Local News

Smoke from the CZU August Lightning Complex fires has been really bad most of the day. We got something of a break Monday and Tuesday, with blue sky dominating the weather picture. Maybe the wind shifted? I spoke with several people in Watsonville and...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) has introduced a number of new incentives aimed at attracting qualified bus operators to address an “unprecedented crisis in staffing levels” in public transportation. Thanks to a recent contract extension between METRO and the three unions...

Santa Cruz County officials said residents should expect to experience rotating power outages of 1-3 hours until 10pm tonight, as the state's energy grid continues to struggle with increased demand because of the ongoing heatwave. The California Independent System Operator (ISO) early Monday issued a...

Final touches are still being completed at the fairgrounds as the 136th Santa Cruz County Fair, Sept. 14-18, approaches. From temporary livestock pens, art exhibits, collections, colorful flowers and fresh paint, the fairgrounds is abuzz with activity. In the Fine Arts Building, Donna Giubbini, chair...

PAJARO—The Pajaro River came within a few inches of overtopping its banks—and overwhelming the structures put in place to stop flooding—during the series of atmospheric rivers that swept through the region in the early part of January. That is according to Monterey County Water Resources...

Crop production in Santa Cruz County last year showed a modest uptick from the previous year, with a 1.5% growth totaling more than $666.9 million.  As usual, berries in 2022 remained the primary driving force in the county’s agricultural output at 60% of the total...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville firefighters responded to a fire Friday afternoon that seriously damaged a home and displaced one resident. It is unclear what caused the blaze, which started around 1:15 p.m. at 11 Jeanette Way.  Mike Vaz said he has lived in the house more than 30 years. He...

By Bryan PietschSchools named for historical figures, including Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, as well as current ones, like Sen. Dianne Feinstein, are set to be renamed. Following the unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, which led to the killing of a protester by a...

APTOS—Around 120 people from various Santa Cruz County law enforcement and first responder sectors ran through The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in the sixth annual Never Forget Memorial Relay on Sunday. Numerous employees from local fire and police agencies and the probation, sheriff’s...