Guest view: Cries of racism are misguided
By Geraldine Ridgway
Watsonville has long been a racially diverse community. It is insulting for anyone to call any Watsonville resident a racist.
Watsonville has an amazing history. We once had a huge whaling industry, sardine factories stretched from Watsonville to Monterey, employing all races and...
Event benefits Farm Discovery at Live Earth
“Pollinate!”, a farm to table, flower to table event, will be held Sept. 23 as Farm Discovery at Live Earth’s ninth annual farm dinner. It will feature local chefs, farmers, artisans and winemakers, celebrating the abundance of fruit and vegetable crops grown in the Santa Cruz area.
Luis Alejo | A 25-year movement for peace and unity
Exactly 25 years ago this Sunday, the Watsonville community was shocked after the tragic shootings of 9-year old Jessica Cortez and her 16-year old brother, Jorge Cortez at El Nopal Bakery in Pajaro.
New Logo, New Chapter: Watsonville Community Hospital Looks Ahead with Purpose
There’s something powerful about a fresh start—especially when it’s backed by real progress, deep community roots, and a bold vision for the future.
At our April 18 State of the Hospital event, Watsonville Community Hospital unveiled a new logo symbolizing its transition back to community...
Gail Pellerin, Feb. 24: Voting in California made easier than ever
As we enter the 2018 election cycle, unfounded allegations of voter fraud and voter suppression efforts remain in many states. In California, however, there are new laws and programs to improve the voter experience and make it easier to register and vote.
Navigating Watsonville’s skeptics
By John Flaherty, vice-chair of Navigator Schools’ Board of Directors
Sharon Waller, the co-founder of Navigator public, nonprofit charter schools, grew up in Watsonville. Her grandmother worked at Ford’s Department store. She took Sharon to lunch next door at the Woolworths.
Sharon Waller is a third-generation...
State receives funding to boost California small business exports
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) have received a grant to help the state’s small businesses boost trade and exports abroad.
Letter: Pajaro Valley soil is the best in the world
I grew up in Watsonville and have lived and worked in the Pajaro Valley all my life. I have been an agronomist, scientifically analyzing agricultural soils in California and throughout the United States. I have studied thousands of different soils, and I can say...
Letters to the Editor, March 30, 2023
Stay hopeful in midst of tragedies
It used to be that I would write to my state and federal representatives whenever there was a school shooting. Full of shock and outrage, I asked that they support legislation to outlaw assault rifles and require universal background...
New leadership, shared priorities: Investing in the future of public safety
As we begin a new year, I want to reflect on the direction of public safety in Watsonville and the leadership helping guide that...




















