Watsonville / Pajaro Neighborhood Newsletter for Tuesday, December 9

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Good morning! It’s December 9 — here’s what’s going on in your community today…

Plenty of sun in Watsonville / Pajaro

Today will be plenty of sun. The high will be 68 with a low of 42.

Looking ahead: Record high temperatures Thursday

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Watsonville / Pajaro news

Pajaro River levee construction begins early 2026; Phase 2 funding uncertain. Pajaro Valley Unified may cut nearly 160 staff, including special education. Free computer science nights scheduled next week in Watsonville and Santa Cruz.

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What’s new around you

▼︎ police incidents   ▼︎ road incidents   ▼︎ new businesses   ▼︎ food inspections

Read on to see the details about each item…

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Roadwork is affecting traffic in the region

• A traffic collision happened at 6:46 a.m. today at the intersection of Highway 1 and Struve Road. The crash involved a gray Mazda M3 and a silver Honda Odyssey minivan. Emergency services and a tow truck responded to the scene.
    
• Long-term projects: Highway 1 will have overnight ramp and lane closures between Riverside and Larkin Valley Road in Santa Cruz County from Sunday, December 7, through Friday, December 12, for road striping and maintenance. A long-term lane closure is still in place on Highway 9 between Lorenzo Ave and Prospect Ave, about .9 miles south of the Route 236 junction in Santa Cruz County, for work on a retaining wall and drainage replacement.
   

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New local businesses

• A new business named ENVEYA BODY SCULPTING was registered at 734 E Lake Ave. Ste 11, Watsonville CA 95076 on December 3. The business was registered by Crystal A. Gonzalez as an individual business.
   
• A new business named GALLERO LIVE was registered at 49 Ortega Dr, Watsonville CA 95076 on December 4. The business was registered by Luciano Cortes Alvarado as an individual business.
   
• A new business named CAMACHO’S TACOS Y MAS was registered at 325 Bree Ln Apt C, Watsonville CA 95076 on December 5. The business was registered by Jaime Camacho Miranda as an individual business.
   
• A new business named G’S TERIYAKI BOWLS was registered at 310 Clifford Ave. Apt C, Watsonville CA 95076 on December 5. The business was registered by Gustavo Santillan Regalado as an individual business.
   

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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.

• Jalisco Restaurant at 618 Main St., Watsonville, passed a county health inspection on December 3 with no critical issues.
   
• Las Islitas Restaurant at 1230 Main St., Watsonville, passed a county health inspection on December 3 with no critical issues.
   
• Monterey Bay Academy at 783 San Andreas Rd, Watsonville, passed a county health inspection on December 4 with no critical issues.
   
• La Michoacana AutÉntica Ice Cream Parlor & Fruits at 1862 Main St., Watsonville, passed a county health inspection on December 8 with no critical issues.
   

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Community crime report

• A person was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol after failing to stop at a DUI checkpoint. The incident happened near the 1400 Block of Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville around midnight on December 8. (source)
   
• Three people were arrested after fleeing from officers at a DUI checkpoint. The incident happened near the 1400 Block of Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville. It occurred at 9 p.m. on December 7. The pursuit ended on the 200 block of Arthur Rd, where all the people in the car tried to run away but were caught. They face charges including evading police with disregard for safety, resisting officers, having a bench warrant, and driving with a license suspended for DUI. (source)
   
• A person was shot once in the leg in an assault with a firearm. The incident happened near the 300 Block of Blackburn St., Watsonville. It occurred at 4 p.m. on December 7. The victim was taken to the hospital and was alert but could not give information about the suspect. Police searched the area where the shooting happened. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for petty theft with two or more prior convictions and shoplifting after taking items from a supermarket and leaving without paying. The incident happened near the 1700 Block of Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville at 3 p.m. on December 7. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. The incident happened near the 200 Block of E Beach St., Watsonville at 5 a.m. on December 7. (source)
   
• A male teenager ran away from police after they tried to talk to him about a fight. Officers chased him on foot and arrested him for resisting or getting in the way of police. The incident happened near 2nd St. & Walker St. in Watsonville at 7 p.m. on December 6. (source)
   
• A juvenile was arrested for shoplifting after an employee gave a statement. The incident happened near the 1400 Block of Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, at 4 p.m. on December 6. (source)
   
• Grand theft from an unlocked vehicle was reported near the 100 Block of W Beach St., Watsonville. The incident happened at 3 p.m. on December 6. A wallet containing $1,500 was stolen by a Hispanic female adult wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with white print and blue jeans. (source)
   
• A person was arrested on a felony bench warrant after officers stopped a vehicle flagged for a felony. The incident happened near Main St. and NB Auto Center Dr in Watsonville at 11 a.m. on December 6. (source)
   
• A person was cited and released for a misdemeanor warrant after being contacted for loitering. The incident happened near the 100 Block of Jeanette Way, Watsonville, at 8 a.m. on December 6. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for driving on a license that had been suspended due to a DUI. The individual was cited and released at the scene, and the case was sent to the District Attorney’s Office for possible charges. The incident happened near the 1500 Block of Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville at 1 a.m. on December 6. (source)
   
• A driver crashed into planters and a hotel structure after drinking alcohol. Police conducted field sobriety tests and arrested the driver for driving under the influence of alcohol. The incident happened near the 900 Block of Main St., Watsonville at 9 p.m. on December 5. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for obstructing a police investigation during a welfare check for her sister, who was found with a self-inflicted injury. The incident happened near the 100 Block of Elm St., Watsonville, at 1 a.m. on December 5. The person was cited and released at the police station. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for an outstanding felony bench warrant during a police stop. The incident happened near the 400 Block of E. Lake Ave., Watsonville at 11 p.m. on December 4. (source)
   
• A person was found with illegal drug items, showed a deadly weapon (not a gun), and made threats meant to scare someone. This happened near Kearney St. & Ford St. in Watsonville at 9 a.m. on December 4. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for an outstanding misdemeanor bench warrant. The incident happened near Kearney St. & Ford St., Watsonville, at 9 a.m. on December 4. The person was given a citation and released at the scene. (source)
   
• A person was arrested for disorderly conduct after being found under the influence of drugs. The incident happened near the 100 Block of Anna St., Watsonville at 9 a.m. on December 4. (source)
   

Disclosure: Traffic incidents 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.