Remembering fallen officers
The Never Forget Memorial Relay was held Sunday in Aptos Village Park. The eighth annual event featured 33 teams of four from police and fire departments, California State Parks, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, the county Probation Department and others whose teams...
Keeping Health Care Local, Together
The Pajaro Valley Health Care District is evolving to better reflect and represent the diverse voices that make up our community. Today, our board of directors is elected “at-large,” meaning that every registered voter within the District votes for each seat. Beginning in 2026,...
Letters to the Editor, May 6
Responding to levee assessment concerns
In response to Sandra Haven’s letter about things people should consider prior to voting on the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency’s proposed assessment for levee maintenance, I’d like to add the following considerations:
The proposed assessment is for current and ongoing...
Letters to the Editor, Aug. 5
Extreme gratitude, but we aren’t done yet
I am extremely grateful to the voters of the Pajaro Valley for supporting our campaign for Santa Cruz County Supervisor. We are headed into the November runoff in a strong position. With over 46% of the vote, a...
From the editor's desk, Sept. 26: Mexico disasters a sobering reminder
With a 7.1 magnitude earthquake killing more than 300 people in Mexico last week, and an 8.1 magnitude quake striking the southern end of the country earlier in the month, killing nearly 100, a sense of dread is rising throughout California.
Salinas Valley Fair to be held May 18-21
On May 18, the Salinas Valley Fair returns to King City for four days of family-friendly events, exhibits and activities.
Pilot program launches to recycle agricultural plastic
A new program launched by the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF), ReGen Monterey and Flipping Iron, Inc. is joining a growing effort to recycle more plastic from local farms and ranches.
CMSF, an organization aiming to protect California’s coastal ecosystems and communities, conducted an assessment...
Question of the Week
Do you feel safe in Watsonville?
Yes: 338 | No: 126
Public comment
Jennifer Banchero Olds: I don't feel particularly unsafe, but I would say I'm definitely wary. I moved out of Watsonville in 1997, and I will say I did NOT feel safe living there. But...
Movie Review: Coogler continues rise with impressive ‘Black Panther’
Most big-budget superhero movies that try to ground their lore or story in the real world never work, because it quickly devolves into a pandering fest. This film does not feel that way in the slightest. Instead, it feels like Coogler is taking us through a fever dream he had as a youth growing up in the East Bay, and only now does he have the tools to depict it correctly.
Santa Cruz, Monterey counties to test wireless emergency system Thursday
Officials in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties will conduct a test of the Wireless Emergency Alert system on Thursday, sending emergency messages to mobile...


















