Local News

SCOTTS VALLEY—The CZU August Lightning Complex fire has destroyed 1,490 structures as of Thursday, making it the ninth-most destructive fire ever recorded in the state. According to Cal Fire, 925 of those structures are single-family homes. Most of those homes once stood in the Santa...

Twenty-six new volunteers were sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocates on March 6 by Judge Rebecca Connolly.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—In the first few weeks of the countywide shelter-in-place order, the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter (SCCAS) saw an unprecedented amount of adoptions.  About 126 dogs, cats and rabbits were adopted, including many animals who had been at the shelter for months. “People said...

Congress passed a historic economic rescue package early Friday morning as the number of COVID-19 cases hit 100,000 in the U.S. While the Senate approved the money earlier this week, the House battled over specifics until passing it. President Trump then signed it later...

Juan Manuel Corona, 60, has been charged with lewd and lascivious acts against a child, false imprisonment, and rape by force or fear. He is being held in Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

WATSONVILLE—More than 100 people gathered in front of the newly rebuilt McDonald’s restaurant on Freedom Boulevard Tuesday for a grand reopening celebration. The business, located at 1598 Freedom Blvd., replaces the one originally built in 1974, which had remained at the same location until demolition...

It has been more than two decades since beloved restaurateur Linda Hopper purchased the Silver Spur restaurant in Soquel and turned it into a cornerstone of breakfast and lunchtime fare for both locals and out-of-towners. The restaurant is still going strong, although it will likely...

WATSONVILLE—A Santa Cruz man has been arrested on suspicion of killing his reported girlfriend at an apartment complex on the 300 block of Clifford Avenue Tuesday evening. Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said Mexican authorities near the San Luis, Ariz. border crossing to Mexico...

The organization responsible for keeping Watsonville’s wetlands healthy joined forces with city officials  and a herd of volunteers Saturday to spruce up the Struve Slough trail. Watsonville Wetlands Watch (WWW) Director Jonathan Pilch said the effort included planting 15 coast live oak trees and bringing...