Dominique “Dom” Parrish’s legacy continues to grow after the former Scotts Valley High wrestling star qualified for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The 27-year-old Scotts Valley native beat 2016 Olympian Haley Augello, two matches to none, in the 53 kilograms division finals at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials in State College, Penn., on April 20. “Honestly, it doesn’t even feel real,” said Parrish, who fought hard to hold back her tears in a post-final interview with NBC Sports. “I don’t really know what just happened. I’m a little overwhelmed. It’s so emotional, but it’s s ..read more

After working behind the badge of Watsonville Police for nearly three decades, officer Lee Katich waved goodbye Tuesday. “It’s been quite a good ride,” Katich said during a festive farewell party Tuesday evening that included Katich’s wife and two children and a roomful of officers at the department’s briefing room. “I have no regrets; Watsonville was my first choice and I wanted to get in on the action. “Watsonville delivered. It was fun but it’s time to move on.” WPD Sgt. Mike Ridgway said that he felt safe when Katich was working. “We always worked well together, and I always looked forwar ..read more

Supervisors Update: Marching Towards a Cleaner Future By: Felipe Hernandez As we stride into March, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is delighted to unveil plans for the inaugural “Santa Cruz County Cleanup Day,” an initiative aimed at enhancing the beauty and cleanliness of our cherished county. This month’s update also includes crucial information on the Young Supervisors Academy’s second cohort, offering young leaders a distinctive opportunity to engage with their community, low-cost internet, and feedback on our newest county park. Let’s delve deeper into these developments and ..read more

Monterey County Sheriff’s investigators have linked a March 3 mass shooting in King City to the Feb. 4 killing of two cousins in Soledad.  Law enforcement officials recently served search warrants related to both incidents. On March 3, 11 people were shot at a birthday party on the 200 block of Second Street in King City. Four of them were killed, while seven were injured.  Investigators have linked that incident to a Feb. 4 incident in Soledad where two cousins were shot and killed on Los Coches Road. During the investigation, more than 50 search warrants have been served.  Ad ..read more

The agency responsible for the rebuild of the Pajaro River Levee has completed an environmental assessment for Reach 6 of the project, and is seeking public input before finalizing it. Reach 6 runs from the Corralitos Bridge to Green Valley Road. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District called the report a “significant milestone” in the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project, which remains on schedule to start construction later this year. That projected is intended to give 100-year flood protection to the land and people around the Pajaro River Levee. The April report addr ..read more

In a weed-strewn, vacant lot on Airport Boulevard Tuesday, Bryan Hilgeman was busy around his makeshift tarp dwelling where he lives, along with about 40 people in the unsanctioned homeless camp. He says he’s been unsheltered since his wife died two years ago.  When the city moves forward with plans to clear the site soon, he doesn’t know what will happen. “This is a lot of people’s homes right now, and they don’t have anywhere else to go,” he says. The lot can be cleared after the Watsonville City Council on April 9  deemed it a public nuisance. The unanimous decision means that ci ..read more

Several people gathered in a large meeting room at Watsonville Public Library recently, where they delved into the cultural significance of Japanese paper lanterns, and then got a chance to make their own. The free, one-day, 3-hour event provided attendees with wood popsicle sticks, paper, glue and an endless collection of colorful art objects, from magazine collage materials, to ribbon, threads, beads, glitter and colorful tissue paper, to coloring pens and paints, sequins, buttons and dried natural leaves and moss. Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian AGLOW These lanterns were the final product of ..read more

Work continues on roadway and signal improvements at the intersection of Holohan Road and East Lake Avenue (Hwy 152). The job is part of a $4.3 million project that will rearrange the heavily traveled intersection, including  a left-turn lane and a merge lane from Holohan Road onto East Lake Avenue, extend the existing right turn lane from Holohan onto East Lake and make improvements to bike and pedestrian corridors, said Tiffany Martinez, Departmental Communications Officer for the Santa Cruz County Community Development and Infrastructure. Also included is an additional crosswalk ..read more

St. Francis High baseball head coach Ken Nakagawa has no doubt this year’s group is talented enough to go on a Central Coast Section title run. The faith has always been there.  But more importantly to him, it’s just a matter of when they can get hot.  “I think we’re starting to heat up at the right time,” he said.   The Sharks extended their league win streak to eight following a 5-1 victory against Monterey High in Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division action April 16.  The streak began after losing, 2-1, to Salinas High on March 19.  “Gonna keep rolli ..read more

This week’s edition of the Pajaronian Sports Ticker highlights local prep athletes for their performances during the week of April 8-14.    Preps of the Week Boys: Aptos High senior Isaiah Work had one double and one RBI to help the Mariners baseball team edge Scotts Valley High in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League action April 9. He also had one home run, one RBI and scored a pair of runs, and recorded six strikeouts in five innings pitched in a 6-2 win over the Falcons on April 12.  Girls: Aptos High senior Ella Shoemaker won four track and field events at the inaugural S ..read more