Shelter-in-place order tested
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a body that was found over the weekend. Spokeswoman Ashley Keehn said the body was discovered outdoors in a rural setting by someone checking on property lines on Redwood Drive near Glen Canyon Road Saturday afternoon. The...
PHOTO: Officials tour flood-damaged neighborhoods in Watsonville
Mark Strudley (center), Flood Control Division Manager of Santa Cruz County Department of Public Works, joins other officials in touring a College Road neighborhood recently to assess recent flood damage. Included in the tour were representatives from the offices of Senator Alex Padilla, Assemblyman...
Cosmetology class helps Watsonville students prepare for prom
WATSONVILLE—A little more than one year ago, Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult School opened the county’s only beauty and cosmetology school.
The program is one of the school’s many offerings that include English classes, citizenship and certified nursing assistant certificates.
As part of the cosmetology program, students offer...
Portola Heights fire being investigated as attempted murder
An early-morning fire that broke out at a mobile home in the Portola Heights Mobile Home Park on Freedom Boulevard Tuesday is being investigated as an attempted murder.
Duane Hawkins, 65, arrived at the home and started the fire following an argument, Watsonville Police spokeswoman...
County officials monitoring coronavirus outbreak
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The World Health Organization on Thursday declared the spread of coronavirus a global health emergency, saying that its spread can still be halted if all countries take strong countermeasures.
“...all countries should be prepared for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and...
PVUSD officially delays return to class
WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Unified School District students will wait at least two extra months to return to their classrooms, the district’s trustees unanimously voted Wednesday.
The district was planning to begin a hybrid version of in-person learning starting in January, but a recent surge of Covid-19,...
Honoring the homeless who died this year
About seven years ago, Marie Riggs was living in a homeless shelter and addicted to alcohol, wondering how she would survive this low point in her life.
“I was a hopeless mess,” she said. “I had no idea how to live, I didn’t know how...
Custodian keeps schools tidy for four decades
“This is who I wanted to be; this was my dream and I am where I have always wanted to be,” said Ohlone Elementary School custodian Raúl Gonzales.
He has now put in 42 years at various schools, starting out at Freedom School in 1979....
Hospice of Santa Cruz County announces strategic partnership
Hospice of Santa Cruz County, together with Mission Hospice & Home Care in San Mateo and The Elizabeth Hospice in San Diego, have announced the formation of the California Hospice Network
Locals join nation in protests following death of George Floyd
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Thousands took to the streets in Watsonville and Santa Cruz over the weekend in bold protest of the death of George Floyd, an African American man who died in Minneapolis May 25 when a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly...
Aptos girls soccer standout Alexa Castañeda commits to Fresno State
Aptos High senior Alexa Castañeda has left behind an everlasting legacy on campus after four phenomenal years on the pitch with the girls soccer...



















