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Watsonville
February 3, 2026

Strawberry industry settles after hectic start to season

Strawberry season in the Pajaro Valley is in full swing, and experts are reporting that demand has steadily increased despite a difficult kickoff. As the Covid-19 pandemic hit the California region in mid-March, strawberry producers initially saw a spike in sales. But it was soon...

District 4 Dairy Princess, alternates crowned

Ellie Dyt knows a lot more about the California Dairy Industry than most seventeen-year-old high schoolers. Dyt was raised on a dairy farm her whole life in the small town of Crows Landing, home to thousands of dairy cows, gaining first-hand experience by working there...

Serving Nuestra Ciudad

The Pajaronian
The COVID-19 crisis has without a doubt been a challenging ordeal. Our businesses are suffering, our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet and there do not seem to be many quick solutions to the problems created by this tricky, highly-infectious virus. Yet, the...

This Week in Pajaro Valley’s Past, July 16

pajaro valley past
25 years ago on July 10, 1996 Watsonville police captain Chuck Carter retires this month after 30 years of service, many of them involved in community projects with a social angle. “I’ve never seen a police officer as heavily involved as Chuck is with a...

Letter: ‘Build It Now, It Will Never Be Cheaper’

letter to the editor pajaronian
Thankfully common sense prevailed and Measure D was defeated. However, those who support environmentally sound electric passenger rail service on the historic Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line must not rest on their laurels.  A concerted effort must be put forth to the Santa Cruz Regional...

Monterey County Fair announces 2017 award winners

The 81st Annual Monterey County Fair, held Aug. 31-Sept. 4, has announced the winners of its Home Arts Sweepstakes, Assorted Home Arts Awards and Gardens and Floriculture department awards, as well as the local 4-H and FFA club winners.

Christmas tree sellers optimistic despite national shortage

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, tree farms across the nation are thrust into the spotlight and sellers start their busiest time of year. This year, the industry is holding steady, despite a nationwide shortage that is pushing up prices. Heatwaves and fires that...

Cultivating fruit

Rev. Robby Olson
One of my favorite passages in the Christian scriptures comes from Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia. Perhaps surprisingly, the reason I love it so much is how not-religious it is.  The passage sets up a contrast between disparate ways we can choose to...

Watsonville mayor's update, November 2017

Watsonville mayor's update, November 2017

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...
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Jim Barsi talks about the sale of Barsi's Liquor Store in 2019.

Jim Barsi—owner of Barsi’s Liquor Store—dies

James Joseph “Jim” Barsi, who ran his eponymous liquor store on East Lake Avenue for a half-century before selling the business and retiring in...