Local News

Rain and wind swept across Santa Cruz County on Sunday, with storm damage reported in several places. Paige Gordon stood near her Live Oak home, hours after a towering eucalyptus tree—felled by heavy winds— smashed through the top floor and rendered the entire structure uninhabitable. High...

Watsonville City Councilman Jimmy Dutra took the stand for the second time in his civil trial Thursday, where he doubled down on his denial that he sexually abused a 12-year-old boy 19 years ago. Dutra is accused of molesting a boy in 2005 in his...

Heritage Hall at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds was bustling late Wednesday morning as guests of the National Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon eagerly lined up for food.

Work continues on roadway and signal improvements at the intersection of Holohan Road and East Lake Avenue (Hwy 152). The job is part of a $4.3 million project that will rearrange the heavily traveled intersection, including  a left-turn lane and a merge lane from...

Watsonville Police are hoping they can reunite hundreds of stolen items with their owners during a public viewing on Nov. 14.

"Try This" is a weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like. • Tarmo Hannula FUN: First Friday I’ve trumpeted my excitement about the monthly First Friday event in downtown Santa Cruz in this column before, but I feel a...

WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday arrested a Watsonville man on numerous sex charges involving a minor. Carlos Gomez Velasco, 39, has been charged with oral copulation with a minor, contacting a minor for sexual purposes, sexual battery and contributing to the delinquency of...

The County of Santa Cruz has released a draft Active Transportation Plan for public review, which will be used to identify needed investments and improvements in the county’s walking and bicycling infrastructure.   People may review the plan at ecoact.org/poweredbyme, with comments due by March 25.   The...

President Joe Biden on Monday granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of California, a move that triggers the release of federal funds that could help the people and businesses affected by the series of winter storms that have ravaged the Central Coast...