Opening 2020 together | On My Mind
On New Year’s Eve my neighbor Jan invited me to join her and a bunch of our neighbors for a bonfire in her front yard to help close out 2019 and usher in a warm beginning to 2020. By 7 p.m. she had an...
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...
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...
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...
Supervisor’s Update: Stronger together
The start of the New Year greeted all of us with more water than any of us, including meteorologists, had anticipated. And again, this past week our neighbors in Pajaro were devastatingly flooded. Although Pajaro isn’t technically a part of Watsonville or Santa Cruz...
Letters to the Editor, Jan. 27: Spend local, support our businesses
Letters to the Editor, Jan. 27, 2018
Is there no balm in Gilead … or anywhere?
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...
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.
Photo story: Two teens arrested after e-bike chase
A tow operator lifts one of two electric dirt bikes onto a flatbed truck after being stopped by Watsonville Police on Bridge Street Tuesday...



















