In this week’s survey of local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on the rollout of a new AI tool for Santa Cruz-based fintech company Paystand, notes a court date for a former executive of Scotts Valley’s Ambient Photonics and runs down other numbers, names and dates to know.
Jessica M. Pasko
Jessica M. Pasko has been writing professionally for more than two decades. She cut her teeth in journalism as a reporter for the Associated Press in her native Albany, New York, where she covered everything from plane crashes and arts & culture to state politics, including assisting with the coverage of former New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s resignation. After getting her master’s degree at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she moved to the West Coast and covered crime and breaking news for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. She has also worked for KION and written for a variety of local, regional and national publications on both coasts, including Evanston Patch, The Good Times, Santa Cruz Waves and many others.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Leadership shakeup at Driscoll’s; Watsonville’s new distillery takes inspiration from the sea
In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on high-level departures at Watsonville-based berry giant Driscoll’s, a new distillery in South County and plenty of names, numbers and dates to know.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Workbench files pre-application for new housing on site of Seabright business plaza; Joby makes moves in Texas
In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on a proposed six-story mixed-use development in Santa Cruz, Joby Aviation’s latest maneuvers and names, numbers and dates to know.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Volunteer Center names new director as longtime exec retires; new life ahead for Casalegno’s market
Shawn Peterson takes over for Karen Delaney at a powerhouse local nonprofit, a revival for a Soquel institution and names, numbers and dates to know – Jessica M. Pasko runs it all down in her weekly survey of Santa Cruz County business.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Local nonprofit partners to help veterans transition into aviation careers; rental market takes dubious top honors for most expensive in the nation
In her latest business column, Jessica M. Pasko highlights a tricounty nonprofit aiming to give veterans more career opportunities, along with dates to keep in mind and more.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Deeper look at recent Driscoll’s litigation; Pajaro Valley apple growers face increasing challenges
A trio of lawsuits for a Watsonville berry giant, compounding woes for apple farmers in South County and beyond and numbers, names and dates to know – Jessica M. Pasko has it covered in her weekly survey of the Santa Cruz County business scene.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Driscoll’s faces growing legal storm over pesticide safety, ‘forever chemicals’ and social media claims
Berry giant Driscoll’s is facing multiple legal challenges, including consumer lawsuits alleging “forever chemicals” and pesticide cover-ups, while simultaneously suing a mobile app startup for spreading false claims. The Watsonville-based company denies the allegations of misconduct, affirming its commitment to food safety and regulatory standards.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Diving into the 2026 county workforce report; downtown development signs first retail client
Jessica M. Pasko crunches the latest county jobs numbers, notes Bookie’s Pizza’s impending move to a new Pacific Avenue development and highlights other local comings and goings in her latest business roundup.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Joby and Toyota to partner on manufacturing, Driscoll’s faces pesticide backlash, economic woes drive slowdown on local granny units
Jessica M. Pasko gives you the latest in local business news, including Joby Aviation and Toyota expanding their partnership, Driscoll’s facing a new class action lawsuit over pesticide use, and upcoming events.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Capitola Wharf business faces uncertain future; Aptos Village business owners and RTC head to court
A proposed new policy regarding leases of city-owned property has the owner of Capitola Boat & Bait worried her business could be priced off the wharf, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly column.
