Home | The Pajaronian | Watsonville, CA

In the not-too-distant past, bicyclists and pedestrians traveling along Green Valley Road did so within an arms-reach of traffic along the busy corridor. That has...

New attitude, self-discipline has Watsonville feeling optimistic | High school football

High School Sports

With just days leading up to the 2025 season-opener, Watsonville football head coach Manny Contreras was already required to make a potential season-changing roster...

St. Francis aims to return as top contenders in PCAL Mission-North Division | High school football

High School Sports

Upon further review, St. Francis football head coach John Ausman took note after last week’s set of scrimmages that the coaching staff might be...

Levee eviction & cleanout begins, setting stage for construction, restoration

Local News

On Monday, 27-year-old Brenda Duarte was standing alongside a pile of her belongings in between the train tracks and the Pajaro River Levee, wondering...

New Starbucks opens

Local News

The staff extends an invitation the new Starbucks that opened Thursday morning at 1726 Freedom Blvd. Manager Christine Deschler (second from right) said they...

Art & Rebellion ‘Clowns’ stage theatrical protest at aerospace and defense systems facility

Local News

Art & Rebellion, a Santa Cruz-based self-described resistance group staged a peaceful theatrical protest at Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company in Hollister Thursday. Garbed in...

CRIME, FIRE & COURTS

Fire destroys two vehicles

August 27, 2025

A fire late Wednesday morning in Watsonville destroyed two vehicles in the area of Brennan Street and Freedom Boulevard. Firefighters reported no injuries. The blaze...

Royal Oaks man dies in rollover crash

August 26, 2025

This story has been updated with the victim's name and photo. Additionally, the victim is from Royal Oaks. The California Highway Patrol is asking for...

Truck collides with Highway 1 bridge

August 26, 2025

Highway 1 was shut down for four hours early Monday when a dump truck slammed into the Freedom Boulevard overcrossing to Highway 1 in...

firefighters douse a grass fire on the 300 block of Amesti Road Friday.

Brush fire scorches two acres

August 22, 2025

CLOSE CALL Firefighters douse hot spots in a brush fire that erupted on the 300 block of Amesti Road Friday. An official from CalFire...

OPINION

In support of CASA: California’s budget decisions are failing its most vulnerable children

August 22, 2025

Difficult decisions were made to pass the California state budget this year. We understand lawmakers worked hard to protect essential programs. However, much more could have been done for foster and justice-involved youth. Among the most alarming cuts was the elimination of statewide CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) funding,...