Guest View: The real cause of California’s homelessness crisis
By Dan Walters
Gov. Gavin Newsom, newly inaugurated Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and legislative leaders are pledging decisive action on California’s homelessness crisis, which raises a pithy question: Why did it erupt during a period of strong economic growth?
The reasons often offered include a...
Answering the lingering questions about Watsonville Community Hospital sale
As the clock ticks down until Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust votes on whether to exercise its right of first refusal to take over the Watsonville Community Hospital, the nurses who organized the town hall want to make sure they address the questions raised by the public. While there were many question cards turned in on Sunday, three main themes emerged.
Acosta must resign
By Elaine Legorreta
This is a call for the resignation of Georgia Acosta from the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees. One of several deficits is her disregard of the law and district by-laws. Trustee Acosta demonstrated either a disrespect or ignorance of...
Let’s give thanks
I hope you enjoyed Halloween with your friends and family. Whether it was carving pumpkins, trick or treating or attending parties, many of us were happy to be out again enjoying the interaction with our communities. This time of year brings with it many...
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.
100 years and counting
On June 22, the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau will call to order at its annual meeting for the 100th time.
Letters to the Editor, March 4
We must address homelessness
On Wednesday morning I went to our dog groomers, Vanity Fur, at 10 Alexander St. in Watsonville. There was a huge mound of black garbage bags near their door and I wondered if they were going out of business. As I...
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.”
From the editor's desk: City making strides with crime rate
City leaders have every right to be proud of Watsonville’s dropping crime rate, capped off by no homicides in 2016.
Bringing their education home
After 18 months of work by 200 students, Pajaro Valley Unified School District unveiled a small house that will soon be home to someone who needs it.
At just 20 by 8 feet, the tinyhome is ready for occupation, and comes equipped with living quarters...
New leadership, shared priorities: Investing in the future of public safety
As we begin a new year, I want to reflect on the direction of public safety in Watsonville and the leadership helping guide that...



















