HONORING YOUNG LEADERS
Nearly three decades ago, the Queer Youth Leadership Awards (QYLA) was created to honor young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people (LGBTQ+) whose advocacy and activism have made notable impacts on their communities.
Created by the Queer Youth Task Force, the annual ceremony is...
Greg Becker, June 15: A rail travelogue and commentary
I have ridden the train from Watsonville to Santa Cruz.
Trina Coffman-Gomez, Nov. 30: Clarifying misconceptions and moving forward, part two
This is a continuation of Trina Coffman-Gomez’s column from last week’s edition, which touches on misconceptions surrounding the county’s transportation planning.
Letter: Cabrillo’s costly name change
Sandy Lydon’s recent articles on the Cabrillo College name change were informative and represented the voice of a majority of Santa Cruz County residents.
The Trustees mean well, but wow, $400,000 to $600,000 to change Cabrillo’s name when they have only raised $2,500 at this...
A lesson from the temptation of Jesus
The 40 days of Lent observed in Christianity begins with the story of Jesus who fasted for 40 days in the wilderness immediately following his baptism. It is as if before Jesus began his ministry, he needed to go through a spiritual boot camp...
Man arrested for DUI after crash, one injured
A Watsonville man was arrested on suspicion of DUI Monday afternoon after a two-vehicle crash.
Watsonville Police officer Bobby Rodriguez said the suspect was driving a red Chevy Silverado pickup westbound on Martinelli Street around 4:30pm. Witnesses told police that the driver ran a stop...
Letter: Thank you for Porter history
I'm not a regular reader of the Pajaronian, but I am so glad to have caught the article “The Porter Family Legacy” (Pajaronian, March 10-16) and learn of the family’s link to the Chinese community in Watsonville. My father Henry G. Wong leased the...
Sesario Escoto, Nov. 30: Be the bridge for children in foster care
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) exists because children in the foster care system need a voice. These young people experience great loss and trauma, and CASA of Santa Cruz County provides a light in the darkness that can fall upon this time in their lives; that light being the CASA volunteers.
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...
Year In Review: Recapping an up and down 2021
For most elected bodies, the new year brings newly appointed Presidents and Vice-Presidents—or board chairs and vice-chairs. This seldom controversial move is a way to end the year and begin with new leadership.
The first meeting of the new year is usually the first time...
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...



















