Farm Bureau names Edward Ortega Farmer of the Year
Edward Ortega of Ortega Berry Farms was recently selected by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau as the 2019 Farmer of the Year.
Pat Fohrman, April 7: A private initiative to solve a very public problem
At the March 13 meeting of the Watsonville City Council, prominent business people, Sherry Dang and Kirk DiCicco, outlined for the City Council a project that they have been engaged in over the past eight years, helping one homeless person at a time find stability and a way back to self-reliance and self-respect by providing jobs, positive reinforcement and training.
Guest View: Measure N is vital to hospital’s success
In 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake significantly damaged a hospital that had served the community of Watsonville for decades. Devastated by the earthquake, the nonprofit Watsonville Community Hospital (WCH) had to be sold to a for-profit corporation. In 2022, it returned to community ownership.
Still,...
Abel Mejia, Dec. 16: Public relations 101
The Human Resources Assistant Superintendent of Pajaro Valley Unified School District should take some remedial courses in public relations if she is going to succeed at her job. She is only partly to blame for the mess that is our district’s negotiation process and the job that the district does to provide for our children’s needs.
Sandy Lydon: How Jack London continues to build fires
These chilly nights have kick-started my personal fire-building season. Wood fires are the only source of heat in our home, so a fire in a woodstove is now a daily necessity.
I first learned how to build a fire from my paternal grandmother who lived...
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
Letter: Watsonville Elks thank members
The Elks lawn grew rapidly during the rains. We tried to use the largest lawn mower we had and it wouldn't go through.
Cesar Paz stepped in and got it done.
Thank you for your help with yard work Cesar! It looks amazing.
We are looking forward...
Letters to the Editor Jan. 9-15
Addressing boisterous, long PVUSD meetings
What occurred at the PVUSD board meeting last month should never have happened. Trustee Joy Flynn’s response to a shout from the crowd about “blood on your hands” posed no threat, and was likely a reference to a belief that...
The key to emotional health in stressful times
I think we’d all agree 2020 has been a rough ride so far. So what’s the key to surviving times of real stress?
Last week I received an encouraging email from a 90-year-old widow in our congregation. As usual, her note was brimming with joy––despite...
Destruction of the Administrative State | Letters to the Editor
Destruction of the Administrative State
Perhaps you remember that the title above was Steve Bannon’s goal. I wasn’t sure what that meant in the beginning, but it is clear now that Bannon (through Trump and his Republican supporters) is achieving his goal, and weakening our...
Teen arrested after chase
A routine traffic stop turned into a chase late Tuesday night that ended with the arrest of a 17-year-old suspected gang member and the...















