The Pajaronian

The Pajaronian is the leading news source in California's Pajaro Valley. It was honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Journalism in 1956 for its contributions to public service.

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A community united: cleanup day draws hundreds

4 days ago | pajaronian.com | Todd Guild

Hundreds of people gathered Saturday morning on beaches, in neighborhoods and along riverways to participate in the second-annual Pitch In All Santa Cruz Cleanup Day. The event is organized by the Trash Talkers, a group of elected officials, community members, nonprofits and governmental organizations, formed with the goal of ridding the county of litter.
Queer Youth Leadership Awards set for Saturday

6 days ago | pajaronian.com | Todd Guild

It has been almost three decades since local organizers launched the Queer Youth Leadership Awards, an event created to highlight young people whose work has benefitted the LGBTQ community, as well as the people and organizations that help them. This happened in the early days of the AIDS crisis, when leaders went to school districts to offer HIV prevention education. The schools rejected the offer, reasoning—incorrectly—that they had no gay students, and therefore had no use for it.
Countywide history fair set for Watsonville

6 days ago | pajaronian.com | Todd Guild

In the late 1800s, Claus Spreckels ran a mill that processed locally grown sugar beets, a thriving industry that is generally credited with seeing Santa Cruz County through troubled economic times. But when Spreckels tried to underpay the Japanese community—cutting their wages in half—they walked, and took up strawberry farming they learned from Chinese immigrants that came before them.
Watsonville’s Brianna Leon inks NLI to play for La Sierra | Girls flag football

6 days ago | pajaronian.com | Juan Reyes

After weeks of deliberation, Watsonville senior Brianna Leon officially decided Tuesday evening on where she would like to continue her flag football career. The Wildcatz’s standout two-sport athlete signed her National Letter of Intent to play on the inaugural women’s flag football team at La Sierra University in the 2025 fall season.
PVUSD trustees reject Medina censure

6 days ago | pajaronian.com | Todd Guild

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees rejected a move to censure Trustee Gabriel Medina during a clamorous public board meeting Wednesday night that included public outcry and arguments among board members. Trustee Misty Navarro and Board President Olivia Flores cast the only yes votes. Trustee Daniel Dodge Jr. was absent.
New Logo, New Chapter: Watsonville Community Hospital Looks Ahead with Purpose

1 week ago | pajaronian.com | Todd Guild

There’s something powerful about a fresh start—especially when it’s backed by real progress, deep community roots, and a bold vision for the future. At our April 18 State of the Hospital event, Watsonville Community Hospital unveiled a new logo symbolizing its transition back to community ownership. The new logo was the clear favorite of eight focus groups, conducted in English, Spanish and Mixteco. People saw the logo as a symbol of a caring, community-focused hospital.
Public invited to participate in countywide cleanup day

1 week ago | pajaronian.com | Todd Guild

On May 10, people are expected to gather in more than 60 locations to participate in the second-annual Pitch In All Santa Cruz Cleanup Day. Last year’s event drew more than 430 volunteers, who removed in excess of 1,500 pounds of trash from local neighborhoods, beaches, parks, and creeks. Organizers hope this year’s event will garner more interest. “Pitch In is about more than just picking up trash,” said founder Sally-Christine Rodgers.
UC Santa Cruz student missing after jump from cliff

1 week ago | pajaronian.com | Tarmo Hannula

A man is still missing after he and another man leapt into the ocean from West Cliff Drive Sunday afternoon. Santa Cruz Police said they got reports of the incident at 4:45pm at 701 West Cliff Drive. Police learned that two swimmers jumped off the cliff and were struggling to swim back to the shore. One man was able to swim to shore while the other man was possibly submerged.
Photo story: Car smashes into utility pole

1 week ago | pajaronian.com | Tarmo Hannula

A car shot off of northbound Green Valley Road at Doering Lane around 5:30am Tuesday and sheered a utility pole off at the base. The car then careened across a sidewalk and through a wood fence before coming to a stop in an agricultural field. California Highway Patrol officer Israel Murillo said the male driver of the white 2019 Honda Civic was not injured. The CHP does not suspect alcohol and drugs were involved in the incident which is still under investigation.
Teen arrested with sawed-off shotgun in vehicle

1 week ago | pajaronian.com | Tarmo Hannula

Capitola Police arrested a 17 year old male after they found a sawed-off shotgun in his car during a traffic stop. According to CPD, officers saw the juvenile driving a pickup on Capitola Road on a license that was suspended for prior hit-and-run crashes. During the traffic stop, the driver was ordered out of the vehicle, and police spotted a sawed-off 12-gauge semi-auto shotgun inside the cab. They also found dangerous mortar-style fireworks.