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February 28, 2026

Letters to the Editor, Oct. 27

letter to the editor pajaronian
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...

From the editor's desk, Oct. 17: A disastrous series of events

Too close to home, the deadliest wildfires in California’s history are destroying lives and scorching the northern areas of the state.

Movie Review: Solid cast saves underwhelming 'Tag'

Movies like “Tag” keep me curious as to why Jon Hamm is not a bigger thing. Sure, he was a massive star during the “Mad Men” television series, but since the end of that show, he hasn’t turned into the movie star that he so clearly has the potential to become. I guess seeing him steal the limelight time after time in key supporting roles will have to do for now.

Racism is a ‘WE’ issue

Jimmy Dutra
By Jimmy Dutra, former Watsonville City Councilman In 1992, some of us witnessed the ugly truth of racism for the first time. We heard the outcry over the beating of Rodney King. I was a teenage student at Watsonville High School, who believed in an...

On My Mind, Aug. 24: What stop sign? What speed bump?

I live between a stop sign and a speed bump. There’s an official city traffic sign posted standing at the edge of my front yard: “Speed Bump, 15 mph.” No one does that.

This Week in Pajaro Valley’s Past, April 23

Compiled by Steve Bankhead 25 years ago on April 23, 1996 Moreland Notre Dame sixth-grader Anoosh Moutafian won her division in the Santa Cruz County Science Fair competition at Cabrillo College. Her project centered on properties of the lowly daphnia, tiny water crustaceans that thrive in...

The hidden history of Watsonville, Pajaro Valley | Tony’s Thoughts

Last week my colleague Tarmo Hannula unveiled the first entry of a column I will be eagerly awaiting to read each month: Pajaro Valley, Past & Present. The column will be a deep dive into one of Watsonville’s many historic buildings – or an...

On My Mind: In the line of fire

CZU August Lightning Complex Fires
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...

Building an equitable future

Jimmy Dutra
By Jimmy Dutra, Watsonville Mayor I stopped using the word equality some years back in graduate school. In my opinion it did not put everyone on an equal playing field. Instead, I am an advocate for equity. With equity I believe we will find true...
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Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah addresses about 150 high school students at the start of the Santa Cruz Countuy Youth Civics Summit at Cabrillo College.

Students learn the power of the vote at Civics Summit

On Friday, about 150 high school juniors from across Santa Cruz County cast their first ballots on three issues that, if passed, would dramatically...