Briefs: First United Methodist Church’s 170th; Soroptimist Fall Fantasy fundraiser
First United Methodist Church celebrating 170th
Watsonville First United Methodist Church is celebrating 170 years on Oct. 22. A church service and luncheon will mark the occasion.
The congregation was established when Rev. D.A. Dryden conducted a marriage ceremony on the banks of the Pajaro River...
Photo: Mural memories at the Watsonville Library
Watsonville Public Library is currently showing an exhibit of archived photographs of community murals throughout the city's history. The display was put together by Marisol Medina-Cadena with the help of local organizations and educational institutions. To view the accompanying digital archive, visit bit.ly/3CTF0Va.
Photo: ‘Open for Everyone’
The Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast presented its Fall 2022 event on Oct. 8 at Watsonville High School. The student-led event, themed “The Umbrella is Open for Everyone,” included workshops, a resource fair and more for LGBTQIA+ youth, allies...
Jimmy Dutra denies sexual assault allegations
WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County Supervisor candidate Jimmy Dutra told a group of reporters and roughly two-dozen supporters that allegations of sexual abuse made against him last week are “completely false and untrue,” and stem from a dispute with his late father’s ex-wife over his estate.
Dutra...
Temporary CEO leading Fairgrounds
WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County Fair Board President Don Dietrich has taken over as CEO in the wake of the Oct. 4 dismissal of Dave Kegebein, and says he’ll stay at the helm as the Board recruits a replacement.
It is unclear how long that could take,...
Two vying for PVUSD Trustee Area 1 seat
APTOS—This is the second of two articles showcasing the candidates vying for seats on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees.
Last week, incumbent Jennifer Schacher and Olivia Flores had their say.
With four seats up for election, two went uncontested. Daniel Dodge Jr....
County Supervisor candidate Dutra faces sexual assault lawsuit
WATSONVILLE—A man has filed a civil lawsuit in Santa Cruz County Superior Court, claiming that 4th District Supervisorial candidate Jimmy Dutra molested him when he was 12.
A case management conference is scheduled for Feb. 3.
The Pajaronian typically does not name victims in stories involving...
Levee rebuild project gets further help
WATSONVILLE—Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 1 signed a bill into law that gives full funding to the long-awaited Pajaro River Levee Project, giving 100-year protection to the people who live in the South County communities that are prone to destructive flooding.
Senate Bill 489, authored...
Farm Discovery at Live Earth raises $87K for education, produce programs
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville-based organization Farm Discovery at Live Earth announced that it raised $87,800 at its annual benefit dinner on Sept. 24.
“Mesa: Farm Discovery Fall Feast in the Fields” was held at Live Earth Farm in Watsonville, and drew attendance from across the region. Guests were...
2021 Crop Report released
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo released the 2021 Santa Cruz County Crop Report on Oct. 5, which shows a 3.4 percent increase in overall crop production values over the past year.
Strawberries remain the top crop in Santa Cruz County, with...
Man arrested after lengthy standoff
A man who held police at bay while armed with a knife was arrested late at night on Sept. 4 outside a Herman Avenue...