Sepi Taghvaei and Zach Friend, June 29: Dental care crisis continues in SC County
We see it daily … the effects of limited access to dental care in our community: adults with abscessed teeth and swollen faces that end up in emergency rooms and county clinics, children who are missing school because of dental pain, seniors who are losing weight due to poor dental health, teenagers who have low self-esteem because of dental decay.
Giving everyone access to health coverage is a priority for Monterey Bay hospitals
With all the political instability in Washington D.C., it’s difficult to know what our health care system will look like in the future. Despite the recent failure of efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the White House appears to b
Key environmental legislation passes assembly
CALIFORNIA—As California recovers from a historic heatwave, the State Assembly last week passed three bills by Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) to help fight the climate crisis, incentivize sustainable agriculture, and advance environmental justice for all.
“California has ambitious environmental goals, and the advancement of my...
The story behind the Washington bust
To some, George Washington represents patriarchy and oppression. To Lloyd Alaga, the person who commissioned the bust of George Washington for Watsonville’s Plaza, Washington represented the opportunity in America for immigrants who have come, and continue to come, to this country.
Lloyd Alaga’s uncle was...
Felipe Hernandez and Greg Caput: Vote No on Measure D
Greenway’s Measure D is harmful to our community, especially seniors and workers. Measure D is not green and it is not the way.
Voters shouldn’t be fooled by Greenway’s expensive campaign. It’s important to understand that Measure D does two things—it rips out the railroad...
Watsonville clearing homeless camps along Pajaro River Levee
Watsonville city officials on Monday began clearing a sprawling unsanctioned homeless encampment along the Pajaro River that runs from Sakata Lane to Loughead Avenue.
The work, which includes mowing tall grasses and removing some trees, is expected to last through Aug. 2, Watsonville City spokeswoman...
In support of CASA: California’s budget decisions are failing its most vulnerable children
Difficult decisions were made to pass the California state budget this year. We understand lawmakers worked hard to protect essential programs. However, much more could have been done for foster and justice-involved youth. Among the most alarming cuts was the elimination of statewide CASA...
Taking pride in our fairgrounds
The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds is a hidden gem that needs to be protected. It has been said that fairgrounds date back to Greek times where they were created to offer a place for people to buy and sell goods. Over the years fairgrounds...
Strawberries once again take top spot as crop values rise
MONTEREY COUNTY—Monterey County agriculture’s gross production value bounced back by 4.8% in 2021 to just over $4.1 billion, despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic that also resulted in supply chain shortages.
This increase represents a $190 million rise from 2020, when the gross production value was...
Movie Review: 'Annabelle: Creation' fine for what it is
The second movie of a spinoff series in “The Conjuring” universe about a killer demonic doll, “Annabelle: Creation” is far and away better than the first entry, which debuted in 2014 and gave me one of the best 1-hour-and-40-minute, movie-theater naps I’ve ever taken. The scares are OK, the writing is better and — thank God — tighter than the first and the overall story is good enough to keep you guessing at least for the first third.
County unveils “transformative” youth crisis center
For years, Santa Cruz County lacked a youth crisis center, meaning that young people experiencing a mental health crisis were taken to overloaded emergency...