57.7 F
Aptos
December 13, 2025

Santa Cruz shifting homeless as way to slow virus’ spread

SANTA CRUZ—Several uniformed Santa Cruz police officers were on Water Street Friday morning, along with a group of city workers, tasked with dismantling and moving a homeless encampment that has grown along the north wall of the downtown post office, and in other places...

Cool weather helps firefighters notch ‘best day yet’

czu august lightning complex fire
SCOTTS VALLEY—Cool, moist weather throughout the day continued to help firefighters battle the CZU August Lightning Complex fires, which have now scorched 78,684 acres, and as of Monday night was 13% contained, firefighters told reporters during a press conference. During the conference, Santa Cruz County...

Santa Cruz Police investigaing ​‘suspicious object’

Santa Cruz suspicious device
SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz Police are dealing with a ‘suspicious object’ that was found on the West Side of Santa Cruz Wednesday afternoon, forcing the closure of several roads and a shelter-in-place order for residents. Police have teamed up with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s bomb...

Illegal fireworks keep local law enforcement busy on Fourth

Watsonville Police fireworks
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Watsonville firefighters had a “very busy Fourth of July” as they responded to a total of 24 calls in the 24-hour period surrounding the holiday, including medical calls and fires to vegetation, dumpsters and structures. Units were also out patrolling for illegal...

FBI links alleged Sheriff’s deputy killer to death of federal officer in Oakland

Steven Carrillo
By Jake Pierce, Good Times OAKLAND—The Ben Lomond man charged with killing a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy on June 6 was also the gunman in the shooting of two law enforcement officers in Oakland last month, U.S. Attorney Dave Anderson alleged Tuesday. Millbrae resident Robert...

Commercial crab season pushed back

SANTA CRUZ—Based on updated information and in response to concerns from the commercial Dungeness crab fleet, including written requests from Port Associations to further delay, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham has delayed the start date for the California Dungeness...

Santa Cruz County Jail inmates holding hunger strike

According to Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dee Baldwin, about 90 inmates began refusing their jail-provided meals on May 5 to protest a handful of issues such as a lack of warm clothing options, television programming and prices in the commissary.

CZU Complex fires have destroyed more than 300 structures; now 17% contained

czu august lightning complex fire
SCOTTS VALLEY—The level of containment in the CZU August Lightning Complex fires continues to increase, but so does the number of confirmed destroyed and damaged structures. Cal Fire officials at a Tuesday morning press conference said the blaze in the Santa Cruz Mountains is now...

Distracted driving increases near schools, survey shows

In October, marking National Teen Driver Safety Week, teenagers across California tallied distracted driving outside their schools during the eighth-annual Roadwatch assessment, an activity organized by the California Friday Night Live Partnership (CFNLP).

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...