This week’s edition of the Pajaronian Sports Ticker highlights local prep athletes for their performances during the week of April 22-28.    Preps of the Week Boys: St. Francis High junior Javier Fonseca batted 4-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBIs for the Sharks in a 14-9 victory over Carmel High in Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division baseball action April 24. He also had two hits, two runs scored and a pair of RBIs in an 11-5 win over Hollister High in league play April 22. Girls: Monte Vista Christian junior Kayla Fullalove-Silveira recorded seven hits, incl ..read more

The Aptos High dance team shimmied and grooved their way to a successful 2024 season that was capped off with a strong outing at last month’s USA Dance Nationals in Southern California.  Bella Garvey, a senior, took seventh in the Solo Champion division, while Zoey Williams and senior Amelia Valoroso placed ninth and 11th, respectively, in the Super Dancer division.  The Mariners’ small dance group was runner-up in the team finals, followed by small hip-hop in third and extra small dance placed fourth against hundreds of others competing at the Anaheim Convention Center on March 22 ..read more

The City of Watsonville has sent out a call to local artists to help create a mural for the new nature center coming to Ramsay Park.  As part of the Ramsay Park Renaissance Project, community members are invited to provide input on the mural design, said Brooke Sampson, Development and Community Outreach Director for Watsonville Wetlands Watch (WWW). The City of Watsonville, WWW, and Community Arts & Empowerment are collaborating on the design and installation of a mosaic mural for the entrance wall and embellishments along the pathway from the center to the nearby wetland trail, whi ..read more

These are a collection of images from our photojournalist Tarmo Hannula that did not make it into stories, but we think should be enjoyed. Do you have a photo you’d like to be considered for our gallery? Send it to editor@pajaronian.com. Watsonville artist Paul De Worken works on painting his design of a wildlife scene from Pinto Lake on a traffic utility box on main Street at Pennsylvania Drive.Field workers tend to a lettuce crop along Beach Road in Watsonville.Beachgoers enjoy a brief warm spell at the Main Beach in Santa Cruz at the start of April.A butterfly lights on a bush at the ..read more

The Pajaro Valley Health Care District (PVHCD) on Wednesday appointed former Watsonville City Manager Marcela Tavantzis to fill the seat left vacant when John Friel resigned on March 19. Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian file Marcela Tavantzis “Nobody can fill the giant shoes left by John Friel, but we are so grateful Marcela Tavantzis has stepped up to serve our community in this role,” said board chair Jose (Tony) Nuñez. “Marcela’s extensive experience serving on boards, her understanding of the regulations governing public meetings, and her deep commitment to our community made her the best fit for ..read more

A man suspected of killing his roommate on Aug. 7. in Watsonville was back in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing after he was found mentally fit to stand trial. Hector Rocha, 44, allegedly shot 42-year-old Victor Alamillo during a heated verbal dispute in the driveway of their home on the 100 block of West Beach Street. Rocha In court, Santa Cruz County Assistant District Attorneys Bryan Pearson and Alex Beyers spelled out, step by step, the evening of the shooting while criminal defense attorney, Tawnya Hughes, joined Rocha who—clad in orange jail-issue garb—at the defense table.  R ..read more

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