Thank you City Council
Abundant thanks to the Watsonville City Council, especially Mayor Garcia and members Gonzalez and Estrada, for their support of public posting of Notices of Intent (NOIs) to use restricted pesticides. We appreciate County Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo for his ongoing willingness to communicate, and...
Vital questions about the rail project
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s (RTC) $9 million Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail project study (ZEPRT) has generated heated debate and confusion.
While the project promises to combine passenger rail and active transit in one sweeping vision, fundamental questions about its feasibility,...
Letters to the Editor, Oct. 27
Dutra always puts the people first
I will begin my “opinion piece” with a quote: “There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim they accomplish things. The first group is less crowded." —Mark Twain
I will be voting for...
On My Mind: My days with Nancy Lockwood
Nancy was never forceful or assuming. That was a huge part of her — Nancy was a gentle, easy going woman with a graceful understanding of how people work and what it took to bring ideas forward and into action in a respectful manner.
Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation – Making strides during challenging times
Not long ago, our community came together around a powerful shared belief: that everyone deserves access to healthcare.
That belief fueled the effort to save Watsonville Community Hospital and bring it under local control—a major victory.
But like many hospitals across the country, we continue to...
Mayor’s column August 2025: In praise of the airport
When people hear “Watsonville Airport,” it often brings to mind moments of resilience and pride—whether it was serving as a crucial lifeline after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, playing a key emergency role during the 2020 CZU fires, or even welcoming a presidential visit...
Supervisor Felipe Hernandez: 2024 Year in Review
Editor's note: This column was submitted in December and should have run earlier in January.
As we enter the new year, I’m reflecting on our achievements in 2024—progress made possible through collaboration with community members, colleagues, county staff, and you.
Together, we’ve worked to ensure Santa...
Public defenders plan April 23 protest over caseloads, funding gaps
Public defenders in Santa Cruz County will join colleagues across California and the nation April 23 in a coordinated protest highlighting what they describe...




















