County’s places of worship, retail stores allowed to open at reduced capacity
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...
Aptos Village shaping up
In the not-too-distant future, Aptos’ signature World’s Shortest Parade will terminate in the Village Green, the centerpiece of Aptos Village’s expansive new development.
Aptos teacher hopes to create program to help students, educators
WATSONVILLE—As a new teacher, Brogan Dahl knows how difficult it can be to live in Santa Cruz County on an educator’s salary. She also has experienced the frustration of wanting to bring creativity into her lessons while under the limiting mantle of a strict...
Santa Cruz County health officer says mask order won’t change behavior
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Saying that she has not yet seen reliable data that a countywide masking mandate would alter personal behavior or lower Covid-19 cases, Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel said she does not plan to issue a new order any time...
Downed power lines snag motorcyclist
Aptos - A motorcyclist was dragged off his motorcycle on Highway 1 Friday after a giant oak tree crashed to the pavement, ripped down power lines and draped them across the freeway.
County showcases new mental health facility
WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Services showed off its new South County facility Friday, a building that has allowed the agency to more than double its space and bring an expanded offering of mental health services to the Watsonville area.
The building at 1430 Freedom...
More than 700 structures destroyed by CZU Complex fire; now 24% contained
SCOTTS VALLEY—The level of containment in the CZU August Lightning Complex fires continues to increase, and so does the number of confirmed destroyed and damaged structures.
The blaze in the Santa Cruz Mountains has destroyed 746 structures and is still threatening more than 13,000 others...
Two Safeway employees at Soquel location test positive for Covid-19
CAPITOLA—Two employees who work at the Safeway grocery store on 41st Avenue in Capitola have tested positive for Covid-19, company spokeswoman Wendy Gutshall said.
One employee has not worked since May 23, and the second since May 30, she said.
“That store has been through multiple...
New dashboard details school-based Covid-19 testing results
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (COE) has launched a dashboard that summarizes Covid-19 testing results across schools countywide.
The dashboard is a partnership with school districts, Inspire Diagnostics and the Santa Cruz County Department of Public Health, COE spokesman Nick Ibarra...
Santa Cruz County faces weekend power shutoff
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Thousands of people throughout Santa Cruz County could lose power this weekend if Pacific Gas and Electric Company conducts a Public Safety Power Shutoff in advance of predicted hot, windy weather.
Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin said that 45,000 people could...





















