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Watsonville
January 7, 2026

From the editor's desk: City making strides with crime rate

City leaders have every right to be proud of Watsonville’s dropping crime rate, capped off by no homicides in 2016.

California Senate recognizes Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month

The California State Senate has recognized May as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month with the passage of Senate Resolution 34, which I was proud to have authored. This designation will help bring attention to this life debilitating disease.

Letter: Care for the wetlands, support the community

letter to the editor pajaronian
As so many of us are continuing to be affected by the recent storms, whatever comes our way, our community is in this together. The wetlands, creeks, and Pajaro River and the history of flooding in this valley have been fundamental to shaping the...

An American mythology

Rev. Robby Olson
Is there anything more American than the cowboy in the Wild West, relying only on his wits, his horse, and of course his trusty revolver? As a child, I loved the Lone Ranger—self-sufficient, powerful, and ready to stand as the last line of defense...

Panetta hoping to continue his mission

Child Tax Credit
Editor’s note: this is the final installment of our pre-election coverage, as voters mull their mail-in ballot and make their decisions. A story on Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s  Green Party opponent ran on Feb. 8. Republican challenger Jason Michael Anderson did not respond to a...

Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy makes first full return since pandemic

Michael Rozen said Aug. 1 he would rather be playing sports with his friends than attending the weeklong Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy offered by Graniterock.  While Michael stopped short of admitting an affinity for math, the 13-year-old admits the experience will prepare him for...

The timeless message of the Messiah

Memo from Pastor Rene Schlaepfer
Every year around this time, choirs perform Handel’s Messiah (including in my own congregation). What is it about a piece of music written 260 years ago that still captures hearts today––in fact, especially today, as we endure our long, strange journey through the pandemic...

Carmageddon: Highway 1 closed for 24 hours

The California Highway Patrol closed north and southbound lanes of Highway 1 in Soquel Saturday at 7pm to make way for Granite Construction crews to demolish the 1948 Capitola Avenue bridge above the highway. The closure and carefully crafted detour between Bay/Porter and Park Avenue...

Movie Review: 'Blockers' is a nice surprise — butt-chugging and all

“Blockers” is a sometimes raunchy, overly slapstick comedy in the vain of “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” “Superbad” and “American Pie.” And like those classic comedies, director Kay Cannon’s coming-of-age story not only has plenty of a laughs, but it also oozes heart and asks several interesting questions, including an extremely timely challenge to the double standard placed on women. It’s fun and funny — yes, they are different things — while also not being too preachy.

Guest View: PVUSD must build, not cut the arts in schools

letters to the editor
The Pajaro Valley has a beautiful and rich culture of visual and performing arts. From long established dance groups, murals, music, film, to the new arts presence along Main Street in downtown Watsonville, art is an essential part of our lives. As a professional artist...
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2026 Santa Cruz County Fair theme contest underway

Organizers at the Santa Cruz County Fair are asking the public for ideas for a theme for the 2026 County Fair. Anyone who has a...