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Watsonville
January 14, 2026

Assemblymember Rivas urges Gov. Newsom for more farmworker relief

Watsonville farmworkers
By Jazmine Juarez, Special to the Pajaronian WATSONVILLE—Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) is calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to take urgent steps to protect farmworkers and the food supply chain in the wake of COVID-19.  Following reports of 41 agricultural workers being diagnosed with COVID-19 in...

This Week in Pajaro Valley’s Past, Feb. 12-18

Pajaro Valley's past watsonville
Compiled by Steve Bankhead 25 years ago on Feb. 6, 1996 Some workers from the closing Norcal-Crosetti plant at Ford & Walker streets will be hired by Dean Foods (former Richard Shaw Frozen Foods) which purchased Norcal Crosetti when it failed last August.  Dean Foods plans...

Letters to the Editor, Jan. 4, 2019

Letters to the Editor, Jan. 4, 2019

Letter: Homegrown, or another outsider?

letter to the editor pajaronian
I spent 50 years of my professional career working at Watsonville Community Hospital. Over those five decades I was fortunate enough to have performed well enough to rise through the ranks and become manager of the Radiology Department for several years.  As a manager I...

Letters to the Editor, June 27: Remembering Bill Bachan

Letters to the Editor, June 27, 2017

Modeling accountability: Relational, cultural and restorative safety

letter to the editor pajaronian
The Pajaro Valley community recently learned about the tragic death of an Aptos High School teen on the school’s campus. This has led to outrage, grief and racialized commentary. During this critical time, trauma-fueled responses, reactionary behavior and near-sighted solutions can lead to collateral...

Don’t wait, act

letter to the editor pajaronian
By Christian Garcia Like many other communities, Watsonville has significant challenges. We have an ailing local economy, affordable housing needs, needs for better access to healthcare and education, aging infrastructure, funding needs for local parks and youth programs, and the list goes on.  Inspiring people to...

Police chiefs, Feb. 24: Everyone must do their part to prevent gun violence

As law enforcement executives in Santa Cruz County, each of us individually may have different views of how best to reduce gun violence, but we all committed to providing leadership to prevent and reduce gun violence and to keep our children and teachers safe in our schools.

Tri-county dairy farms showcased in new exhibit

dairy california history
WATSONVILLE—A new exhibit at the Agricultural History Project (AHP) has been set up to give visitors a glimpse into the dairy industry in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties. Dozens of early-day milk bottles make up the bulk of the display, but numerous butter...

Pilot program weighs notification of pesticide use

WATSONVILLE—A new pilot program to inform residents of hazardous pesticide applications at area farmlands, under the umbrella of the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, will go into motion in August.  The program was outlined by Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo at a community meeting at...
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Watsonville nurses rally against ICU closure

Several dozen Watsonville Community Hospital nurses and staff warned Wednesday that closing the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit—an idea they said officials have floated amid...