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Watsonville
October 12, 2026

Supervisors signal support for tenant protection rules

Watsonville evictions
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—One woman lost her job and couldn’t pay rent, and then found herself in a battle with her landlord, who didn’t believe her story and threatened eviction.  A family financially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic found themselves battling a landlord who raised their...

Arrest made in 2019 Watsonville murder

WATSONVILLE—A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in a 2019 Watsonville case.  Casto Luna, 41, a transient, was found in the area of Ford and Kilburn streets in Watsonville and taken into custody on Monday, Watsonville Police said. WPD officers and detectives assisted the...

Robbery suspects caught after chase ends on Highway 17

CENTRAL COAST—A man and a woman were arrested Saturday night following a brazen string of robberies of several CVS stores in multiple counties. Lt. Patrick Dimick of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said Coryeon Wyatt, 18, and Keoinjhanie Russell, 21—both of San Jose—were caught...

Mayor for the Day teams students with Watsonville’s top official

Mayor for the day
WATSONVILLE—While trying to recap the first half of their day with Watsonville Mayor Jimmy Dutra, high school students Jennifer Fernandez and Maurice Moreno both thought back to their stop at Watsonville Fire Department headquarters and a conversation they had with Fire Capt. Almita Schaefer.  Her...

The quirky Fourth celebrations of Watsonville past that could return

The Fourth of July is a special day of celebration for every community around the nation. In celebrating Independence Day, we recognize everything and everyone that makes up the United States. That leaves plenty of room for interpretation. The definition of “American” is wholly...

Man arrested for damaging numerous vehicles, building

Three law enforcement agencies responded to the west side of Watsonville early Monday afternoon after a man allegedly pelted passing cars with sticks and rocks, and smashed the windows of four vehicles and a building. Martin Cruz Chavez, 33, was taken to Santa Cruz County...

Pajaro Valley High to stage ‘Zoot Suit’

Drama students at Pajaro Valley High School work through a rehearsal of “"Zoot Suit"” Monday.
The play “Zoot Suit” made its first appearance on Aug. 17, 1978, at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.It was a watershed moment, thrusting Chicano theater into the mainstream and highlighting both a unique art form and a culture.It also put a national...

Woman seriously hurt in Highway 129 crash

sirens
A 31-year-old Hollister woman was seriously injured when her car plowed head-on into a big rig on Highway 129 early Wednesday. California Highway Patrol officer Israel Murillo said the woman was driving a red 2006 Kia Sportage east on Highway 129 east of Murphy Road...

Elkhorn Slough restoration project receives $1.3M grant

Elkhorn Slough restoration grant
By Erin Malsbury, Special to the Pajaronian MOSS LANDING—The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) recently approved $1.3 million in funding for the final phase of the massive restoration project of the Elkhorn Slough wetlands, an effort that has been in the works since 2012. Wetlands improve...

Photojournalism showcased

Students from Renaissance High School take time Friday to visit the current exhibit at the Pajaro Valley Gallery, "Witness: Photojournalism,” featuring works by Tarmo Hannula, Bob Fitch, Joe Ravetz, Shmuel Thaler and Sam Vestal, which runs through May 21.
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Measure E rally

Community leaders host rally for Measure E

Dozens of community members and local leaders gathered at a rally Friday at Watsonville Community Hospital in support of Measure E, the temporary half-cent...
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