News

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The former Minneapolis police officer who was seen in a video killing a Black man by kneeling on his neck for more than nine minutes was convicted Tuesday on counts of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Derek Chauvin faces at least 12...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel on Tuesday revised her shelter-in-place order to align most of the county’s restrictions with that of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order. The new county order will open places of worship, in-store retail, outdoor museums and limited...

More than 100 people packed the auditorium at E.A. Hall Middle School Tuesday night to have their say on how the school should spend $2.2 million it has remaining in Measure L funds.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The seventh annual Santa Cruz Gives holiday crowdfunding campaign raised more than $1 million for local nonprofit organizations in 2021. The milestone was reached after the campaign doubled in size, featuring 80 nonprofits on its online platform. Individual donors, matching funds, challenge gifts...

SANTA CRUZ—Second Harvest Food Bank hosted a drive-thru community food distribution Friday at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Supported by numerous volunteers and members of the California National Guard, the distribution unfolded under overcast skies as part of ongoing county-wide distributions that alternate between the...

Every year, Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA) opens its annual exhibit inspired by Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a traditional Mexican holiday commemorating loved ones and community members who have died.  “Mi Casa es Tu Casa” returned to PVA Oct. 26. This...

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SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—School district superintendents from 11 districts throughout Santa Cruz County will hold a town hall meeting Thursday to talk about bringing younger students back into the classroom. The discussion, led by Dr. Steven McGee of Dignity Health and Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz of Dominican...

WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council at its Tuesday meeting will weigh a 45-day ban on the approval of new drive-thrus. The ban will need ⅘ approval, meaning six of the seven council members will need to vote yes in order for it to pass. If passed, the...

UPDATE: Soquel Drive has reopened. ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Westbound Soquel Drive at Cabrillo College is closed indefinitely after a trailer hauling an excavator struck a pedestrian bridge. The collision occurred at about 12:30pm at Cabrillo College Drive. California Highway Patrol is advising motorists to avoid the area, and...