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Aptos
August 30, 2025

Aptos welcomes new food, wine spots

A string of new businesses will soon punctuate the ongoing expansion and opening of the Aptos Village and the nearby Rancho Del Mar Center. On the southernmost shoulder of the Aptos Village a new branch of the popular Betty Burgers could be open by the second...

Rocks Ranch property sold to Land Trust

Rocks ranch
A stretch of road alongside Highway 101 could soon be home to a tunnel complex turned wildlife crossing under the busy highway. The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County announced Sept. 9 that it has agreed to purchase the 2,640-acre Rocks Ranch in Aromas at...

County sues pharmaceutical companies

The County of Santa Cruz has filed a complaint against several pharmaceutical corporations, alleging that they are complicit in fueling the national opioid crisis. The 140-page complaint accuses opioid manufacturing companies of racketeering, negligence, fraud, false advertising and creating a public nuisance. According to the complaint, drug manufacturers downplayed the risks of prescription opioids in order to increase sales.

Aptos High turns 50

APTOS — Aptos High School rang in its 50th anniversary on Sept. 20, with musical performances, a cheerleading demonstration and the christening of the new quad area. The celebration was attended by PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez, Trustees Kim DeSerpa and Jennifer Holm, County Supervisor Zach Friend,...

Santa Cruz County jail system still free of Covid-19

Santa Cruz County Sheriff
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has released 93 people from its jail system since March 20, when county Health Officer Gail Newel imposed a series of restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Of the 93 that were released,...

Evacuation center at Lakeview Middle School opens

lakeview middle school evacuation center
WATSONVILLE—An additional evacuation center for Santa Cruz County residents fleeing the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires opened Friday night at Lakeview Middle School in Watsonville. The center is a partnership between the County of Santa Cruz, the City of Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley Unified...

Ross Camp reopens

SANTA CRUZ—An unsanctioned homeless camp in Santa Cruz has reopened, this time with a new name, increased security and a set of rules designed to reduce crime and drug use. The so-called Ross Survival Camp at River Street and Highway 1 was opened on Monday...

Sheriff’s office warns of phone scam

Santa Cruz County Sheriff
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...

PVUSD hands charter more classrooms

watsonville prep school
WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved a plan to give additional space to its newest charter school. Watsonville Prep School—which already occupies seven portable classrooms at E.A. Hall Middle School—will now take another four rooms at Ann Soldo Elementary...

Santa Cruz Bee Company promotes regenerative beekeeping

During the winter of 2006-2007, beekeepers across the country began noticing a steep decline in bee populations. It was Colony Collapse Disorder: a phenomenon in which a large percentage of a hive’s worker bees disappear, leaving behind their queen and a handful of bees to care for everything. Often, the hive will eventually perish. Emily Bondor of Santa Cruz Bee Company thinks that the collapse which occurred a little over a decade ago is what kickstarted a sort of “beekeeping renaissance” in North America. People began noticing the inactivity and decline of honeybees and were inspired to take action.