News

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The number of unemployed people in Santa Cruz County has nearly doubled since the Covid-19 crisis began in March 2020, from 4.8 percent in 2019 to 8.5 percent last year. That amounts to 16,900 fewer jobs than there were a year ago, said...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—President Joe Biden on Saturday declared a disaster exists in the storm-damaged parts of California, freeing up federal aid to help state and local recovery efforts in Merced, Sacramento and Santa Cruz counties. Biden’s declaration came hours after Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator...

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance that will, in a little more than two years, ban the sale of filtered cigarettes in unincorporated areas of the county. The Supervisors will hear a second reading and final adoption on...

A long-standing fence that has thrown off pedestrian traffic from a stretch of Beach Road in the Seacliff area of Santa Cruz County for decades has now been opened to the public.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congress on Monday approved a $900 billion, 5,000-page federal package that could be a boon to California, which like all other states is struggling under the weight of an economy wracked by the Covid-19 pandemic. If signed by President Donald Trump, it will provides...

WATSONVILLE—The aging sports field at Freedom Elementary School is so cratered by gopher holes and waterlogged by winter weather that some students don’t bother playing on it. Those that do risk sodden shoes and twisted ankles. This is set to change soon.  Under an agreement forged Jan....

SANTA CRUZ—In an effort to meet public transit safety standards set during the Covid-19 pandemic, officials at Santa Cruz METRO at a Wednesday press conference showcased the safety and precautionary measures they have put in place. Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold and METRO Board...

I recently visited Farley's Christmas Wonderland at 108 Seaview Ave. in Santa Cruz to witness, by far, the most amazing residential Christmas display. For years it has been a major draw for the public with more than 30 fully decorated Christmas trees, miniature snowy...

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency celebrated the completion of a project Thursday that significantly increases the amount of recycled water used on crops throughout the area.

The Cabrillo College Board of Trustees voted unanimously Sept. 9 to appoint Manuel Bersamin to the trustee Area V seat.  The area includes the City of Watsonville and the southern portion of Freedom. Bersamin will fill the seat that was vacated in July when Martha...