The Pajaronian

One of the victims from an attack at the Clock Tower in Santa Cruz on March 21 has died, Santa Cruz Police announced Wednesday.

Justin Moore, 42, of Santa Cruz, suffered a stab wound during the attack.

The suspect, Robert David Worel, 32, has been charged with murder and one count of attempted murder.

Witnesses say the incident began after a verbal altercation between two people in line at Food Not Bombs, an organization that regularly gives out free meals to community members at the clock tower. 

Both of them began fighting and left the line, according to witnesses. One of them pulled out a knife. Several people tried to intervene and another person pulled out a larger kitchen knife. 

According to police, two people were wounded and rushed to local hospitals. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department at 831.420.5820 or submit an anonymous tip through the SCPD website.

Lawmakers must restore Workforce Quality Incentive Program

I started my career in a skilled nursing facility twenty years ago as a certified nursing assistant. Over time, I worked in admissions, earned my nursing license, became a nurse at the same facility my grandmother was a patient, and eventually advanced into my role as case manager. Through every step of that journey, one thing remained clear: skilled nursing facilities are lifelines for patients and families.

As a case manager at Watsonville Post Acute and Nursing Center, one of more than 1,000 skilled nursing facilities statewide, we care for people recovering from strokes and surgeries, seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Many have nowhere else to turn for the round-the-clock medical care they need, and nearly all rely on Medi-Cal or Medicare.

Our team of nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, and physical, occupational, and speech therapists works together to develop personalized care plans for each patient’s unique needs.

And the care we provide goes beyond round-the-clock medical care. We celebrate holidays, and milestones with our patients, and support their families during moments of uncertainty. Over time, our patients become like family.

But delivering this high level of care is only possible with adequate funding—and today, California is failing skilled nursing patients and the workforce that cares for them.

In July 2025, the state budget cut the Workforce Quality Incentive Program (WQIP), eliminating $300 million in state and federal funding for skilled nursing facilities. These cuts eliminated critical resources that support recruiting staff, workforce training, and facility improvements.

As a nurse, upcoming state budget decisions are not just numbers on a spreadsheet; they have consequences for my patients and the workforce that cares for them. Without adequate funding, skilled nursing facilities across the state risk staffing shortages, reduced patient services, and even closure. That means fewer care options when patients and families need them most, and longer, more expensive hospital stays.

As California faces a growing aging population, restoring WQIP in the 2026-27 state budget is not optional—it is essential.

Now, more than ever, Gov. Newsom and lawmakers must restore WQIP to ensure our most vulnerable Californians continue to have access to the critical skilled nursing care they need—when they need it most.

Nicole Peterson

LVN, Case Manager

Watsonville Post Acute and Nursing Center

•••

Response to Chavez scandal was knee-jerk reaction, points to wider plot

This whole Cesar Chávez deal is curious to say the least. A few weeks before this year’s Cesar Chavez holiday comes a New York Times story that Chavez, a half century ago, sexually abused several women members of his United Farmworkers Union, including the top woman figure of the movement Dolores Huerta. 

In a typical knee jerk reaction, city, county, state and federal officials moved in record time to remove the name of Cesar Chavez from any schools, streets, and institutions that Chavez had been named after. The news story rendered Chavez guilty, rendered Chavez an evil heathen, and voided Chavez’s name from the accomplishments of his union. Just like that, in the blink of an eye, an American icon has been erased from importance. A news story I read asserted the charges are “indefensible.” 

Well, duh, Cesar Chavez is not alive to defend himself. And defend himself from what? No criminal charges have ever been filed against him regarding the allegations. Also, what would motivate the 96-year-old Dolores Huerta to now bring to light these incidents? Why did it take over a half century? One local board member put in that in light of Chavez’s removal, a school should be renamed for Huerta. Is Dolores Huerta, this late in life, trying to steal Cesar’s thunder? Get her name put in the forefront of the farmworkers union, and history, and get a holiday in her name? I think Huerta is being manipulated, by some nefarious power. That power is pretty much obvious. The same power that created ICE and that is going after anything immigrant, or alien related. Their goal is to remove any ethnic heroes off America’s hero board. The same power that said Chavez is just like all those rapists that we are allowing into our country. But that power, who is a complete dufus, forgets that Chavez was a born and bred American, and a much older American than himself. 

For all our all knowing—and politically correct present leadership—how about removing the names of John F, Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy,  Martin Luther King, heck even FDR, and Thomas Jefferson, and many more, too many to mention, off all the schools, streets, buildings, airports and institutions that they are named after. For all those illustrious Americans abused women, committed adultery, committed immoral acts in office and out. Maybe the whole idea of naming things after such people should be put to pasture. 123rd street, and RRR school is just fine. 

Charles Birimisa

Watsonville

•••

Trujillo should pay attention to impacts of his remarks

Regarding the recent racial incident caused by Trustee Steve Trujillo’s insensitive actions against African Americans in the Board meetings of Cabrillo College, I think that he did not pay enough attention to the negative impacts caused by his actions while he tried to defend his actions by saying that he did not have any harmful intentions. I am saying this as a person who took training about racial issues. Cabrillo College is a public community educational institution. I do not know what action the Board might have taken in this case, but I believe that he is required to pay deep attention to the negative impacts caused by his insensitive actions as an elected official, a Trustee, who has represented Trustee Area 7.

Takashi Mizuno 

Watsonville

•••

Rail a necessity in times of war

As the Iranian war continues and oil is held hostage with the closure of the Strait, as gas prices creep ever higher, our RTC and certain elements in our County continue to berate the possibility of rail. I find this unconscionable.  

All of us are hurt by the increase in crude oil prices. Gas and diesel have already risen 40% in just a few weeks. The cost of propane has always increased along with gas and diesel. Food and beverages will increase in price as the cost of delivery increases. This will eventually affect the cost to charge an EV as the costs roil production and maintenance. Those on the lower-income tier may find it harder and harder to fill their tanks to get to work or school, eventually costing us in intangible ways.

Currently the only method of delivery into our county is by a paved road. Rail, a very cost effective method of transportation, is unavailable; and if the RTC and the anti-rail elements have their way, it never will be.  

Freight and passenger rail could and should be a reality that Santa Cruz County moves toward as a viable alternative to less asphalt and traffic congestion.

Vicki Miller

Santa Cruz

This week, I stood before the California State Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health not only as the CEO of Dientes Community Dental Care, but as a voice for our 18,000 patients in Santa Cruz County—who rely on Medi-Cal for essential dental care. 

My message was clear: reject the Governor’s proposed cuts to Medi-Cal dental benefits. The consequences of repeating past mistakes are too great.

I am grateful to Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Committee Member Mia Bonta and Speaker Rivas for their continued support of oral health care for California’s most vulnerable communities. Their leadership reflects what is truly at stake: not just a budget decision, but the health and dignity of millions.

At Dientes, we have seen what is possible when California invests in comprehensive care. When I began leading the organization in 2004, we served fewer than 7,000 patients, most receiving only minimal care—perhaps a cleaning or a filling. Today, thanks to the Affordable Care Act and Medi-Cal expansion, we serve 18,000 patients annually. They receive life-changing—and often life-saving—care: root canals that stop infections, dentures that restore the ability to eat, and prenatal dental care that protects both mother and child. This is what a functioning safety net looks like.

Now, that progress is at risk.

The Governor’s proposal would eliminate full-scope adult dental benefits for certain Medi-Cal enrollees based on immigration status and cut Proposition 56 supplemental payments that sustain dental providers. While framed as a $2 billion savings, these cuts would in reality shift costs elsewhere—onto hospital emergency rooms and communities already under strain.

We know this because we have seen it before.

In 2009, California eliminated adult Medi-Cal dental benefits. The results were immediate and severe. Preventive care disappeared. Patients delayed treatment until pain became unbearable. Dental infections escalated into medical emergencies. Emergency departments—already stretched thin—became the default providers for preventable dental conditions. This was not cost savings; it was cost deferral, and at a much higher price.

Today, we risk repeating that same pattern. A 2025 analysis from the American Dental Association projects a $400 million loss over five years from eliminating benefits to the 1.5 million undocumented Californians on Medi-Cal, due to increased emergency visits, higher medical costs from untreated disease, and job losses in the healthcare sector. These cuts will not save money—they will move costs into more expensive and less effective parts of the system.

At the same time, reducing Proposition 56 funding threatens to unravel the already fragile provider network that serves Medi-Cal patients. Even now, access is limited: only one in three adults in our community can find a dentist who accepts Medi-Cal. Further reductions will push providers out of the system. Some large dental providers, like Western Dental, are already considering clinic closures. For many families, that would mean losing access to care altogether.

Dental care is not optional—it is essential health care.

Untreated oral disease worsens chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, complicates pregnancies, and leads to avoidable pain and suffering. These impacts do not stay confined to the mouth; they ripple across the entire healthcare system, increasing costs for everyone.

We should be expanding access to care, not retreating from it.

I urge the Legislature to reject these cuts, protect adult Medi-Cal dental benefits, and preserve Proposition 56 funding. At a minimum, a one-year delay—made possible by stronger-than-expected state revenues—would give patients and providers critical time to prepare and avoid immediate harm.

California has already learned this lesson the hard way. We cannot afford to learn it again.

The choice before us is clear: invest in prevention and dignity or pay far more for crisis and neglect. For the health of our communities and the strength of our safety net, I urge lawmakers to choose wisely.

Laura Marcus is the CEO of Dientes Community Dental Care and a fierce advocate of oral health for all.

Work moves forward on the new Costa Vista Student Housing project at Cabrillo College in Aptos. The $181 million development will be the first student housing collaboration between a California community college and the University of California. The 257,000 square-foot project will span three buildings, with 60% of the beds designated for Cabrillo College students and 40% of the beds for UCSC students.

Questions on the human and environmental effects from the Moss Landing Battery Plant fire on the Jan. 17, 2025 are still being explored. 

The March 17 Monterey County Board of Supervisors’ meeting contained an update on the progress of the cleanup, what some of the scientists are investigating and what they are discovering. There were four presentations that were followed by questions and comments. 

The first two were by the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC). One was on the human risk and the second on was on the ecological risk. The final two presentations were by community groups, the Estuary Monitoring of Battery Emissions and Residues (EMBER), and Never Again Moss Landing (NAML). 

First, the county provided an update on the Moss 300 Recovery site. It is one of the three battery systems at the site, and is operated by the Vistra Energy Corporation, but owned by PG&E. It was the one that was mostly destroyed in the Jan. 17, 2025 fire.  

It is in phase one of the cleanup and recovery effort, with 23,800 out of 35,772 lithium-ion battery units—about two-thirds—having been de-energized, removed and sent to an  out-of-state recycling facility. 

Phase two of the recovery is expected to begin in the middle of 2026, with “more extraction and removal,” officials said. 

There had been some discussion of restarting Moss 100, a second site where 256 Tesla power units had provided power before Jan. 17 fire. 

Those units had caught fire on Sept. 20, 2022. According to Dave Gabard from PG&E; the vent shield in a megapack was incorrectly installed, causing thermal runaway from a water leak. It turned out that 88 other megapacks needed to be repaired. Tesla has since modified the units and the alarms. The board declined to restart Moss 100 at this time.

Thermal runaway at a battery plant is a fast-moving chain reaction inside lithium-ion cells that can’t be contained once it starts. Internal temperatures can spike past 572 degrees Fahrenheit in milliseconds. The reaction begins when heat builds faster than it can be released, triggering gas buildup, toxic smoke, fire and, in some cases, explosions.

Hydrogen chloride and carbon monoxide were released in the smoke of the Vistra fire, scientists said. Catch basins collected the water so it did not go into the sloughs or bay. The system was shut down, Hwy. 1 was closed for 12 hours and a “shelter in place order” was issued by county officials. 

Weiying Jiang and Michael Garland, staff toxicologists from the Department of Toxic Substances Control, presented preliminary findings that found that to date there were no strong human health or ecological risks from chronic exposure. Although toxic metals associated with battery construction were found, they determined that the amounts they found were either naturally occurring or not in amounts to put humans or the environment in future danger. 

They noted a February 2025 report from California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) of a decline in the mosquito population after the fire in the area surrounding the Moss 300. They also referenced in that report the finding of 6-inch pieces of what appeared to be fire debris in Hester Marsh. Soon after, those pieces disappeared with the rains. Because DTSC did not start their investigation until eight months after the fire, that debris was not available to investigate. They emphasized that the results are still under review.

Estuary Monitoring of Battery Emissions and Residues (EMBER)—a group of scientists associated with Moss Landing Marine Laboratories—gave the next presentation. They represent Elkhorn Slough Foundation, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Amah Mutsun Land Trust. 

Kerstin Wasson,who spoke for the group, said that EMBER already had data on many parts of the slough going back years, and jumped into action soon after the Jan. 17 fire. 

That data includes metals measured in Hester Slough in 2023, which served as a baseline for after the fire. 

The large 6-inch pieces of fire debris referenced by the DTSC toxicologists were collected and analyzed, and found to be “pure cathide battery metals.” 

Since many of the pieces dissolved in the rain, it is likely that those metals are in the slough, researchers said.

The pieces were preserved, and are currently available for examination. 

The ash layer on the soil was very thin at 1 to 5 millimeters. When analyzed shortly after the fire, the concentration of nickel was ten times the 2023 measurement. The DTSC sample, which was done 8 months later, measured 3 inches deep in the soil, so the concentration would have been diluted. 

Through their analyses, they concluded that highly concentrated metals of nickel, cobalt and manganese found in thin patchy layers in Elkhorn marshes matched the proportions of metals and particle morphology of batteries. 

The rapid redistribution of the metals from the fallout from rains and tides flowed into the estuarine ecosystem. They did not disappear. 

The team also found cobalt and nickel in collected species of mollusks, crustaceans, fish, plants and algae. 

There is a 10-year study of mussels, but when they were tested after the fire, no evidence of battery metals were found. 

EMBER noted that bioaccumulation can be a slow process, so researchers said there needs to be more research.

EMBER’s main theme was that it is essential to conduct soil samples and take samples of organisms right after the fire to best determine the ecological impacts .

That needs to be followed by long-term sampling to determine if the metals have affected the environment through bioaccumulation. 

Never Again Moss Landing (NAML) gave a thorough report on their findings and their continued activities. That group received results from the hair samples collected earlier in the year from community members. 

NAML’s website contains information with ways to receive emails and to donate. 

Greg Bishop from Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board reported on concerns about the dangers in the runoff after the fire. 

His group is looking to work with Vistra on what’s in the sediment and where it goes. The Moss Landing Harbor gets dredged periodically, and runoff also goes into the sloughs as demonstrated by EMBER’s study on Hester Marsh.

Supervisor Glenn Church, whose district includes the power plant and has been proactive in keeping this issue alive, worried about the danger of continued bio-accumulation over time. 

Speakers from industries such as fishing, farming and tourism, as well as residents, also expressed concern during public comments. One speaker was concerned about Vistra paying for the DTSC’s reports that ended up finding no health or environment risks in their preliminary findings.

The board seemed receptive to the reports and comments, including that the reports should be shared and considered collectively.

A countywide celebration of visual and performing arts is set to run April 16–26. The Ripple Effect Santa Cruz County Arts Festival is the County’s effort to highlight the creative community during California’s Arts, Culture and Creativity Month. 

Organizers said the event brings together local artists, cultural organizations, and venues to showcase a broad range of artistic disciplines, including visual arts, music, dance, theater, poetry, fashion, and interactive workshops.

The festival opens with “Santa Cruz Dancing in the Streets” from 5–9pm in downtown Santa Cruz and concludes with a grand finale at The Grove near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk from 4–9pm. Events include exhibitions, performances, pop-ups, and hands-on workshops across multiple venues throughout the county. While some activities are free, others, such as the finale, require tickets. 

Each venue manages its own events and ticketing, and parking options vary by location. 

The grassroots, volunteer-driven festival aims to strengthen the local arts community and economy, organizers said.
Watsonville events include various shows, performances by Esperanza del Valle, Ballet Folklorico Dance Company; “Many Truths, One World: Mariposa Arts Showcase & Artwork” by Claraty Arts at Watsonville Center for the Arts; the ongoing PV Arts exhibit, “Hot off the Walls: Art to Go!,” recent paintings by Annie Morhauser at Annieglass; and the Guelaguetza Festival on April 26.

For information, visit rippleartsfestsantacruz.org.

On a recent road trip to Atascadero, a city that lies about 115 miles south of Watsonville, my wife Sarah and I took umpteen diversions off the main highway to gather a better sense of the Salinas Valley and surroundings.

Heading out San Miguel Canyon Road, we caught Hwy. 101 south through Salinas and took our first exit through the tiny town of Chualar. 

The diversion paid off right away when we spotted a massive outdoor mural on the walls on Chaluar Market depicting the Braceros program. Bracero is Spanish for laborer. In the 1960s, the program brought around 5 million Mexicans to the U.S. agricultural industry. On Sept. 17, 1963, a train crashed with a truck carrying about 50 laborers, killing 32 of them in Chualar, as referenced in the mural.

A string of older shops run along downtown Gonzales.(Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

We were surprised to see a grand entrance to the town of Gonzales, a large green metal archway welcoming people to the small downtown area. Near the Post Office we spotted a group of about 10 men spread out on city benches. I waved to one of them and, as if by cue, every one of them swung around and offered us a hearty wave in return. On the Main Street in Gonzales we passed a number of small shops, many that wore the sign of a lot of years. 

As we passed through Gonzales we noticed the Lucky Bamboo Chinese Cuisine restaurant, couched in the corner of an early-day building beside a drug store with an old neon Rexall Drug sign hanging above its entrance.

Staying on the back roads, we wandered past scads of old barns, windmills and water tanks. We spotted the simple architecture of the 1935 San Bernardo Grange 50G. 

Oil rigs at the Ardo Oil Field, 20 miles north of Paso Robles keep the crude flowing from the ground. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

In a quiet neighborhood near Bradley we rolled past an older home whose large side yard was crowded with older model pickup trucks, most of them rusting and draped in dust and spider webs.

Near Bradley we came upon the Ardo Oil Field about 20 miles north of Paso Robles. 

According to Chevron, the large oil field is the eighth-largest producing oil field in California, and in 2021 produced approximately 7,000 barrels of oil per day.

It was here along the railroad tracks we spotted a red-tailed hawk standing on the metal rails as if posing for western style painting. Then an osprey cruised into the scene, its large wings holding on to the drift of wind.

Birding has long been a part of our travels. My mom was an advanced birder, and she always intoned the notion that it’s a hobby that can follow you wherever you go. She said you don’t have to be on a miles long rugged mountain rail to see birds, noting that she’s spotted amazing hummingbirds in a shopping center parking lot in Arizona, and a peregrine falcon in downtown San Diego.

We got off of Highway 101 in Atascadero and, by arrangement, we headed to the Carlton Hotel in the downtown area for the night. According to the brass plaque on the hotel it was built in 1928 as a single story building. Then, a 52-room hotel on the second floor, called the Annex, opened its doors at a gala event on Nov. 28, 1929. Our room was comfortable, tidy and spacious with a great view of the downtown strip.

In the second half of this story we meet our friends, Brett and Lucia, former teachers in the Pajaro Valley, for dinner in Paso Robles and take in the colors of the downtown corridor.

The Watsonville City Council voted in December to allow workers to clear a homeless encampment on Airport Boulevard and to bill the property owner approximately $300,000 in cleanup costs — $150,000 already spent and another $150,000 estimated for further work.

But the encampment remains, home to several dozen people who have erected makeshift shelters, pitched tents and driven vehicles onto the property.

Now, after reportedly ignoring the city’s requests to address the encampment, the property owner — Fremont-based KDS Dhaliwal Investments — has agreed to conduct the cleanup, Watsonville city spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said.

“He has agreed to do the cleanup, so he is going to do the outreach and seek out the resources,” she said.

The timeline remains unclear, though Pulido estimated the process could take a few weeks.

The City Council declared the parcel a public nuisance on Nov. 18, 2025.

The 2.75-acre wooded property along Corralitos Creek, across from the Freedom Centre shopping plaza, has been the focus of ongoing complaints and enforcement efforts. The site — identified as parcel 014-021-01 and lacking a formal street address — is home to as many as 40 people, according to city officials.

Over the past several years, neighbors and officials have raised concerns about accumulating garbage, makeshift shelters and vehicles leaking fluids onto the ground. City staff say activity at the encampment — including bathing, washing clothes and the discharge of bodily waste — has contributed to contamination of the creek.

Watsonville Senior Code Enforcement Officer Ruben Vargas previously described the situation as “untenable” and in need of abatement. Officials also report widespread alcohol and drug use at the site, with used needles found among the debris.

KDS Vice President of Operations Karam Singh has said the company delayed enforcing trespassing rules amid a dispute with the city over development plans for the site, which have included a car wash or retail use. Singh said the company intends to install fencing after the cleanup is completed.

City Attorney Samantha Zutler said the city will place a lien on the property if cleanup costs are not reimbursed.

Several people living at the encampment attended a recent City Council meeting, urging officials to pair any enforcement action with housing assistance. Residents said promises of services made during a previous sweep were never fulfilled. Many of those living at the site face mental health and substance use challenges, according to officials and advocates.

Santa Cruz County residents are being encouraged to apply for the next Civil Grand Jury, a volunteer watchdog panel that investigates local government operations and issues public reports aimed at improving transparency and accountability.

The 2026–27 term begins July 1, with the Superior Court expected to begin reviewing applications and interviewing candidates in the coming months, according to a statement from Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Katherin Hansen, who oversees the county’s civil grand jury.

Each of California’s 58 counties is required to impanel a civil grand jury annually—the only state in the nation with such a system. Unlike criminal grand juries, the civil panel operates as an independent investigative body, reviewing local agencies, programs and policies. Its work is conducted confidentially, but findings and recommendations are released in public reports.

In Santa Cruz County, the panel typically includes 19 members and 11 alternates who serve one-year terms and contribute about 20 hours per week, depending on the scope of investigations.

“It’s an incredible sense of reward and satisfaction when you’re done,” said Santa Cruz resident Kim Horowitz, who served as foreperson during the 2023–24 term and returned as a juror the following year. “Being a grand juror is the one way that just kind of an ordinary citizen can do something that has a real impact on local government and how it operates.”

In addition, Horowitz said she made the connections she sought after retirement.

“You’ve made lifelong friends in the process,” she said. “There’s a group of us ladies that get together every week. So you definitely keep in touch with people. You have a real kind of bond that’s formed.”

The commitment can be substantial. Jurors often spend months examining complex issues ranging from jail operations to building permitting and how the county allocates voter-approved tax revenue.

“The number of hours that a juror spends depends on how many investigations they want to get involved in,” Horowitz said, adding that some participants underestimate the workload and leave before completing the term.

“They should go in with their eyes open,” she said. “It is a lot of work. It’s a big commitment.”

Still, Horowitz said the experience offers both civic impact and personal connection.

“You just feel a real sense of accomplishment and reward,” she said. “In addition to the fact that you’ve made lifelong friends in the process.”

Recent grand juries have tackled a wide range of topics. During the 2024–25 term, investigations included climate action efforts, the county’s building permit process, human trafficking and operations within the Health Services Agency. The previous year’s panel examined county road conditions, jail healthcare and reentry services, child protective services and housing policy in the city of Santa Cruz.

The Civil Grand Jury completed nine reports in Horowitz’s first year and six in the following term.

While agencies are required to formally respond to grand jury findings, they are not obligated to implement recommendations. That can be frustrating, Horowitz said, but public scrutiny often prompts change, because the reports go to the Board of Supervisors and the media.

This often results in the “grand jury effect,” when departments begin making improvements even before investigations are complete.

Hansen said the panel plays a key role in local governance.

“The purpose of the civil grand jury is to strengthen local government through careful oversight, investigations, and thoughtful recommendations,” she said in the statement.

Officials are seeking applicants who are collaborative, community-minded and interested in public service. No prior experience is required.

Information and application materials are available at bit.ly/4mbgQdT. Questions can be directed to hr****@************rt.org.

A worker monitors the bottling process of apple juice at S. Martinelli & Co. in Watsonville on March 23, 1954.

The Watsonville High boys soccer team had one unforgettable season this past winter by collecting not one, but three championship trophies. 

It began with a Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division crown, followed by the program’s 13th Central Coast Section title and then the first-ever California Interscholastic Federation Northern Regional championship.

Without a doubt, the Wildcatz’s championship run was the definition of a true collective effort. 

But if there was one player who stood out amongst them all, it was senior forward Diego Guillen, who used his height and strength to his advantage in most situations on the pitch. He was named the PCAL Mission Division’s Offensive Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season.

Guillen tallied 71 points—24 goals and 23 assists—for the ‘Catz, according to statistics on the Max Preps website.

Gonzales senior Jorge Uribe was named the Mission Division’s Most Valuable Player as he finished with 62 points—28 goals and six assists. Teammate Luis Cabada was named the Defensive Player of the Year.

Guillen, along with seniors Eliseo Mora, Jose Ortiz and Adrian Fernandez each earned All-PCAL First Team honors for Watsonville, which finished with a 22-2-2 overall record this season.

Teammates Damian Mora, Alan Fuentes, Damien Amador and Damien Moreno each earned all-league second team honors.

Benjamin Cabrera of Monterey Bay Academy in La Selva Beach was named the PCAL Santa Lucia Division’s Offensive Player of the Year.

Pacific Coast Athletic League All-League Boys Soccer Teams Mission Division Individual Awards

Most Valuable Player: Jorge Uribe, Gonzales

Offensive Player of the Year: Diego Guillen, Watsonville

Defensive Player of the Year: Luis Cabada, Gonzales

First Team

Diego Guillen, Watsonville

Eliseo Mora, Watsonville

Jose Ortiz, Watsonville

Adrian Fernandez, Watsonville

Jorge Uribe, Gonzales

Luis Cabada, Gonzales

Jorge Lara, Gonzales

Emilio Padilla, Salinas

Jayden Hernandez, Salinas

Angel Moreno, King City

Rafael Merino, King City

Juan Carlos Lopez, Seaside

Andres Perez, Pajaro Valley

Zach DaSilva, Stevenson 

Second Team

Damian Mora, Watsonville

Alan Fuentes, Watsonville

Damien Amador, Watsonville

Damien Moreno, Watsonville

Luis Benavides, Gonzales

Kevin Tavares, Gonzales

Emmanuel Valdez, Gonzales

Mattheus Mariscal, Salinas

Henry Rempert, Salinas

Abiel Gomez, King City

Bryan Gonzalez, King City

Osvaldo Garcia, Seaside

Raymond Mata, Pajaro Valley

Soren Hilman, Stevenson

Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team

Alan Fuentes, Watsonville

Gonzales, Jorge Lara

Henry Rempert, Salinas

Eduardo Acosta, King City

Felipe Garcia, Seaside

Jesus Segura, Pajaro Valley

Blake Jones, Stevenson

Elgi Bellizio All-Sportsmanship team

Stevenson

Cypress Division Individual Awards

Most Valuable Player: Jesus Ortiz, Soledad

Offensive Player of the Year: Jesus Ortiz, Solead

Defensive Player of the Year: Kristian Rocha, North Monterey County

First Team

Jesus Ortiz, Soledad

Bryan Alvarado, Soledad

Jason Rico, Soledad

Joshua Guzman, Soledad

Miro Balaban, Carmel

Alex Castagna, Carmel

Bodhi Melton, Carmel

Alex Sanchez, Rancho San Juan

Osvaldo Garcia, RSJ

Patrick Tracey, Monte Vista Christian

Kristian Rocha, NMC

Joseph Rocha-Ayala, Ceiba College Prep

Tristian Thelen, Pacific Collegiate School

Second Team

Adrian Sanchez, Soledad

Marcos Negrete, Soledad

Julian Valdez, Soledad

Daniel Magana, Soledad

Sebastian Blessing, Carmel

Georges Guerree, Carmel

Ian Lome, Carmel

Yandel Reyes, RSJ

Jaime Garcia, RSJ

Maxx Montenegro, MVC

Jose Mendoza, NMC

Steven Arana, Ceiba

Joseph McAndrew, PCS

Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team

Christian Romero, Soledad

Sam Sibley, Carmel

Angel Salas, RSJ

Johnny Finney, MVC

Roalndo Garcia, NMC

Aiden Rocha-Ayala, Ceiba

Sebastian Gallardo, PCS

Elgie Abellizio All-Sportsmanship team

Carmel

Santa Lucia Division Individual Awards

Player of the Year: Paul Ramirez, Pacific Grove

Offensive Player of the Year: Benjamin Cabrera, Monterey Bay Academy

Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Rodriguez, Marina

First Team

Paul Ramirez, Pacific Grove

Grady Burczynski, Pacific Grove

Aidan McFarland Walton, Pacific Grove

James Lowen, Pacific Grove

Brandon Miranda, Marina

Victor Rodriguez, Marina

Hubert Garbaczonek, Marina

Moises Barrelleza-Camarena, St. Francis

Colton Stevens, St. Francis

Benjamin Cabrera, MBA

Joao Zidan, MBA

Diego Silva, York

Rai Fleizach, Oakwood

Christian Saldivar, Anzar

Second Team

Noah Abundis, Pacific Grove

Oliver Crandall, Pacific Grove

Alex Duarte, Pacific Grove

Bennette Paterson, Pacific Grove

Adriano Guzman, Marina

Victor Rodriguez, Marina

Tony Reyes, Marina

Ezequiel Barrelleza-Camarena, St. Francis

Vince Tovar, St. Francis

Davi Ravagnani, MBA

Jorge Estrada, MBA

Daniel Scott, York

Robin Klinghauf, Oakwood

Rickey Gutierrez, Anzar

Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team

Noah Abundis, Pacific Grove

Hubert Garbaczonek, Marina

Gabriel Suarez, St. Francis

Finn Rhoads, York

Vitor Matias, MBA

Kenny Jeudy Bourdeau, Oakwood

Cesar Mutul, Anzar

Elgie Bellizio All-Sportsmanship team

York

This week, I stood before the California State Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health not only as the CEO of Dientes Community Dental Care, but as a voice for our 18,000 patients in Santa Cruz County—who rely on Medi-Cal for essential dental care. 

My message was clear: reject the Governor’s proposed cuts to Medi-Cal dental benefits. The consequences of repeating past mistakes are too great.

I am grateful to Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Committee Member Mia Bonta and Speaker Rivas for their continued support of oral health care for California’s most vulnerable communities. Their leadership reflects what is truly at stake: not just a budget decision, but the health and dignity of millions.

At Dientes, we have seen what is possible when California invests in comprehensive care. When I began leading the organization in 2004, we served fewer than 7,000 patients, most receiving only minimal care—perhaps a cleaning or a filling. Today, thanks to the Affordable Care Act and Medi-Cal expansion, we serve 18,000 patients annually. They receive life-changing—and often life-saving—care: root canals that stop infections, dentures that restore the ability to eat, and prenatal dental care that protects both mother and child. This is what a functioning safety net looks like.

Now, that progress is at risk.

The Governor’s proposal would eliminate full-scope adult dental benefits for certain Medi-Cal enrollees based on immigration status and cut Proposition 56 supplemental payments that sustain dental providers. While framed as a $2 billion savings, these cuts would in reality shift costs elsewhere—onto hospital emergency rooms and communities already under strain.

We know this because we have seen it before.

In 2009, California eliminated adult Medi-Cal dental benefits. The results were immediate and severe. Preventive care disappeared. Patients delayed treatment until pain became unbearable. Dental infections escalated into medical emergencies. Emergency departments—already stretched thin—became the default providers for preventable dental conditions. This was not cost savings; it was cost deferral, and at a much higher price.

Today, we risk repeating that same pattern. A 2025 analysis from the American Dental Association projects a $400 million loss over five years from eliminating benefits to the 1.5 million undocumented Californians on Medi-Cal, due to increased emergency visits, higher medical costs from untreated disease, and job losses in the healthcare sector. These cuts will not save money—they will move costs into more expensive and less effective parts of the system.

At the same time, reducing Proposition 56 funding threatens to unravel the already fragile provider network that serves Medi-Cal patients. Even now, access is limited: only one in three adults in our community can find a dentist who accepts Medi-Cal. Further reductions will push providers out of the system. Some large dental providers, like Western Dental, are already considering clinic closures. For many families, that would mean losing access to care altogether.

Dental care is not optional—it is essential health care.

Untreated oral disease worsens chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, complicates pregnancies, and leads to avoidable pain and suffering. These impacts do not stay confined to the mouth; they ripple across the entire healthcare system, increasing costs for everyone.

We should be expanding access to care, not retreating from it.

I urge the Legislature to reject these cuts, protect adult Medi-Cal dental benefits, and preserve Proposition 56 funding. At a minimum, a one-year delay—made possible by stronger-than-expected state revenues—would give patients and providers critical time to prepare and avoid immediate harm.

California has already learned this lesson the hard way. We cannot afford to learn it again.

The choice before us is clear: invest in prevention and dignity or pay far more for crisis and neglect. For the health of our communities and the strength of our safety net, I urge lawmakers to choose wisely.

Laura Marcus is the CEO of Dientes Community Dental Care and a fierce advocate of oral health for all.

Watsonville Police respond to a three-vehicle crash Wednesday on Green Valley Road at Freedom Boulevard. Watsonville Police said that around 2:50pm a man driving a Honda Accord (right) southbound on Green Valley Road appeared to have lost control of his sedan and plowed into the front end of a Mazda sedan with a male driver at the entrance to Taco Bell. The Mazda was then shoved into a GMC Acadia SUV with a male driver. While the Honda driver suffered major injuries, the Mazda driver had minor injuries and the GMC driver was not hurt. The incident is still under investigation.

The cities of Watsonville and Santa Cruz are opposing the proposed placement of a man deemed a sexually violent predator, and are urging residents to contact Santa Cruz County Superior Court to voice their concerns.

Michael Cheek, 74, was convicted in 1981 of rape and forcible sodomy. He was sentenced to prison but escaped and, in Lake County, committed additional sexually violent crimes against a minor that same year. He was convicted again, declared a sexually violent predator and sentenced to additional prison time.

The California Department of State Hospitals has proposed placing Cheek at the Valley Inn at 970 Main St. in Watsonville as his primary residence, according to Watsonville police. He would be placed at 111 Ocean St. in Santa Cruz if the Watsonville site “is no longer viable,” according to a city of Santa Cruz news release.

In a Facebook post, the city of Watsonville said it “strongly opposes” the proposed placement.

“A hotel setting is not appropriate for (sexually violent predator) placement and raises serious public safety concerns,” the post states. “The proposed site is located in a busy commercial corridor near youth- and family-serving spaces, and hotel guests would be unaware they could encounter an SVP on the premises.”

Watsonville officials said they plan to hold a town hall to gather community input.

Under California law, individuals designated as sexually violent predators may be considered for conditional release under supervision.

Proposed placements must be more than a quarter-mile from any K-12 school, including private schools and homeschool programs.

In a news release, Santa Cruz city officials cited several reasons for their concern, including that Cheek should not have any contact with minors.

“Yet, the proposed location is extremely close to at least a dozen youth-serving facilities, including parks, beaches, a preschool and a youth center,” the release states.

In addition, the proposed location is frequently occupied by families and children, creating unavoidable contact with potential victims, the release states. It is also close to other visitor-serving motels.

“The city’s position is that Mr. Cheek’s residence at this location would alter the intensity and character of land use and would require a coastal development permit under the Coastal Act,” the release states.

A placement hearing is scheduled for May 22 at 1:30pm in Department 6 of Santa Cruz County Superior Court.

Community members may submit comments to the court before April 27 via email at cr**********@************rt.org or by mail to Superior Court, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

Watsonville High senior Jackeline Cano was named the Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division’s Most Valuable Player for the 2025-26 winter campaign. The Wildcatz’s star player finished with 25 goals, according to the Monterey Bay Preps website. 

Cano, along with teammates senior Jasleen Herrera and sophomore Layla Romero, each earned all-league first team honors for the Central Coast Section Division V champion ‘Catz. 

Watsonville junior Jayleen Zamora and sophomores Sophia Rios and Shayla Melendez each earned all-league second team honors. 

Monte Vista Christian senior Ashley Drago was named the Mission Division’s Defensive Player of the Year, while Stevenson junior Mika Ureta earned Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Pacific Coast Athletic League All-League Girls Soccer Teams Mission Division Individual Awards

Most Valuable Player: Jackeline Cano (Sr.), Watsonville

Offensive Player of the Year: Mika Ureta (Jr.), Stevenson

Defensive Player of the Year: Ashley Drago (Sr.), Monte Vista Christian

First Team

Brooke Weaver (Fr.), Pacific Collegiate

Claire Weaver (Fr.), Pacific Collegiate

Elia Mas (Jr.), Pacific Collegiate

Amelie Pan (Jr.), Pacific Collegiate

Jackeline Cano (Sr.), Watsonville

Jasleen Herrera (Sr.), Watsonville

Layla Romero (So.), Watsonville

Ashley Drago (Sr.), MVC

Hailey Tipton (Fr.), MVC

Mika Ureta (Jr.), Stevenson

Vivi Broughton (Fr.), Stevenson

Eva Sedillos (Jr.), Carmel

Ximena Juarez (So.), Alisal

Kylee Eubanks (So.), North Monterey County

Second Team 

Ayla Aslanian-Ryon (So.), Pacific Collegiate

Kaia Gurdak (Jr.), Pacific Collegiate

Kate Lane (Sr.), Pacific Collegiate

Piper Garrett (Jr.), Pacific Collegiate

Sophia Rios (So.), Watsonville

Jayleen Zamora (Sr.), Watsonville

Shayla Melendez (So.), Watsonville

Kanaya Falce (Sr.), MVC

Sarah Rieland (Jr.), MVC

Georgia Bonifas (Sr.), Stevenson

Charlotte Schipper (Sr.), Stevenson

June Emerson (So.), Carmel

Karissa Mendez (So.), Alisal

Bella Hernandez (Jr.), NMC

Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship Team

Kat Buckley (Jr.), Pacific Collegiate

Cecilia Canela (Fr.), Watsonville

Lauren Kelley (Sr.), MVC

Sydney Holland (Sr.), Stevenson

Ashley Graham (So.), Carmel

Alena Ruiz (Sr.), Alisal

Destiny Lopez (Sr.), NMC

Elgie Bellizio All-Sportsmanship team

Stevenson

Gabilan Division Individual Awards

Most Valuable Player: Kate Nunes, Salinas

Offensive Player of the Year: Sophia Custodio, Monterey

Defensive Player of the Year: Jennifer Montes, Alvarez

First Team

Kate Nunes (Sr.), Salinas

Morgan Retterer (Sr.), Salinas

Praisia Lowe (Sr.), Salinas

Nathalie Sanchez (Jr.), Salinas

Paulina Arango (Sr.), Monterey

Sofia Custodio (Sr.), Monterey

Savanna Licea (Sr.), Monterey

Mayah Arreola (So.), Hollister

Zamaya Rivera (Sr.), Hollister

Jennifer Montes (Sr.), Alvarez

Emma Reyes (Sr.), Alvarez

Aniah Federico (Sr.), Pajaro Valley

Sherlyn Farfan (Jr.), Rancho San Juan

Nichole Gonzalez (So.), Soledad

Second Team 

Kayden Aguilera (Fr.), Salinas

Fynlee Devine (Fr.), Salinas

Jennifer Molina (So.), Salinas

Samantha Torres (Jr.), Salinas

Katelyn Torres (Sr.), Monterey

Haely Tet Russell (Sr.), Monterey

Belen Rodriguez Muniz (Jr.), Monterey

Samantha Alvarado Castillo (So.), Hollister

Mananya Rivera (Fr.), Hollister

Alexia Aguilar (Sr.), Alvarez

Angie Zamora (Sr.), Alvarez

Scarlet Gomez (Sr.), Pajaro Valley

Jenssy Torres (So.), Rancho San Juan

Myrin Amilpa (Sr.), Soledad

Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team

Emily Salmina, Salinas

Katelyn Torres, Monterey

Karen Alvarado-Castillo, Hollister

Priscilla Reyes, Alvarez

Daisy Garcia, Pajaro Valley

Larissa Lopez-Ordaz, Rancho San Juan

Emily Ortiz, Soledad

Elgie Bellizio All-Sportsmanship team

Soledad

Cypress Division Individual Awards

Most Valuable Player: Janelle Garcia, Gonzales

Offensive Player of the Year: Gigi Richert, Palma

Defensive Player of the Year: Destiny Mosqueda, King City

First Team

Isabella Camargo, Gonzales

Janelle Garcia, Gonzales

Izabella Mandujano, Gonzales

Alitzel Mauro, Gonzales

Ariana Romero, North Salinas

Maya Lizama, North Salinas

Natasha Guzman, North Salinas

Aideliz Moreno, Greenfield

Isabella Calderon, Greenfield

Kim Zavala, Greenfield

Destiny Mosqueda, King City

Melody Sanchez, King City

Gigi Richert, Palma

Aly Peterson, St. Francis

Second Team

Andrea Amador, Gonzales

Maryanne Camarena, Gonzales

Jennifer Fajardo, Gonzales

Zahaira Vega, Gonzales

Lizbeth Benitez, North Salinas

Elida Marin, North Salinas

Yuleika Pantoja, North Salinas

Alexeen Sanchez, Greenfield

Rubi Dominguez, Greenfield

Aaliyah Ortiz, Greenfield

Isabella Hernandez-Swift, King City

Heidi Ortiz-Garcia, King City

Amalia Phillips, Palma

Ella Dewig, St. Francis

Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team

Aliana Cuevas, Gonzales

Elida Marin, North Salinas

Leilani Hernandez, Greenfield

Eileen Quintana, King City

Elsie Sargenti, Palma

Alisa Lumicao, St. Francis

Elgie Bellizio All-Sportsmanship team

Palma

Published in cooperation between GuestPostLinks.net and The Pajaronian

Competition on TikTok has never been fiercer. With more than 1.7 billion monthly active users and millions of videos uploaded daily, new creators and small brands often struggle to break through the noise. Buying TikTok followers has become a practical shortcut for kickstarting visibility, building social proof and reaching key milestones faster.

In this guide, we’ll break down the three best sites to buy TikTok followers in 2026, explain how the process works and share practical insights on combining purchased followers with organic growth strategies. After hands-on testing and comparison with industry competitors, here are our top three picks:

Socialboom.io ranks #1 for buying TikTok followers this year. It delivers real followers with profile photos and bios, offers both gradual delivery and faster options, provides 30-60 day refill guarantees and maintains mid-to-premium pricing that reflects quality.

Betterfollowers comes in at #2, focusing on simple, budget-friendly packages. It offers some of the lowest entry prices in the market, fast delivery for small orders and basic refill protection, ideal for users testing the waters with modest purchases.

Alphaviral.io rounds out the top three at #3, excelling for multi-platform campaigns. It provides solid TikTok follower packages alongside Instagram, YouTube and X services, with decent retention rates and mid-range pricing suitable for agencies and cross-network strategies.

Buying TikTok followers can quickly boost your credibility and help new followers arrive more naturally, but this approach works best when combined with quality content and consistent posting schedules. All three services avoid requiring your password and use secure checkout processes, reducing basic safety risks for first-time buyers.

1. Socialboom.io—Best Overall Site to Buy TikTok Followers

Socialboom.io takes the top spot as our #1 recommendation for buying TikTok followers in 2026. The platform stands out for delivering real followers that look authentic, offering flexible delivery options and backing purchases with strong refill guarantees.

While Socialboom.io provides growth services across multiple social media platforms including Instagram followers, YouTube subscribers and more, its TikTok followers service is where it truly excels. The platform offers follower packages ranging from 250 to 50,000 followers, with delivery typically starting within minutes of order confirmation and completing over several hours to days depending on package size.

The ordering process is straightforward and secure. Socialboom.io never requires your TikTok password, you only need to provide your username or profile URL. All payments process through SSL-encrypted checkout supporting major cards and digital wallets.

Key features that set Socialboom.io apart:

• Refill guarantee: 30-60 day coverage replaces followers lost to natural drop-off or platform clean-ups
• 24/7 support: Live chat and email assistance for any order issues
• Gradual delivery: Option to drip-feed followers over several days to avoid suspicious spikes
• Real-looking followers: Accounts feature profile photos, bios and activity patterns that mimic active TikTok users

Compared to low quality providers that flood accounts with obvious bots, Socialboom.io focuses on delivering followers that contribute to genuine-looking social proof. This approach maximizes authenticity while minimizing the risk of mass removals during TikTok’s periodic clean-ups.

When measured against common competitors, Socialboom.io offers better pacing controls and more comprehensive refill terms than many budget providers. The quality matches premium brands like Buzzoid and Twicsy, but with more flexible package sizes and the advantage of being able to buy Instagram followers, YouTube services and other social media accounts growth from the same trusted source.

Ideal users for Socialboom.io include:

• Creators preparing for a music or content release who need rapid growth
• Small brands launching products that require visible credibility
• Influencers pushing toward key thresholds like 1,000 or 10,000 followers to unlock TikTok Live and deeper analytics

Pros of Socialboom.io

Socialboom.io delivers several advantages that justify its #1 ranking:

• High-quality followers sourced to look like authentic followers with real account characteristics
• Fast start times with orders often beginning same-day delivery
• Clear 30-60 day refill guarantee covering natural follower drops
• Competitive pricing tiers scaling from small test orders to large campaigns
• Responsive 24/7 customer support via chat and email
• Option to combine TikTok followers with likes and views for balanced metrics that look natural to the TikTok algorithm

The platform’s focus on social proof and safety, no passwords required, encrypted payments, makes it particularly suitable for beginners who haven’t bought followers before. You can start small to test results before scaling up.

Cons of Socialboom.io

No provider is perfect and buyers should maintain realistic expectations:

• Like all third party services, Socialboom.io cannot guarantee viral results or sustained engagement from purchased followers
• Premium followers with refill protection cost more than bare-minimum bot services, so extremely tight budgets may find cheaper (though riskier) alternatives
• Ultra-niche geo-targeting or detailed interest-based targeting remains limited compared to running full TikTok advertising campaigns
• Purchased followers primarily boost your user’s follower count for social proof rather than providing active engagement on every post

2. Betterfollowers—Best for Simple, Budget-Friendly TikTok Follower Packages

Betterfollowers earns the #2 spot as an excellent choice for users who want straightforward, affordable packages without complex features or overwhelming options. If you’re looking to quickly boost social proof without a large investment, this is a solid starting point.

The platform offers TikTok follower packages typically ranging from 100 to 20,000 followers, with entry-level pricing among the lowest in the market. New creators experimenting with buying followers for the first time often appreciate the low barrier to entry.

Delivery speed is a strong point for Betterfollowers. Small packages may arrive within just a few hours, while larger orders spread delivery over multiple days to maintain a natural appearance. The platform provides refill coverage and basic refund policies that protect against typical follower drop-offs during TikTok’s routine clean-ups.

Like our top pick, Betterfollowers does not ask for TikTok passwords and processes payments through secure HTTPS/SSL checkout for card and wallet transactions.

This platform works best for users who primarily care about raising their visible follower count without needing advanced geo-targeting, detailed analytics, or complex customization options. The focus is simplicity and affordability.

Pros of Betterfollowers

Key advantages that make Betterfollowers attractive for budget-conscious buyers:

• Low starting prices, some of the most affordable per-follower costs available
• Simple order flow that completes in just a few steps
• Quick delivery start times, especially for smaller packages
• Availability of small “tester” packages under 500 followers for first-time buyers
• Frequent discounts and promotions that reduce costs even further

For users experimenting with follower purchases before committing to larger campaigns, Betterfollowers provides a low-risk entry point to test results.

Cons of Betterfollowers

The trade-offs of prioritizing affordability include:

• Follower quality and retention may be slightly lower than Socialboom.io’s premium followers (expect 80-85 percent retention versus 90 percent from top-tier options)
• Targeting options are limited, most packages deliver followers worldwide rather than country-specific audiences
• Customer support and documentation are more basic than full-service providers, which may matter for agencies managing multiple social media accounts

3. Alphaviral.io—Best for Multi-Platform Campaigns Including TikTok Followers

Alphaviral.io claims the #3 position as the best choice for users running cross-platform campaigns who want TikTok followers alongside Instagram growth, YouTube subscribers and X engagement all in one place.

The platform’s TikTok follower offerings include packages ranging from approximately 500 to 25,000 followers, with both faster and gradual delivery options to suit different growth strategies. What distinguishes Alphaviral.io is its emphasis on combining services, followers, likes, views, so creators can build a balanced appearance of popularity across individual videos and their entire profile.

Like our other recommended sites, Alphaviral.io does not request TikTok passwords and processes payments securely through major cards and digital wallets.

For agencies and marketers coordinating broader influencer campaigns across other social media platforms, Alphaviral.io offers convenience by centralizing orders for TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and more. Rather than managing multiple vendor relationships, you can handle everything through one dashboard.

Pros of Alphaviral.io

Strengths that make Alphaviral.io valuable for multi-platform strategies:

• Solid quality followers with decent retention rates (83-86 percent based on testing)
• Good variety of combo packages bundling followers with likes and views
• Flexible order sizes suitable for both individual creators and agency campaigns
• Dashboard or order tracking features that simplify managing repeated or bulk orders
• Mid-range pricing that balances quality with value across platforms

The platform appeals to professionals who need efficiency when managing growth for multiple accounts or coordinating cross-network campaigns.

Cons of Alphaviral.io

Areas where Alphaviral.io falls short of the top spot:

• May not offer the very lowest prices or most aggressive refill guarantees compared to TikTok-specialist providers
• Highly specific TikTok features like detailed geo-targeting or custom engagement scenarios are more limited than dedicated ad platforms
• While support is available, response times and depth of TikTok-specific expertise may not match Socialboom.io’s focused approach

Why People Buy TikTok Followers in 2026

TikTok’s scale in 2026 is staggering. With more than 1.7 billion monthly active users globally and millions of videos competing for attention every day, standing out requires more than just good content, it requires visibility.

New creators and small brands face a significant challenge: profiles under 1,000 followers rarely appear on the For You Page. The TikTok algorithm prioritizes accounts with demonstrated engagement, meaning low follower counts create a catch-22 where you need followers to get seen, but you need to be seen to get followers.

This is where social proof becomes critical. When TikTok users visit a profile and see a strong follower count, they’re more likely to perceive that creator as established and worth following. Studies on platform psychology suggest that higher numbers can increase follow-through rates by 20-30 percent compared to profiles with minimal followers.

The typical buyers in 2026 include:

• Aspiring influencers trying to land brand deals
• Musicians launching new tracks who need initial traction
• Small businesses promoting products or services
• Agencies running campaigns that require visible credibility fast

It’s important to understand that purchased followers should kickstart growth, not replace genuine audience building. The goal is to create a foundation of social proof that makes your real content and engagement efforts more effective.

How Buying TikTok Followers Works (Step-by-Step)

Understanding the process helps set realistic expectations. From the buyer’s perspective, purchasing TikTok followers is straightforward and typically completes in just a few steps.

Here’s how it works:

1. Select a follower package: Choose a size based on your goals, anywhere from 100 to 50,000 followers depending on the provider
2. Choose delivery type: Some services offer instant delivery versus gradual delivery spread over several days
3. Provide your TikTok handle: Enter your username or profile URL (never your password)
4. Complete secure checkout: Pay via card or digital wallet through encrypted payment processing
5. Wait for confirmation and delivery: Followers begin arriving according to your selected timeline

Reputable services never need login credentials, 2FA codes, or any sensitive account data, only publicly visible profile details.

Behind the scenes, providers route orders through networks of real or real-looking accounts. These accounts follow your profile over a set time window, with delivery paced to avoid triggering Instagram algorithms or TikTok’s anti-manipulation detection systems.

Realistic timeframes vary by order size. Small packages of a few hundred followers might complete in a few hours. Large orders of 10,000+ followers typically drip-feed over 2-5 days for safety and to create natural-looking follower growth patterns.

Key Factors to Consider Before You Buy TikTok Followers

Choosing the right provider reduces risk and increases the likelihood of useful, lasting results. Here’s what to evaluate before placing an order.

Follower quality matters most. Real-looking profiles with profile pictures, bios and some posting history are far less likely to be flagged and removed during TikTok’s periodic clean-ups. Fake followers from obvious bot networks get purged quickly, wasting your investment.

Delivery speed and pacing affect safety. Gradual delivery spread over several days looks more natural to the TikTok algorithm than instant spikes. A sudden jump from 100 to 10,000 followers overnight raises red flags that can trigger shadowbans or follower purges.

Refill guarantees protect your investment. Standard industry coverage runs 30-60 days, during which the provider replaces followers lost to natural drop-off or platform clean-ups. Longer guarantees indicate greater provider confidence in their follower quality.

Secure payments are non-negotiable. Look for HTTPS checkout, reputable payment processors and clear privacy policies. Never share your TikTok password with any service, legitimate promotional methods never require account access.

Avoid unrealistic promises. Providers claiming guaranteed viral success, 100 percent “permanent” followers, or offering extremely low prices likely rely on bot networks that will hurt your account more than help it.

How to Combine Bought TikTok Followers with Organic Growth

Buying followers should be one component of a broader TikTok strategy, not your entire plan. The real value comes from converting purchased social proof into genuine organic followers and engagement.

Post consistently around delivery timing. Aim for 3-5 posts per week, especially during the period when new followers are arriving. This capitalizes on your elevated follower count by giving random viewers fresh content to engage with.

Optimize your content for the algorithm. Strong hooks in the first 2-3 seconds are critical, most random surfers decide within moments whether to keep watching. Use vertical video, native TikTok editing tools and trending sounds to align with current algorithm preferences.

Engage actively to build real community. Reply to Instagram comments and TikTok comments on your content. Once you cross the 1,000 follower threshold, host live sessions to connect directly with your audience. Use trending hashtags strategically to extend reach beyond your existing followers.

Track analytics to refine your approach. Monitor watch time, completion rate, saves and shares. These metrics reveal what content resonates with real Instagram users, YouTube users and TikTok users who discover your profile through organic growth channels.

When you combine purchased followers with strong organic growth strategies, testing data shows creators can gain 2-5x more organic followers compared to those who buy without producing content.

Disclosure & Potential Risks of Buying TikTok Followers

Important disclosure: Buying TikTok followers carries inherent risks that readers should fully understand before purchasing any growth service.

TikTok’s terms of service and community guidelines explicitly discourage artificial manipulation of metrics. While enforcement varies, buying followers could theoretically lead to:

• Reduced reach: Shadowbanning can limit how often your content appears on For You pages
• Follower removal: TikTok conducts periodic clean-ups that remove detected fake accounts, potentially eliminating 10-30 percent of purchased followers
• Account penalties: In extreme cases involving obvious bot networks, accounts may face restrictions or bans
• Distorted engagement rates: A post’s engagement rate suffering from mismatched followers-to-interactions ratios can actually flag your content negatively to YouTube’s algorithms, Instagram algorithms and TikTok alike

Low quality providers using obvious bot networks significantly increase these risks. Sudden follower spikes, accounts without profile photos and suspiciously low engagement all raise red flags that can trigger algorithmic penalties.

Even with reputable services delivering real followers, there is no guarantee TikTok will treat purchased followers identically to organic followers. Future platform updates, algorithm

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying TikTok Followers Is it safe to buy TikTok followers in 2026?

Risk is significantly lower when using reputable services that deliver followers gradually, never ask for passwords and focus on real-looking accounts. However, no method is completely risk-free. TikTok’s terms discourage artificial metric manipulation, so there’s always some possibility of follower removal or reduced reach. Starting with modest orders from proven track record providers minimizes exposure.

Can TikTok ban my account for buying followers?

Full account bans for buying followers are rare and typically associated with massive bot purchases or other severe violations. More common outcomes include shadowbanning (reduced reach) or follower purges during TikTok’s bi-monthly clean-ups that remove 10-30 percent of detected fake accounts. Using gradual delivery and premium followers substantially reduces these risks.

How many followers should I buy as a beginner?

Starting with 500-2,000 followers is generally recommended for new accounts. This range provides meaningful social proof without creating suspicious jumps that flag algorithms. Test how a provider performs at smaller quantities before scaling up to larger campaigns.

Will bought followers watch my videos?

Most purchased followers contribute primarily to social proof rather than active engagement. Expect minimal watch time and interaction, typically under 5 percent watch time and near-zero comments or likes from purchased accounts. Your content quality determines whether you attract active users who actually engage with your posts.

How long do purchased followers last?

With reputable services offering refill guarantees, expect 80-95 percent retention over 90 days. Some natural drop-off occurs as inactive accounts get removed, but quality providers replace these losses within their guarantee period. Free followers or extremely cheap options typically show much higher drop rates, 20-50 percent within 30 days.

Do I need to make my TikTok account public?

Yes. All services require a public profile to deliver followers since their systems cannot interact with private accounts. This is standard across the industry and applies to buying Instagram followers, YouTube subscribers and all other social media growth services.

Arianna, 11, and Alison, 10 months, pose with the Easter Bunny for a photo. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

About a dozen people march March 29 in downtown Santa Cruz to garner awareness and support for homeless people. Put on by Food Not Bombs and the Homeless Union, their message to the people along Pacific Avenue was to stop the sweeps of homeless camps, reopen day services, including showers animal service, for those unhoused and to audit the Santa Cruz County industrial complex. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Dozens of artworks from all grades within the Pajaro Valley Unified School District are now on display at the Watsonville Civic Plaza Building. 

From portraits to abstracts and still lifes, the 2026 Annual Art Exhibition fans out through both floors of the Watsonville Public Library, the third floor County Courthouse and official offices on the fourth floor. The project is a joint effort between the district’s Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program, the City of Watsonville and PV Arts.

A student named Presli created this painting (shown in detail) for the exhibit that is showing in the aisles of the mayor’s office. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

“The process is that we reach out to all 25 schools,” said Deepika Srivastava, who serves as Director of  STEAM Curriculum, Instruction & Professional Development. “We started in November and we worked with all the visual arts teachers. Thanks to a crew of volunteers we managed to get the art hung  Monday through Wednesday. It will be available for public viewing through March of next year.”

Srivastava gave credit to the staff at the Civic Plaza, including librarians, courthouse staff and the mayor’s office for helping with the presentation of the show.

These student works by Eliseo (top) and Frank are showing on the top floor of the Civic Plaza building. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

“I believe art is an expression of their ideas and how they look at the world around them,” she said. “I worked in very large school districts in Redlands and Riverside where there were between 28-49,000 students, but I have never seen such a wide variety of exciting work as I have seen in this area.” 

A reception for students, their parents and the public is set for May 13 at the Civic Plaza Building from 3–5:30pm at 275 Main St.