Opinion

On Saturday morning, 48-year-old Gerardo Gutierrez was one of about a dozen men sitting in the day room at Salvation Army’s Watsonville location, quietly watching an old Vicente Fernández film playing silently on a television mounted to the ceiling. The men—most of them homeless—had stayed...

Proud to remain your community hospital Dear Pajaro Valley Community, It is an exciting and historic time for the Pajaro Valley. As a result of the dedication and support Watsonville Community Hospital received from this incredible community over the past several months, the Pajaro Valley Health...

At the beginning of the year, I made a promise to myself that I would write more editorials about issues that are impacting our city—something that has been lacking in my first two years as Managing Editor. But as much as I would like...

In 2014 Elizabeth Hoover, associate professor in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at UC Berkeley, set out on a road trip across the U.S. Hoover covered 20,000 miles over four months, visiting 29 different Indigenous communities and asking everyone she met one question: How do...

The Monterey Bay Cactus and  Succulent Society will hold its annual Spring Show and Sale April 12-14 in Watsonville. Attendees can learn from seasoned plant experts and view hundreds of cacti and succulents, as well as pottery and supplies at the three-day event. Also on board...

On July 20, 2017, the California State Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 55 declaring Aug. 7 as Purple Heart Day in California. I am proud to be a coauthor of this resolution that honors Purple Heart recipients and those who serve in the Armed Fo

Stunned at Cabrillo’s backpedal after name change discussion  I was absolutely amazed that the president of Cabrillo completely rejected the presentation given by Dr. Iris Engstrand, University of San Diego history emeritus professor, on the history of Spanish Explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. This presentation was...

The 81st Annual Monterey County Fair, held Aug. 31-Sept. 4, has announced the winners of its Home Arts Sweepstakes, Assorted Home Arts Awards and Gardens and Floriculture department awards, as well as the local 4-H and FFA club winners.

As more people get their second shot of the Covid-19 vaccine, I’ve heard numerous reactions. Some say, “It was awful.” Others say, “I felt nothing.” Nearly everyone feels they have to weigh in on the topic, similar to when an earthquake rumbles through and...

Memo from Pastor Rene A friend who is a local marriage and family therapist told me recently she’s booked solid with Zoom counseling sessions every day. “People are feeling so much anxiety now,” she said, “more than I’ve ever seen in my practice.” Stress from...