News

SANTA CRUZ—With the repopulation of a few towns in the CZU August Lighting Complex evacuation zone, the Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is now shifting attention to the needs of people who have been displaced from their homes. As of Thursday, the fire...

After a late spring rain storm hit the area over the weekend, UC Santa Cruz students continued their protest of the Israel-Gaza war, occupying the University’s Quarry Plaza in an action meant to pressure the school into divesting from companies tied to Israel and...

This week, communities across the U.S. are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, a month dedicated to the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America. The origins of the observance began with President Lyndon Johnson, who...

Do you have a recent photograph you’d like to share? Send it to us for consideration by emailing it to [email protected] or mailing it to 21 Brennan St., Suite 14, Watsonville, CA 95076. Please include a brief description of the photo as well as the name...

Total organic fresh produce sales for the first quarter of 2021 saw a continuation of last year’s growth, increasing by 9.3% from the same period in 2020 and topping $2.2 billion for the quarter, according to the Q1 2021 Organic Produce Performance Report released...

SANTA CLARA COUNTY— The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department received confirmation Friday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that an adult male resident of the county tested positive for the coronavirus, which started in Wuhan, China.   “Earlier today the CDC...

SCOTTS VALLEY—Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s detectives on Wednesday arrested a Live Oak man suspected of using credit and bank cards stolen from a firefighter’s truck to make thousands of dollars in purchases. Brian Lee Johnson, 37, has been charged with using stolen credit cards, receiving...

SANTA CRUZ—Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday pulled Santa Cruz County off the state Covid-19 watchlist, a move that could allow the easing of some restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the virus. Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel in a Monday...

Nearly five years after Michael Escobar allegedly gunned down a man at a Watsonville hotel — and struck and killed a 4-year-old girl sitting inside a nearby restaurant — prosecutors are preparing for his jury trial.

More than three dozen students from every high school within Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s boundaries gathered in the district’s boardroom Tuesday for a first-of-its kind meeting with Superintendent Heather Contreras. The Superintendent Student Advisory Meeting, which Contreras said will occur at least six times...