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Watsonville
December 11, 2025

Is there no balm in Gilead … or anywhere?

Rev. Robby Olson
Looking over the suffering of his people, the prophet Jeremiah cries out in grief and dismay, "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?” (Jeremiah 8:22) That is, is there no comfort for the suffering? Is there no relief for the...

Welcome to Watsonville, Pastor John

Rev. Robin Mathews-Johnson
It is so easy, ridiculously easy, to simply point at someone else and say, “He’s not in our group.”  Ever felt that way? I know I have, but I confess I’m not proud of it.  Even churches make that mistake. Arthur Herman’s book “How the...

Letter: Watsonville Elks Lodge lands metal elk

watsonville elks lodge sculpture
Thank you Cesar Paz for having this beautiful elk made and installing it at the Watsonville Elks Lodge! Steve Nelms is working on keeping the lawn trimmed. Rodger Silva and Jim O repaired the lawn mower. Ashley Valdivia made a delicious beef stroganoff last week. Randy and...

Luis Alejo, March 20: The voting rights gladiator who changed California politics forever

California’s Latino community has lost its greatest voting rights gladiator. Last Friday, the legendary civil rights lawyer Joaquin G. Avila lost his battle to cancer after previously suffering from a stroke. No one was more accomplished than him when it came to fighting for Latino political empowerment and representation.

Letters to the Editor, June 22

Letters to the Editor, June 22, 2018

Mayor’s column August 2025: In praise of the airport

When people hear “Watsonville Airport,” it often brings to mind moments of resilience and pride—whether it was serving as a crucial lifeline after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, playing a key emergency role during the 2020 CZU fires, or even welcoming a presidential visit...

Are the inmates running the asylum?

If there was any doubt that the inmates are running the asylum in our administration right now, the group chat on the Signal messaging app about the attack on Yemen should have erased it for all but the most diehard MAGA supporters.  The conversation intended...

Guest View: Measure N is vital to hospital’s success

In 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake significantly damaged a hospital that had served the community of Watsonville for decades. Devastated by the earthquake, the nonprofit Watsonville Community Hospital (WCH) had to be sold to a for-profit corporation. In 2022, it returned to community ownership.  Still,...

Movie Review: 'Battle of the Sexes' misses mark

Emma Stone is a terrific actress but there’s something off about her performance as Billie Jean King in “Battle of the Sexes.” Stone (“The Help,” “La La Land”) never blends into the role of the tennis superstar turned women’s rights activist. The look is off and, more importantly, the attitude never feels like classic King. I don’t think this is Stone’s fault — not completely — but because of this “Battle of the Sexes,” co-directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, ends up feeling like cosplay.

Building an equitable future

Jimmy Dutra
By Jimmy Dutra, Watsonville Mayor I stopped using the word equality some years back in graduate school. In my opinion it did not put everyone on an equal playing field. Instead, I am an advocate for equity. With equity I believe we will find true...
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Photo story: A lighted Watsonville

The front yard of this home at the corner of Hushbeck Avenue and Bronte Street in Watsonville is packed with Holiday cheer.

Watsonville welcomes new mayor