The Pajaronian

I write this column not particularly spiritually centered but deeply troubled. We are less than 70 days away from the most important midterm election in our lifetime, possibly as significant as elections in the time of Abraham Lincoln or Franklin D. Roosevelt.

I am deeply troubled and angered by policies that dismantle clean-energy initiatives, open pristine lands to further drilling and fracking, pursue seabed mining, weaken voting rights, and seek to erase or distort American history in our parks, museums, and public institutions. 

I am troubled by the turning away from longtime allies and by the imposition of 50% tariffs on our Canadian neighbors. I am angered by what I see as a “war of choice” driven by the pursuit of power and wealth. Meanwhile, we are faced with a $40 trillion national debt and growing. At $40 trillion, the debt would be roughly $117,000 per U.S. resident, using a population of about 342 million.

Acts of violence and cruelty are carried out on our streets from this administration without accountability. Earlier in the year we saw in the streets of Minneapolis where a woman and a man, both U.S. citizens, were murdered by ICE agents. 

Recently, we saw a young man—a husband and father working two jobs to support his family—killed while on his way to work, shot in the face in his car, dragged out dead and handcuffed on the street. The effect of indiscriminate arrests, most of whom are not criminals but people legally working to become citizens, is to numb us by normalizing once unthinkable actions. And this is happening in our community.

We are at a critical juncture where the far right has been emboldened to use government to destroy government while building a grand arch to celebrate the takeover. Each year is more brutal, and the silence permits the oppression to widen and deepen. Every day, the truth is violated more profoundly from this administration. 

Today, the poor are getting poorer while the rich are getting richer in both wealth and political power. The World Inequality Report came out with the finding that 0.001% of the world’s population holds three times the wealth of the poorest half of humanity. 

That number is staggering and obscene. Such inequality should trouble the conscience of anyone who believes that every human being bears the image of God. Ordinary and lower middle-class citizens are deprived of health care, childcare, assistance with food and decent housing. Our church served as a distribution site for Second Harvest Food Bank, providing food to families with children. That program ended following cuts in government funding.

The very heavens must cry out in the name of the poor and powerless. 

The prayer of the Magnificat, the Song of Mary, is being silenced. Mary proclaimed a God who hears the cries of the lowly, brings down the mighty from their thrones, and lifts up those who have been cast down. Her song is a prophetic declaration that God stands with the poor, the vulnerable, and the powerless.

Where is the Living Christ in us emerging as prophecy? Where is the voice of John the Baptist exposing the evil and wicked deeds of the king and pointing to the light in the darkness? Where is the turning over of tables in the temple by the scandal that we have no money for childcare, and yet we support a form of capitalism that gives more tax cuts for billionaires at the expense of cutting aid and programs for the poorest on the planet.

The biblical story of Exodus reminds us that God does not remain indifferent to human suffering. The enslaved Israelites groaned under the weight of oppression and cried out for help. Their cry rose to God, and God heard their groaning and took notice of their suffering.

“The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out. 

Their cry for help rose up to God from their slavery. 

God heard their groaning… and God took notice of them.” (Exodus 2:23–25)

It is time for us to practice “Holy Impatience.” Patience is indeed a virtue. But there are moments when patience in the face of injustice becomes complicity. There are times when impatience at injustice, corruption, and cruelty to the oppressed must be called out and pushed back. This is that time.

As we approach this consequential election, I encourage you to ground yourselves in the work of prophetic witness. Whatever our political affiliations, we have a moral responsibility to be informed, engaged, and attentive to the choices before us.

Talk with one another. Listen to one another. Share your growing understanding and concerns. Encourage family members, friends, and neighbors to register and participate in the election. Bring people together for honest conversation—not simply to persuade one another, but to illuminate the moral and civic choices before us. Most importantly, resist the temptation to believe that your vote does not matter.

This is a time for courage.

This is a time for conscience.

This is a time for Holy Impatience.

A time for good trouble.

May we refuse indifference and passivity. May we listen for the cries of those who suffer. And may the Living Christ within us give us the courage to speak truth to power, seek justice, and become a light in the darkness.

Three artworks have been chosen to be installed in the traffic circle at the intersection of Clifford Avenue and Pennsylvania Drive. 

City staff received an application and proposal for a new public art spearheaded by an anonymous donor. The donor, a Watsonville resident, has commissioned Community Arts and Empowerment to design and construct three free-standing stelae created by local artist Melissa Marzan, who was chosen by the donor. 

The design concepts were initially sent out to residents near the roundabout via fliers for community feedback. Of six initial designs, three were chosen by the community—a bear, rabbit and an egret.

Deputy City Manager and Parks Director Nick Calubaquib said construction and installation of these art pieces would be privately funded, while the cost of the footings would be the responsibility of the City.

The mosaic artwork includes abstract designs that reflect Native American or Filipino patterns, and feature animals that once lived in the region.

Each piece will be 72 inches across by 36 inches tall and 4 inches deep and will be fabricated at the Muzzio Mosaic Arts Center in Watsonville.

If approved, these three designs will advance to the construction phase with installation set for spring of 2027.

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday agreed to postpone changes to how their salaries are determined, leaving the current system in place until a newly elected supervisor takes office in January.

The board voted 4-1, with Supervisor Manu Koenig dissenting, to table the issue until January, when Tony Nuñez is scheduled to take office as Fourth District supervisor.

The decision means supervisors’ salaries will remain tied to Superior Court judges’ pay, with supervisors receiving 62% of a judge’s salary.

The board on Aug. 11 voted 3-2 to begin moving away from that formula and directed county Human Resources Director Ajita Patel to return Tuesday with recommendations for a new compensation system.

Patel told the board that county supervisors’ compensation is approximately 12% below that of comparable counties. Staff compared Santa Cruz County with Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties.

Staff also looked at the Consumer Price Index, which rose 3.8% from June 2025 to June 2026, and recent county labor agreements. Those contracts generally provide cost-of-living adjustments of 4% in each of the first two years and 3.5% in the third.
Patel recommended eliminating the link to judicial salaries and instead periodically reviewing factors such as salaries in comparable counties, inflation and compensation trends among county employees.

Supervisor Justin Cummings, who originally proposed reconsidering the system, said tying supervisors’ compensation to judges’ salaries—a practice with roots going back decades—does not reflect current economic realities.

“We live in one of the most expensive rental markets in the United States,” Cummings said. “And there are many other factors that impact our cost of living in Santa Cruz. My intent was to see if we could have a different process that would allow for our salaries to reflect the reality that we face living here in this community.”

But Cummings acknowledged the timing was difficult, coming shortly after the board placed a half-cent sales tax on the November ballot to address the county’s financial problems and amid concerns about the economy.

He moved to postpone the discussion until January, allowing Nuñez to participate and giving the board a fresh look at the issue.

By then, the county should also know whether state lawmakers approved an increase for judges. Any corresponding increase for supervisors under the existing formula would still require board approval.

Koenig, who previously opposed separating supervisors’ salaries from judges’ pay, said he favored keeping the existing system without changes.

Supervisor Kim De Serpa, who also opposed the Aug. 11 proposal, reiterated concerns about supervisors approving raises while asking taxpayers for additional revenue.

“We ran for office because we wanted to serve the public,” she said. “This is not a moneymaking situation, and our salary is adequate.”

De Serpa said supervisors work hard but that the county’s financial situation makes considering their own raises problematic.

“We’re in a budget crisis, we’re going out for a half-cent sales tax, we are trying to make a case to the public about why that is so important,” she said. “And sitting up here and voting ourselves a raise—it’s not a good look, it’s not good optics, it’s not a good thing to do.”

Three candidates with markedly different professional backgrounds are vying for the Trustee Area 1 seat on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees in the Nov. 3 election.

College admissions counselor Meilin Obinata, general contractor Robin Sukow and retired educator Andrew Goldenkranz are seeking to replace Trustee Joy Flynn, who is not running for reelection. Area 1 covers Corralitos and more than half of the Aptos area.

The winner will join a board confronting ongoing financial challenges, contentious labor negotiations and discussions about possible school closures, while also dealing with divisions among trustees that have frequently spilled into public meetings.

All three candidates said the board needs to improve how it conducts business, but they differ considerably in the experience and priorities they would bring to the position.

Meilin Obinata

Meilin Obinata (Todd Guild)

Obinata said her candidacy is rooted in her own experience in PVUSD schools, where she attended Mar Vista Elementary, Aptos Junior High and Aptos High School before earning a mathematics degree from UC Santa Cruz and a law degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

“This is my school district,” she said. “I feel very strongly about education.”

Obinata, who does not practice law, said her own education was possible because of local public schools and described it as a gift she wants to help preserve for future students.

She has worked as a college admissions counselor for 14 years and has helped students ranging from those struggling with failing grades to those applying to some of the nation’s most selective universities. She has also volunteered with students with reading difficulties and those with individualized education programs and 504 plans.

Obinata said one of her biggest priorities would be pushing PVUSD to develop a long-term strategic plan that could guide its spending and other decisions.

With the district facing difficult financial choices, she said trustees should first establish clear goals and then determine where limited resources should go.

“If you don’t have a plan, it’s really hard to make decisions about money except for reacting to certain phenomena,” she said.

Obinata also called for making district financial information easier for the public to find and understand. Disagreements over finances, she said, become more difficult when trustees, employees and the community do not begin with the same information.
She said her experience as a civil rights investigator and mediator could also be useful on a board that has struggled with internal conflict. In that work, she investigated complaints and helped people on opposing sides of contentious cases reach compromises.

Obinata said disagreement itself is not a problem, but trustees need to identify areas where they agree and build from there.

“What is important is for people to be able to just get work done,” she said. “Are we problem-solving so that we can get work done?”

Robin Sukow

Robin Sukow (Contributed)

Sukow, 79, said he is running as a concerned Aptos resident, businessman and parent who wants the district to put greater emphasis on basic academic skills.

Both of his sons attended Valencia Elementary, Aptos Junior High and Aptos High School, and he now has grandchildren approaching school age.
Sukow is a general contractor and is semi-retired from Paradigm Builders, a third-generation local business. He said that experience has taught him to work within budgets and make pragmatic decisions.

He described himself as “old school” and said schools should concentrate on making sure students can read, write, communicate and perform at grade level.

“I believe that a lot of the social issues that we deal with at school interfere with the educational process when it comes to learning the basics,” he said.

Sukow said many cultural and social issues should primarily be handled by families rather than schools. He cited proposed state legislation involving condom access for students and a new state recognition of Diwali—the Hindu festival of lights—as examples of issues that concern him.

Sukow characterized the Diwali law as requiring schools to close and develop curriculum around the holiday. The law, which took effect this year, instead allows school districts to close for Diwali if the governing board and employee groups agree and permits—but does not require—schools to hold activities recognizing the holiday.

He also cited Senate Bill 608. The legislation, still pending in the Assembly, would require schools to allow condoms to be made available to students in grades 7-12 through specified health and educational programs and would prevent school-based health centers from being prohibited from making condoms accessible to those students.

Sukow said his larger concern is keeping schools focused on academics.

He pointed to student performance on state assessments as evidence that PVUSD needs to improve and said graduates should leave high school prepared for college without requiring remedial classes.

But Sukow said college should not be the district’s only goal.

As a longtime tradesman, he strongly supports career technical education and said schools should expand opportunities for students interested in construction, automotive work and other trades.

“Having our students capable of going to college if that’s what they want, but also capable of going into the trades,” he said.

Sukow also criticized the conduct he has witnessed at board meetings, including interruptions and off-microphone comments.

“There’s an incredible lack of decorum,” he said, adding that he hopes to bring a “non-emotional influence” to the board.

Andrew Goldenkranz

Andrew Goldenkrantz (Contributed)

Goldenkranz enters the race with 37 years in public education as a classroom teacher, administrator, teacher trainer and developer of school improvement programs.

He began his teaching career at E.A. Hall Middle School in Watsonville and later spent 10 years at Aptos High School. He subsequently worked in Santa Cruz County and Fremont Union High School District in Santa Clara County.

His campaign website says he has lived in Aptos since 1993, spent nine years working in PVUSD and is the parent of two district graduates.

Goldenkranz said his experience has taught him how to identify successful classroom practices and use data to improve student outcomes.

While working in PVUSD, he said, he helped rewrite standards and assessments for high school biology, reducing the rate of D and F grades from about 12% to 4%. He later participated in a similar effort in Cupertino that reduced the rate from about 9% to less than 2% in one cohort.

He attributed those improvements in part to project-based learning, meaningful assessments and allowing students to revise work rather than treating an initial failure as the final result.

“There was always a pathway to improvement,” he said.

Goldenkranz said PVUSD needs greater financial transparency, more attention to student achievement and improved relationships among trustees, employees and administrators.

He has watched several recent board meetings and said trustees are not always modeling the behavior expected from students.

“The adults in the system are not modeling the behavior that we expect to see from kids,” he said.

Goldenkranz suggested creating a board covenant or code of conduct governing interruptions, yelling and other behavior.

He also said district proposals should receive more public, employee and committee review before reaching trustees for a vote. Too often, he said, unfinished proposals reach the board and become bogged down in lengthy debate.

Goldenkranz said the district must also confront its financial problems with greater transparency, including involving employee unions earlier in discussions.

He said discussions about potentially closing schools should focus not simply on cutting costs, but on what educational opportunities could be created through restructuring. Simply moving teachers and students from one campus to another, he said, would not necessarily produce significant savings without a plan for the vacated property.

He also criticized what he described as PVUSD’s reliance on outside consultants, saying the district should develop expertise among its own employees whenever possible.

“A strong school, a strong district builds a strong team on the inside and can therefore rely less on external help,” he said.

Goldenkranz said his campaign ultimately centers on rebuilding trust, improving transparency and keeping the district focused on students—priorities also listed on his campaign website.

“Kids are going to learn something every day,” he said. “The question is, are they going to learn what you’re trying to teach them?”

“Better teamwork, better transparency, stay positive,” he added. “I think that’s how we can make real progress.”

Eight large and colorful sculptures that were inspired by Mexican folk art have been installed around the city of Salinas as part of a world travelling exhibit.

“Alebrijes y Nahuales: Fantastic Animals from Mexico” touches on magical realism through colorful mythical creatures, all created by artists from Oaxaca and central Mexico.

Three of the sculptures are stationed at the Northridge Mall.

WORLD TRAVELER “The Armadillo” has been positioned in front of Sherwood Hall. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Standing nearly 20-feet tall, the pieces are equipped with solar lighting, allowing their intricate craftsmanship to stand out both day and night.

Other locations include the Star Center, at Main Street and Blanco Road, Vineyard Church, 1122 East Alisal St., Sherwood Hall, 940 North Main St., Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, 1440 Constitution Blvd., and the Steinbeck Center, 1 Main St.

The sculptures will be up until Sept. 4.

FROM MEXICO “The Dog” now keeps watch in front of the Star Market in Salinas. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District and its teachers union have reached a tentative labor agreement after nearly a year of negotiations.

The agreement between PVUSD and the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers comes after months of bargaining over salaries, health benefits and working conditions. The two sides had entered the state’s fact-finding process after failing to reach an agreement at the bargaining table.

The district announced the tentative agreement Thursday, saying it resulted from “months of active negotiations and collaborative compromise.”

Details of the agreement were not included in the district’s announcement.

The agreement must still be ratified by PVFT members and approved by the PVUSD Board of Trustees before it takes effect.

Superintendent Heather Contreras said reaching the deal required compromise from both sides.

“Reaching this agreement required hard work, open dialogue, and meaningful compromise from both sides of the table,” Contreras said. “We are deeply grateful to PVFT leadership, our educators, and our district bargaining team for their perseverance.”

Contreras said the agreement would allow the district and its employees to turn their attention back to students and improving classroom outcomes.

Health benefits had been a significant sticking point during negotiations. The district had previously proposed capping its contribution toward family health benefits, a proposal union leaders opposed, and over which teachers threatened to strike.

The proposal by the district to cap salary benefits has been a bone of contention between the district and union, with both parties entering into a fact-finding phase after negotiations stalled.

PVFT President Brandon Diniz said the tentative deal would preserve the union’s existing benefits structure.

“This agreement reflects the desires of our membership to maintain our current benefits structure with no changes, puts money on the salary schedule, and creates improved working conditions that put students first,” Diniz said in the joint announcement.

The agreement follows a lengthy bargaining process between the district and PVFT, which represents the district’s teachers and other certificated employees.

The tentative agreement now heads to union members for a ratification vote. The district did not announce when the Board of Trustees will consider final approval.

This publication has reached out to PVFT President Brandon Diniz and to PVUSD district officials for comment.

This story will be updated.

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday unanimously approved naming Watsonville High School’s athletic facility to honor longtime teacher and coach Roland Hedgpeth.

The proposal will change the name from Geiser Field to Hedgpeth Stadium-Geiser Field, retaining the name of former Watsonville High athletic director Emmett Geiser while adding that of Hedgpeth, whose association with Wildcat athletics spans more than six decades.

The proposal comes after a nearly two-year process that included consideration by the Watsonville High Booster Club, School Site Council and English Learner Advisory Committee, school administration, staff and cabinet. A community town hall was held April 29.

According to Watsonville High Principal Joseph Gregorio, the groups unanimously supported the proposed name.

Hedgpeth was a senior at Watsonville High in 1959 when he approached then-athletic director Emmett Geiser about forming a soccer team. Geiser turned down the request, but Hedgpeth and other students played anyway.

Their unofficial team made it through five games before news of it appeared in the local newspaper and a vice principal ordered the students to stop playing.

Twelve years later, the situation came full circle.

When Aptos High School opened in 1971 and Watsonville High’s soccer coach transferred to the new school, the same vice principal contacted Hedgpeth, who was then teaching at Mintie White Elementary School, and offered him the coaching job.

“Remember when I told you to stop playing soccer?” the vice principal asked, according to the proposal. “I am calling to see if you would like to be our soccer coach.”

That began a coaching career that has lasted more than half a century.

Hedgpeth has coached for 54 years, including 37 years at the varsity level and 28 years in football, according to the school. He also spent 36 years teaching in PVUSD at the elementary through high school levels.

His soccer teams have amassed a combined varsity and junior varsity record of 722 wins, 126 losses and 116 ties, along with 37 varsity league championships, 14 junior varsity league championships and 12 Central Coast Section titles.

The program earned a No. 1 national ranking in 2001 and finished as the California Open Division runner-up in 2021-22. In 2025, Watsonville won a Northern California championship and finished as state runner-up.

Alvaro Castillo said he has known Hedgpeth since the 1970s and played for him for more than four years.

He described Hedgpeth as a man who cared deeply for his players and racked up numerous wins.

“For the 50 years he coached, he put Watsonville on the map,” Castillo said.

Nancy Bilicich, a former Watsonville High School principal and Watsonville City Council member who now leads Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult Education, praised Hedgpeth’s leadership.

“He expected his players to conduct themselves with dignity, whether they won or lost,” she said. “… It was incredibly rewarding to watch their success and celebrate along the way.”

Supporters of the renaming say Hedgpeth’s influence extends beyond his teams’ success on the field.

According to the proposal, about 70% of his athletes have gone on to graduate from college. Hedgpeth has made academics a factor in selecting players and has worked closely with teachers to keep track of athletes’ performance in the classroom.

Many of his former players have also returned to the program as coaches.

Gregorio described Hedgpeth’s legacy as one built on “integrity, character and ‘calm intensity.’”

Hedgpeth has said he would accept having the stadium named for him only with the understanding that the honor also represents the wider Watsonville soccer community and the youth coaches who have helped develop generations of Wildcat players.

In a brief comment, Hedgpeth said he was honored by the move.

Keeping Geiser’s name on the field is also intended to preserve an important piece of Watsonville High history.

School officials described the Hedgpeth Stadium-Geiser Field name as bringing that history “full circle”—honoring both the athletic director Hedgpeth approached as a student hoping to play soccer and the coach who later built one of Watsonville High’s most successful athletic programs.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has a new freight rail operator for the Watsonville Branch Line.

Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad begin operations Aug. 12.

The RTC approved a 10-year agreement with the Mississippi-based railroad, known as CRI&P, to provide freight service on approximately 2.5 miles of active track between the Pajaro/Watsonville Junction and Lee Road in Watsonville.

“Freight rail continues to play an important role in our transportation system and in supporting local businesses and interstate commerce,” RTC Chair Eduardo Montesino said. “We want to welcome Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad to Santa Cruz County and look forward to building a strong partnership focused on reliable service, infrastructure improvements and opportunities to expand freight rail in Watsonville.”

CRI&P replaces Progressive Rail as the freight operator on the line. The RTC voted earlier this year to terminate its agreement with Progressive Rail as the agency works toward advancing construction of the Coastal Rail Trail while preserving freight service in the Watsonville area.

Headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi, CRI&P is a privately owned company specializing in short-line railroads. The company has operated several railroads around the country, including the Mississippi Delta Railroad, Great River Railroad, Gulf & Ship Island Seaway Rail and Midland Railway.

Under the agreement, CRI&P will provide locomotives, switch engines, crews and track maintenance equipment. The company also has an inventory of rail, ballast, ties and other materials that could be used to rehabilitate the Watsonville tracks.

Infrastructure improvements are needed along the line to maintain freight operations and potentially expand service in the future, according to the RTC.

“We are excited to partner with the RTC and the Watsonville community,” CRI&P General Manager Reid Dawe said. “Our goal is to provide dependable freight service while working collaboratively to identify opportunities to improve the railroad and support the businesses that rely on it.”

The railroad will also work with the RTC to seek state and federal funding for infrastructure improvements.

The Watsonville section is the remaining active freight portion of the 32-mile Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line, which the RTC purchased in 2012. The publicly owned corridor stretches from Watsonville to Davenport and is envisioned for multiple uses, including freight, a future passenger rail system and a multi-use trail.

“Maintaining freight rail service is an important part of protecting the public’s investment in our rail corridor and supporting multimodal transportation options for Santa Cruz County,” Christensen said. “We are looking forward to working with CRI&P to provide reliable service today while exploring opportunities to strengthen freight rail for the future.”

This article was contributed by BuyStufz

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• Payment limits and processing windows vary by method.

3. SuperSlots: Mobile Free Spins Offer 

SuperSlots is a casino-focused platform with slots, table games, live dealer content, video poker, tournaments and cryptocurrency banking. Its scheduled spin package is intended for players who want a defined number of daily rounds and no additional playthrough on qualifying winnings.

Welcome Bonus For U.S. Players

The current welcome package gives 300 free spins after a successful first deposit of $10 or more. Spins are released automatically beginning the next day as 30 rounds per day for ten days. Every daily batch remains valid for 24 hours.

Qualifying winnings carry no additional wagering, while the total maximum win from the promotion is $100. A separate matched crypto package may provide a larger balance, but its turnover and game rules should be considered independently from the spin offer.

No-Deposit Bonus Availability

The standard 300-spin schedule currently begins after a payment. Tournaments, races, loyalty benefits, cashback and account-targeted prizes can use separate qualification rules. A reward credited without a fresh deposit may still be linked to earlier casino play.

Wagering And Maximum Cashout Rules

The spins use 0x additional wagering on eligible winnings, subject to the $100 maximum. Matched packages use separate turnover, game, stake, expiration and balance rules.

Eligible Casino Games And Free Spins

SuperSlots offers slots, tables, video poker, specialty games and live dealer content. Welcome rounds apply only to the selected account slot, and visible games do not automatically count toward bonus wagering.

Banking And Withdrawals

Bitcoin withdrawals are listed from $20 with no stated maximum, no platform fee and processing within 24 hours. Other methods use different limits, fees and windows, while approval and network confirmation affect final receipt.

Special Features

• Casino-focused mobile interface
• Scheduled daily spins
• Crypto and traditional banking alternatives
• Daily races and tournaments
• Live dealer, table and video poker categories

Advantages Of The SuperSlots Welcome Offer

• The package provides 300 free spins after the first qualifying deposit.
• Players receive 30 spins per day for ten days.
• Qualifying spin winnings have no additional wagering.
• The lobby includes slots, table games, video poker and live dealer content.
• Bitcoin and multiple altcoins support withdrawals.

Key Conditions For Real-Money Bonus Use

• The first deposit must be at least $10.
• Each daily spin batch expires after 24 hours.
• The full spin package has a $100 maximum win.
• Spins apply only to the selected daily game.
• A first or unusual withdrawal may require manual account review.

4. BetOnline: Multi-Product Welcome Package

BetOnline combines casino games, sportsbook markets, poker, racing, live betting, cryptocurrency payments and VIP rewards. Its current combined welcome package uses separate sportsbook and casino components, which means each promotional balance must be evaluated under the rules of its product.

Welcome Bonus For U.S. Players

The combined welcome package provides free-bet credit equal to 50 percent of the first qualifying deposit, up to $250, plus 100 casino spins. A minimum first deposit of $50 is required. The spins are released as ten per day for ten days, beginning within 24 hours of the qualifying deposit. Each daily allocation expires within 24 hours.

BetOnline also publishes a separate 100-spin welcome option after a first deposit of $10 or more. That package does not require a manual entry and uses the same ten-day release structure with a $100 maximum win.

Wagering And Maximum Cashout Rules

Free-bet winnings normally return net profit, while the promotional stake remains excluded. Casino spins, poker rewards and matched funds use separate release and rollover structures, so each active wallet should be checked before withdrawal.

Eligible Casino Games And Free Spins

Daily spins apply to the selected slot shown in the bonus section. Other casino games remain available for cash play, while sportsbook free play cannot complete casino wagering.

Banking And Withdrawals

BetOnline lists Bitcoin withdrawals from $20 with no stated maximum and processing within 24 hours. Multiple altcoins also list 24-hour processing, while wire, courier check, person-to-person and money-order methods use longer windows and different fees. Several crypto assets list unlimited request frequency, subject to cashier limits.

Special Features

• Casino, sportsbook, poker and racing access
• Live betting and around-the-clock live dealer games
• Broad cryptocurrency support
• VIP levels and recurring account rewards
• High-limit and multi-product features

Advantages Of The BetOnline Welcome Offer

• The combined package provides up to $250 in sportsbook free bets plus 100 casino spins.
• Casino, sportsbook, poker and racing share one account.
• The casino includes slots, originals, tables, video poker and live dealer games.
• A broad range of cryptocurrencies is available.
• Many crypto payout methods list processing within 24 hours.

Key Conditions For Real-Money Bonus Use

• The combined offer requires a first deposit of at least $50.
• Free-bet credit and casino spins remain separate.
• The promotional free-bet stake is not normally included in the withdrawal.
• Casino spins are issued as ten daily batches.
• The full spin component has a $100 maximum win.

5. Bovada: Casino, Poker And Sportsbook Welcome Offer

Bovada combines casino games, live dealer tables, poker, sports betting and horse racing under one account. The platform has operated since 2011 and uses an offshore licensing structure rather than a U.S. state gambling licence. Its current casino welcome package differs according to the deposit method, with crypto users receiving a larger match percentage than fiat depositors.

Welcome Bonus For U.S. Players

Crypto depositors can receive a 125% casino match up to $3,750 plus 50 free spins, distributed across three qualifying deposits. Each tier requires a minimum $20 deposit. Fiat depositors receive a 100% match up to $3,000 across the same three-deposit structure.

The first crypto deposit carries a 25x wagering requirement based on the combined deposit and bonus. Later qualifying deposit tiers carry a 50x rollover requirement, also calculated on the combined deposit and bonus amount. 

Wagering And Maximum Cashout Rules

For the first crypto welcome tier, the requirement is 25x the combined deposit and bonus. Subsequent qualifying tiers carry a 50x requirement on the combined amount. For example, a $20 qualifying deposit receiving a $25 bonus creates a $45 wagering base. At 25x, that would require $1,125 in qualifying wagers. Later tiers should be calculated using their specific 50x requirement.

Eligible Casino Games And Free Spins

Bovada’s casino lobby includes slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker and live dealer games, giving players several ways to use the platform beyond its welcome promotion. The 50 free spins attached to the crypto welcome package apply to eligible slot titles rather than the entire casino catalogue. 

Slot play generally provides the most direct contribution toward the casino wagering requirement because eligible slots contribute at 100%. Live dealer games and other excluded categories should not be used as a substitute for qualifying slot play when clearing the welcome requirement. 

Banking And Withdrawals

Bovada supports several cryptocurrency options, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, USDT and Bitcoin SV, alongside selected traditional deposit methods such as Visa and Mastercard. Crypto deposits are generally presented without a processing fee, while card deposits can carry an applicable processing charge.

Special Features

• Casino, poker, sportsbook and racebook services can be accessed through the same Bovada account.
• Several major cryptocurrencies are supported for eligible transactions.
• The poker section includes Zone Poker and other poker formats.
• Eligible users can receive referral rewards under the applicable programme terms.
• Bovada can be accessed through compatible mobile browsers on supported iOS and Android devices.

Advantages Of The Bovada Welcome Offer

• Crypto depositors can receive a 125% match up to $3,750, plus 50 free spins.
• Players using qualifying fiat deposits can receive a 100% match up to $3,000.
• The welcome package can provide up to six months to complete the applicable wagering requirements.
• Once the required wagering is completed, the welcome offer does not impose a separate maximum cashout cap on qualifying winnings.
• Casino, poker, sportsbook and racebook products are available through one account, providing broader use beyond casino play.

Key Conditions For Real-Money Bonus Use

• Each qualifying welcome tier requires at least $20.
• The first crypto tier uses a 25x requirement on the combined deposit and bonus.
• Subsequent qualifying deposit tiers use a 50x requirement on the combined deposit and bonus.
• Eligible slots contribute fully, while selected table games contribute at reduced rates and excluded games may contribute nothing.
• Identity checks may be required before a first withdrawal can be processed.

What Is A No-Deposit Casino Reward?

A genuine no-deposit reward is credited without requiring an opening payment. It may take the form of free spins, a small casino balance, a free chip, free play, or tournament entry. Registration, email confirmation, mobile verification, age screening, identity checks and accepted-location rules can still apply.

The promotional balance is not automatically cash. Winnings may remain restricted until wagering is completed, and the offer can impose selected games, a maximum bet, expiration and a cashout ceiling. A first-deposit spin package remains deposit-triggered even when its winnings carry no further wagering.

How No-Deposit Casino Bonus Codes Work

A code links a promotion to an eligible casino account. The entry field may appear during registration, in the cashier, or inside the promotions area. Some rewards are activated through a tracked link or an account notification instead of manual entry.

Before submitting an entry, check capitalization, spacing, expiration, player type, location, eligible platform and whether another welcome package is already active. A correctly entered code can still fail when the offer is limited to new customers, available only through a partner page, restricted to selected accounts, or incompatible with a payment method.

This guide does not publish live code strings. Availability can change quickly, and an expired or account-restricted entry may no longer produce the advertised reward.

No-Deposit Bonus Without Code

Automatic activation may follow registration, email verification, phone confirmation, or selection from a bonus wallet. Link-based activation can also attach the reward to the account without requiring manual entry.

Automatic does not mean condition-free. The player should still save the offer page or confirmation message and review wagering, eligible games, maximum cashout, expiration, account limits and verification requirements.

Why Casinos Offer Payment-Free Rewards

Casinos use payment-free promotions to introduce new accounts to the game lobby, promote selected slots, reward existing customers, encourage participation in tournaments, or reactivate players who have not recently used the account.

The reward is controlled through wagering, game selection, expiration, cashout limits and account rules. Players should evaluate the full terms rather than treating it as unrestricted cash.

How Bonus Availability Was Evaluated

Every featured package was checked against current official promotion or help pages on July 17, 2026. The review covered the advertised amount, activation type, first-deposit threshold, wagering base, spin schedule, expiration, maximum win, game eligibility and published banking information.

Bonus pages can change after publication. Before registration or payment, users should confirm the live account offer, save the accepted terms and check the personalized cashier for current methods, limits and fees.

US Access, Offshore Casinos and Player Eligibility

Online casino rules in the United States vary by state. Offshore platforms operate outside state-regulated online casino systems, so licensing, complaint handling, geolocation, tax treatment and player-protection routes can differ.

Check local law and accepted locations before registering. Do not use a VPN to bypass restrictions, and use account and payment details belonging to the registered player.

Types Of No-Deposit Casino Promotions Free Spins

Free spins provide a fixed number of slot rounds at a preset stake. The offer controls the game, spin value, expiration, wagering and maximum win. Some spins arrive together, while others are divided into daily batches.

Free Casino Credit

Casino credit adds a promotional balance after registration, verification, or another qualifying action. It may appear similar to cash in the account but remain restricted until its conditions are completed.

Free Chip Bonus

A free chip is promotional casino funding. It can work on selected slots and, less commonly, other approved games. The original chip value may be removed during withdrawal while eligible cleared winnings remain.

Free Play

Free play can provide a period or balance for selected casino activity. Modern free-play promotions often convert the result into bonus funds governed by wagering and cashout rules.

Freeroll Tournaments

A freeroll allows eligible users to enter a tournament without paying an entry fee. Prizes may be cash, free spins, bonus funds, or another reward. Entry may still depend on account status or previous activity.

Cashback And Loyalty Rewards

Cashback, points, birthday rewards, prize-wheel outcomes and VIP drops can arrive without a fresh payment at the moment of issue. Earlier deposits, wagering, or tier qualification can still be required.

Limited-Time Account Promotions

Email, holiday, game-launch and account-targeted campaigns may remain available for a short period or to a limited number of users. The terms should be saved when the offer is activated.

No-Deposit Bonus Vs Deposit-Based Welcome Bonus FeatureNo-Deposit RewardDeposit-Based Welcome PackageActivationRegistration, verification, or another nonpayment actionA qualifying paymentTypical ValueSmall free spins, credit, chip, or tournament entryLarger match, spin package, or combined rewardPersonal Funds RequiredNo for activationYesWageringOften applies to bonus or winningsDepends on the calculation baseMaximum CashoutCommon and usually fixedCan be higher but remains offer-specificAvailabilityLimited, targeted, or short-livedCommon on welcome pagesMain UseTesting selected games and account toolsAdding promotional value to a planned deposit Can A No-Deposit Reward And Welcome Bonus Both Be Claimed?

Some casinos allow a payment-free reward followed by the standard first-deposit package. Others require the player to choose one, or remove welcome eligibility once the free reward is used.

Casino and sportsbook wallets can also follow separate rules. Before activating either offer, check whether the rewards can be combined, claimed in sequence, or used only as alternatives.

Can A No-Deposit Bonus With Real Money Withdrawal Produce Cash?

Eligible winnings can become withdrawable after wagering, eligible-game rules, verification and cashier conditions are completed. The original promotional credit may remain nonwithdrawable and can be removed when the request is settled.

For example, a $10 bonus with 35x wagering on the bonus requires $350 in eligible play. If the same promotion has a $100 maximum cashout, no more than $100 can be paid from the reward even when the displayed balance is higher.

This is why no-deposit Bonus Code should be assessed through the route from activation to withdrawal, not only through the amount credited at the start.

How To Claim A No-Deposit Casino Bonus Step 1: Confirm Location And Age Eligibility

Review the casino’s accepted locations and the applicable gambling age before creating an account.

Step 2: Read The Complete Promotion

Confirm that no opening payment is required. Check the reward, player type, wagering base, eligible games, maximum bet, expiration, maximum cashout and verification conditions.

Step 3: Register Accurate Details

Use a legal name, current address, date of birth, email and phone number that match future verification documents.

Step 4: Complete Basic Verification

Confirm the email and phone number promptly. Uploading documents early, when the account supports it, can simplify the later withdrawal stage.

Step 5: Activate The Reward

Enter the required information in the stated field, follow the qualifying registration path, or select the promotion from the account. Do not make a payment unless the offer specifically requires one.

Step 6: Confirm That The Bonus Was Credited

Check the cash balance, bonus wallet, free-spin section, or promotion history before playing. Contact support before wagering when the expected reward is missing.

Step 7: Play Only Eligible Games

Use the exact title or category listed in the terms. A restricted game can provide no contribution or affect promotional eligibility.

Step 8: Track Wagering And Expiry

Monitor the wagering meter and keep the cash balance, bonus funds and spin winnings separate. Stay below the maximum promotional stake.

Step 9: Prepare The Withdrawal

Confirm KYC status, minimum payout, maximum cashout, available method, wallet network, fees and request-frequency rules before submitting.

What To Do When A Bonus Code Does Not Work

A bonus code may fail because of a typing error, expired promotion, account restriction, location rule, or incorrect activation process. Do not deposit or start playing until the reward appears in the account and its terms are visible.

Check The Code Entry

Enter the code exactly as provided. Review spelling, capitalization, numbers, spaces and special characters. Avoid copying an extra space before or after the code.

Confirm The Promotion Is Still Available

Check the expiration date, eligible location, player type, supported device and qualifying games. Some promotions are available only to new players, selected accounts, or users arriving through a specific promotional page.

Review Existing Account Bonuses

A code may not activate when another welcome package or promotional balance is already attached to the account. Some casinos allow only one welcome offer, while others require the previous reward to be completed or removed first.

Check The Activation Stage

Certain codes must be entered during registration, while others belong in the cashier or promotions section. Deposit-linked offers may also require activation before the qualifying payment is made.

Contact Customer Support

When the reward still does not appear, contact support before depositing or wagering. Provide the promotion name, registration time, code entered and a screenshot of the error where possible. Ask support to confirm eligibility and activation in writing before proceeding.

Best Casino Games For Bonus Wagering Selected Slots

Slots commonly provide full contribution and are the usual destination for free spins. The exact title matters because similarly named versions can use different settings or bonus eligibility.

Lower-Volatility Slots

Lower-volatility games generally produce smaller, more frequent outcomes. They may help a limited balance last longer during wagering, although no game guarantees successful completion.

Video Poker And Table Games

Blackjack, roulette, baccarat and video poker may provide reduced or zero contribution. They should be used only when the promotion explicitly permits them.

Live Dealer And Jackpot Games

Live tables, progressive jackpots, crash games and specialty titles are often restricted. A game can accept cash wagers while rejecting promotional funds.

Game Providers And Software Restrictions

Some offers apply only to games from a named provider or platform. Provider filters can help identify eligible titles, but the written promotion terms remain more reliable than the general lobby category.

Crypto Casino Banking For Bonus Winnings Bitcoin

Bitcoin is widely supported and can provide same-day delivery after approval. Network congestion, fees and price movement can affect receipt.

Litecoin

Litecoin often provides lower network costs and faster confirmation than Bitcoin. Some casinos also publish relatively high transaction limits for it.

Tether And Other Stablecoins

Stablecoins reduce major price fluctuation, but the selected blockchain network must match the receiving address. An unsupported network can make recovery difficult.

Ethereum

Ethereum is broadly supported, although network fees can rise. The exact asset and network should be checked before confirming a transfer.

Cards And Traditional Methods

Cards are familiar for deposits, but offshore sites may not return withdrawals to them. Wire, check, person-to-person and money-order alternatives can take several business days and may use higher minimums or fees.

What A No Pending Period Casino Means

A pending period is the interval in which a withdrawal awaits review or remains reversible. A casino described as having no pending period may lock the request immediately instead of allowing the player to cancel it and continue gambling.

This does not remove KYC, bonus settlement, fraud screening, cashier limits, or payment-network processing. The advertised clock may also begin only after approval, so players should check whether the stated time is measured from submission or release.

Casino Payout Speed Categories Instant Or Near-Instant After Approval

This generally refers to payment delivery within minutes or about one hour after the casino releases the funds. It is most realistic for a verified account using a supported digital method.

Same Day Casino Cashout

Same-day payment normally means the approved request reaches the user within 24 hours. Crypto commonly fits this category, but a first withdrawal or additional review can extend the total timeline.

One To Three Business Days

This range is common for selected bank, card and manually reviewed payments. Clear publication of the window is more useful than an unsupported instant-payout claim.

More Than Three Business Days

International wires, checks, unresolved verification, payment disputes and installment limits can take longer. The player should check account messages and support instructions before canceling or resubmitting the request.

No-Deposit Bonus Terms And Conditions Wagering Requirement

The multiplier states how much eligible play is needed. The base may be the bonus, bonus winnings, deposit plus bonus, or another stated amount.

No-Deposit Bonus Without Wagering Requirements

A 0x reward allows qualifying winnings to move toward cash settlement without additional playthrough. Other conditions can still apply, including selected games, expiration, maximum win, verification, or a minimum transaction before withdrawal.

Game Contribution

Slots often count fully. Blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker, live dealer games, jackpots, crash titles and specialty games may count less or remain excluded.

Maximum Bet

A promotion-specific stake cap applies even when the game accepts a larger wager. Autoplay settings and stake increases should be checked before play.

Expiry

Separate deadlines can apply to activation, free-spin use, wagering completion and withdrawal. Missing one deadline can remove the reward while leaving the account open.

Maximum Cashout

The cashout ceiling limits how much can be paid from promotional winnings. A balance above the limit may be adjusted when the offer is settled.

Minimum Deposit Before Withdrawal

Some payment-free offers require a small deposit before winnings can be withdrawn. The payment may also need 1x play. This is a withdrawal condition, not the original activation trigger.

One-Account And Household Rules

Eligibility is commonly limited to one account per person, household, address, device, or payment method. Accurate registration information supports account protection and promotion integrity.

Consecutive Free-Bonus Restrictions

Some casinos require a qualifying real-money deposit between two payment-free promotions. If the previous account transaction involved a free reward, another free claim may not be valid until the intervening condition is completed. Ranking code databases frequently display this rule alongside wagering, expiration and maximum withdrawal information.

Verification

KYC can include government ID, address evidence, phone confirmation, a selfie, payment ownership, wallet evidence, or source-of-funds information.

How To Calculate The Real Value Of A Bonus

Start with the nominal value, then calculate required wagering. A $20 reward with 40x bonus-only turnover creates $800 in eligible play. If 40x applies to a $20 deposit plus a $60 bonus, the base is $80 and the required action becomes $3,200.

Next, check spin value, game contribution, maximum stake, expiration and cashout cap. Fifty spins at $0.05 have a nominal play value of $2.50, while twenty spins at $0.25 represent $5.

The most useful offer is the one whose complete conditions fit the player’s planned games, time and withdrawal method.

Common Mistakes To Avoid Treating Every Welcome Offer As Payment-Free

A match, free-spin package, or casino credit can still require a qualifying payment. The activation rule should be checked before registration.

Choosing Only By Headline Size

A larger match can create much more wagering. The calculation base and cashout limit matter more than percentage alone.

Ignoring The Maximum Withdrawal

A large displayed balance can be reduced to the promotional cashout ceiling during settlement.

Playing Restricted Games

Excluded games can provide no contribution or affect eligibility. Check the list before changing titles.

Exceeding The Maximum Stake

One oversized wager can breach the promotion. Review autoplay and stake settings before starting.

Claiming Consecutive Free Rewards

A second payment-free offer may require a real-money transaction after the previous free promotion.

Delaying Verification

Preparing identity and payment-ownership documents only after winning can extend the first withdrawal.

Using A Third-Party Payment Method

Cards, bank accounts and wallets should belong to the registered player.

Selecting The Wrong Crypto Network

The coin, network, address and any required memo must match. A valid address on another network can still lead to loss.

Responsible Gambling

A free reward can still encourage longer sessions and later deposits. Set time and spending limits before playing. Do not increase the budget to finish wagering, chase losses, borrow money, or use funds needed for housing, food, healthcare, education, debt payments, or savings.

Deposit limits, time-outs, promotional opt-outs and self-exclusion can help keep gambling controlled. Stop when play is no longer affordable or entertaining, and use recognized problem-gambling support available in the relevant location.

FAQs Are No-Deposit Casino Bonuses Really Free?

A genuine offer can activate without an opening payment, but wagering, eligible games, verification, expiration and maximum cashout conditions may still apply. Some promotions also require a later minimum deposit before withdrawal. Free therefore describes the initial activation, not the absence of every account requirement.

Can You Withdraw No-Deposit Bonus Winnings?

Yes, when the player completes the applicable wagering, uses eligible games, passes verification and follows the cashier rules. The original promotional credit may be removed during settlement, and a maximum cashout can limit the amount paid from the reward.

Is A Deposit Required Before Withdrawing Bonus Winnings?

It depends on the promotion. Some rewards allow withdrawal after wagering and verification without a deposit. Others require a minimum transaction and 1x play before payment. This condition should be checked before the reward is used.

How Often Can A No-Deposit Bonus Be Claimed?

Signup offers are usually limited to one per person, household, address, device, or payment method. Existing-player rewards may recur, but a deposit or qualifying activity can be required between claims. The current account terms decide frequency.

Can A Bonus Code Be Used On Mobile?

Usually, when the casino supports browser or app-based bonus activation. The code may need to be entered during mobile registration, in the cashier, or in the promotions area. The mobile offer should carry the same eligibility, wagering, expiration and cashout rules shown in its terms.

Which Instant Withdrawal Online Casino Pays Out Fastest?

There is no universal fastest option for every user because internal approval and method availability vary. A verified account using a supported crypto method can receive funds quickly after release. First withdrawals, active bonuses, large requests, or account changes can add review time.

Which Casino In The U.S. Pays Out The Same Day?

Several offshore platforms publish crypto processing within 24 hours after the request meets account and cashier conditions. Wild Casino, SuperSlots and BetOnline currently list 24-hour processing for many digital assets, while Cafe Casino publishes shorter windows for selected cryptocurrencies.

What Online Casino Withdrawal Method Is The Fastest?

Crypto is commonly the fastest practical method at offshore casinos, especially when the account is verified and the correct network is used. The payment rail matters only after wagering, KYC, internal review and cashier conditions have been completed.

Do I Need To Verify My Identity Before A Casino Withdrawal?

A casino can request identity verification before approving payment. The process may include ID, proof of address, selfie verification, payment ownership, or source-of-funds evidence. Crypto use does not automatically remove these checks.

Are There Limits On Fast Casino Withdrawals?

Yes. Minimums, per-transaction maximums, weekly limits, fees, request frequency and installment schedules can apply. A fast method may have a different limit from a slower traditional option, so both speed and capacity should be checked.

Do Any Casinos Cash Out In Under One Hour?

Some casinos publish payment times of about one hour for selected methods after approval. This normally assumes completed verification, no unresolved bonus and a routine request. It does not guarantee the same result for every account or transaction.

Conclusion

The strongest no-deposit Bonus Code explain activation, eligibility, wagering, game access, expiration, maximum stakes, identity checks, cashout limits and withdrawal methods before play begins.

Bovada and BetOnline combine casino access with other betting products. Wild Casino and SuperSlots provide structured daily spins after a qualifying deposit. Cafe Casino offers a larger crypto match with detailed public banking information.

The featured welcome packages currently use deposit-triggered activation, while loyalty and account-targeted promotions may follow different rules. Check the live terms, save the accepted conditions, complete verification early and keep gambling within a fixed entertainment budget.

The editorial staff of the Pajaronian was not involved in the creation of this content. The content is for general information and does not constitute the financial, medical or professional advice of this publication. Readers should consult qualified professionals regarding their individual circumstances. The Pajaronian disclaims any liability for loss or damage resulting from reliance on this content.

Driscoll’s announced Tuesday that Brie Reiter Smith has been named chief executive officer of the Watsonville-based berry company, succeeding Soren Bjorn.

The company made the announcement in a press release, but stated there would be no further information released on the decision.

Smith, who has served as vice chair of Driscoll’s board of directors, assumes the position immediately. Bjorn will remain with the company during the transition and assist with strategic priorities, Driscoll’s said.

Smith is a member of the Reiter family whose roots in the berry industry stretch back generations. Her grandfather, Joe Reiter, was a co-founder of Driscoll’s.

She has held several positions with the company, including growing blueberries in Chile and overseeing quality and product leadership throughout the Americas. She has also served as a director on the company’s board.

“While I may not have followed the traditional path to this role, no one believes in our company’s mission more than me,” Smith said in a statement.

Smith also praised Bjorn for building what she called the strongest team the company has had.

“The berries we put on tables around the world are the same berries I feed my three young daughters every day,” she said. “I am honored to continue the tradition of positively impacting lives by operating with trustworthiness, passion and humility.”

Bjorn joined Driscoll’s in 2006 and held several leadership positions before being named CEO in 2023. During his roughly two decades with the company, he became a prominent figure in the produce and berry industries.

Driscoll’s Executive Chair Miles Reiter credited Bjorn with helping guide the company through years of growth and challenges.

“Soren’s intelligence, strength of character and commitment to Driscoll’s mission to ‘continually delight berry consumers through alignment with our customers and our berry growers’ have been a hallmark of his leadership throughout the various positions he has held,” Reiter said.

“We have had a lot of fun and been through plenty of challenges together,” he added.

Driscoll’s did not give a reason for the leadership change in its announcement.

Headquartered in Watsonville, Driscoll’s is one of the world’s largest berry companies, marketing strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries grown by independent growers in numerous countries.

Pajaro Valley is heading into the 2026 fall campaign coming off its first winning season in the program’s history.

They were runner-up in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Santa Lucia Division with a 5-1 record in league play, while finishing with a 6-4 overall record in 2025.

Despite a new coaching and system change, Grizzly senior Joaquin Hidalgo is forecasting for another successful run this year.

“I feel like our expectations are still high this year, and we hope to, like my coach said, keep this trend rolling and hope for success this season,” he said. 

At the helm is first-year PV head coach Ray Myers, who introduced a double wing offense to his players that seem to be catching on at a high rate of speed.

“They’re picking up on things very quickly,” Myers said. “They’re being very coachable with it, too, which is awesome.”

Hidalgo said it’s been a great experience having Myers and his dad Ron Myers—a longtime coach in Santa Cruz County—because they get a different point of view after three years under the same scheme.

“My philosophy in life is to look at different points of views to understand everything on a wider basis,” Hidalgo said. “Being under this more old-school system has been pretty good. Learning new things, learning how they used to do things back then.”

Myers preaches to the players every day that football is all about details, whether it’s being on time to practice or riding together on the bus as a team.

“Their game is won and lost in details, and if you can win in the details every single day, then I’ll prepare you to win for the details on game day,” he said. 

Hidalgo mentioned that practices have been fast-paced, yet organized in what he referred to as a “very beautiful system” that features a deep running backs corps with him, Nick Martinez and Adrian Valadez in the backfield.

“It kind of is made for us,” he said. “Demographically, not being super tall, super fast, that offense works perfect for us. It caters to our abilities and what we can do as football players.”

Leading the charge in the trenches is senior lineman Markus Flores, while Uriel Murillo will serve as a double threat at the tight end position. 

Flores is excited to block in the double wing formation because they’re capable of building a wall for their running backs. Plus, it’s a form of smash-mouth football that gets him pumped up just thinking about it.

“You’re looking out there to block somebody,” he said. “Once you find somebody, you just make sure that you do your assignment, get that touchdown or any of those yards for our running backs, and lead us to victory.” 

Flores added that having a large amount of returning players is a big help getting everyone on the same page. 

“It’s gonna be fun,” he said.

Landin Manzi, a junior, will return as the starting quarterback but the Grizzlies have back-up Ethan Andrade and Sebastian Vazquez as a third option. 

“It’s always great to have options,” Myers said. “You want to get your best 11 on the field, so it definitely gives us options to get our best 11 on the field.” 

PV will line up in a 3-4 defense to give the linebackers more freedom of either rushing the quarterback or dropping back into coverage.

“We have good containment, and we have a very decent run stopping [defense],” Flores said. “Once we do our job, just hold our gaps, our linebackers, we have the trust in them.”

Newcomers to the team include a pair of big linemen in Chris Gonzalez at 6-foot-2, 280 pounds, and Manuel Martinez. Others to look for are running back/linebacker Noel Rincon, running back/defensive back Waldo Ayon and tight end/linebacker Bruno Cruz.

Myers said he was impressed with the new group during last week’s scrimmage against Rancho San Juan and King City at Alisal High on Aug. 21.

“For some of those guys, it was their first-ever time playing varsity football, and you wouldn’t have noticed it by the film,” he said. “They did not look like a JV player. They looked like they were playing varsity football right from the first snap.”

Hidalgo is looking forward to having his best season yet, but he also wants to enjoy his final year as a senior captain donning PV’s school colors of hunter green, black and silver.

Hidalgo and his teammates have an extra incentive to push themselves even harder for this season.

The Central Coast Section announced during its annual board meeting in April that no “A” league teams will be permitted to compete in Division V bracket, which is where PV would end up if it can clinch a postseason berth.

“Last year we were trying to make a playoff push and just barely didn’t make it,” Hidalgo said. “But if that division was there for us, we would have made it, and I feel like we would have made some sort of run. Having it this year is a huge opportunity for us to be able to go do something bigger than we’ve ever done here before.” 

PV will kick off its regular season at the Grizzly Den against Gunn High in non league play on Saturday at 12:30pm.

Then they have a pair of non-league games on the road starting at Evergreen Valley on Sept. 4 at 7pm, followed by Independence on Sept. 11 at 7pm.

The Grizzlies begin PCAL Santa Lucia Division play at Santa Cruz on Sept. 19 at 6pm. The rest of the division includes Gonzales, Greenfield, Harbor, Marina, Rancho San Juan and Seaside.

“There’s a lot of really good teams and a lot of really good coaches that coach up their teams well,” Myers said. “It’s just gonna be fun to see what happens within that division.”

Pajaro Valley High football 2026 schedule

Aug 29: Gunn, 12:30pm

Sep 4: at Evergreen Valley, 7pm

Sep 11: at Independence, 7pm

Sep 19: at Santa Cruz*, 6pm

Sep 26: Harbor*, 12:30pm

Oct 2: at Seaside*, 7:30pm

Oct 10: Gonzales*, 12:30pm

Oct 17: Greenfield*, 12:30pm

Oct 31: Rancho San Juan*, 12:30pm

Nov 5: at Marina*, 7:30pm

*PCAL Santa Lucia Division game

#tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PAJ2635-PV-football-2026-preview-WEB-2-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PAJ2635-PV-football-2026-preview-WEB-3-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item3 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PAJ2635-PV-football-2026-preview-WEB-4-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item4 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PAJ2635-PV-football-2026-preview-WEB-5-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item5 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PAJ2635-PV-football-2026-preview-WEB-9-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item6 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PAJ2635-PV-football-2026-preview-WEB-8-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item7 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PAJ2635-PV-football-2026-preview-WEB-7-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item8 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PAJ2635-PV-football-2026-preview-WEB-6-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item9 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PAJ2635-PV-football-2026-preview-WEB-1-e1787636278608-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item10 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PAJ2635-PV-football-2026-preview-WEB-10-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } 1 of 10 Pajaro Valley High junior Landin Manzi, No. 9, hands the ball off to Noel Rincon in a light scrimmage during practice on Aug. 20. The Grizzlies will host Gunn High on Aug. 29 at 12:30pm. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian) Pajaro Valley High football head coach Ray Myers enters his first year with program. The Grizzlies host Gunn High on Aug. 29 at 12:30pm. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian) Pajaro Valley High Ethan Andrade, left, and Andrew Chavez chase down teammate Adrian Valadez in a light scrimmage during practice on Aug. 20. The Grizzlies will host Gunn High on Aug. 29 at 12:30pm. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian) Pajaro Valley High junior Landin Manzi, No. 9, and Adrian Valadez jump to bat down the football in a light scrimmage during practice on Aug. 20. The Grizzlies will host Gunn High in the teams' season-opener on Aug. 29 at 12:30pm. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian Longtime head coach Ray Myers will be an assistant coach for the Pajaro Valley High football team this upcoming 2026 fall season. The Grizzlies host Gunn High on Aug. 29 at 12:30pm. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian) Pajaro Valley High's Jayden Vega runs downfield in a light scrimmage during practice on Aug. 20. The Grizzlies will host Gunn High in the teams' season-opener on Aug. 29 at 12:30pm. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian Pajaro Valley High's Sebastian Vazquez intercepts a pass attempt in a light scrimmage during practice on Aug. 20. The Grizzlies will host Gunn High in the teams' season-opener on Aug. 29 at 12:30pm. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian Pajaro Valley High football head coach Ray Myers teaches defensive line technique to senior lineman Markus Flores during practice on Aug. 20. The Grizzlies host Gunn High in the teams' season-opener on Aug. 29 at 12:30pm. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian) Pajaro Valley High Adrian Gonzalez, No. 34, is the first one to tackle his teammate Nick Martinez in a light scrimmage during practice on Aug. 20. The Grizzlies will host Gunn High on Aug. 29 at 12:30pm. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian) Pajaro Valley High football head coach Ray Myers addresses the players during practice on Aug. 20. The Grizzlies host Gunn High in the teams' season-opener on Aug. 29 at 12:30pm. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian)

Naval Support Activity Monterey is conducting a weeklong emergency readiness exercise that could bring increased military, police and emergency response activity around the installation.

The installation readiness and certification exercise runs Aug. 24-28 at various locations throughout NSA Monterey. Members of the public may see uniformed personnel, emergency vehicles and security activity, or hear activity associated with simulated incidents. Navy officials stressed that the exercises are planned and are not in response to a specific threat or real-world emergency.

The exercise is part of NSA Monterey’s Final Evaluation Problem, the capstone assessment in the Navy Installations Command’s training and certification cycle. It is designed to evaluate how well the installation responds to emergencies and other threats while protecting personnel, coordinating emergency responses and maintaining its mission.

“FEP lets us test that preparation under realistic conditions and make sure our people, procedures and partnerships work together when we need them,” NSA Monterey commanding officer Capt. Ryan Easterday said.

NSA Monterey is home to more than 15 tenant commands and provides primary support to the Naval Postgraduate School, Navy Research Laboratory and Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center. The installation includes more than 160 buildings on more than 626 acres.

Officials said some exercise scenarios could be visible or audible outside the installation. Residents and motorists are advised not to be alarmed, and NSA Monterey will provide updates if the exercise significantly affects traffic or the surrounding community.

An investigation that began with a traffic stop accelerated when investigators found multiple firearms, firearm suppressors, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, firearm manufacturing components and methamphetamine in a Monterey County residence.

Richard Orin Johnson was charged with manufacture or possession of an undetectable firearm, assembling a firearm without a serial number, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a silencer, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and stolen property.

He was booked into Monterey County Jail on $50,000 bail. But was not in custody Sunday afternoon, jaiol records showed.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office received information that Johnson, a convicted felon, was believed to be in possession of ammunition.

The investigating deputy who conducted the stop then obtained a search warrant for his residence on the 13000 block of Pope Lane.

During the search, deputies found:

• Multiple functional handguns, including two Springfield Armory pistols and a Smith & Wesson revolver without a serial number

• Unserialized firearms and firearm components commonly referred to as “ghost guns,” including Glock-style components

• Three firearm suppressors

• High-capacity magazines

• Multiple boxes of ammunition and additional loose ammunition

• Firearm conversion kits, 3D-printed firearm parts, jigs used in the completion of unfinished receivers, and other firearm-manufacturing components

• Replica or prop firearms that showed indications of attempted modification or conversion into functional firearms

• A usable quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia

During the investigation, deputies determined that one of the recovered Springfield XD9 handguns had been reported stolen to the Palm Springs Police Department.

A Watsonville man was arrested Friday morning after he reportedly threatened people with a knife.

Juan Carlos Aparicio, 23, was arrested and booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail, where he is facing charges for brandishing a weapon, trespassing, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest.

He was not in custody Sunday afternoon, jail records showed.

Watsonville Police responded to the 100 block of Rodriguez Street around 7:30am after receiving reports of a man making threats.`

When they arrived, they found 23-year-old Aparicio sitting in a small children’s pool.

Officers tried talking with him and asked him to come out, but he refused. A crisis negotiator arrived and started a dialogue with Aparicio. 

Meanwhile, police deployed a drone to get an aerial view of the scene.

After more than 30 minutes, Aparicio continued reaching toward his pocket and ignored officers’ commands. Police then learned he had armed himself with a pair of scissors, leading officers to shoot him with balls filled with pepper spray to try to get him to surrender, but he continued to ignore their commands. Officers then used a taser, allowing them to take him into custody.

Watsonville High last week named Max Gonzales and Austin Luigard the new head coaches for the baseball and boys basketball teams, respectively. 

Gonzales replaced current head football coach Tige McSwain after he spent the past three years in the dugout, while Luigard stepped in for Andre Bailey following his three years at the helm.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead this program and represent Watsonville High School and our community,” said Gonzales in an email. “Watsonville has been home to me, and I am excited to continue building a program that develops our players on and off the field, while creating something our school and community can be proud of.”

Gonzales has been coaching baseball in the area for 11 years, including six years at the high school level. His first stint as an assistant coach at Watsonville was from 2018–19, and then became head coach at Anzar High from 2021–22. He returned to Watsonville in 2022 as an assistant coach.

Gonzales’ vision for the baseball program is to emphasize player development, accountability, teamwork, academics and character.

“My goal is to develop young men who are prepared to succeed not only on the baseball field, but in the classroom and in our community,” he said. “I am excited to work with our players, families, coaching staff and community to build a program that Watsonville can be proud of for years to come.”

Luigard grew up in Los Banos, where he was team captain of the Pacheco High basketball team. He went on to play at Gavilan College for three years and during the off-season would coach at his alma mater at Pacheco.

In an email, Luigard said his calling to coach came during the summer going into his last season at Gavilan.

“I knew I’d rather be a coach than a player when I found more fulfillment helping players get better than myself chasing a scholarship,” he said.

Luigard spent the 2018-19 season as an assistant coach at Notre Dame de Namur University — an NCAA Division II school. His time was cut short after the school shut down its athletics department due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Luigard coached AAU basketball with West Coast Elite Silicon Valley in the summer of 2021. He took a break in 2022 following the birth of his daughter, but returned two years later as the freshman head coach at Pacheco.

Fast forward to April, Luigard’s dream of becoming a varsity boys basketball head coach came true. 

“I was honored to receive this amazing opportunity to accept the position at Watsonville High School,” he said. “It’s more than just being a coach to me, it’s about creating a special culture and community. My vision is to mentor young men and prepare them for life outside of high school through the beautiful sport of basketball.”

Daily newscasts have become powerfully redundant.

Observers have to strain to ignore the impression that the world is on the cusp of rapidly disintegrating. Southern Europe, Northern and Western U.S. and Southern Canada are suffering from uncontrolled wildfires. This year alone, firefighters have already responded to 48,000 wildfires that have burned more than 6.5 million acres across the country.

In January, wildfires killed at least 31 people, destroyed more than 18,000 homes and structures, and burned more than 57,000 acres of land. During the past two decades the frequency and intensity of the most extreme wildfires more than doubled. By mid-2025 floods in Texas killed 137, with 117 of its inhabitants losing their life in Kerr County alone. Storms dumped an amount of water greater than the daily flow of Niagara Falls in just a few hours, raising the Guadalupe River by more than 20 feet.

Extreme weather is becoming the new normal. Rising global temperatures add more energy and moisture to the atmosphere, turning once rare climatic events into frequent severe realities. Hurricanes are growing more powerful as global temperatures rise because these storm systems draw their energy from warm ocean water.  Wildfires burn longer and wider, growing in size, ferocity and speed. Already hot temperatures are constantly rising. 

July this year logged the highest temperatures ever recorded in the U.S. Temperatures in Death Valley even reached 130 degrees in 2020 and 2021. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 175,000 people die from heat-related causes each year. The European Mortality Monitoring Network recorded around 16,000 excess deaths across multiple European countries in a single week. And the horrific statistics continue their destructive paths. Governments are facing a significant increase in loss of life, coupled with a tremendous drain on financial resources.

Between 97% and 99% of actively publishing climate scientists agree that human activity is causing global climate change. Multiple peer-reviewed studies examining scientific literature and direct surveys confirm this overwhelmingly global consensus.

The World Health Organization estimates that between 2030 and 2050 climate change will result in 250,000 additional deaths each year from factors like heat stress, malnutrition and malaria. 

However, recent attribution research actually suggests that historical warming may have already killed millions, and that future projections run significantly higher. The World Economic Forum projects an additional 14.5 million deaths worldwide by 2050, driven directly by climate-induced health crises, with flooding and droughts acting as primary triggers. The approximate cost related to damages from weather and climate disasters in the U.S. between 1980 and 2025 will reach $2.95 trillion—a burden our government is more than likely not ready for.

Being unprepared to cope with predictable future disasters is not insignificantly influenced by an unhealthy skepticism of core climate science exhibited by a significant segment of our population. Roughly 35-40% are global warming skeptics, 14-15% of U.S. general public completely deny that global warming or climate change is happening, while 22-28% acknowledge that the planet is warming but reject that it is primarily due to human activity. (Center for Climate Change Communication – July 2025). The issue at stake is not science – the evidence is omnipresent – it is politics. The upper echelon of our government is deliberately spreading scientifically unsupported misinformation, presumably to protect the economic well-being of stakeholders. Consequently, many efforts to remedy the predicted consequences will prove to be ineffective.

In March of 2020, the United Nations published a list of myth busters about climate change. It is useful to reiterate these:

1. “Climate has always changed – this is natural.” 

• While earth’s climate changed in the past, current warming happens in decades, instead of thousands of years.

2. “Scientists do not agree on global warming.”

• Over 97% of climate scientists agree that human activities are heating the planet.

3. “Cold weather and snow disprove global warming.”

• Weather is short term local conditions. Climate is long term average.

4. “Carbon dioxide is plant food, so more is good.”

• Plants need CO2, but excess emissions trap heat and surpass what global plant life can absorb.

5. “The sun causes the earth to warm.”

• Solar output shows minor cyclical changes that do not match the rapid temperature spike since the 1800s.

6. “A small temperature rise is harmless.”

• Even a 1 to 1.5 degree Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) global change shifts weather systems, melts icecaps, and raises sea levels dangerously.

7. “Renewable energy is too expensive.”

• Wind and solar power cost the same or less than fossil fuels in most of the world.

8. “Climate models are not reliable.”

• Computer models accurately predict temperature trends and match decades of observations.

9. “Animals and plants can just adapt.”

• Rapid habitat changes outpace the survival and migration speed of many species, causing extinction.

10. “It’s too late to do anything, so why try?”

• Every fraction of a degree reduces damage. Cutting emissions now still protects future stability.

As long as the veracity of climate change  continues to remain disputable among stakeholders, chances are that governments will have difficulty reacting proactively to future disasters. British scientist Stephen Hawking, fearing that humanity might not reverse environmental damage in time, published an unusual suggestion. He advocated for space exploration and colonizing other planets as an insurance policy for the human race.

The Timber Fire in Big Sur has burned 5,626 acres and is 27% contained as of Wednesday. 

“Containment of the Timber Fire continues to increase,” said CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Josh Silveira. 

To date, no homes in Big Sur have been damaged or destroyed. Nearly 2,000 personnel, along with aircraft, heavy equipment and logistical support, are assisting with the response, with resources coming from across California and federal partners from around the country.

The ongoing closure of Highway 1 changed on Wednesday: The north side of the closure moved to just half a mile south of Deetjens Big Sur Inn near mile marker 42.6.

On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office listed MRY-FO27-A as an evacuation warning. Zones MRY-F023, MRY-F025 and MRY-F026 were made evacuation warnings on Tuesday.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for MRY-F027-B and MRY-F028-A. Evacuation warnings remain in effect for MRY-F027-A, MRY-F023, MRY-F025, MRY-F026, MRY-F021-B, MRY-F022, MRY-F024, MRY-F028-B and MRY-F029.

Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni announced Aug. 13 that Nicolas Mejia Ruvalcaba and Ana Ortiz Ruvalcaba, both 73, entered no contest pleas to charges of unlawful and dangerous housing they provided on their 23-acre property in Royal Oaks.

Nicolas Ruvalcaba pled no contest to two felony counts of tax evasion with the aggravated white collar crime enhancement, as well as misdemeanor charges of providing unpermitted housing and failure to maintain workers’ compensation insurance. Ana Ruvalcaba pled no contest to misdemeanor tax evasion, providing unpermitted housing and failure to maintain workers’ compensation insurance. 

Judge Mark Hood is scheduled to sentence the Ruvalcabas on Sept. 29.

A civil enforcement action addressed numerous violations, including maintaining dangerous structures unfit for human occupancy, failing to install smoke detectors in occupied structures, operating a public water system without a permit and performing unlawful grading of slopes, among other violations.

Under the plea agreement, the Ruvalcabas will pay $800,000, which includes $450,000 in victim restitution, $134,560 in unpaid taxes to the California Franchise Tax Bureau, $67,174 in fines and costs to Monterey County Housing and Community Development, $10,588 in costs to the Monterey County Environmental Health Bureau, $10,000 in workers’ compensation fines, and $127,678 in civil penalties. 

The Ruvalcabas must pay those amounts within 60 days or the court may appoint a receiver to sell their property to satisfy any remaining amounts, court records show. 

Both defendants face up to 364 days in county jail when they are sentenced.

During the investigation and search of the Ruvalcabas’s property—which included interviews with witnesses—investigators determined that the Ruvalcabas received over $1 million in cash rental payments from tenants between 2020 and 2022, which they failed to report on their tax returns. An auditor calculated that the unreported income resulted in $134,560 in evaded taxes.

“The conditions uncovered in this case were not simply unlawful, they put families and children at serious risk,” Pacioni said.

Editor’s note: This is the first of a series of stories on the four seats up for election on the PVUSD Board of Trustees. Look to future editions for trustee areas 1, 4 and 7.

Two candidates are vying for the seat.

Alicia Jimenez recently retired after a 24-year career with the district and is hoping to continue serving the community.

See the story on Curt Wilcox here.

Alicia Jimenez

Alicia Jimenez spent nearly 25 years working for Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Now, months after retiring, she hopes to return to the district in a new role—as a member of its Board of Trustees.

Jimenez, who is running for the Trustee Area 5 seat, said she began considering a school board campaign as she prepared to retire from PVUSD, where she worked from 2001 until 2025. 

She said the idea offered a way to continue serving students and remain connected to a district.

Jimenez’s connection to PVUSD stretches back much further than her employment there.

Born in Michoacán, Mexico, she came to the United States at age 8 and attended Radcliff Elementary School, then Mintie White Elementary School and Watsonville High School. She graduated in 1988 before attending Smith College in Massachusetts on a scholarship. She graduated from Smith in 1992.

Jimenez said her appreciation for education was shaped in large part by her mother, who grew up poor in Mexico and was not able to attend school because she was expected to stay home, cook and care for her brothers, Jimenez said. 

She also had to work at times to help support the family.

Her mother later taught herself to read and write and made education a priority for her daughters.

“She just made sure that we had a huge appreciation for education and for educators,” Jimenez said.

That history was part of her family’s conversations as she weighed whether to seek the board seat. Jimenez said serving on the board would be a continuation of the legacy her mother helped create.

After graduating from college, Jimenez moved to Los Angeles, where she took journalism courses, including at Santa Monica College, while working executive assistant jobs. She later returned to the Watsonville area and worked briefly in human resources at CSU Monterey Bay before joining PVUSD.

Jimenez initially worked as executive assistant to superintendents John Casey, Mary Ann Mays, Dorma Baker, Michelle Rodriguez and Heather Contreras. 

She earned a master’s degree in public administration in 2012, and eventually moved into the district’s newly created public information office, where she served for eight years. Later in her career, she moved into a position connected to community schools while continuing to support district communications.

Jimenez said that her experiences have given her an inside view of the relationship among the board, administration, staff and community.

If elected, she would like to refine the way in which meetings are held.

Jimenez said meetings that stretch past midnight make it difficult for trustees to make sound decisions.

“I don’t think anyone would disagree that you cannot make good decisions at 12 or 1am,” she said. “You cannot. I think it is a disservice to everyone to do that or to expect it even of ourselves.”

Jimenez acknowledged that trustees have already been trying to reduce meeting lengths and that doing so has been difficult. She said the district could consider adding meetings if necessary rather than allowing individual sessions to run so late.

“I think it takes everyone to recognize that that’s our job to make good decisions on behalf of the students,” she said.

Jimenez said she also wants the board to maintain a focus on students and listen closely to the community. Through school board governance training she participated in as a staff member, she said, she learned a model in which the community guides the board and the board guides the district.

She said she wants to be “a very strong voice and advocate for students” and ensure that discussions remain centered on how district decisions affect them.
While Jimenez said her years with PVUSD provide institutional knowledge and familiarity with district administration and the board, she acknowledged that becoming a trustee would put her in a different position.

“I do think that I have a lot of learning to do,” she said.

Jimenez said she would rely on fellow trustees and the community as she adjusts to the role and learns how to balance its responsibilities.

“I’m looking forward to learning about that and listening to how I can be a good advocate,” she said, “for the families in the area and in our district and the students for sure.”

Pajaro Valley Unified School District is beginning the new school year with rising test scores at several campuses, students taking a larger role in shaping district policy and construction poised to begin on a long-awaited performing arts center at Pajaro Valley High School.

In an interview Tuesday with The Pajaronian, Superintendent Heather Contreras said nine schools showed what the district considers significant growth on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, with other schools also showing improvement.

That comes after two difficult years in which PVUSD grappled with budget problems and made a series of cuts to bring its finances back into balance.

“We’re starting out the school year with a sense of celebration at several of our schools,” Contreras said. “We’re seeing them pay off, and so it’s a great way to start the school year.”

Contreras pointed to H.A. Hyde, MacQuiddy and Calabasas elementary schools as examples of campuses where academic initiatives are beginning to show results.

H.A. Hyde and MacQuiddy were the first schools to adopt SWUN Math, an instructional model that includes regular coaching for teachers. After a year and a half in the program, both schools saw 5% growth in math on the state accountability measure, Contreras said.

Eight more schools have since adopted the program, including Calabasas.

PVUSD has also introduced training through Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling, or LETRS, which teaches educators the science behind how children learn to read and how to identify gaps in their skills. The district has paired that effort with a phonics program for students and reading coaches at some campuses.

Growth was not limited to elementary schools. Contreras said Aptos and Pajaro Valley high schools each showed 11% growth on the state accountability measure compared with the previous year.

Contreras said the results give the district a clearer picture of which strategies are working and can be expanded elsewhere.

Another initiative puts students at the center of district decisions.

The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, which includes students from across the district, helped develop new district policies on cellphones and homework last year.

Students studied state law and policies from other districts before working in small groups to develop their own proposals. They took those ideas back to their schools, presented them to one another and eventually reached consensus on recommendations for PVUSD.

Their cellphone proposal ultimately became the policy approved earlier this year by the school board. Students also presented their work directly to trustees.

“It just makes sense to me that they would get involved in the policies that affect them,” Contreras said.

Students also considered whether elementary students should have phones at school, when middle school students should be allowed to use them and how restrictions could affect athletics and after-school programs.

Their homework discussions similarly included the different needs of Advanced Placement students, athletes and younger children, along with whether students have internet access or adults available to help them at home.

This year, the group will tackle an even larger issue: the possibility of school closures as the district grapples with a moribund budget and declining enrollment. 

PVUSD is studying how to respond to declining enrollment, including whether some schools should close or consolidate. Contreras said students will receive information similar to what has been presented to the district’s adult advisory group before developing their own recommendations.

“We want to hear from them,” she said.

While students take on a greater role in district policy, one of PVUSD’s largest facilities projects is preparing to move from planning to construction.

The district expects to break ground in early September on the new performing arts center at Pajaro Valley High School, district spokesman Alejandro Chavez said.

The school board recently approved Santa Clara-based Swinerton to manage the project and its subcontractors. District officials hope construction can be completed in about two years.
Contreras said reaching the construction phase so quickly required navigating state approvals and other regulatory hurdles.

“From bond passing to shovel in the ground, to do that in two years is outstanding,” she said, crediting the district’s facilities staff and bond manager.

The performing arts center is one of several facilities projects underway across PVUSD. Summer work included new or improved playgrounds, painting and other upgrades, while groundbreakings are also planned for fields at Rolling Hills Middle School and Pajaro Middle School.

For Contreras, however, the academic gains provide perhaps the clearest reason for optimism as students return.

The goal now, she said, is to determine what produced those improvements and reproduce them throughout the district.

“We’re excited to see that what we thought would happen is happening,” she said, “and we see it translating into the results for the students.”