Local News

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...

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...

When we learned that Dolly Parton had passed away on Aug. 25, so many of us in Santa Cruz County felt the loss personally, not just as fans of her music, but as a community lucky enough to carry a piece of her legacy...

More than 55,000 people attended the Santa Cruz County Fair this year, an 11% jump from last year. The number includes paid attendance from the public as well as the fair’s long list of volunteers, said fair spokesman Ron Haedicke. “There were no major incidents and...

Meteorologists are predicting a wet El Niño winter this year, with above-normal ocean temperatures potentially bringing heavy rain and flooding. “We are in a very strong El Niño index right now where we are seeing above-normal temperatures along the coast,” said National Weather Service meteorologist...

The Santa Cruz County Fair kicked off Wednesday, welcoming visitors to a vibrant world of “Apple Pies and Starry Skies.” A crowd of more than 100 watched the ribbon-cutting ceremony after hearing welcoming words and gratitude for those who made it happen. As the crowd gathered...

A giant apple pie made of fabric sits near the entrance of JJ Crosetti Hall at the 2026 Santa Cruz County Fair. The work represents the multitude of arts on display in the building, the much-loved apple pie contest and the rich agriculture that makes...

A quarter-century ago, our world changed drastically. The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks were a coordinated operation in which terrorists seized control of four commercial airliners. Two were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, while a third struck the Pentagon in...

Hundreds of LGBTQ+ students, their families, educators and allies from throughout the Central Coast will gather at Watsonville High School Sept. 26 for the Rainbow Conference, a day organizers say is designed to build community, share resources and celebrate young people. For Katherine Figueroa, 15,...

The Capitola Art & Wine Festival returns to Capitola Village this weekend, bringing two days of art, wine, food and entertainment to the seaside community. Hosted by the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce, the free annual festival will run from 10am-6pm Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday. Thousands of...