On my mind, June 10: The song of life
For the past several weeks the mockingbirds have returned to our yard. This is the normal pattern, around May and June. Let’s face it — they’re noisy and a nuisance. It used to really bother me, but for reasons unknown, I’ve come to enjoy their morning sy
Letters to the Editor, May 7
Railbanking is the answer
Who, what, why, where, when and how?
These are the questions that need to be considered in any public transportation project.
According to the RTC's planning documents, a $1.3 billion train would primarily serve a projected 300 Watsonville commuters, making an insignificant impact...
It’s time to honor Fermin Tobera
Fermin Tobera should be a household name in Watsonville. It should be a name that is remembered and celebrated by all who have ever lived in the Pajaro Valley, and believe in justice, equality and progress. Sadly, it’s not, and that needs to change.
Tobera...
Mordechai Ben-Menachem, Aug. 17: Woe to exigencies of false scholarship
Free speech is one of the most basic articles-of-faith for existence of a democracy; vigorous debate of public polices is an integral part of free speech. Both of these values lie at the core of everything “Western Values” stand for and need to be guarded assiduously by us all.
A key step forward for Pajaro River Project
By Congressman Jimmy Panetta and Supervisor Zach Friend
As your federal and local representatives, we take very seriously the job of ensuring our communities are safe and resilient. To this end, we have been working closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make...
Letter to the Editor, Oct. 14: Safeguarding the election processes in America
Letter to the Editor, Oct. 14, 2017
Letters to the Editor, Nov. 19
Immigration reform bill needed in the Build Back Better bill
We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make life better for America’s families and boost our economy. Whether you have small kids or elderly family members, the positive impact of the Build Back Better Act will...
Letters to the Editor, May 11, 2023
Mother’s Day tribute
Among the residents of the Central Coast exists a mother whom I remain in awe of and hold deep reverence and respect for. Her capacity to “mother” far exceeds what any normal person is capable of.
Since 1989, she has tirelessly both mothered...
Is there no balm in Gilead … or anywhere?
Looking over the suffering of his people, the prophet Jeremiah cries out in grief and dismay, "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?” (Jeremiah 8:22) That is, is there no comfort for the suffering? Is there no relief for the...
The Pajaronian recommends a Yes vote on Measure Y
In 2014, two-thirds of Watsonville’s voters approved the Measure G one-half percent sales tax to fund police, fire and youth violence prevention services for five years. This year, it will provide almost $5 million in funding to the police and fire departments—more than 10...
Aptos wins first-ever CCS championship in school history | Boys soccer
The Aptos High boys’ soccer team went on an unprecedented postseason run during the 2025-26 winter season.
It began with bringing home the program’s first-ever...

















