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 work forward.
Our Police and Fire Departments are entering this next chapter with experienced leaders who bring strong values, proven track...
Movie Review: McAvoy shines in so-so ‘Split’
If there’s any doubt that James McAvoy is one of the best actors working in Hollywood today, “Split” serves as a testament to his overwhelming talent and devotion to every role he takes.
From the editor's desk, Nov. 28: Judge’s decision a win for Watsonville
Watsonville scored a big win at the hands of a federal judge last week.
Awakening for a better world
The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
—Jesus
When...
The Porter and The Arts
By Dan Pulcrano, Pajaronian CEO
When Watsonville issued a request for proposals on the city-owned Porter Building in late 2019, the idea of restoring a historic gem caught our eye. Our company has deep roots in this region and has purchased and rehabilitated...
H.R. 1 Threatens Central Coast’s Most Vulnerable
The Monterey Bay region has long stood as a place of resilience, hard work, and community care. From the agricultural fields to the neighborhoods of our cities and rural towns, our strength has always come from how we support one another, especially in times...
Guest view: California needs a universal broadband infrastructure bond for our students
By Luis A. Alejo, Kevin de León and Eduardo Garcia
On July 17, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that counties on the state’s Covid-19 “monitoring list” must begin the new school year with distance learning. More than half of our state’s counties are on the list,...
Guest View: Absurd decision threatens fairgrounds’ future
By GREG CAPUT
The Santa Cruz County Fair was facing bankruptcy when Dave Kegebein entered his position to save our county fairgrounds. The state had pulled back funding and thus threatened the existence of the fair.
Many county fairgrounds have shut down in California due to...
Guest View: ‘We are better than these dirty tricks’
By DENNIS OSMER
Dirty tricks. In the case of the Fair Board President and the State Department of Food and Agriculture, this is the best that can be offered to us in Santa Cruz County. The defamation and dismissal of David Kegebein, CEO of the...
Queer Youth Leadership Awards approaching
The Queer Youth Leadership Awards (QYLA) has, in the decades since its inception, honored young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people (LGBTQ+) whose...



















