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...
Flea market vendors busted for illegal tobacco sales
SANTA CRUZ—Three vendors at the Santa Cruz flea market were cited for selling tobacco products to minors during a decoy operation on Sunday.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Unit conducted the operation at the market, which is held in the...
Cabrillo leaders approve $274.1M bond measure
The Cabrillo College Board of Trustees voted unanimously Monday night to bring a bond measure to voters as a way to pay for an ambitious set of infrastructure improvement and construction projects at both the Aptos and the Watsonville campuses.
Supreme Court bans employment discrimination based on sexuality, gender identity
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Supreme Court made a historic ruling Monday, determining employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is prohibited under federal law.
The decision is the most significant victory for LGBTQ rights in the U.S. since the legalization of...
Artist showing work at Showtime Pizzeria
Aptos artist Becky Olvera Schultz is showing her work at Showtime Pizzeria, 7960 Soquel Drive, Suite E, through February.
CHP hosting toy drive
California Highway Patrol Santa Cruz Area is hosting the annual Annual CHiPs for KiDs Toy Drive. The drive ends Thursday, Dec. 21.
Soquel man arrested for child sex crimes
SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies on Thursday arrested a Soquel man suspected of more than a dozen counts of sexual assault of a child.
Luis Ortiz, 59, was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
According to Sheriff’s spokeswoman Ashley...
Memorial brick program benefits museum, chamber
Anyone looking to commemorate an anniversary, death or any other important moment in their lives can now announce it right in the heart of the Aptos Village Project.
New Capitola Library edges skyward
Construction work is marching ahead on the new Capitola Branch Library at the corner of Clares Street and Wharf Road. After the previous library was demolished at the start of the year, the new structure is moving skyward.
New human resources director takes reins
Since Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Chona Killeen started her position ion July 1, she and her department have hired more than 100 new teachers.
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District in early August was still looking for 22 teachers, a number that was shrinking as candidates came in for interviews less than a week before classes resumed, Killeen said.
The number is down from about 200 vacancies four weeks ago, said interim Assistant Director of Secondary Education Terry Eastman.