Honoring those who sacrificed
                    
POW—prisoner of war.
What happened to them? Where did they go? From the time civilization first began so began the mystery of the POW/MIA. Many have fought for truth, justice and freedom. Men and women sacrificing their lives for us.
As I remember my childhood, I...                
                
            Thanksgiving 2020: The commonplace, remarkable & lunatics
                    
Memo from Rev. Mathews-Johnson
I’ve read that Mark Twain once categorized people into three groups: commonplace, remarkable and lunatics. I don’t know about you, but I can think of people who belong in all three groups.
Of course, that’s a put-down, so three compliments are in...                
                
            Celebrating holidays with our elders
                    
Reaching out to an older friend, a parent or a grandparent is never more meaningful than during the holiday season. It warms us, them, and bestows all with human connection, which is an essential component of health and happiness.
Covid-19 has made keeping in touch...                
                
            It’s time for Watsonville to denounce white supremacy
                    
By Frances Salgado-Chavez
Racism didn’t end with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I have a dream’ speech in 1963. Further, his critiques of the United States government as the ‘greatest purveyor of violence in the world’ led to his assassination. Racism is alive and the...                
                
            Commission decision is a ‘disgrace’
                    
I was absolutely shocked to read that the Watsonville Parks and Recreation Commission recommended the removal of the George Washington bust from the City Plaza. George Washington was the first president of the United States. He made many personal and financial sacrifices, as well...                
                
            We must persist
                    
In light of the alarming spread of the novel coronavirus that is hammering our beloved nation, we must do our part to keep this invisible yet hellish enemy, this silent Godzilla, from doing even more harm to our fellow Americans. All of us are...                
                
            Senior isolation and loneliness
                    
For most of us, the holidays are moments of celebration, but for many isolated seniors it can be a triggering reminder of their loneliness. In the next couple of weeks, Meals on Wheels, Lift Line drivers and Elderday staff will continue to visit many...                
                
            Guest view: Cries of racism are misguided
                    
By Geraldine Ridgway
Watsonville has long been a racially diverse community. It is insulting for anyone to call any Watsonville resident a racist.
Watsonville has an amazing history. We once had a huge whaling industry, sardine factories stretched from Watsonville to Monterey, employing all races and...                
                
            Four Winds Growers sees uptick in sales during pandemic
                    
Four Winds Growers, a fourth-generation, family-run business in Watsonville specializing in citrus trees, has seen major growth in sales since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. 
Aaron Dillon, who runs the business with his siblings, says that the surge is likely due to people who...                
                
            Farmers, ranchers celebrate defeat of split-roll tax measure
                    
CALIFORNIA—Crediting a unified effort by California farmers, ranchers and their organizations, California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johansson thanked voters for rejecting the split-roll tax measure on the Nov. 3 ballot.
The initiative, Proposition 15, would have allowed reassessment and higher property taxes on a...                
                
            Watsonville Police Department holds awards ceremony for outstanding employees
                
Dozens of law enforcement and emergency first responders gathered in the Watsonville City Council Chambers Wednesday for a promotional and award ceremony honoring Watsonville...            
            
        













