John Skinner, Nov. 21: How Trump is making America great again
When Donald Trump began his run for the office of president with the slogan “Make America Great Again,” my thought was, “When was America not great? What is wrong with the country?”
The story behind the Washington bust
To some, George Washington represents patriarchy and oppression. To Lloyd Alaga, the person who commissioned the bust of George Washington for Watsonville’s Plaza, Washington represented the opportunity in America for immigrants who have come, and continue to come, to this country.
Lloyd Alaga’s uncle was...
Emily Balli, May 4: May is CalFresh Awareness Month
CalFresh (formally known as Food Stamps) helps struggling families and individuals in California purchase healthy, nourishing food, including at farmers markets.
Obey or defy superior orders
Since September, on orders from President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the U.S. military has executed air strikes on more than 21 vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Many of these vessels have been identified as fishing boats,...
Protect small business
As we continue to expand the outreach of vaccinations in Santa Cruz County, I can’t help but continue to think of the impacts Covid-19 has had on our community and schools. Entering this new year, we should reflect a bit and also continue to...
Letters to the Editor, Sept. 4
First Lady was sincere, dazzling
I felt that First Lady Melania Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention was completely sincere and her words were bursting with dazzling light. She strikes me as being a person who truly and deeply cares about the wellbeing of...
Johanna Miller: Fireworks irresponsible in summer heat
Last week, Watsonville experienced one of its hottest weekends on record. Temperatures reached 110 degrees at one point — practically unheard of for our region’s normally mild summer days. When things began to cool down slightly on Sunday, it seemed like most of us were breathing a collective sigh of relief.
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.
Manny Contreras out as Watsonville High’s head football coach
In a stunning turn of events, Manny Contreras will not return as Watsonville High’s head football coach for the upcoming 2026 fall season.
Contreras received...


















