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Aptos
January 17, 2026

State’s undocumented immigrant assistance program starts Monday

Community action board
The Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County on Monday will begin accepting applications for the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants program. Announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom in mid-April, the program will provide roughly 150,000 undocumented adults a one-time payment of $500 per...

Sheriff Hart: ‘We have the right people’ in Tushar Atre Murder case

tushar atre murder arrest
SANTA CRUZ—Dozens of law enforcement officials in two states arrested four men on Tuesday in connection with the Oct. 1 kidnapping and murder of tech executive and Pleasure Point resident Tushar Atre. Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said during a Thursday press conference that...

Local young inventors get state recognition

WATSONVILLE—A group of young inventors who earned accolades in local and state competitions last year visited the state capital Monday, where they met with lawmakers and showed off their winning creations. The visit to Sacramento was in advance of Kid Inventors Day on Jan. 17....

Bricks highlight Aptos community

APTOS—Lasting memories of loved ones, events, businesses and organizations might now last a little longer in Aptos thanks to the Celebration Brick Program and a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony that unfolded Saturday. About 100 people gathered around one of eight tree wells at the Village Green,...

Urn containing girl’s ashes stolen

maddy middleton
SANTA CRUZ—The family of the 8-year-old girl who was murdered in 2015 is facing a new tragedy after someone stole the urn containing her ashes. Madyson “Maddy” Middleton’s family says that her father Michel Middleton was keeping the urn in the glovebox of his unlocked...

Car stop leads to significant drug bust

SANTA CRUZ—A man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a large number of illegal drugs for sale Monday on the West Side of Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic Enforcement Team found Michael Rodgers in his car near Shaefer Road at Delaware...

SACO awards scholarships

The Slavic American Cultural Organization (SACO) introduced its 2019 High School Scholarship Recipients at the club's annual July picnic. Each of the students received an award of $1000. Pictured from left to right: Carrie Frost (Aptos High, Cabrillo College), Marko Zaninovich (Stevenson School, Cornell...

Soquel water rates to rise

SOQUEL — The Soquel Creek Water District Board of Directors on Tuesday approved a five-year rate hike for its customers, which district officials say was created to help the district better maintain its aquifer supplies, fund ongoing operations and prevent saltwater intrusion caused by groundwater overdraft.

Cabrillo hosts thousands of fourth-graders

APTOS — Nearly 3,000 fourth-grade students from around Santa Cruz County came to Cabrillo College’s Aptos campus early in March to get their first taste of college life and, organizers hope, show them that post-secondary education is within their reach.

Pier 1 to close all stores

pier 1 imports
CAPITOLA—Pier 1 Imports announced Tuesday that it will close all 540 of its stores nationwide, sell its inventory and liquidate its assets. The sales will begin at the Capitola store as soon as the Santa Cruz County Health Department allows it to open. The company’s website...