News

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...

A 70-year-old Watsonville woman suffered major injuries Sunday evening in a two-car crash on Highway 1 near Watsonville.  California Highway Patrol officer Israel Murillo said the woman was driving a silver 2017 Ford Fusion northbound on Highway 1 north of Mar Monte Avenue Sunday. At 5:52pm...

Monterey County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Castroville man Wednesday during a car stop for possession of a stolen handgun and a half pound of methamphetamine. Around 12:24pm a deputy conducted a car stop for vehicle code violations in the 10700 block of Merritt Street in...

In concert with scores of protests, marches and rallies around the globe on May Day—or International Worker's Day—Watsonville and Santa Cruz took to the streets in solidarity with workers, and to show displeasure with the Trump administration.  Waving signs and chanting theirdisapproval of the president’s...

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) launched a new “Elkhorn Forever” campaign with a kick-off celebration Tuesday, with the goal of raising $12 million. Held at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve Visitor Center, the effort aims to ensure the long-term health of Elkhorn Slough’s ...

The city of Watsonville is inviting the community to a workshop focused on planning for future passenger rail service and trail improvements in and around the Watsonville area.  The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is hosting the workshop as part of its ongoing...

John Kegebein demonstrates an early day, hand-pump vacuum at the Agricultural History Project's table during the annual Business Expo at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Thursday. “The businesses and people of the Pajaro Valley came together at the Expo to show what a fabulous...

The Santa Cruz County Fair is seeking a new leader. The 14th District Agricultural Association and Santa Cruz County Fair is accepting applications for its Fair Manager, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of our 105-acre fairgrounds in Watsonville, including planning and managing the...

The Cabrillo Gallery is presenting Student Exhibition 2025, showcasing a cross-section of student talent.  This exhibition offers a wide sampling of artwork completed by students from all disciplines taught in the Cabrillo College Art Studio and Art Photography Departments during the 2024-25 school year. “The show is...

Flames tore through one of several buildings on the property of the Bigfoot Discovery Museum in Felton Sunday night, but spared the famed museum building. Felton Fire officials said the fire broke out around 10pm and destroyed a small cabin situated between the museum that...