59.8 F
Aptos
August 17, 2026

Sexual assault allegations surface against César Chávez

The nation’s oldest farmworker union announced Tuesday that it has canceled all events celebrating labor organizer César Chávez after allegations surfaced that he sexually assaulted several women and girls. “As a women-led organization that exists to empower communities, the allegations about abusive behavior by César...

Santa Cruz County to support lawsuit over planned ICE facility near Gilroy

The Santa Cruz County government building on Ocean Street. (Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian file)
Santa Cruz County plans to support a lawsuit challenging a proposed federal immigration enforcement facility near Gilroy by joining an amicus curiae brief alongside Santa Clara County and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, county officials announced Thursday. The lawsuit seeks judicial review of a facility...

Fundraiser for slain Sheriff’s deputy raises more than $320k

Damon Gutzwiller
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Peace Officers Research Association of California has established a fundraiser for the family of Damon Gutzwiller, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Deputy who was shot and killed in the line of duty Saturday in Ben Lomond. The account has collected more than...

Sheriff’s deputy, security guard thwart inmate escape

SANTA CRUZ — A Santa Cruz County Jail inmate was recaptured Monday during an attempted escape on a visit to Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dee Baldwin said.

Capitola Olive Garden aims for Dec. 17 opening

Final touches are underway at the Olive Garden Italian Kitchen restaurant, the first such location for the chain business in Santa Cruz County. General Manager Lisa Chiorello said the company, with more than 800 restaurants, is aiming to open Dec. 17.

Santa Cruz County now has 13 COVID-19 cases

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency announced that there are now 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus. The announcement comes less than two weeks after Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel announced the county’s first case on March 7. The increasing...

Case of alleged Aptos shooter heads to trial

A Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge ruled Monday that prosecutors have enough evidence for a trial in the case of a man who shot his girlfriend and stabbed her husband in a rural Aptos residence during an attack in late January.

Girl Scouts clean up Hidden Beach Park

Girl Scout Daisy Troop 15015 recently met at Hidden Beach Park in Aptos to help with a park cleanup. Hidden Beach is primarily used by local neighborhood residents — both as a park and a beachfront area. Discussions were made with county officials about the need for the park to receive some TLC. Nine 6-year-old Daisies responded to the call and were willing to serve. Equipped with vinyl gloves, trash bags and mechanical grabbers, the afternoon started with a talk about being safe. Tips included: using the grabbers to pick up all items, no picking up sharp objects, and always use the gloves.

Ella Porter, kid reporter

When news breaks, rest assured that 10-year-old kid reporter Ella Porter is on the story. Ella is one of 45 young journalists from 10 countries who were recently chosen to write for the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps.

Santa Cruz County history in focus

CAPITOLA — The third annual Santa Cruz County History Fair unfolded in Jade Street Park at the Capitola Community Center on May 18. Twenty-two organizations had displays at the free event that was hosted by the Capitola Historical Museum, said Board President Niels Kisling.