Looking within during trying times
MEMO FROM REV. SHINSEKI
“It is wrong to think that misfortunes come from the east or from the west; they originate within one’s own mind. Therefore, it is foolish to guard against misfortunes from the external world and leave the inner mind uncontrolled.”
Teachings of the...
Todd Guild, Dec. 5: Reflections on help in the wake of a crash
In what felt like a fraction of a second, I heard my wife scream and a crunching-banging sound I later learned mostly came from the car’s airbags inflating.
Guest View: The Republican party may not last
George Washington, our first President, warned against political parties. The English had already seen by the 18th century that there was bad feeling between the Conservative and Liberal parties in Parliament. The two parties survived to serve two factions of the public educated enough...
Budget Season in Watsonville
In the coming weeks, the City of Watsonville will begin preparing our fiscal year 2026/27 budget.
When people hear “budget season,” it can sound technical, but from my perspective inside City Hall, it is anything but that. The budget is more than numbers on a...
Trina Coffman-Gomez, Nov. 2: The complex Unified Corridor Investment Study and what this decision can mean for relieving our traffic congestion
The City of Watsonville received a presentation from the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) at our council meeting on Oct. 23 regarding the Draft Unified Corridor Investment Study (UCIS).
Letters to the Editor, Oct. 16
Alyssa Wall for County Office of Education
After eight years on the Santa Cruz County Office of Education board, I am stepping down. I am very pleased that Alyssa Wall filed to run. She grew up in San Jose, fell in love with Santa Cruz...
Lori Butterworth, Dec. 14: Will the new tax law strangle charitable giving?
As we approach the end of the year, those of us who run local nonprofits are biting our nails reading predictions about how the proposed tax bill will affect charitable giving.
Reviewing an unprecedented year
By Greg Caput, County Supervisor
It is no surprise to most of us that this has been an unprecedented year with the emergence of Covid-19 and the CZU fires. During these times of uncertainty, we are facing deep emotional distress. The residents of Santa Cruz...
H.R. 1 Threatens Central Coast’s Most Vulnerable
The Monterey Bay region has long stood as a place of resilience, hard work, and community care. From the agricultural fields to the neighborhoods...



















