Local News

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to purchase a mid-county building which, if it passes inspection, will house the County’s first residential mental crisis program for youth.  The new Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit and Short Term...

The Watsonville Police Department is warning the public to beware of so-called virtual kidnappings, where suspects threaten victims without laying a hand on them.

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.

WATSONVILLE—Highlighting the city’s housing woes and the environmental checks and balances at the county level, the Watsonville City Council on Tuesday approved changes to plans for a large housing development on Ohlone Parkway. Hillcrest Estates, previously known as Sunshine Vista, will have slightly fewer homes—falling...

A 19-year-old Watsonville man was arrested Thursday after an underage girl told police he had been sexually abusing her for several years.

Free hats were the order of the day Thursday thanks to the folks at American Hat Makers on Aviation Way during the 10th annual Hat Day in the Sun.

For the past two years, PVUSD has worked with the institute, trying out some of its programs in local schools. Starlight Elementary and Cesar E. Chavez Middle School each created three original short films last year through YCP.

CENTRAL COAST—Forty percent of Santa Cruz County has now been deemed drought-free due to the rains that have drenched the Central Coast since the year began. Meanwhile, 17% of California is now out of drought conditions following a federal drought monitoring program’s report Thursday. The U.S....

SANTA CRUZ—Several inmates at Santa Cruz County Main Jail tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday in what jail officials say is the most significant outbreak since the start of the pandemic. According to Sheriff’s Sgt. Daniel Robbins, about 12 inmates have tested positive are under quarantine...

SANTA CRUZ—A Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy assigned as a correctional officer in the jail has been arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship win an inmate, Sheriff’s spokeswoman Ashley Keehn announced Saturday. Jessica Smith was charged with sexual activity with an inmate, assault by...