Bonsai enthusiast bids farewell
My long-time friend Don White has died. If the name escapes you, he was the friendly man whose photo I ran in the R-P each year for the past 10-plus years tending his vast collection of bonsai trees in the back yard of his Carmel Street home.
Ag History Project looks ahead
WATSONVILLE—A buggy that once transported people along the streets of San Jose in the 1880s and ‘90s is now on display at the Agricultural History Project, restored and with a fresh coat of paint.
Hassan Zamani, who has volunteered with the AHP for two years,...
Guest View: Strengthening Native American Studies is as important as renaming Cabrillo College
I attended the first community forum for renaming the Cabrillo College at its Aptos Campus on June 14. I was probably the only one of Asian descent among about 60 participants.
Five potential new names were presented to us. They were Aptos College, Seacliff College,...
Expanding services to South County
One of the most significant actions the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors took during our recent budget cycle was to authorize the purchase of a new South County Service Center. This purchase will create a second County government building that would provide Mid-...
No greater love
Memo from Pastor Rene
This summer our nation is reeling at the horrific police brutality on display in the death of George Floyd and others, and grappling with the difficult task of criminal justice reform––and the broader plague of systemic racism.
But while the country’s focus...
Letters to the Editor, Oct. 8
Councilman’s claims of racism were wrong
I'm a member of the board of directors of the Watsonville Pilots Association and the vice-chairperson of the Watsonville Airport Advisory Committee. However, I write this letter solely in my individual capacity as a long-time resident of the County...
The origin of Santa Cruz County and the division of the Pajaro Valley
Over the years of researching, writing and teaching this region’s history I have been keeping top-10 lists such as the most influential natural disasters, floods, earthquakes and the like.
I also have one of the “most ill-advised things done by individuals or groups”—perhaps more bluntly...
Strawberry industry settles after hectic start to season
Strawberry season in the Pajaro Valley is in full swing, and experts are reporting that demand has steadily increased despite a difficult kickoff.
As the Covid-19 pandemic hit the California region in mid-March, strawberry producers initially saw a spike in sales. But it was soon...
Keeping Health Care Local, Together
The Pajaro Valley Health Care District is evolving to better reflect and represent the diverse voices that make up our community. Today, our board of directors is elected “at-large,” meaning that every registered voter within the District votes for each seat. Beginning in 2026,...
K9 officer helps find loaded handgun; man arrested
A man was arrested late last month on multiple felony charges after he ditched a loaded gun and ran from Capitola Police.
The incident began...



















