News

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County has moved to the “Widespread,” or Purple, tier of state’s Covid-19 reopening plan, which carries with it the most serious restrictions on businesses and services, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in a lunchtime press conference Monday. The increased restrictions mean that...

A recently-acquired slice of coastal land near Watsonville will help protect South County and its farmland from flooding, coastal surges and other impacts of global warming. The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County announced Tuesday that it has purchased 247 acres at Beach Ranch, where...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The 2020 Crop Report for the County of Santa Cruz has been released, detailing the region’s agricultural commodities during one of the most challenging years on record. The Crop Report is presented each year by Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo through the Department of...

Dozens of people gathered Tuesday to celebrate the grand opening of Sparrow Terrace, a development by nonprofit MidPen Housing. Located at 141 Miles Lane, Sparrow Terrace offers 72 affordable apartment homes for people with incomes of 30%-60% area median income, which ranges from $38,040-$108,660, depending...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Since the start of the CZU Lightning Complex fires, county residents and community supporters both locally and beyond have stepped forward to meet the needs of CZU Lightning Complex fire evacuees. Effective Friday at 4 p.m., the 1082 Emeline Ave. warehouse in Santa...

A Watsonville man suspected of several armed robberies was arrested Friday after a dramatic chase that ended with a crash involving seven vehicles on San Andreas Road.

WATSONVILLE—A group of four local artists is creating a mural inside the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley’s (CHT) building at Watsonville Hospital (WCH), where the volunteer-led Silver Circle senior program has found a new home. Kati D’Amore, Joyce Oroz, Linda Bjornson and Joanne Andrews...

Tow operator Kevin Chavez works on righting a VW sedan after it rolled off of Buena Vista Drive early Thursday morning. The California Highway Patrol said a male driver lost control of the VW Jetta around 6:30am while traveling westbound on the 600 block...

Known as the "Cabrillo College Promise," the college is offering, for the first time, a free year of tuition for any graduating senior from a Santa Cruz County high school.

Behind-the-scenes work by a Watsonville Police detective led to the arrest of a convicted felon who now faces several charges.  The suspect, 37-year-old Oscar Madriz, was arrested after the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team (SCCACT) served a search warrant at his home on the 100...