Letters to the Editor – May 15-21
Local leaders should enact strong BESS rules
Leaders of the County of Santa Cruz and City of Watsonville have a great responsibility to protect the health and safety of the Watsonville Community and all first responders by drafting and codifying a strong battery energy storage...
ICE becomes an autocratic tool
It is generally accepted that, historically, a common survival strategy for autocratic leaders includes forming a personal paramilitary support group. These groups serve to counterbalance the regular military, strengthen security services and provide an armed force loyal directly to the leaders, rather than the...
Watsonville gains a centenarian
By Jimmy Dutra, Watsonville Mayor
This week my grandmother, Epi Tavarez, turned 100. Just seeing that number is surreal. She was born one year after the 19th Amendment was ratified and women got the right to vote. My grandma has been a lifelong voter who...
This Week in Pajaro Valley’s Past, June 25
25 years ago on June 24, 1996
For the first time in its 15 years of existence, the Monterey Bay Strawberry Festival has awarded its title of Strawberry Queen to two contestants: North Monterey County High junior Nikki Gillot and Watsonville High graduate Norma Fabian....
This Week in Pajaro Valley’s Past, Jan. 15
Compiled by Steve Bankhead
25 years ago on Jan. 9, 1996
The city Planning Commission voted 5-2 for approval of the Overlook Shopping Center north of Ramsay Park. It will bring a Target store, Staples, and a major supermarket. Shirley Pyle, owner of the Crestview Shopping...
Do the right thing
The recent struggle between the leaders of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District made a big impression on me. Those who follow the district know by now that PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez was abruptly fired by the Board of Trustees in a split 4-3...
Letters to the Editor, Aug. 10, 2023
Support Cabrillo’s name change
I am a Cabrillo College student in support of the name change. Plenty of places have changed their names. Dixie State University is now Utah State University. Robert Lee High School is now John Lewis High School. The more we know,...
Sandy Lydon: How Jack London continues to build fires
These chilly nights have kick-started my personal fire-building season. Wood fires are the only source of heat in our home, so a fire in a woodstove is now a daily necessity.
I first learned how to build a fire from my paternal grandmother who lived...
Tony's Thoughts: I’m at your service
My name is Jose Antonio Nuñez, but many people know me as Tony — folks from a family full of Joses, Pepes, Juniors and Toñios will understand. For a little more than three months I’ve served as the Managing Editor of this publication. Some of you already know this and have texted, called, emailed or voiced your congratulations. To those people I say, thank you. To those who do not know me, or have yet to hear the news I say, I’m at your service.
Felon arrested with firearms, suppressors, ammunition and methamphetamine
An investigation that began with a traffic stop accelerated when investigators found multiple firearms, firearm suppressors, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, firearm manufacturing components and methamphetamine...


















