46.5 F
Watsonville
February 17, 2026

Guest View: The real cause of California’s homelessness crisis

letters to the editor
By Dan Walters Gov. Gavin Newsom, newly inaugurated Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and legislative leaders are pledging decisive action on California’s homelessness crisis, which raises a pithy question: Why did it erupt during a period of strong economic growth? The reasons often offered include a...

Hanamatsuri–The Flower Festival

Jay Shinseki Watsonville
This month Buddhist throughout the world are celebrating the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha with the celebration called Hanamatsuri the Flower Festival. The name comes from the legend of Shakyamuni’s birth in Lumbini’s Garden and the many flowers that were in bloom that day in...

Letters to the Editor, Oct. 11, 2019

Thanks for supporting Birding Fest The Monterey Bay Birding Festival thanks The Pajaronian for printing and distributing an attractive and informative program guide for this year’s festival held in Watsonville. Birdwatchers from 14 different states and from the length and breadth of California, together with lots...

Civics Summit Planning Committee, Dec. 16: Your vote is your voice

Voter apathy and disengagement only feed into further discontent with the political system. If a small number of voters, regardless of political affiliation, are the only ones to decide the issues, we all have to live with these repercussions. All elections have consequences and democracies are not spectator sports.

Family-friendly LGBTQ+ Peninsula Pride Parade in Seaside

June 12 marked the anniversary of the Orlando massacre that killed 49 queer people of color. A year ago, prominent local gay cleric Father Jon Perez hosted a vigil in which speakers emphasized that our LGBTQ+ community would not be driven back into the cl

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...

Dutra: Democracy is on the ballot

jimmy dutra
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...

In support of CASA: California’s budget decisions are failing its most vulnerable children

Difficult decisions were made to pass the California state budget this year. We understand lawmakers worked hard to protect essential programs. However, much more could have been done for foster and justice-involved youth. Among the most alarming cuts was the elimination of statewide CASA...

Letters to the Editor, Dec. 9: Made in the USA

Letters to the Editor, Dec. 9, 2017

Ask Nicole: Giving Thanks

letters to the editor
I often start this monthly column with a true story about my experiences as a parent. Writing about my own parenting challenges is like giving myself free therapy. I relive memories of difficult situations, work through my emotions in a safe environment (my office,...
7,695FansLike
4,949FollowersFollow
2,895FollowersFollow
LEVEE MONEY The Pajaro River meanders through a course of trees and brush near downtown Watsonville.

Padilla, Schiff secure $54M for Pajaro River Levee

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla announced Tuesday that he and Sen. Adam Schiff secured $54 million in federal funding for the Pajaro River Flood Risk...