The brains behind traffic signals
WATSONVILLE—Do you ever wonder who or what is controlling the traffic signals when you’re languishing at a seemingly endless red arrow, or the green light that suddenly switches in your favor without having to get near your brake pedal?
It’s all run by those metal...
Nonprofit leader beats cancer
WATSONVILLE—Laura Segura has dedicated her career to combating domestic violence, and empowering victims to find within themselves the strength to end abusive relationships.
Now, the executive director of Monarch Services is back from a 54-week hiatus, having tapped her own inner well of strength to...
Manzanar survivor turns 105 years old
WATSONVILLE—Longtime Watsonville resident Masako Miura celebrated her 105th birthday in June in Valley Heights Senior Community where she now resides.
“I didn’t realize I was that old,” she quipped.
Her advice for younger people hoping to have a similarly long life is, “don’t be an old...
Bay Federal employees get prehistoric
WATSONVILLE — Bay Federal Credit Union’s Senior Leadership Team was greeted by a pack of ancient predators today as they made their way inside the bank’s branch on Freedom Boulevard.
As part of the credit union’s annual Halloween decorating contest, employees had decked their workplace...
Watsonville residents get spooky for Halloween
WATSONVILLE—Hector Quiroz is making up for lost time—and holidays.
The 51-year-old Watsonville resident said he lived in a group home from sixth grade through high school. That meant Halloween and Christmas—the two holidays many kids look forward to the most—were muted experiences.
“My belief is that...
Two arrested in jailhouse murder
SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested two men suspected of killing a fellow inmate in a cell at Santa Cruz Main Jail designated for active gang members.
Mario Lozano, 33, of Santa Cruz and Jason Cortez, 25, of Watsonville, face murder charges for...
Watsonville Police seeking hit-and-run driver
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Police Department is asking for help from the community to find a driver who struck and seriously injured a woman early Sunday morning before fleeing.
The crash occurred just before 5 a.m. on the 1000 block of Freedom Boulevard.
The victim, who is in...
Día de los Muertos to be observed this weekend across county
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) originated thousands of years ago in ancient Mexico, by those who believed death was not truly the end.
For them, dead loved ones remained an important part of a community, kept alive...
PG&E customers may be eligible for power shutoff compensation
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers affected by the recent Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) may qualify for reimbursements.
The more than 45,000 PG&E customers that lost power in Santa Cruz County over the weekend are not eligible for the utility’s Safety Net program,...
Three quakes strike Central Coast
Three earthquakes hit the Central Coast and inland areas early Tuesday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
A 3.5 magnitude quake struck at 9:34 a.m., centered 14 miles south of Tres Pinos in San Benito County.
The strongest shaker, magnitude 3.8, came at...
Prep Athletes of the Week: MVC’s Boston Ashe; St. Francis’ Maya...
The Pajaronian’s Prep Athletes of the Week were selected based on their performances during the week of Sept. 8-14. Coaches and athletic directors are...
