Local News

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The California Department of Public Health has approved a plan for a local group to operate a syringe services program in Santa Cruz County. Organizers for Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County (HRCSCC) have said they plan to provide syringes to drug...

WATSONVILLE—After 33 years of service behind badge number 251, Watsonville Police Sgt. Henry Robles put in his final shift last week.  The San Diego native was surrounded by a swarm of officers, city officials, friends and family in the Squad Room for a farewell sendoff...

The former Watsonville Meat Locker building — which later became Stevie G Meats — was a huge draw Thursday, but this time it was for something new: a pint of homemade beer inside a sparkling new brewery and taproom on Main Street. The Watsonville Public...

Rob and Jolynn Diepenbroek, with their dog, Loki, check out rows of early-day cars at the weekly Cars and Coffee event in East Lake Village Shopping Center. The free Saturday gathering, from 9-11am at 936 E. Lake Ave. in Watsonville, is a place for...

WATSONVILLE—Alternative lenders outnumber mainstream lenders by more than 3-1 in Watsonville. That’s according to a joint report from Santa Cruz Community Ventures (SCCV) and UC Santa Cruz’s Blum Center presented to the public in Watsonville’s Civic Plaza on Tuesday. The report, called “Mamas con Mas,” identified...

During most contacts with the public, police officers activate the tiny cameras, which are affixed magnetically to the front of their uniforms. The video is then downloaded at the end of their shifts.

Bay Federal Credit Union and Santa Cruz County Bank decked out for Halloween.

Dozens of people gathered in downtown Watsonville Friday afternoon to celebrate the completion of a new large outdoor mural at Community Bridges at the corner of Main Street and West Lake Avenue. Titled “Wisdom of Our Elders,” the colorful 225-foot-by-32-foot mural represents a collaboration between...

APTOS—Cabrillo College is planning to host a series of 90-minute community discussions in September and October as college officials weigh changing the school’s name. The first three sessions are scheduled for Sept. 21, 23 and 30. All three will be conducted via Zoom. Cabrillo wrapped up...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz METRO received a $20,560,417 federal grant on July 9 to help deal with the coronavirus crisis.  The money comes from the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which directs the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).  The funds target operating...