Missing teen found in Imperial County
Imperial County Sheriff’s deputies have located a teen who ran away from a Watsonville group home in mid-July.
Briefs: Two events set for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Two events set for MLK Day
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People of Santa Cruz County Branch will honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Youth Day on Jan. 13 and the MLK March for the Dream...
Environmental education highlighted at upcoming Summit for the Planet
The public is invited to check out the wildlife and many kid-friendly activities at the 12th annual Summit for the Planet eco-carnival and Earth Day celebration on Saturday.
Watsonville city manager selected to lead Santa Cruz
WATSONVILLE—Matt Huffaker will leave his position as Watsonville City Manager for the same job in Santa Cruz, Watsonville city leaders confirmed with the Pajaronian Thursday afternoon.
The Santa Cruz City Council, in a press release, said it made a unanimous recommendation for Huffaker to take...
Man, woman seriously injured in fiery Capitola crash
CAPITOLA—A man and woman suffered major injuries in a solo-vehicle crash Sunday evening in Capitola.
Capitola Police Detective Sgt. Cliff Sloma said the crash occurred at 5:11 p.m. on the 600 block on Park Avenue. Their car reportedly struck a tree and caught on fire.
The...
Watsonville businesses remain boarded up
Numerous businesses continue to keep their windows covered with large sheets of plywood in downtown Watsonville and at the Overlook Shopping Center on Main Street. The move was triggered Wednesday night by someone who posted a notice promising “barbaric protests" Thursday as part of the...
‘Let’s boogie’: FBI outlines driver’s role in Oakland shooting
Editor's note: Story includes vulgarity.
The man who says he served as the driver on May 29 when Steven Carrillo allegedly killed a federal police officer in Oakland—and wounded another one—confessed to his role in the attack after turning himself in to the FBI.
But...
$5M grant boosts senior oral healthcare in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County-based healthcare providers Dientes and Salud Para la Gente recently received a $5 million grant from the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation.
The organizations were added to the foundation’s Senior Oral Health Coalition Program, which was launched in 2022 to address the oral...
Local nursery buzzing amidst pandemic, winter months
With most people staying close to home during the pandemic, looking for things to do and ways to stay safe, local nurseries have seen an uptick in customers. Stay-at-home orders have prompted many to find new hobbies—and gardening has been a popular choice.
Sierra Azul...
Downtown artwork receives international recognition
Watsonville artist Kathleen Crocetti’s "Celebrating the Diversity of Labor" project was recently awarded the 2019 Best Community Project in the 18th Annual Mosaic Arts International Juried Exhibition.
Body identified as missing woman
A woman’s body recovered on Jan. 18 in the area of Smith Grade and Moore Ranch Road has been identified as 73-year-old Jeanne Burke,...





















