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Watsonville
January 14, 2026

John Skinner, Nov. 21: How Trump is making America great again

When Donald Trump began his run for the office of president with the slogan “Make America Great Again,” my thought was, “When was America not great? What is wrong with the country?”

And there I stood with my piccolo

Rev. Robin Mathews-Johnson
Memo from Rev. Mathews-Johnson Composer Meredith Willson once told the story of a band whose music so pleased a king of long ago that he opened his royal treasury to the musicians. He invited them to walk in and to fill their instruments with as...

Highway 1 project continues, Capitola Ave. bridge demolition approaches

As he drove under the new pedestrian and bicycle bridge spanning Highway 1 Wednesday, CalTrans structural engineer Jorge Uberhuaga pointed to the wooden framework he described as a “bridge to build a bridge.” After installing the rebar skeleton, workers will soon begin pouring cement that...

Confronting Fascism under the Trump administration

Editor's note: The Pajaronian welcomes all viewpoints. If you would like to submit your own column, or write a letter to the editor, email [email protected]. ___________ It did not take long. Soon after the new Trump administration moved in and began its implementation of significant components...

Guest View, Susan True: Trusting us to care for others

Laura segura Sara reyna
To her very last breath, Laura Segura was caring—and fighting—for us all. Laura, who died June 9, 2022, was a beloved “justice warrior” who spent her life fighting for the opportunity and dignity of others. Just a few days ago, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County...

How you find daily peace

Memo from Pastor Rene Schlaepfer
Memo from Pastor Rene In my last column I wrote about how a constant focus on grim news actually changes the way your brain works, because you’re in constant threat analysis mode. Higher reasoning is diminished. You’re more prone to emotional instability.  Yet there is a...

Sandy Lydon: The false myth that Watsonville drove its Chinese community across the river in 1888

I first heard the story in the 1970s when beginning my research on the history of the Chinese in the region. I read it in community histories, newspaper history columns, and both Chinese and non-Chinese old-timers told me the story with conviction.  It was true...

Aptos farm wins Best of Show at regional olive oil competition

Patrick and Teresa Royan were living in Los Gatos when they first discovered Pleasant Valley, a rural area in Aptos permeated with rolling hills, orchards, vineyards and pastures. The couple had been looking for a place to settle relatively close to the beach yet...

Supervisor’s Update: Winter readiness and community highlights

santa cruz county supervisor felipe hernandez
As the winter season approaches, ensuring the safety and well-being of our community becomes our paramount concern. Navigating the uncertainties of changing weather patterns demands unity and vigilance.  In preparation for the winter season and to foster community resilience, my office collaborates with regional partners...

On My Mind, Aug. 24: What stop sign? What speed bump?

I live between a stop sign and a speed bump. There’s an official city traffic sign posted standing at the edge of my front yard: “Speed Bump, 15 mph.” No one does that.
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County Supervisors approve draft BESS ordinance

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday moved forward with proposed rules aimed at regulating large-scale battery energy storage systems, which if...

Teen arrested after chase