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Aptos
November 13, 2026

Sutter simulation lab brings training to Santa Cruz

Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz welcomed the Sutter Health mobile simulation lab back into town for its second training on Oct. 20. In this round of training, participants responded to a patient having post-surgery arrhythmias, or change in heartbeat rhythm.  After a classroom...

County prepares for potentially historic El Niño

Santa Cruz County officials are preparing for what could be a historically strong El Niño this winter, with crews strengthening levees, clearing drainage channels and improving emergency warning systems in communities still recovering from the devastating storms of 2023. The Santa Cruz County Board of...

UCSC finds new detection technique for toxic algal blooms

UC Santa Cruz researchers found a new technique that forecasts harmful algal blooms (HABs) up to seven weeks in advance. This new method uses copepods, zooplankton that eat toxic algae, as a part of the measuring system.  Copepods produce a chemical called copepodamide, which the algae...

Aptos High bringing ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ to life

Aptos High School play
What happens when a lovable nerd discovers a sentient, carnivorous plant that brings him the attention he craves, but in return demands blood sacrifice? That’s the question that drives “Little Shop of Horrors,” a musical the Aptos High School drama team is presenting this week. While...

Santa Cruz County building evacuated after suspicious substance found

Jimmy Panetta
The Santa Cruz County Governmental Center on Ocean Street in Santa Cruz was evacuated Friday morning—along with the adjacent Superior Courthouse—after a suspicious white substance was reportedly mailed to U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s office. According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and firefighters...

County to hold hearing on El Niño preparations

watsonville flooding
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing Oct. 20 to discuss the potential impacts of El Niño this winter and how local agencies are preparing for severe weather. The presentation, scheduled for 10:45am, will include current El Niño forecasts, possible impacts...

Letters to the Editor Oct 9-15

Medina a liability to the district I want to address a critical concern regarding the PVUSD district’s liability with regard to workplace safety, and board governance. ​A recent report by the Pajaronian, and public legal records, show that Trustee Gabe Medina has a documented background...

Dientes expands pediatric services

dientes new dentists
Though Jody Chiang just started as a dentist at Dientes in July, her journey with the organization began years before when she sat in the same chair as a child—often. Growing up, Chiang dealt with her fair share of dental problems including cavities and tooth...

Strawberries drive increase in Santa Cruz County crop values

Santa Cruz County’s agricultural production increased in value in 2025, fueled largely by a strong year for strawberries, according to the county’s annual crop report. The estimated gross production value of agricultural commodities reached $762.96 million, up 2.8% from $741.92 million in 2024. The figures...

Aptos steamrolls in lopsided win over Alvarez | High school football roundup

The Aptos High football team saw nine different players record one touchdown en route to a 60-7 crushing victory over Alvarez High in nonleague play Sept. 25. Xander Gonzalez, Anthony Najera, Magnus Vitten, Johnny Martinez, Jasiah Thompson, Bryce Boudreault and Preston Carvalho each had one...