Best and worst movies of 2017
Tony Nunez, the creator and writer of the weekly film column, For the Love of Flicks, recaps the best and worst movies of 2017.
Words matter: From stigma and apathy to empathy and action
By Denise Elerick, of the Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County
Substance use disorder is now widely recognized in the medical community as a chronic illness which responds to treatment. Similar to other chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease, remission and recurrence...
Let them eat cake
President Donald Trump appears to have the time of his life.
He made clear that the legacy he wants to leave for the White House should be one of renovation, while his presidential legacy would primarily focus on personal glory, a permanent conservative influence on...
Understanding housing | Mayor’s Update
By Rebecca J. Garcia, Watsonville Mayor
Soon after I was elected to the Watsonville City Council I had the opportunity to visit several farmworkers’ housing conditions. What I found was five adults and four children living in a 2-bedroom duplex, eight adults living in a...
A keeper of history | On My Mind
My good friend Marvin Byers has left this world. His unexpected passing, on Dec. 17, is a day now stamped into my memory. It is a day, that, if I were a city official, would be spelled out in brass and marble in the...
Movie Review: 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' captures spirit of cherished wall-crawler
Since the turn of the century there have been five feature-length Spider-Man movies but none have been able to do what “Spider-Man: Homecoming” pulled off. Peter Parker, the lovable comic book hero under the red and blue tights who oozes heart, finally fe
Year In Review: Recapping an up and down 2021
For most elected bodies, the new year brings newly appointed Presidents and Vice-Presidents—or board chairs and vice-chairs. This seldom controversial move is a way to end the year and begin with new leadership.
The first meeting of the new year is usually the first time...
Letters to the Editor, July 1
Health Trust must be on right side of history
The Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley was created through proceeds from the sale of Watsonville Community Hospital to a private entity in 1998. More than $13 million was placed into a trust to benefit the...
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...
METRO to seek support for half-cent sales tax measure
Supporters of a proposed ballot measure to fund Santa Cruz County transit will hold a campaign kickoff event later this month as organizers ramp...






















