Mayor’s column August 2025: In praise of the airport
When people hear “Watsonville Airport,” it often brings to mind moments of resilience and pride—whether it was serving as a crucial lifeline after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, playing a key emergency role during the 2020 CZU fires, or even welcoming a presidential visit...
Laina Farhat-Holzman, June 3: Where are the university grownups?
For some years now, we have seen a transformation in university life that does not bode well. These changes are in line with changes in public behavior in our society at large, a general coarsening of language, ideas and actions.
California lawmakers should address health disparities, stem rise in prostate cancer
As California continues to grapple with the present effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are also beginning to consider the longer-term health impacts, including the significant percentage of Californians that delayed or avoided medical care due to concerns over Covid-19. The result is that,...
Guest View: Measure N is vital to hospital’s success
In 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake significantly damaged a hospital that had served the community of Watsonville for decades. Devastated by the earthquake, the nonprofit Watsonville Community Hospital (WCH) had to be sold to a for-profit corporation. In 2022, it returned to community ownership.
Still,...
Marcus Northcutt, May 25: A day of great golf for an important cause
As I complete my second year as Watsonville High School Athletic Director, my appreciation for community involvement and support continually increases.
Sepi Taghvaei and Zach Friend, June 29: Dental care crisis continues in SC County
We see it daily … the effects of limited access to dental care in our community: adults with abscessed teeth and swollen faces that end up in emergency rooms and county clinics, children who are missing school because of dental pain, seniors who are losing weight due to poor dental health, teenagers who have low self-esteem because of dental decay.
Opinion: Watsonville City Council wrong on runway decision
As a pilot based at Watsonville since 1980, I am shocked at the Watsonville council’s decision to close the crosswind runway. The dissenting four council members (Montesino, Salcido, Quiroz-Carter and Orozco) voted against a compromise that would have retained the cross wind runway AND...
Movie Review: McAvoy shines in so-so ‘Split’
If there’s any doubt that James McAvoy is one of the best actors working in Hollywood today, “Split” serves as a testament to his overwhelming talent and devotion to every role he takes.
Sarah Ringler, Dec. 28: Top down educational reforms endanger public schools
Evidence shows that teachers are stressed. A 2017 survey in British Columbia found that two-thirds of teachers felt “stressed and emotionally exhausted all, or most of the time.”
Man arrested after brandishing replica firearm
A man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly brandished an altered replica firearm in Watsonville.
Eduardo Lopez, 32, was cited and released.
Witnesses called police after...





















