Local News

APTOS—Second District Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend remained far ahead of challenger Becky Steinbruner Wednesday, with just over 67 percent of the vote. In a packed party in Cantine Winepub in Aptos, Friend gave a short victory speech, which was led off by his...

WATSONVILLE—Jesus Montejano is eager to put his skills to use for the community he calls home. After recently graduating with honors from Cabrillo College’s business program, Montejano has set his sights on transforming a restaurant located next to the iconic Five Mile House on the...

Hundreds of Santa Cruz County families could lose their federal rental assistance as early as December unless Congress restores funding to a pandemic-era housing voucher program, local officials warned Tuesday. The agency provides federally funded rental vouchers to nearly 6,000 households in Santa Cruz County,...

This year marks the S.S. Palo Alto’s 100th anniversary. The concrete ship, built in 1919, has been situated in the water off Seacliff State Beach since January 1930. On May 18, the Aptos History Museum kicked off a series of events planned to celebrate the milestone with a special History Talk.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel on Tuesday revised her shelter-in-place order to align most of the county’s restrictions with that of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order. The new county order will open places of worship, in-store retail, outdoor museums and limited...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is warning of a scam in which callers warn residents they have a warrant, and demand money. The individual has identified himself as “John Steel” with the Sheriff’s Office and requests money from the victim. The number...

Supporters of a proposed ballot measure to fund Santa Cruz County transit will hold a campaign kickoff event later this month as organizers ramp up signature gathering ahead of a qualification deadline. The Friends of Santa Cruz METRO initiative is scheduled to host the event...

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Unified School District will begin the year with distance learning for all students when classes begin on Aug. 17, a measure meant to keep students and staff safe from Covid-19 as the virus continues to spread throughout the state. PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County on Monday saw its largest single-day jump, 20, in Covid-19 cases since the virus started its spread along the Central Coast in early March. The case spike increases the county’s active cases to 100, and raises its total case count...

SANTA CRUZ—The man who gunned down a rival gang member and killed a 4-year-old girl in the crossfire nearly six years ago was sentenced Thursday to two consecutive terms of life without parole in state prison. Michael Escobar, 36, also received more than 12 years...