A year without stages
Last month we observed the one-year anniversary of when Covid-19 brought all of our lives to a sudden halt.
Personally, this year has been a challenge not only health wise and financially, but emotionally and creatively as well. Like many of you, I lost so...
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...
Movie Review: 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' captures spirit of cherished wall-crawler
Since the turn of the century there have been five feature-length Spider-Man movies but none have been able to do what “Spider-Man: Homecoming” pulled off. Peter Parker, the lovable comic book hero under the red and blue tights who oozes heart, finally fe
Guest View: County jails are failing people awaiting trial
Recently, we learned of a hunger strike in the Santa Cruz County main jail. Due to intolerable conditions, nine men awaiting trial started a hunger strike on Nov. 8. Five remained on hunger strike for nearly a month. Their demands?
• That jail staff treat...
You make a mess, you clean it up
There are times when we need to take a break, and consider our options. In the Bible, we call it the Sabbath, the seventh day, a day of rest and reflection; a day for God.
For someone like me, it’s a very hard thing to...
Setting unreachable standards
By Greg Caput, County Supervisor
To what standards are we held or judged by? If the standard is perfection, then everyone fails. A symbol of George Washington is under scrutiny at the Watsonville City Plaza. He was a victorious hero of the revolution 245 years...
Supporting those who put themselves out front
In March 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic set in, a large collective of nonprofits, public institutions and individuals serving the Pajaro Valley mobilized weekly meetings. The intent was to become informed and advocate for equitable public health resources and transparency in the County’s Covid-19...
Ask Nicole: Simple summertime ideas
When I was a child, Summer. Lasted. For. Ever. I remember long days that usually began with picking beans and then weeds in the hot sun, followed by endless hours of playing (and bickering) with my siblings in the hot sun. By the end...
Aptos’ Alexa Castañeda named league’s co-player of the year | All-SCCAL...
The Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League girls soccer season was so jam-packed with talent this past winter campaign that coaches had no choice but...


















