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This story was updated at 11am with a statement from North Monterey County Unified School District. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued a shelter-in-place order for the area within one-third of a mile of 7301 Highway 1 due to a fire at the battery...

Meteorologists are predicting a wet El Niño winter this year, with above-normal ocean temperatures potentially bringing heavy rain and flooding. “We are in a very strong El Niño index right now where we are seeing above-normal temperatures along the coast,” said National Weather Service meteorologist...

Watsonville Poet Laureate Victoria Bañales recently earned a Best Poetry Book Award from the International Latino Book Awards (ILBA) for her latest book, The Sun Will Not Harm You by Day, Nor the Moon by Night. Bañales said three books were selected for this category,...

Editor's note: This is one of several stories The Pajaronian is running in advance of the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election. Prooposition 3 If passed, Proposition 3 will amend the California Constitution to add the existing voter-approved tax rates for individuals earning over $371,000 or joint...

The Santa Cruz County Fair kicked off Wednesday, welcoming visitors to a vibrant world of “Apple Pies and Starry Skies.” A crowd of more than 100 watched the ribbon-cutting ceremony after hearing welcoming words and gratitude for those who made it happen. As the crowd gathered...

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday rejected a proposed ordinance that would have allowed voters to have a say when companies want to build AI data centers in the unincorporated parts of the county. Board Chair Monica Martinez, along with supervisors Manu...

A giant apple pie made of fabric sits near the entrance of JJ Crosetti Hall at the 2026 Santa Cruz County Fair. The work represents the multitude of arts on display in the building, the much-loved apple pie contest and the rich agriculture that makes...

Watsonville Police investigate a two-vehicle crash Monday morning on Clifford Avenue at Lassen Way. Around 10:40am, a woman was driving a Nissan Rogue SUV east on Clifford Avenue on the 100 block. For unknown reasons she lost control and sideswiped a parked Honda Civic....

A 22-year-old man is facing fraud and identity theft charges in a skimming investigation that spans the state. According to Watsonville police, the investigation started earlier this month when an employee found a skimming device during a routine ATM maintenance check at Bay Federal Credit...

Jaime Espinoza, lead singer of the popular Mexican band Los Fugitivos, welcomes 5-year-old Kimberlyn Hernandez to the stage Sunday during the annual Mexican Independence Day celebration in downtown Watsonville. Kimberlyn brought two of the band's CDs to get them autographed. The free, six-hour event—held...