Media

WATSONVILLE — When it comes to farmers and government, water supply in the Central Coast is at times "fighting words."

Dale Huss said that the process of convincing coastal growers to stop turning to their own wells and start ordering delivery of recycled water sold by Pajaro Valley Water Agency a decade ago took teamwork. Huss oversees artichoke production for Castroville-based Ocean Mist Farms and led Pajaro Valley Water Agency's Projects and Facility Operations Committee for more than 15 years.

SOLEDAD — American flags, a special ceremony and a guest appearance by Congressman Jimmy Panetta paid tribute to fallen soldiers and military members May 27 at the Soledad Cemetery.

Soledad American Legion Post 32 started off the ceremony with Commander Juan Baltierra, who introduced the placing of the MIA (Missing in Action) chair wrap by Tom Vaughan and Tony Virrueta.

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta took a detour on his way from Washington D.C. to Carmel Valley last week to stop in two border cities, El Paso and San Diego, to see how the immigration system is working—or isn't working.

He met with U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, Citizen and Immigration Services officials, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers. What he encountered was mostly an overburdened system with too little staffing.

MONTEREY – Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, recently traveled to the southern border to gather information about the influx of immigrants and how the United States government is handling the situation in a quest for solutions to the complex issue.

"I wanted to see it first-hand for evidence, to be able to articulate and understand to work on it," said Panetta via phone. "The trip was my duty as a U.S. representative to gather evidence on my own for this pressing issue."

Helping veterans and active duty military has been a focus of Representative Jimmy Panetta during his time in Congress. He is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. He served in the Navy Reserve.

I recently met him at his office in Washington, D.C. and asked how his service has shaped his work as a lawmaker.

SEASIDE — As a hallowed flag flew at half staff above more than 75 veterans and their families who gathered on a cool Monday morning at the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery in Seaside, one elected official after another paid tribute to the men and women who made a final sacrifice for their country.

Jimmy Panetta, a Navy veteran and a Congressman representing the 20th District in the House of Representatives, opened his remarks on a "sober and somber day."

The San Benito County Free Library celebrated its first one hundred years of service recently with an evening of food, fellowship and fun.