The two had originally meant to expand their business, Corralitos Coffeehouse, into another space on the first floor of the...

Observations from the Pajaro Valley and beyond.

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville police on Nov. 19 arrested a couple from Stockton after they were caught in the act of stealing the catalytic converter from a vehicle parked on the 500 block of Manzana Street. According to the Watsonville Police Department, a resident saw Jasmine Sahota and...

WATSONVILLE—Cilantro’s Parrilla Y Cantina recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, and the Mexican restaurant is not slowing down even with shelter-in-place orders in effect. The business remains open seven days a week, albeit with a limited staff, and is still offering takeout orders of about 90...