Mayor’s and Supervisor’s November updates
Shaping Watsonville’s Future Together
By Watsonville Mayor Maria Orozco
Our 2025 State of the City on Oct. 22 was a meaningful moment to pause, reflect, and look forward—to recognize how far we’ve come and how we’re shaping a brighter future for Watsonville together.
This year’s theme, Shaping...
Letters to the editor Oct. 24-30
Teachers are educators, not activists
In a recent opinion piece, the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers expressed concern on being silenced in the classroom. PVUSD teachers need to be reminded that they have a civic role to be educators. The concept that they are change...
Simón Salinas belongs in the Watsonville High School Hall of Fame
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) and reflect on the trailblazers who have opened doors for future generations, it’s time for the Watsonville High School Foundation to honor one of its most distinguished alumni, former California State Assemblymember Simón Salinas, with...
When we silence teachers, we teach fear instead of freedom
There are moments in a community’s life when silence is not neutral. It is a decision.
This is one of those moments in Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
Our Board of Trustees is preparing to approve revisions to Policy 6144 - the so-called “Controversial Issues” policy....
We deserve better communication skills
President Donald Trump's recent struggle to pronounce the word “acetaminophen” during a press conference in which he advised pregnant women against using Tylenol, elicited mockery across social media.
Acetaminophen is the primary ingredient in Tylenol, widely used for pain relief, which the administration alleges is...
Keeping Health Care Local, Together
The Pajaro Valley Health Care District is evolving to better reflect and represent the diverse voices that make up our community. Today, our board of directors is elected “at-large,” meaning that every registered voter within the District votes for each seat. Beginning in 2026,...
Letters to the editor Oct. 3 – 9
Bring tennis back to Callaghan Park
There are many American legends of men’s professional tennis. And from its beginnings, the United States has produced the finest players the world over. In recent decades that has not been the case. Why? The decline of interest in...
Watsonville’s Firefighters and Their Lifesaving Mission
When a call comes in for a medical emergency, every second counts.
While an ambulance may be on its way from other parts of the county, it is often the Watsonville Fire Department that arrives first. What many people may not know is that every...
Supervisor Felipe Hernandez – September 2025
As summer concludes and we transition into the fall season, I am pleased to share updates on recent accomplishments and upcoming initiatives in our district. Summer is always a busy time for infrastructure improvements, community events, and public engagement, and this year was no...
Reshaping the focus of history
From the first day his administration assumed office this January, President Trump broke all records issuing executive orders.
He generated 26 on his first day alone. These presidential directives covered a wide swath of topics, from sweeping changes in how the federal government works to...
Casa de la Cultura hosts annual giveaway
Dozens of families lined up along Salinas Road in Pajaro Monday morning, children’s faces peering from backseat windows, as they waited their turn for...














