Local News

Special events Dia de los Muertos (Nov. 2) Celebrate the dead with an all-ages festival throughout Downtown Santa Cruz, created by the Santa Cruz Museum of Art History in partnership with Senderos. Experience vibrant dance performances. Get your face painted. Indulge in delicious food. Join in on...

In 2018, 73 community members completed 35 hours of training and were sworn in as officers of the court to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates in the Juvenile Dependency Court of Santa Cruz County.

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Pilots Association (WPA) has filed a lawsuit against the city of Watsonville over the City Council’s recent approval of a proposed 21-condo development across the street from Watsonville Municipal Airport. The lawsuit (case number 21CV02343) claims the City undercut California Environmental Quality Act...

A weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like. Tarmo Hannula FOOD: Pizza My Heart Fresh hot pizza keeps the customers lining up at Pizza My Heart in downtown Santa Cruz. Founded in 1981 in Capitola Village by Fred...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A large group of workers rallied at the Santa Cruz County building Tuesday morning, before telling the County Board of Supervisors they are prepared to strike if ongoing contract negotiations do not go their way. Officials for SEIU Local 521, the union representing...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police Department officers on Saturday arrested two teens who they believe took part in a stabbing on March 15. The arrests mark the third and fourth in the case. Two other teens were taken into custody on Thursday. No additional information has been released about...

WATSONVILLE—A little more than a year ago, Perla Pineda said she had a thought in the back of her mind that would not let her get a good night’s rest. “I felt like something else was calling me,” she said. She remembers waking up in the...

Tarmo Hannula Wet weather will return to the Central Coast as early as Friday night. Scattered showers are expected to pass through Saturday and then heavy rain with the chance of thunderstorms are expected Sunday. Showers could linger through Tuesday. • A task force has leased 26...

Straw Hat Pizza is excited to bring you the Kona Brewing Co. Tap takeover! This Wed. March 28th head down to your local Straw Hat Pizza at 2026 Freedom Blvd. and join the festivities! Starting tonight at 6pm-10pm. We have live music & an amazing Beer selection! Raffle and giveaways all night long. Also Paint and Chill Party, Watsonville Youth Center Fundraiser so we will be raffling off some really cool stuff! Live music from Jaime & The Allstars Band

WATSONVILLE—The abrupt termination of Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez continues to ripple across the district, with two efforts launched recently to ask Trustee Georgia Acosta to remove herself from the position. A petition on change.org calls on Acosta to “resign or face...