Movie review: Nolan's ambitious, alluring 'Dunkirk' lacks characters
"Dunkirk” is director Christopher Nolan’s 10th feature film and it is without a doubt his most fresh and innovative piece of storytelling. There’s not much dialogue, the characters — in terms of background, depth and personality — are underdeveloped and t
Guest View: Vote yes on Measure S for a healthier Watsonville
By Eduardo Montesino
As a longtime Watsonville City Councilmember, I know how essential the agricultural industry is to Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley.
Many Watsonville residents have friends and family who continue to work in the agricultural sector. It is an undeniable fact that many of...
Letter: Youth substance use is a dilemma
We really have a bigger problem as a society when youth are turning to “harder” drugs like fentanyl, heroin and cocaine to try to deal with depression and anxiety.
Empower Watsonville is a youth-led group that focuses on expanding youth advocacy to implement more equitable...
A journey through the lights
When I first heard that the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds would be hosting its first-ever drive-thru Christmas lights event, I was both excited and surprised.
Considering the limited budget and resources the Fairgrounds is currently dealing with after not being able to hold its premiere...
Letters to the Editor, Aug. 13
Sheriff Oversight Commission needed
On behalf of Standing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Santa Cruz County, we submit this letter to draw your attention to urgent needs in our community that have been ignored for too long. We trust you agree that each of us...
Letters to the Editor, March 13-19
The history behind the photo
I thought it might be helpful for your readers to have some background on one of the pictures included in my friend Tarmo Hannula's article in the Feb. 27-March 5, 2026 issue of the Pajaronian ("Short drive, big rewards in...
Letters to the Editor, Aug. 12
No trust in the Health Trust
The Community Health Trust of the Pajaro Valley was created more than 20 years ago from the proceeds of the sale of the Watsonville Community Hospital to a private corporation. I was a founding member of the Board of...
Sandy Lydon: The Porter family legacy
The myth about how Watsonville’s original Chinatown (1870-1888) moved from the corner of Maple and Union to a new site across the river in Monterey County began even before the move was completed in September 1888.
The story of the delicate negotiations and the Chinese...
Parks and recreation update
By Rebecca J. Garcia, Watsonville Mayor
All my grandchildren learned to swim through the Watsonville summer aquatics program. They went underwater, they floated, they played and they swam. So much fun. However, there will be no summer aquatics program this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic....
Angry Chickz opens, Staff of Life to celebrate 5th year
A new Watsonville businesses celebrated a milestone on Friday, and another is planning its own. Staff of Life grocery store is planning to ring...


















