Home | The Pajaronian | Watsonville, CA

A group of local residents, businesses and organizations pooled their efforts last week to serve hot meals and provide warm clothing and other goods...

Wet weather likely for New Year

Local News

The Monterey Bay region is expected to see a wet start to the new year, with several days of rain, fog and an elevated...

Watsonville names new fire chief

Local News

The City of Watsonville has named longtime firefighter Corey Schaefer as its next fire chief following the retirement of Chief Rudy López. Schaefer, a 27-year...

Powerful storms clobber Central Coast

Local News

A string of strong winter storms slammed the Central Coast over the past several days, toppling power and communication lines, knocking down scores of...

Affordable housing project back on track

Local News

Construction is set to resume on Haven Plaza, a 35-unit permanent supportive housing community at 2838 Park Ave. in Soquel after developers secured critical...

PV’s Lara-Alvarez named Santa Lucia’s top player | All-PCAL football

High School Sports

In 2024, Pajaro Valley senior Benito Lara-Alvarez was primarily on the defensive side of the ball for the Grizzlies. Prior to the start of this...

CRIME, FIRE & COURTS

County announces new probation chief

December 30, 2025

Santa Cruz County on Monday named Sandra Mendez as its next chief probation officer, selecting a veteran corrections administrator with more than 20 years...

CHP announces holiday enforcement period

December 30, 2025

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is ringing in 2026 by launching a New Year’s holiday enforcement period by boosting patrols statewide from 6pm onWednesday,...

Teen suspect arrested in fatal Main Street shooting

December 19, 2025

An arrest has been made after a six-week investigation into the murder of a 34-year-old Watsonville man behind the Chipotle Restaurant on the 1300...

Photo story: Handgun, stolen vehicle recovered in traffic stop

December 18, 2025

Watsonville Police process evidence Thursday night following a car stop on Hushbeck Street just after 7:30pm. While police managed to take the driver into...

OPINION

Letters to the Editor Dec. 31-Jan. 6

December 30, 2025

PVUSD board was right to make cuts when they did Brandon Diniz has written an impassioned guest Sentinel editorial; but he left out details on why the expediency, the reason for the cutbacks, and the continual disruption. The District is required to submit their proposed budget now, not later. Without the...