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...
Travels by Tarmo: Layered history of the Sacramento Delta
California road trips to the desert, the State Capitol, the San Joaquin Valley, the Bay Area or the Sierra foothills have been turning up a bounty of rewards for my wife, Sarah, and me.
This was proven on our recent drive from Watsonville to Sacramento...
This Week in Pajaro Valley’s Past, May 7
25 years ago on May 6, 1996
The Cinco de Mayo festivities in the Plaza keep growing, drawing 8,000 people and diverse entertainers this year. Sunday’s festival featured the Mariachi Eleazor Cortes group, the salsa band Orquestra Sabor Latino, the White Hawk Dancers, Banda Torero...
Marc Pimentel, Faris Sabbah and Dori Rose Inda, March 29: Attacks on unions undermine community healthcare
Unions have been a path to economic security for many Americans and in particular, have ensured those benefits reach minority workers.
Pioneer Organic farmers to field test new organic strawberry starts
In recognition of their research to improve organic strawberry farming systems, Organic Advocacy and Farm Fuel Inc. have been awarded a grant to study organic strawberry transplant (start) performance in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.
Berry yields dip as harvest wraps up
WATSONVILLE—California’s strawberry season is coming to a close. While sales remained strong throughout the summer, growers have seen production dip slightly.
Carolyn O’Donnell, communications director for the California Strawberry Commission (CSC), said that after the season’s initial hardships, things eventually leveled off and demand actually...
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...
Guest View: Can home equity power your retirement?
Median home sales in 95076 in February were $768,000, down 12.7% from last year, according to Redfin.com. Meanwhile, amongst some dire predictions of housing value decline or a housing “bubble” burst, homeowners in Watsonville’s “Adult Villages” are seeing quite the opposite. Home values in...
Letters to the Editor Nov. 14-20
PVUSD cuts necessary
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District is finally being forced to face financial reality. Many of the positions now being eliminated were funded by one-time Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, which expired in February 2024. That temporary COVID money...
Faith sees obstacles as opportunities
The surprising success this season of the San Francisco Giants had me thinking the other day of Dave Dravecky. Beloved by Giants fans, Dravecky was a popular pitcher until a tumor invaded his throwing arm. After surgery he forged a surprising comeback—until the cancer...
Mariners on track for fourth consecutive SCCAL title | Girls soccer
Midway through the winter campaign, Aptos remains the cream of the crop in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League with a current record of...



















