Local News

The iconic Bay View Hotel in Aptos is one of several properties being considered for conversion to long-term rental units.

A Watsonville man died Tuesday night when he hit a utility pole after losing control of his vehicle.

The Santa Cruz County Fair wrapped up Sunday at the close of its five-day, 2025 season. “We had an excellent fair,” said Ron Haedicke, marketing director. “ It was a great run with no issues. Attendance was down 10 percent from last year, but we...

John Kegebein demonstrates an early day, hand-pump vacuum at the Agricultural History Project's table during the annual Business Expo at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Thursday. “The businesses and people of the Pajaro Valley came together at the Expo to show what a fabulous...

Santa Cruz County can now apply for roughly $13.7 million in federal disaster recovery funds for “urgent need” infrastructure repairs and mitigation projects tied to the 2023 winter storms. The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing county officials to...

Vivian Montes, owner of Keeping it Poppin, volunteers her efforts to arrange a balloon display during the 19th annual Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) For the Love of Children Luncheon at the Seascape Golf Club. The Wednesday event served as a fundraiser for the...

"Try This" is a weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like. • Tarmo Hannula Drink: Hotel Paradox cocktails Seeds of Time is a cocktail served at Hotel Paradox, 611 Ocean St., in Santa Cruz. The drink includes Maker’s Mark...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Mayor Rebecca Garcia had a request during a conference call with Santa Cruz County leaders: don’t forget our Spanish speaking population. The longtime outspoken community activist now in charge of the county’s most densely populated city and largest Latino community pushed leaders to add...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting overhauled its tax rates on cannabis businesses, a move the majority of council members said would make the city's businesses more competitive with those in neighboring jurisdictions. The changes will cut taxes on retail cannabis businesses in...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A team of local educators is teaming up with a Santa Cruz internet provider to bridge the so-called digital divide and bring broadband service to families who have been unable to access it. The Equal Access Santa Cruz County (EASCC) fund is a...