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February 16, 2026

UC Santa Cruz Arboretum hosts large-scale art exhibit

Bizarre and beautiful plants, bulleting hummingbirds and more often inspire visitors to the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum. And now, through Nov. 17, a large-scale art exhibit on the picturesque hillside takes that inspiration to some intriguing places.

Man facing slew of child sex abuse charges had ties to County, officials say

A South Lake Tahoe resident was arrested last week on 99 felony counts related to child sex abuse, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said. Christopher Scott Flanders, 51, was previously a resident in several areas of Santa Cruz County, including Watsonville, Boulder Creek and...

Watsonville chips in $130K to health district’s push for hospital purchase

Watsonville Hospital
WATSONVILLE—In a vote that was largely ceremonial, the Watsonville City Council unanimously approved giving $130,000 to the newly-formed Pajaro Valley Healthcare District to help the nonprofit purchase Watsonville Community Hospital’s operations. The contribution from the cash-strapped municipality pales in comparison with those of other jurisdictions...

Woman accused of selling tobacco products, alcohol to minors

SANTA CRUZ—A Santa Cruz woman was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of using social media to sell vape products and alcohol to minors. Martha Espinoza, 41, was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail, but was not in custody on Thursday morning, jail records showed. The Santa Cruz...

Man arrested for placing credit card readers in two counties

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville Police on Oct. 4 arrested a man who allegedly placed skimming devices on credit card readers inside convenience stores in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.  George Cristea, 34, is facing several charges following an investigation involving several law enforcement agencies.  The case began in Salinas,...

Keeping quilting tradition alive, new

This year’s quilt show—titled “A Galaxy of Quilts”—is set for Feb. 24 and 25 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.

Good Times purchases Press Banner

SCOTTS VALLEY—Santa Cruz’s Good Times weekly has purchased the Press Banner from Tank Town Media just as the Santa Cruz Mountains newspaper prepares to celebrate its 60th year of publishing. The Scotts Valley-based weekly, which, in addition to serving the city of 11,500, covers Boulder...

PCCS graduates look ahead

PCCS graduation
SANTA CRUZ—Class of 2020 Salutatorian Michelle Soriano says she has come out of Pacific Coast Charter School a changed individual. “I’m leaving as a different person—but in a good way,” Soriano said. “I feel like I’m better at looking out for myself, and not just...

County seeking property owners to help with homelessness crisis

Santa Cruz County
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County officials are asking landlords to help alleviate the housing crisis by offering space to people who need permanent housing. County spokesman Jason Hoppin says that a new program, called Rehousing Wave, seeks to help more than 800 people who have...

Multiple dead in Pennsylvania synagogue shooting

A gunman is in custody in Pittsburgh, Penn. after he reportedly burst into a synagogue heavily armed and opened fire on the congregation Saturday.
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Body identified as missing woman

A woman’s body recovered on Jan. 18 in the area of Smith Grade and Moore Ranch Road has been identified as 73-year-old Jeanne Burke,...