Nominations for Be The Difference Awards open
The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County has opened the nomination period for the 15th Annual Be the Difference Awards. The awards honor the individuals, groups, nonprofits and businesses that transform Santa Cruz County through volunteerism.
People can share their stories of inspiration by nominating...
County’s Juvenile Hall set for needed upgrades
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Probation Department is in the final stages of securing state funding for a major upgrade to the Juvenile Hall, a project county officials say will help better secure the facility, give youth offenders recreational activities and offer job skills...
Queen’s Shoes celebrates 15 years
In 2007 local fashion designer Sindy Hernandez opened Queen’s Shoes & More, a small boutique featuring a mix of her own and other designers’ clothing and accessories.Â
Hernandez gradually gained a loyal following of customers. And 15 years later, many of them remain, some becoming...
Farm, biotech company secures more grants for education programs
In 2021, biotech company Blume Industries (BI) and Whiskey Hill Farms (WHF) became recipients of The Farmer Rancher Grant, a major grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Western Division of Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).
The grant aims to support farmers and...
Fire academy to bring two aboard at WFD
WATSONVILLE—Nine trainees with hopes of becoming new firefighters or paramedics in Santa Cruz County are three months into the 16-week fire academy.Â
Six of them are aiming to join the Santa Cruz Fire Department, one plans to go to Central Fire District and two hope...
County kicks off summer wheelchair basketball program
WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency’s Public Health Division is inviting all wheelchair users, youth with disabilities, along with their families and friends to participate in the Wheelin’ BBall Community Kick-off this weekend.
The free event will be held Saturday from noon to 2pm at...
New Captain at local CHP
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz area California Highway Patrol has brought aboard a new Captain, Aron Ching.
Born and raised in the Hawaiian Islands, Ching moved to California to pursue a career with the CHP and has been with the department for 23 years.
His new...
Man arrested in deputy’s killing makes first court appearance, delays plea
SANTA CRUZ—The man accused of killing a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy and trying to kill three other law enforcement officials and a civilian during a June 6 crime spree made his first court appearance Friday, but put off entering a plea until July...
Community comes together to repaint Black Lives Matter mural
More than 40 volunteers spent hours Saturday refreshing the massive Black Lives Matter street mural that is sprawled along Center Street in front of...
