Power shutoff canceled in Santa Cruz County
Pacific, Gas and Electric (PG&E) Company’s Public Safety Power Shutoff scheduled for Wednesday night in Santa Cruz County has been called off, the county announced on its Facebook page Tuesday afternoon.
County of Santa Cruz spokesman Jason Hoppin said early Tuesday that roughly 18,000 Santa...
PETA offering reward for help in finding Watsonville cat shooter
WATSONVILLE—Mary Hall was working the afternoon shift on Jan. 6 when Horchata strolled into the office. The cat was a frequent and beloved visitor of the residential facility in Watsonville, where there was always someone to give him food and love.
As Hall was combing...
State education officials release guidance for reopening schools
SACRAMENTO—The California Department of Education (CDE) on Monday released a set of guidelines for schools statewide to use as they seek to reopen in the fall, nearly three months after they closed to slow the spread of Covid-19.
While the state agency leaves actual policymaking...
Man dies from shark attack at Santa Cruz County beach
WATSONVILLE—A 26-year-old Santa Cruz County man died Saturday after he was mauled by a great white shark near Manresa State Beach.
The victim has been identified as Ben Kelly, a prominent surfboard maker and a well-known figure in the surfing community.
According to California State Parks...
World-renowned musician to perform at Buddhist Temple
WATSONVILLE—On Saturday the Watsonville Buddhist Temple will host a special benefit concert featuring Otonowa, a jazz-fusion ensemble led by world-renowned percussionist Akira Tana.
In 2012 Otonowa, which translates to “sound circle,” began playing shows to raise money for survivors of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami...
Three arrested for Soquel burglary
SOQUEL—Santa Cruz Sheriff’s deputies on Saturday arrested three people after they allegedly burglarized a house in Soquel.
Elizabeth Chandler, Colby Jackson and Henry Hansen were charged with burglary, vandalism and resisting arrest. Only Jackson remained in custody Monday in lieu of $25,000 bail.
According to the...
Briefs: County Fair seeks theme; Elks Lodge celebrates St. Patrick’s Day
County Fair seeks theme
The Santa Cruz County Fair announced the return of the annual fair theme contest.
The fair invites the community to submit theme ideas that would reflect the spirit of the County Fair in a few words. The theme should reflect the spirit...
Adrian Gonzalez’s bid for freedom denied, case heads to jury trial
A Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge ruled Tuesday that there is enough evidence that the man who raped and killed 8-year-old Madyson (Maddy) Middleton in 2015 would pose a continued danger to the public if he is released.
Adrian Jerry (A.J.) Gonzalez, now 24,...
No suspect found in home break in
Police prepare to rush into a home on the 100 block of Arista Lane Friday where a man reportedly broke into the occupied home.
Transportation advocates touting rail-trail project
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A group of local transportation organizers is hoping that, within the span of a decade, a passenger rail will run from Watsonville to Santa Cruz, making stops at hubs where busses will whisk passengers to further destinations.
For commuters who wish to eschew...
Photo Story: Two-vehicle crash on Center Street
A Watsonville firefighter cleans up at the scene of a two-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon on Center Street in Watsonville. Watsonville police said the female...























