County Office of Education lays out its strategy
WATSONVILLE—A gaggle of educators and nonprofit leaders gathered on the uppermost floor of the Watsonville City Plaza Tuesday to hear Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah outline his department’s operational plan for the next five years.
The two-hour session was both a chance...
County joins lawsuit to halt oil, mineral extraction
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 14 agreed to allow the county to join a lawsuit that would stop the federal government from issuing leases for fossil fuel extraction within its borders.
The lawsuit would in essence help preserve local...
New downtown treatment center for women in the works
WATSONVILLE—The building at 55 Brennan St. has in the past housed a Ford dealership and Baker Brothers Furniture. Most recently, it held a thrift store run by Teen Challenge Monterey Bay.
Now, that organization has plans to convert the space into Grace Harbor Women’s Center,...
Ritual Ride opening at The Hangar
WATSONVILLE—Since deciding to open their own business, Dave and Marissa Molinari have learned plenty of lessons.
Chief among those lessons: stay positive and remain focused on your goals.
“It will never go according to plan,” Dave said. “It’s important to learn and stay positive through the...
CHP arrests man in Prunedale projectile attacks case
SALINAS–Law enforcement officials have arrested a man suspected of using a slingshot to shoot glass marbles at dozens of vehicles traveling on highways 156 and 101 in Prunedale and San Benito County since February.
Charles Kenneth Lafferty, 52, has been charged with 21 felony counts,...
A stroll through the city | About Town
Tarmo Hannula: When my friend Noel, a family attorney, dropped me off in downtown Watsonville early Wednesday I walked into the Second Street Café for a coffee. For years I’ve carried my own reusable thermos to save on throw-away cups. In line I got...
Council rejects temporary ban on new drive-thrus
WATSONVILLE—Drive-thrus got the green light at Tuesday night’s Watsonville City Council meeting.
By a 5-2 vote the council rejected a 45-day ban on new drive-thrus, stating there is no current and immediate threat to public health, safety or welfare and that their approval should be...
Local Democrats endorse Angel for Superior Court Judge
WATSONVILLE—Annrae Angel received an endorsement from the Pajaro Valley Cesar Chavez Democratic Club for Superior Court Judge at Monday night’s meeting in Watsonville.
The club, which includes five Watsonville City Council members, also endorsed Measures R and Y, as well as Zach Friend for Supervisor,...
Highway 101 rezoning a major issue for Aromas in March election
By ERIK CHALHOUB, special to the Pajaronian
AROMAS—With San Benito County officials eyeing potential development along Highway 101 as a way to capture much-needed sales tax revenue, many residents feel it would further impact traffic, water and other issues in the county.
Such is the debate...
K9 helps nab suspect, find drugs, cash, gun
A man was arrested Dec. 4 after Monterey County Sheriff's deputies found drugs, cash and a loaded gun in a vehicle.
Around 3:15pm, detectives with...
