Center of the Christian map
Memo from Pastor Erickson
This week’s Gospel lesson is about the Baptism of our Lord. In it, you may find the geographical references quite interesting.
Mark tells us that John the baptizer appears in the wilderness along the Jordan River and that folk from the Judean...
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...
Orchard offers u-pick roses, outdoor fun
There is now a new way to assemble your own bouquet of roses, thanks to a pick-your-own rose venue at Birdsong Orchards in Watsonville.
Owner Nadine Schaeffer said she is growing dozens of varieties of roses on her 8-acre parcel where she also tends to...
Dental coverage: Essential healthcare for California families
Over 30,000 under-resourced adults and children in Santa Cruz County rely on affordable dental care to live full, healthy, pain-free lives.
Across the State, 10 million adults, seniors, and people with disabilities depend on the Medicaid program (known as Medi-Cal in California) for their oral...
Words matter: From stigma and apathy to empathy and action
By Denise Elerick, of the Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County
Substance use disorder is now widely recognized in the medical community as a chronic illness which responds to treatment. Similar to other chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease, remission and recurrence...
This Week in Pajaro Valley’s Past, July 2
25 years ago on July 1, 1996
Watsonville’s Spirit of Watsonville Committee organized a full schedule of fun across the Pajaro Valley leading up to the annual Grand Parade on the Fourth of July. The weekend prior had live banda music and dancing in the...
This Week in Pajaro Valley’s Past, June 4
25 years ago on June 4, 1996
720 students will soon transfer from middle and junior high schools in the PV School District to the new year-round Lakeview Middle School. It’s open year-round by eliminating summer break and having four tracks of students, with each...
Movie Review: 'Moonlight' lives up to lofty expectations
“Moonlight,” which is based off Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue,” does not come without flaws but I think that’s the purpose of this film.
Mayor For The Day returns
Being the mayor of a city carries with it a lot of responsibilities and can be quite demanding. It can also be rewarding and gratifying. Many of us get elected with a vision for our community. I was green, but had the fire in my stomach to...
Teen arrested after chase
A routine traffic stop turned into a chase late Tuesday night that ended with the arrest of a 17-year-old suspected gang member and the...



















