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August 13, 2026

Cesar Chavez Middle School to be Renamed

Editor's note: This story has been modified to correct an error: The family of Mas Hashimoto did not oppose having the school named after him. After news broke in March on Cesar Chavez’s sexual assault allegations, local leaders across the nation have begun removing his...

Annual homelessness census shows slight increase

In 2024, a string of tents and makeshift shelters lined the Pajaro River levee in Watsonville. (Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian file)
The annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count conducted in January showed that 1,648 people were experiencing homelessness, a 12% increase from 2025. County officials cautioned that much of the increase reflects changes in how the count was conducted rather than a direct year-over-year increase in homelessness. For the...

Stolen truck leads to four arrests

Four people were arrested Tuesday and a stolen truck was recovered following a burglary investigation in Watsonville. Officers responded to the report Monday afternoon on the 200 block of Green Valley Road, Watsonville Police said.  Officers learned that a white Ford F-150 and several items from...

Two bodies, one an infant, found in Monterey County

Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Detectives are investigating two separate incidents involving the discovery of human remains. On Aug.1, just after 8:30am, North Monterey County Fire and Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a report of an infant that had been located near the area...

A night out with first responders

This story has been updated from an earlier version. Hundreds of people around the county joined up with law and fire agencies Tuesday during the annual National Night Out. Over four decades ago 2.5 million people in 400 communities in 23 states around the U.S....

Two juveniles arrested in Boardwalk shooting

Santa Cruz Police have arrested two 17-year-old juvenile males on suspicion of firing shots at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk late Monday night.Police said that around 9pm they received reports of shots fired at the parking lot across from the Boardwalk. On arrival, officers...

Voters to decide on new half-cent sales tax

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously voted to place a half-cent sales tax measure on the November ballot that would fund an array of “safety net” services in the face of looming state and federal cuts. The board also declared the...

Police investigate shots fired near Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Police are investigating a report of shots fired Monday evening in a parking lot near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Police said officers responded to reports of shots fired on the evening of Aug. 3. No one was struck by the gunfire,...

Report finds no long-term health risk from Moss Landing battery fire

The fire at Moss Landing reflects off the waters of Moss Landing Harbor. (photo by Liza Azil)
A year and a half after the massive battery fire at the Moss Landing Power Plant, a final environmental assessment concludes that off-site soil, sediment and surface water sampled around the facility do not appear to pose an unacceptable long-term risk to people or...

Supervisors to weigh emergency tax measure

The Santa Cruz County government building on Ocean Street. (Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian file)
In a special meeting Tuesday, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will consider declaring a state of fiscal distress and asking voters to approve a temporary half-cent sales tax that county officials say is needed to offset steep federal funding cuts and protect...
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Letters to the Editor Aug. 14-20

Hashimoto family did not oppose school named in his honor As the only surviving member of the Mas Hashimoto family, I need to clarify what...

Photo story: Out of gas