The trouble with snakes
“ called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” (Mark 8:34) What does that really mean anyway? I can tell you what it...
Modeling accountability: Relational, cultural and restorative safety
The Pajaro Valley community recently learned about the tragic death of an Aptos High School teen on the school’s campus. This has led to outrage, grief and racialized commentary. During this critical time, trauma-fueled responses, reactionary behavior and near-sighted solutions can lead to collateral...
Firework sales should be brought to the public
By Dennis Osmer, former Watsonville Mayor
Hardly anybody likes to work with somebody looking over their shoulder. And of those, nobody likes getting advice from somebody outside the circle. But for City Council and the City Manager, that’s the job they sought and got. According...
Lori Butterworth, Dec. 14: Will the new tax law strangle charitable giving?
As we approach the end of the year, those of us who run local nonprofits are biting our nails reading predictions about how the proposed tax bill will affect charitable giving.
The choice is simple, rebuild the WHS bleachers
Nearly seven years ago I posted a video to social media that, sadly, is no longer viewable. It was a 20-second clip recorded underneath the Watsonville High School press box at Emmett M. Geiser Field. In the video, I ever so slightly nudged a...
Abel Mejia: Negotiations progress?
Members of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers received another email on Nov. 1 from the Pajaro Valley Unified School District detailing how they had “sweetened” their previous offer.
Nicole M. Young, Jan. 4: Positive Parenting Awareness Month — A time to renew, refresh and recharge
This January, Santa Cruz County is celebrating Positive Parenting Awareness Month for the seventh year in a row, and several other counties in California are joining in — Inyo, Napa, Mendocino, Sonoma and possibly more.
Bob Fifield, Jan. 2: Time to invest in renewable energy
Over many years, oil companies have provided fuel to allow fossil powered engines to be useful (which has been appreciated for generations by the masses). They probably did not provide all that just out of the goodness of their hearts; many millionaires were made and some just in investing even became billionaires.
Deputies: Man drove stolen car to face charges for stealing a...
A man was arrested Tuesday for driving a stolen car to the Monterey County Superior Courthouse in Salinas, where he was scheduled to appear...

















