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Aptos
June 3, 2026

Santa Cruz County limits syringe distribution

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors retooled the county’s syringe exchange program during its Dec. 10 meeting, limiting the amount that people can trade for clean ones on behalf of other people.  This practice, known as secondary exchange, is believed by advocates to...

Man arrested for firing shots; no injuries

LIVE OAK — Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies on Sunday arrested a man who reportedly fired several shots into the air in the area of Winkle Drive and Soquel Avenue. Anthony Martinez-Franco, 18, was charged with willful discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm...

Community voices worries of syringes

WATSONVILLE—The future of Santa Cruz County’s syringe services program was in the community’s hands this week. In two meetings held by the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency in Santa Cruz on Nov. 14 and Watsonville on Tuesday, officials asked attendees to outline what questions...

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.

Leadership Santa Cruz County searching for new executive director

Following the retirement announcement of long-time Executive Director David Vincent, Leadership Santa Cruz County has begun its search for a new executive director.

Early morning fire levels Aptos restaurant

APTOS — An early morning fire roared through the popular Hideout restaurant in Aptos Monday.

New housing program helps farmworkers during Covid-19 pandemic

housing for the harvest
WATSONVILLE—Gov. Gavin Newsom on July 24 revealed a new temporary housing program that aims to help agricultural workers across the state better protect themselves and their families during the Covid-19 pandemic. Housing for the Harvest will offer temporary hotel housing to workers who need to...

Michael Watkins, longtime county superintendent, to retire

“At the end of my term, I will have led the organization for 12 years,” he said. “I believe in giving others a chance to bring new ideas and leadership to any organization.”

Several county events, businesses close their doors | COVID-19 closures

The City of Watsonville on Thursday cancelled several local gatherings because of growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. Those cancellations included its Friday farmers market and its annual Earth Day event, scheduled this year for April 26.  Watsonville City Manager Matt Huffaker said...

Offering 'another chance'

A contingent of politicians, educators and residents gathered in Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult Education’s Rodriguez Street location Dec. 3 to help ring in the institution’s 90th anniversary.