On My Mind: In the line of fire
Last week my wife Sarah and I took our first short vacation since the pandemic and lockdown took over. We drove north to Lassen National Volcanic Park and stayed in an old logger’s cabin at the Mill Creek Resort. The night before we left...
Letters to the Editor, Aug. 28
A novel idea for the rail
A friend and fellow rail advocate came up with the following idea:
Following the terrible and tragic wildfires that have devastated North Santa Cruz County, there will be a need to bring in materials such as lumber as the rebuilding...
Letters to the Editor, Aug. 21
Let’s not get railroaded by special interests
While most of us agree upon the ideals, the reality of trying to squeeze in a viable Rail-Trail within a limited 30-mile corridor, will sacrifice well-being and even safety. I am not a writer or a salesman. As...
Conference probes climate change and farms
WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley’s agriculture businesses and the employees that keep them running are starting to feel the heat, literally.
Rising temperatures and more frequent heat waves and wildfires are growing concerns for farmers in the typically cool, coastal stretch of land that overlaps Santa Cruz and...
Berry yields dip as harvest wraps up
WATSONVILLE—California’s strawberry season is coming to a close. While sales remained strong throughout the summer, growers have seen production dip slightly.
Carolyn O’Donnell, communications director for the California Strawberry Commission (CSC), said that after the season’s initial hardships, things eventually leveled off and demand actually...
Guest view: Call for a compromise
By Abel Sanchez, Chair of Parks & Recreation Commission
The Aug. 7 deadline has passed and Congress could not come up with an agreement on the next stimulus package. This is despite wide support amongst many lawmakers that Americans desperately need assistance during these tough...
A deep look into the Watsonville Police Department
By Rebecca J. Garcia, Watsonville Mayor
Black Lives Matter. Consequently, Watsonville wants to assure that the police department provides the best services available for public safety and racial and social equity. Police Chief David Honda has shared the many successful programs provided to youth and...
Guest view: California needs a universal broadband infrastructure bond for our students
By Luis A. Alejo, Kevin de León and Eduardo Garcia
On July 17, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that counties on the state’s Covid-19 “monitoring list” must begin the new school year with distance learning. More than half of our state’s counties are on the list,...
The key to emotional health in stressful times
I think we’d all agree 2020 has been a rough ride so far. So what’s the key to surviving times of real stress?
Last week I received an encouraging email from a 90-year-old widow in our congregation. As usual, her note was brimming with joy––despite...
Letters to the Editor | July 31, 2020
Thoughts on Washington monument
I recall when the George Washington statue appeared in the City Plaza, and wondered, “what does George Washington have to do with Watsonville?” Washington never visited Watsonville because the town wasn't around when George was. Washington had long finished his business...
Female Athlete of the Year: Aptos’ Izzy Graff brought excellence to...
Aptos graduate Izzy Graff was on the verge of joining the cross country team going into her junior year in 2023 so she could...