Vote Yes on Measure V: Empowering True Representation and Building an Inclusive Watsonville
Our democracy thrives when everyone, regardless of citizenship status, has the opportunity to engage in their community. Recent years have made it clear that the notion of a universal path to citizenship is a myth, and there are intentional political efforts to keep certain...
Obey or defy superior orders
Since September, on orders from President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the U.S. military has executed air strikes on more than 21 vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Many of these vessels have been identified as fishing boats,...
On My Mind: My days with Nancy Lockwood
Nancy was never forceful or assuming. That was a huge part of her — Nancy was a gentle, easy going woman with a graceful understanding of how people work and what it took to bring ideas forward and into action in a respectful manner.
New bill would provide $500M to agricultural fairs
SACRAMENTO—Earlier this month, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), Representatives Billy Long (R-MO), Mike Levin (D-CA), and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced bipartisan legislation aiming to help preserve agricultural fairs across the country and offset the devastating financial losses they have experienced due to Covid-19.
The Agricultural...
Driscoll’s to build first commercial vertical strawberry farm
One year after announcing a new research and development partnership to grow strawberries indoors, Watsonville-based Driscoll’s and Plenty Unlimited Inc. are building a new indoor vertical strawberry farm.
Together, the companies aim to accelerate the growth of Driscoll’s top crop by using Plenty’s growing platform.
According...
Letters to the Editor, Jan. 13
The irony of Pajaro evacuations
On Sunday I had the opportunity to attend a press conference about the evacuation of people near the Pajaro River in the community of Pajaro. I was struck by the irony of the situation.
In December the Monterey County Board of...
Charles Montoya, Feb. 3: Past accomplishments, future challenges
As we embark on Watsonville’s 150th birthday, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what the City Council, staff and community partners have accomplished over the last two years and look forward to the year ahead.
Group calls on Driscoll’s, Reiter, others to cease pesticide use near schools
Several community leaders and community members gathered at MacQuiddy Elementary School Tuesday evening to call on Driscoll’s, Reiter and other companies to stop using toxic pesticides around schools.
“Choosing to farm organically is a decision based on hope and a deep understanding of our interdependence...
Happy birthday, Pajaronian
On Saturday the Pajaronian will celebrate 154 years of service to the community. It’s difficult to put into words the impact this newspaper has had on the Pajaro Valley since J.A. Cottle, the first owner, editor and publisher, established the Weekly Pajaronian in 1868....
Miguelina Manriquez, Nov. 2: Education matters — now more than ever
While most kids grew up running around their daycare after school, I grew up hanging out in my parents’ classrooms. Both of my parents work in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District — a district that is severely underfunded. This district is largely populated by low-income, immigrant families.
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.




















