The hidden history of Watsonville, Pajaro Valley | Tony’s Thoughts
Last week my colleague Tarmo Hannula unveiled the first entry of a column I will be eagerly awaiting to read each month: Pajaro Valley, Past & Present. The column will be a deep dive into one of Watsonville’s many historic buildings – or an...
Letters to the Editor, June 24
Soccer field puts smile on my face
A huge “Thank You” to whoever is responsible for the development and maintenance of the soccer field on San Miguel Canyon Road just east of the Vega Road intersection.
Not too long ago this was an area that was...
Watsonville gains a centenarian
By Jimmy Dutra, Watsonville Mayor
This week my grandmother, Epi Tavarez, turned 100. Just seeing that number is surreal. She was born one year after the 19th Amendment was ratified and women got the right to vote. My grandma has been a lifelong voter who...
Letters to the Editor, Oct. 8
Councilman’s claims of racism were wrong
I'm a member of the board of directors of the Watsonville Pilots Association and the vice-chairperson of the Watsonville Airport Advisory Committee. However, I write this letter solely in my individual capacity as a long-time resident of the County...
Letters to the Editor, Oct. 2
Vote for Gomez
Tony Gomez has been actively involved in supporting youth in the community of Watsonville for many years.
He has volunteered his time and resources in support of the Boy Scouts of America in many capacities. He has been an adult leader for Troop...
Movie Review: 'Battle of the Sexes' misses mark
Emma Stone is a terrific actress but there’s something off about her performance as Billie Jean King in “Battle of the Sexes.” Stone (“The Help,” “La La Land”) never blends into the role of the tennis superstar turned women’s rights activist. The look is off and, more importantly, the attitude never feels like classic King. I don’t think this is Stone’s fault — not completely — but because of this “Battle of the Sexes,” co-directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, ends up feeling like cosplay.
Letters to the editor: Aug. 29–Sept. 4
Children are taught inegrity
In 1972 I started teaching sixth grade at Hall District Elementary School in Las Lomas, in north Monterey County. It was my first real teaching job, and the class was not very well-behaved. So, entering my second year I made some...
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.”
Letters to the Editor, June 25
A response to pro-rail letters
The Pajaronian has printed pro-rail opinion pieces that, in fairness, require a response.
First, it should be said that almost everyone initially likes the idea of a train. Many of us have been to mega cities and rode the rail. But...
Chaos as a political strategy
Donald Trump’s approach to governance is frequently analyzed through chaos theory, where calculated unpredictability, disruption, and rapid, impulsive shifts are used as strategic tools to manage, dominate, or reshape political environments.
This tactic aims to keep opponents off balance, control the agenda and overturn established...
RTC looks to federal, state government to fill rail funding gap
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) will seek funding from the state and federal government to support construction planning for a passenger...

















