Youth offenders must be housed locally
As part of the Governor’s “commitment to providing more treatment and rehabilitative services for youth closer to home” under SB 823, the state is closing the juvenile prison in Stockton (DJJ). This means that Santa Cruz County will soon be tasked with housing and...
On My Mind | ‘Fake news,’ ‘the enemy of the people’ — really?
As you might imagine, I’ve met a lot of people on this job — bankers, drifters, teachers, painters, priests, janitors, surgeons, pilots and other reporters.
Guest View: Gear up for winter
Santa Cruz County residents are no stranger to powerful and dangerous natural disasters, including winter storms with lasting impacts on our community.
The Santa Cruz County Department of Community Development & Infrastructure (CDI) knows that even as we continue to pick ourselves up after last...
Sandy Lydon: The plan to obliterate Santa Cruz County
There were 27 original counties when California became a state on Sept. 9, 1850, but adjusting boundaries and forming new ones was nowhere near finished. From 1850 to 1907 the California Legislature made 35 major changes or created new ones. Imperial County, born in...
Letter: Pitching the valley
I’m here today to give you a pitch,
A burning desire,
It’s more than an itch,
Underscoring the fact
that this valley’s so rich
Painting a picture
imagine this course
Make a reality
Our place mighty force.
The nature, the earth, the sea, and the sloughs
The farms, and the people,
so good and so...
From the editor's desk: Step forward and report crimes
I am relieved to say that we finally got through a Monday without reports of child abuse popping up from somewhere in Santa Cruz County.
Supervisor’s Update, April 2025
Spring into Action
Spring is here, bringing with it a season of exciting community events, important updates, and opportunities to get involved! From a family-friendly bike ride this weekend to the return of the Young Supervisors Academy. Here’s a look at what’s happening in our...
Letter: Care for the wetlands, support the community
As so many of us are continuing to be affected by the recent storms, whatever comes our way, our community is in this together. The wetlands, creeks, and Pajaro River and the history of flooding in this valley have been fundamental to shaping the...
Support needed for the immigrant community facing Trump policies
The incoming Trump Administration has announced its intention to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
As religious leaders in Santa Cruz County from across the faith traditions, we cannot remain silent in the face of these policies that will cause untold damage to our...
Movie Review: 'Justice League’ brings up feelings of what could have been
“Justice League” is a rushed, cut-together mess through its first two acts that has no heart and continuously thuds in the comedy department so badly that I was actually cringing.
Letters to the editor Oct. 24-30
Teachers are educators, not activists
In a recent opinion piece, the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers expressed concern on being silenced in the classroom. PVUSD...

















