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Watsonville
January 11, 2026

Tension, infighting at PVUSD board meeting

PVUSD meeting Michelle Rodriguez
WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees has convened Friday afternoon for a special meeting to discuss appointing an interim superintendent. The board is meeting tonight to select a replacement for Michelle Rodriguez, who was abruptly fired Wednesday. But the board has broken into...

PVUSD trustees mull more than 150 layoffs

In the middle of more than an hour of public comment Wednesday during the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting, Gabriel Barraza—a frequent critic of the district—gave a quote he said is well known in public administration. “Show me your budget, and...

Community briefs, July 13

Community briefs, July 13, 2018

METRO pledges to improve safety

Santa Cruz METRO covid-19
SANTA CRUZ—In an effort to meet public transit safety standards set during the Covid-19 pandemic, officials at Santa Cruz METRO at a Wednesday press conference showcased the safety and precautionary measures they have put in place. Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold and METRO Board...

Watsonville City Council deems stalled development public nuisance

Sunshine Garden
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting declared a stalled housing development off Ohlone Parkway a public nuisance, setting the stage for a public hearing on the item after its summer recess. Pacific Sunshine Garden at 1773 Santa Victoria Ave. has for more than...

PVUSD superintendent looks back on first year

Nearly one year after she took the helm of the county’s largest school district, Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Heather Contreras sat down with The Pajaronian to talk about her accomplishments, and the ongoing challenges facing the district. “It’s been a long year, but...

Local artist seeks new home for community safety mural

watsonville mural
In late July of 2019, a large, four-panel mural by Peter Bartczak of Clown Bank Studios was hoisted up onto the side of the old Watsonville City Hall. The mural depicted a family of ducks, carefully crossing a street in a crosswalk in front of...

Forum highlights CalFresh program

The CalFresh Forum took place Friday at the Watsonville Civic Plaza.

Annual sculpture exhibit returns to Sierra Azul Nursery

WATSONVILLE—Sierra Azul Nursery and Gardens in Watsonville is once again brimming with art as Pajaro Valley Arts’ annual “Sculpture Is” exhibit returns for the 15th year. Installed in late May and officially opened on June 7, the popular outdoor exhibit will be up through October....

City to form Senior Action Committee

WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville is searching for residents 50 years of age or older to serve on its new Senior Action Committee (SAC). Members of this volunteer committee will advise the city and other local jurisdictions by representing the perspectives, concerns and needs of Watsonville’s...
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Teen arrested after chase

A routine traffic stop turned into a chase late Tuesday night that ended with the arrest of a 17-year-old suspected gang member and the...