When we silence teachers, we teach fear instead of freedom
There are moments in a community’s life when silence is not neutral. It is a decision.
This is one of those moments in Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
Our Board of Trustees is preparing to approve revisions to Policy 6144 - the so-called “Controversial Issues” policy....
I’m voting yes on Measure Q for the Pajaro Valley
The people of the Pajaro Valley have shown we are resilient as we’ve faced the impacts of a changing climate, from severe flooding to the threat of wildfire. But more—a lot more—can be done to help reduce the effects on our community from future...
Juan Carlos Pozo: Watsonville’s fortitude
I am a teacher in Watsonville, California, a community forged in the frost of adversity and the fire of its fortitude. I find joy in my work and dedicate myself to it, not just because of my vocation or love for art—although both are...
First Noble Truth
About 2,500 years ago the young prince Siddartha Gautama became what is known as the Buddha. Soon after his Enlightenment the Buddha shared with his fellow seekers what is known as the Four Noble Truths. The first of these truths is “Life is Dukkha.”...
Guest View: Absurd decision threatens fairgrounds’ future
By GREG CAPUT
The Santa Cruz County Fair was facing bankruptcy when Dave Kegebein entered his position to save our county fairgrounds. The state had pulled back funding and thus threatened the existence of the fair.
Many county fairgrounds have shut down in California due to...
Measure N Milestones: Transparency, Progress, and Community Impact
When voters across the Pajaro Valley Health Care District approved Measure N in March 2024, they sent a clear and powerful message: our community hospital matters. With that vote, we took another bold step toward reclaiming local control of our healthcare system and investing...
Chaos as a political strategy
Donald Trump’s approach to governance is frequently analyzed through chaos theory, where calculated unpredictability, disruption, and rapid, impulsive shifts are used as strategic tools to manage, dominate, or reshape political environments.
This tactic aims to keep opponents off balance, control the agenda and overturn established...
The grass is greener when we’re on the same field
Distributing limited resources fairly and equitably in a way that best serves students, staff, families and the community is an ongoing challenge for any school board. On July 21, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will review and discuss the Elementary...
Dutra: Democracy is on the ballot
By JIMMY DUTRA
We have seen politics hit an all-time low in our community. Behavior that has been more common at the national and state level has arrived in our local politics. It has moved from “what I can do for the people” into “how...
Suspect arrested after stabbing at Santa Cruz Clock Tower
Two people were hospitalized after reports of a stabbing at the Clock Tower in Santa Cruz at around noon on Saturday, according to Santa...



















