Sandy Lydon: The 2023 Pajaro flood and Vallejo’s legacy
Again! The long-time residents of Pajaro stand in the mud, their voices filled with frustration and anger. Some remember back to the March day in 1995 when they heard the assurances from politicians. Be patient! Help is coming! We’ve got your back!
The rampant cynicism...
Tony’s Thoughts: Thanks for following through, PVUSD
I’d like to give a big thanks to the Pajaro Valley Unified School District and its board of trustees for moving forward with the much-needed renovation of Watsonville High School’s stadium. On Wednesday, the trustees approved a contract for the design of the stadium...
This Week in Pajaro Valley’s Past, March 12
Compiled by Steve Bankhead
25 years ago on March 9, 1996
Pajaro has developed community spirit in efforts to clean up and rebuild after last year’s flood. A major assist came from “Together in Pajaro” (TIP) organized by Diane Young to guide the effort. One target...
Letters to the editor, Oct. 11-18
The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Pajaronian employees or of the company.
Yes on Prop 5
Yes on Prop 5 – Empowering Local Communities to Build Affordable Housing California's housing crisis is a constant topic of conversation—filled with frustration, limitations, and seemingly...
Watching war crimes as we prepare for Easter
As I write this, images of atrocities in the city of Bucha, a suburb of Kiev, Ukraine, are crossing our screens. Executed civilians, hands bound, lying prostrate on the road. Neighborhoods targeted and destroyed, leaving innocent Ukrainians in the wake. A cyclist, seemingly shot...
A keeper of history | On My Mind
My good friend Marvin Byers has left this world. His unexpected passing, on Dec. 17, is a day now stamped into my memory. It is a day, that, if I were a city official, would be spelled out in brass and marble in the...
Letters to the Editor, June 25
A response to pro-rail letters
The Pajaronian has printed pro-rail opinion pieces that, in fairness, require a response.
First, it should be said that almost everyone initially likes the idea of a train. Many of us have been to mega cities and rode the rail. But...
What should replace Kmart?
It’s been more than half a year since the Kmart on Freedom Boulevard closed its doors for good. And as someone who constantly drives past the shell of the former community hotspot, it pains me to see what that location has become. On top...
Students learn the power of the vote at Civics Summit
On Friday, about 150 high school juniors from across Santa Cruz County cast their first ballots on three issues that, if passed, would dramatically...




















