Watsonville / Pajaro Neighborhood Newsletter for Thursday, November 20

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Good morning! It’s November 20 — here’s what’s going on in your community today…

A couple of morning showers in Watsonville / Pajaro

Today will be a couple of showers this morning; otherwise, cool with clouds breaking for some sun. There is a 90% chance of rain. The high will be 59 with a low of 42. Allergy sufferers beware: there are high amounts of mold in the air. Showers now, changing to cloudy at 9 a.m.

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Watsonville / Pajaro news

UC Santa Cruz launches $750M fundraising for students and research. Watsonville reinstates labor pact with union exemptions. County to revisit battery storage rules in January. Expanded Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale on Dec. 6.

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What’s new around you

▼︎ police incidents   ▼︎ road incidents   ▼︎ real estate   ▼︎ food inspections

Read on to see the details about each item…

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Roadwork is affecting traffic in the region

• Early this morning around 5:42 a.m., a dark vehicle was reported as a traffic hazard in the middle of Jensen Rd at Bluff Rd. At 6:34 a.m., Officer Ramos arrested someone for suspected DUI and requested a tow for the vehicle. This happened today at Jensen Rd and Bluff Rd.
   
• A hit and run happened at the intersection of San Juan Rd and Aromas Rd at 6:04 p.m. yesterday. A blue pickup truck was hit by a four-door sedan that did not stop and left the scene. No one was hurt, but both vehicles could not be driven and the road was blocked for a while. People passing by helped clear the vehicles and debris from the road.
   
• One-way traffic control is in place on North Highway 9 at Prospect Avenue in San Lorenzo Valley because of emergency work. The closure is expected to end at 3:59 p.m. on December 5.
   

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Property development

• On November 19, the Santa Cruz County Planning Department formally approved a zoning application for a project at 709 The Shore Line in La Selva Beach. The approved project renews a permit allowing the existing single-family home at this address to continue operating as a two-bedroom vacation rental. This permit enables the property to provide overnight lodging for guests for stays of up to thirty days at a time. The approval was required for the vacation rental permit to remain in effect. (view application)
   

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Restaurant inspections

County officials regularly inspect food facilities to ensure compliance with state laws. Here, Lookout Santa Cruz reports both those who have passed the inspections and those that the county deems to have a “major” issue. The county’s full ongoing report can be accessed here.

• El Pollo Loco #3817 at 1401 Main St., Watsonville, passed a county health inspection on November 18 with no critical issues.
   
• Sushi Garden Japanese Restaurant at 1441 Main St., Watsonville, passed a county health inspection on November 18 with no critical issues.
   
• Sukhothai Restaurant at 1433 Main St. Ste I, Watsonville, passed a county health inspection on November 18 with no critical issues.
   

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Community crime report

• A person was arrested for breaking into a parked vehicle and having illegal paraphernalia. The incident happened near the 300 Block of E Beach St., Watsonville at 11 p.m. on November 18. (source)
   
• A person ran away from police during a traffic stop and was arrested after a short chase for resisting an officer and driving with a license suspended for DUI. The incident happened near E Fifth St. and E Main St. in Watsonville. It took place at 11 p.m. on November 18. The person’s vehicle was impounded for 30 days. (source)
   
• A juvenile was arrested for having alcohol. The juvenile was given a citation and released to his parents. The case was sent to the District Attorney’s Office and Juvenile Probation for further action. The incident happened near Lincoln St. & Beach St. in Watsonville at 7 p.m. on November 18. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for harming or causing the death of an elderly or dependent adult, violating a domestic violence protective order twice, and contempt for violating a protective order. The incident happened near the 100 block of Celia Dr, Santa Cruz County, at 5 p.m. on November 7. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for loitering on private property, obstructing a public officer, and resisting an executive officer. The incident happened near Casserly Rd and Green Valley Rd, Santa Cruz County, at 4 p.m. on November 7. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for several offenses, including obstructing a public officer, vandalism, access card fraud, petty theft, animal cruelty, being drunk in public, making noise, and showing a deadly weapon (not a firearm). The incident happened near the 200 block of Riverside Dr, Watsonville, at 11 a.m. on November 7. (source)
    
• A person was arrested for causing injury to a spouse or cohabitant and for false imprisonment. The incident happened near 215 UNION St., Watsonville, Santa Cruz County. It occurred around 1 a.m. on November 7. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for being drunk in public near the 130 block of Madison Street in Watsonville at 1 a.m. on November 7. (source)
    
• A person was arrested for vandalism, having illegal drugs, taking lost property, and having someone else’s ID with the intent to commit fraud. The incident happened near Airport Boulevard and Pajaro Lane in Santa Cruz County at 4 p.m. on November 6. (source)
    
• A person was arrested for having illegal drugs for sale, having illegal drug-related items, violating probation, and having drugs with two or more previous offenses. The incident happened near Green Meadow and Green Valley in Watsonville at 2 p.m. on November 6. (source)
   
• An arrest was made for elder or dependent adult cruelty and battery on a person near the 700 block of Green Valley Road, Santa Cruz County. The incident happened at 11 a.m. on November 6. (source)
    
• A person was arrested for battery on someone near the 140 block of Main Street in Watsonville at 4 a.m. on November 6. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for having illegal drugs with the intent to sell, having or buying narcotics to sell, illegally having or using tear gas, taking lost property, and having illegal drug-related items. This happened near Airport Boulevard and Pajaro Lane in Santa Cruz County at 3 p.m. on November 5. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for being drunk in public near the 200 block of Hill Ave. in Watsonville. The incident happened at 10 a.m. on November 5. (source)
     
• A person was arrested for stealing a vehicle, having illegal paraphernalia, possessing a stolen vehicle, and violating probation. The incident happened near Green Meadow and Green Valley in Watsonville at 1 a.m. on November 4. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for first degree burglary, driving without a license, having illegal drugs, having drugs to sell, having illegal drug items, and giving a false ID to police. The incident happened near the 900 block of East Lake Avenue in Watsonville. It took place at midnight on November 4. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, having a blood alcohol level over the legal limit, and driving without a license. The incident happened near Freedom Blvd. at Blanca Ln, Santa Cruz County, at 4 p.m. on November 3. (source)
    
• A person was arrested for disorderly conduct while under the influence of drugs, having a controlled substance, and possessing illegal paraphernalia. The incident happened near the 900 block of Main St., Watsonville, at 4 a.m. on November 3. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and domestic battery. The incident happened near the 200 block Union Street in Watsonville at 4 a.m. on November 2. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for child endanger, trespassing on railroad property, and being drunk in public. The incident happened near the 100 block of Holm Rd, Watsonville, at 1 p.m. on November 1. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for causing injury to a spouse or someone they live with, and for robbery. The incident happened near Lee Rd., Watsonville at noon on November 1. The person was released on bond. (source)
   

Note on today’s report: Some of the incidents listed are not recent. This can happen for a couple of reasons: Delays in agency reporting — sometimes officials don’t file reports right away, or agencies release batches of reports weeks later. Delays in public complaints — people may not notice or decide to contact police until some time after an incident. Please contact the responsible law-enforcement agency or your local elected officials if you have concerns about their delay in releasing information.

Disclosure: Traffic incidents, property development updates and police incidents are partially generated by artificial intelligence. We are constantly working to improve the accuracy and quality of our AI-generated content. However, there may still be errors or inaccuracies. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.