53.6 F
Aptos
January 18, 2026

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...

County mandates Covid vaccine or weekly testing for its employees

covid-19 vaccine santa cruz county
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to require all of 2,400 County employees to either take the Covid-19 vaccine or submit to weekly testing. Employees who refuse both risk termination, or being put on leave without...

United Way accepting applications for Emergency Food and Shelter Program

United Way of Santa Cruz County
The United Way of Santa Cruz County is accepting applications from agencies that provide food and shelter services looking for financial assistance. The local United Way branch will have $340,041 to distribute to qualifying nonprofit, faith-based and local government agencies through its Emergency Food and...

Firefighters battling blaze at Monterey Bay Academy near Watsonville

cal fire
LA SELVA BEACH—Firefighters on Saturday night were battling a blaze on the Monterey Bay Academy campus on the outskirts of Watsonville. https://twitter.com/CALFIRECZU/status/1284721308358422530 The fire started around 10:30pm, according to Cal Fire, and was confined to an old movie theater on the private school's campus on 700...

Ambitious changes proposed for Capitola Mall 

More than 600 housing units, open public spaces, “world class” retail brands, distinguished local and national restaurants and a luxury cinema have all been part of the plan during Merlone Geier’s presentations to City of Capitola officials and members of the public.

Gilroy man accused of ‘Boogaloo’ affiliation

Alan Viarengo
By Michael Moore, of the Morgan Hill Times SANTA CLARA COUNTY—Gilroy resident Alan Viarengo, who taught math at Gavilan College for nearly 20 years, was arrested last week on suspicion of stalking and threatening Santa Clara County’s public health officer, and police say he has...

Man facing slew of child sex abuse charges had ties to County, officials say

A South Lake Tahoe resident was arrested last week on 99 felony counts related to child sex abuse, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said. Christopher Scott Flanders, 51, was previously a resident in several areas of Santa Cruz County, including Watsonville, Boulder Creek and...

New safety center to open in Aptos

A new mid-county safety center will open in the new Aptos Village development in early 2019, county officials announced.

Weather gives firefighters a break; CZU Complex fires 5% contained

CZU August Lightning Complex
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS—Mother Nature is lending a hand in the fight against the CZU August Lightning Complex fires in the Santa Cruz mountains. Cal Fire Operations Section Chief Mark Brunton said a much welcomed marine layer wandered into the Central Coast as the weekend got...

PVUSD Trustees mull religious observance

pvusd trustees
WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday heard the first reading of a new district policy which, if adopted on second reading on Sept. 28, would add several religious holidays during which district officials and teachers would not schedule events. PVUSD...