Local News

WATSONVILLE—Every year on the outskirts of Watsonville, late summer brings the intoxicating aroma of fried food, along with the sweet summer cacophony of carnival rides, livestock and giant, jubilant crowds. But those voices will fall silent this year at the Santa Cruz County Fair, after...

SANTA CRUZ—Dozens of homeless people were roused by police officers in their tents early Friday morning at Phoenix Camp, the unsanctioned encampment behind the Gateway Plaza at River Street and Highway 1 in Santa Cruz. The message was clear: the residents were trespassing on city-owned...

WATSONVILLE—Gov. Gavin Newsom announced increased funding for the Farm to Family Program on April 29. The program directly connects farmers and ranchers to food banks to feed Californians around the state. The state intends to seed a $15 million campaign with $3.64 million to...

LIVE OAK—Santa Cruz County’s first-ever inclusive playground officially opened Saturday at Chanticleer Park in Live Oak  LEO's Haven, a playground designed to welcome children with disabilities such as blindness, mobility impairment and autism, is the centerpiece of the $4 million rebuild of the 4.5-acre park. The...

WATSONVILLE—The Pajaronian this year has jumped on the growing digital giving movement Santa Cruz Gives, the first crowdsourcing website for multiple Santa Cruz County nonprofits. The campaign, which launched for its fifth holiday season Wednesday, raises funds for 37 selected nonprofits via SantaCruzGives.org, where donors...

A popular North County beach once known for its clothing optional rules is under contract to be sold to an unknown buyer, leaving many fretting about what will become of the property.

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...

Zach Friend is running for his third term as Santa Cruz County Supervisor in the 2nd District against a familiar foe. Becky Steinbruner, an outspoken community activist living in rural Aptos, will challenge the incumbent for the second time. She lost to Friend in 2016,...

The Slavic American Cultural Organization (SACO) introduced its 2019 High School Scholarship Recipients at the club's annual July picnic. Each of the students received an award of $1000. Pictured from left to right: Carrie Frost (Aptos High, Cabrillo College), Marko Zaninovich (Stevenson School, Cornell...

A countywide celebration of visual and performing arts kicked off Thursday 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 brings...