Guest View: Salinas Valley sets the standard on farmworker housing
The tragic deaths of seven farmworkers in Half Moon Bay in January revealed an ugly, persistent truth: there are parts of our state where our essential, agricultural workers still live in deplorable conditions. There are no permits, no inspections and conditions are substandard. But...
Letters to the Editor, April 9
Censure is a distraction from real issues
While in no way defending the recent behavior of Georgia Acosta, I have to call out those Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees members now involved in the censure pile-on.
Following the Brown Act is the responsibility...
Letters, Oct. 21, 2022
Save our irreplaceable farmland
Our farm, Lakeside Organic Gardens, now in our 26th year, creates hundreds of jobs and supports local businesses that rely on the strength of our local agriculture. Growing food provides employment at all skill levels, from the newest technologies to business...
35 years is long enough for immigration reform
By Manuel Perez and Luis A. Alejo
Jan. 20 will mark a significant day, not only for the United States as Joe Biden is sworn in as our 46th President but also for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in our country. They have been waiting...
Healing Together: The Progress and Promise of Watsonville Community Hospital
Trust is not built on words alone—it is forged through action, teamwork, and empathy. This holds true in times of prosperity, but is even more critical during hardship and crisis. Few experiences unite people like the shared journey from loss to pain, to recovery,...
On my mind, June 10: The song of life
For the past several weeks the mockingbirds have returned to our yard. This is the normal pattern, around May and June. Let’s face it — they’re noisy and a nuisance. It used to really bother me, but for reasons unknown, I’ve come to enjoy their morning sy
Guest View: Gear up for winter
Santa Cruz County residents are no stranger to powerful and dangerous natural disasters, including winter storms with lasting impacts on our community.
The Santa Cruz County Department of Community Development & Infrastructure (CDI) knows that even as we continue to pick ourselves up after last...
Letters to the Editor Nov. 14-20
PVUSD cuts necessary
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District is finally being forced to face financial reality. Many of the positions now being eliminated were funded by one-time Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, which expired in February 2024. That temporary COVID money...
Photo story: Group marches in support of homeless community
About a dozen people march March 29 in downtown Santa Cruz to garner awareness and support for homeless people. Put on by Food Not...



















