Opinion

APTOS—Wells Fargo has announced a boost to diverse small businesses with $1.7 million in grants from its Diverse Community Capital program, which offers capital and technical assistance to minority-owned small businesses through Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).  “Diverse small businesses face unique challenges to start...

WATSONVILLE—Fall brings graduation to the Watsonville-based, national award-winning Focus Agriculture program, created by the Agri-Culture organization.  A ceremony and reception was held at the Pajaro Valley Historical Association’s Bockius-Orr house on Beach Street in Watsonville for Class 30 of the Focus Agriculture program in early...

Hilton Hotel construction Of course developer Mr. Patel has every reason to feel “disheartened” regarding the opposition to his Hilton hotel project on Western Drive. Here is a man who has invested time and money in an effort to finally build something upscale that will benefit...

Do you like to shopping in downtown Watsonville? Yes: 134 | No: 415 Public comment Neera Bhatnagar: Parking is tricky and/or not safe. The shops are not generally meeting my needs. I try to go to the discount mall for my growing kid’s needs but quality and...

Here’s my concern folks Forty percent of our fellow citizens: believe lying is OK (over 13,000 and counting) 2. believe one needn’t pay one’s bills (contractors and city police that protect presidential rallies) 3. believe stealing from the government is OK (emoluments clause) 4. believe that UC No. 1 (unindicted co-conspirator #1)...

Hank Garcia, we’ve never met before—I hope that changes in the near future—but I want you to know you’ve had a massive impact on my life. You helped me see new worlds. You helped me learn English. You helped me fall in love with...

Corruption runs deep As a Progressive I enjoy watching the Republicans and Democrats (Hillary, Trump and Biden) accuse each other of corruption. Of course both sides are correct.  If you doubt this, go to opensecrets.org to find lists of their big-money corporate donors. Corrupting corporate money...

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...