Local News

iSkate Capitola, at Esplanade Park beside the beach, opened Friday.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Forty years ago, artist Annie Morhauser arrived in Santa Cruz County with a passion for glass and a dream to succeed. After graduating from the California College of the Arts with a degree in glassmaking, Morhauser set up shop in a small, 400-square-foot...

SISKIYOU COUNTY—The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday arrested a man in connection with the shooting death of a former Santa Cruz County man. Timothy Chase McDonald, 22, of Yreka was arrested for murder and was booked at the Siskiyou County Jail in Yreka. He...

With foundation work completed and now in its framing stage, 72 new affordable apartments by MidPen Housing are going skyward at 139-141 Miles Lane. The Watsonville City Council approved the development in 2020, a joint project between MidPen and Encompass Community Services, which is being...

SANTA CRUZ—A Santa Cruz man was arrested Aug. 21 on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance for sale at a home on the 500 block of Park Way. George Rivera, commander of the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team, said Elijah Phoenix Francis, 21, was...

WATSONVILLE—People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect who poisoned two dogs in a residential backyard in Watsonville. PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch said the dogs—named Bruno and Luna—died “in agony”...

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart announced his retirement Wednesday, a move that will cap a 36-year career with the department when he steps down Dec. 6. He has endorsed Undersheriff Chris Clark to succeed him. Hart, who is serving his third term, says his decision...

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday sweeping new changes to relax Covid-19 health standards that could have a dramatic impact on speeding up a gradual reopening of businesses, services, social behavior and even some major league sports—minus the crowds. While some governors advise a "slow...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—In a 6-6 vote, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) on Thursday narrowly rejected a business plan for the design, construction and operation of a passenger rail line along the 32-mile stretch from Davenport to Pajaro, which could mean, at...

WATSONVILLE—When the Santa Cruz County Fair opened Wednesday, Watsonville resident Manuel Monroy was one of the first ones through the gate, his 3-year-old son Leo at his side for the boy’s first fair experience. On their agenda was the popular All Alaskan Pig Races, a...