Aptos farm wins Best of Show at regional olive oil competition
Patrick and Teresa Royan were living in Los Gatos when they first discovered Pleasant Valley, a rural area in Aptos permeated with rolling hills, orchards, vineyards and pastures. The couple had been looking for a place to settle relatively close to the beach yet...
County seeking civil grand jury volunteers
Santa Cruz County residents are being encouraged to apply for the next Civil Grand Jury, a volunteer watchdog panel that investigates local government operations and issues public reports aimed at improving transparency and accountability.
The 2026–27 term begins July 1, with the Superior Court expected...
Transportation advocates touting rail-trail project
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A group of local transportation organizers is hoping that, within the span of a decade, a passenger rail will run from Watsonville to Santa Cruz, making stops at hubs where busses will whisk passengers to further destinations.Â
For commuters who wish to eschew...
Cabrillo College asks voters for support
With several aging buildings in need of upgrades, and an ambitious list of projects on the drawing board, Cabrillo College administrators are hoping that voters will approve a $274.1 million bond measure on the March 3 ballot to pay for it all.
Measure R would...
Downed power lines snag motorcyclist
Aptos - A motorcyclist was dragged off his motorcycle on Highway 1 Friday after a giant oak tree crashed to the pavement, ripped down power lines and draped them across the freeway.
United Way accepting applications for Emergency Food and Shelter Program
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...
County supervisors approve Mid-County auto dealership
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 22 approved a plan to build an automobile dealership at a busy Mid-County intersection, a project that includes demolishing several existing buildings.
The Nissan dealership on the 2.5-acre parcel on the corner of 41st Avenue...
Local students, future explorers
Arturo Sejudo, 19, of Watsonville is shown with a robot that he and other students competed with in the Second Annual NASA Swarmathon at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Photo by Tarmo Hannula
5 takeaways from the unprecedented $2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill
Almost all Americans will soon receive one-time payments from the federal government thanks to the nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill approved by Congress on Tuesday night, according to the Associated Press.
Details of the unrivaled package are expected to change as leaders continue negotiations...
One injured in DUI crash
APTOS—A man was taken to a Bay Area trauma center Sunday afternoon after the car he was in crashed into a ditch along Valencia Road, causing a collision that drove a large branch through the windshield.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver of...





















