DA announces arrest in 2009 murder of Santa Cruz teen
SANTA CRUZ—A man wanted for the 2009 murder of a Santa Cruz boy was brought back to the United States Monday after a five-month extradition process from Mexico, Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeff Rosell announced.
Paulo Luna, 34, is a suspect in the Oct....
Buses keep rolling after METRO employee tests positive for Covid-19
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A Santa Cruz METRO employee has tested positive for Covid-19.
The information surfaced in local media Friday and marks the first positive case in METRO’s staff of around 300 people.
“Out of respect for the employee's privacy, we are not disclosing anything other than...
Cesar E. Chavez Community Awards honor youth mentors
WATSONVILLE—Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services and the City of Watsonville honored five local individuals, two organizations and a business at the 18th annual Cesar E. Chavez Community Awards on July 30.
The awards, held virtually this year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,...
Santa Cruz County off state watchlist, for now
SANTA CRUZ—Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday pulled Santa Cruz County off the state Covid-19 watchlist, a move that could allow the easing of some restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the virus.
Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel in a Monday...
Lightning sparks numerous blazes across Santa Cruz County
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A lightning storm that began at about 1am Sunday sparked 22 fires across Santa Cruz County, five of which have burned several hundred acres.
No communities are currently threatened, and no warnings or evacuations have been given, said Cal Fire spokeswoman Cecile Juliette.
The...
County’s budget cuts to Sheriff’s Office eased
SANTA CRUZ— The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an $874 million budget for the coming year that includes cuts and position reductions to every department in the county.
According to County Budget Manager Christina Mowrey, the reductions include furloughs of 5-10%,...
Sheriff’s Office announces 1st death; fire now 13% contained
Update (Aug. 24, 7am):
The CZU Lightning Complex fire has burned 78,000 acres, or approximately 122 square miles, as of this morning, according to an update from Cal Fire. The fire is now 13% contained.
There were good opportunities to attack the fire yesterday, Cal Fire Operations...
Outdoor campers urged to relocate
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—With a Red Flag warning in place through Monday, possibly bringing erratic winds and dry lightning, the Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is urging all evacuees of the CZU Lightning Complex fires currently staying outdoors in tents to seek refuge...
1,611 personnel battling the CZU fires
SCOTTS VALLEY—As the acreage continues to grow in the CZU August Lightning Complex fires, the number of people fighting the blaze on the ground and from the air is also growing.
According to Cal Fire, there are 1,611 firefighters fighting the 78,000-acre blaze out of...
PV Trustees address digital divide, open athletic fields
WATSONVILLE—During a busy night with a loaded agenda, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved plans to boost internet access throughout the city, hire a nurse to coordinate the district’s Covid-19 response and use grant money to purchase an...
A “place of healing”—Tiny home village unveiled
With a small handful of finishing touches still left to complete on a tiny home village in Westview Presbyterian Church’s parking lot in Watsonville,...
