Hollywood’s harmful fixation on fashion
When I walked into work on Monday morning, a fellow reporter asked me if I’d tuned in to the Hollywood award show known as the Golden Globes, which was broadcasted the previous night. I had not—in fact, I didn’t even know it had aired.
I...
This week in Pajaro Valley’s Past, March 5
Compiled by Steve Bankhead
25 years ago on March 4, 1996
Watsonville High teacher Kathy Anderson was named Santa Cruz County’s Teacher of the Year for her work in the Interactive Mathematics Program. She sought help from the Packard Foundation and received a $150,000 grant to...
CALIFORNIA MUST NOT BACKTRACK ON ITS BROADBAND FOR ALL PROMISE
Three years ago, California did something truly remarkable and forward-looking by approving historic legislation that allocated a record $6 billion to bring equitable and affordable high-speed broadband service to all Californians.
The multi-year investment aimed to close the digital divide by building the largest “Middle...
Looking back and moving forward: MLK Day
Renowned 20th-century theologian, Karl Barth, said that one should, “preach with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.” That is to say, what pastors and priests preach ought to be faithful to scripture and applied to our current context. There...
Mayor’s Update: Stay prepared
As we entered the second week of March, we once again prepared for storms and another atmospheric river event that was expected to bring heavy rains and flooding. The City is working tirelessly with many partners to prepare and be ready to assist our...
The responsibilities of serving on a school board
We usually discuss issues occurring within the district. However, for this month’s column, we decided to take a different approach and shed some light on our roles as trustees and the process of decision-making. What is it like to take on a publicly elected...
Tony’s Thoughts: Watsonville staff finally gets it
An updated version of Measure G—the half-cent public safety sales tax passed by voters in 2014—will be on Watsonville residents’ ballots next year.
The new measure, which is still unnamed at the moment, has the same spirit as Measure G. Its goal is to provide...
From the editor's desk, June 20: A surprising meeting
A seemingly routine item on the Watsonville Planning Commission’s agenda has turned out to be full of surprises.
Local actions matter in battle with climate change
By Felipe Hernandez, Watsonville City Councilman
We face a sobering reality. For those of us who came of age in the 20th century, the existential threat of climate change that we debated theoretically and at great length will be lived by the children being born...
Public defenders plan April 23 protest over caseloads, funding gaps
Public defenders in Santa Cruz County will join colleagues across California and the nation April 23 in a coordinated protest highlighting what they describe...



















