Responding to the Grand Jury’s Measure L report
Much of the grand jury report about Measure L was true, two years ago. It fails to recognize the many changes that have taken place since.
For the Love of Flicks: ‘A Star is Born’ marks the start of Oscar season
“A Star is Born,” a fourth remake of the 1937 film, forgets the fluff of summer popcorn flicks, and brings the human experience to the forefront. Cooper, who also stars alongside singer-turned-actress Lady Gaga, isn’t afraid to go wherever the story needs to, and that freewheeling approach produces some of the most uncomfortable and organic moments in cinema this year.
Question of the Week
Are you in favor of renewing the updated public safety sales tax—previously known as Measure G—set for the March 2020 election?
Yes: 24 | No: 47
Public comment:
Daniel Dodge Jr. Yes. We need to continue to support our police, firefighters, and parks...
Carl Vucinich in...
Levee reconstruction project needs your support
Both my great-grandfathers immigrated to Watsonville in the 1850s. Not long after they first arrived, they were introduced to one of our region’s greatest threats to lives and livelihoods: flooding from the Pajaro River and its tributaries. Soon after arriving, my great-grandfather Stephano Martinelli,...
For the Love of Flicks: Chazelle does it again with ‘First Man’
Two things are at the essence of emotionally moving and thought-provoking films: sights and sounds. Damien Chazelle wholeheartedly understands this. It was apparent in “Whiplash,” his directorial debut in 2014, and only further confirmed with 2016’s “La La Land.”
Greg Becker, Aug. 31: Follow the money of rail trail supporters
The Santa Cruz Sentinel and Register-Pajaronian published an identical letter, headlined respectively “Are Koch brothers behind rail-trail opposition?” and “Big money trying to kill rail trail.” It asserted that the Greenway trail leadership has “suddenly appeared” and is playing into the hands of the Koch brothers and “Americans for Prosperity.”
We deserve better communication skills
President Donald Trump's recent struggle to pronounce the word “acetaminophen” during a press conference in which he advised pregnant women against using Tylenol, elicited mockery across social media.
Acetaminophen is the primary ingredient in Tylenol, widely used for pain relief, which the administration alleges is...
Sesario Escoto: Why Spanish-speaking and Latino volunteers are important for youth in foster care
The parents of 13-year-old “Esmerelda” were desperately trying to keep her safe, as the girl was acting out and exhibiting high-risk behaviors. However, the parents had their own struggle with alcohol, and one night things escalated into physical violence, and the police were called.
The responsibilities of serving on a school board
We usually discuss issues occurring within the district. However, for this month’s column, we decided to take a different approach and shed some light on our roles as trustees and the process of decision-making. What is it like to take on a publicly elected...
PVUSD Sustainable Schools Advisory team launches
Facing years of declining enrollment likely to take a multimillion-dollar bite out of its budget—coupled with federal education cuts and an impending recession—Pajaro Valley...

















