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Aptos
August 12, 2026

Palacios takes county’s top job

Former Watsonville City Manager Carlos Palacios has been named the County Administrative Officer for Santa Cruz County.

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,...

Covid-19 economic restrictions expected to remain in place

Watsonville coronavirus
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The economic restrictions imposed on various Santa Cruz County businesses are not expected to be loosened this week, according to Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency spokeswoman Corinne Hyland. That’s despite the fact that the county will have spent its 14th day off...

PVUSD schools to close for two weeks, teachers to stay home

WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees in an emergency meeting Saturday unanimously approved a plan to close all district schools for two weeks, and allow most employees to work from home.  Essential staff will provide services such as food, custodial and technology,...

Countywide Ripple Effect Art Festival runs through April 26

A countywide celebration of visual and performing arts kicked off April 16 and will run through April 26.  The Ripple Effect Santa Cruz County Arts Festival is the County’s effort to highlight the creative community during California’s Arts, Culture and Creativity Month.  Organizers said the event...

Man arrested for injury DUI, other crimes

SANTA CRUZ—A Salinas man wanted for a robbery in Salinas – and a DUI in Morgan Hill – was arrested Sunday in a new DUI case for allegedly crashing into several parked vehicles after a brief chase. Christopher Dicochea, 23, a convicted felon, was also...

County Supervisors ban ‘discriminatory reports’ to law enforcement

Santa Cruz County
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance that prohibits so-called “discriminatory reports” to law enforcement, and allows victims to seek financial compensation when it happens to them. Discriminatory reporting was brought to public light in 2020, when...

County pilot program aims for unified approach to homelessness

Watsonville homeless
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a project designed to integrate clinical, mental health and housing services to help the county’s population of homeless people with mental illness and substance use disorders The Mental Health Services Act Innovation Plan is...

County faces economic restrictions as it inches toward state’s watchlist

Watsonville coronavirus
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County is days away from being placed on the California Department of Public Health’s Monitoring List and facing further economic restrictions, County Health Officer Gail Newel said at Thursday morning’s press conference. With 511 active Covid-19 cases as of Thursday—and more...

Carjacking suspect arrested after chase

SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz police on Saturday arrested a San Jose man on numerous charges after a chase that led more than 10 miles through the northern reaches of the county. Albert Blanco, 38, was charged with carjacking and felony reckless evading. He was not in...