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Aptos
March 25, 2026

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...

Two vying for PVUSD Trustee Area 1 seat

PVUSD
APTOS—This is the second of two articles showcasing the candidates vying for seats on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees.  Last week, incumbent Jennifer Schacher and Olivia Flores had their say. With four seats up for election, two went uncontested. Daniel Dodge Jr....

Girl Scouts clean up Hidden Beach Park

Girl Scout Daisy Troop 15015 recently met at Hidden Beach Park in Aptos to help with a park cleanup. Hidden Beach is primarily used by local neighborhood residents — both as a park and a beachfront area. Discussions were made with county officials about the need for the park to receive some TLC. Nine 6-year-old Daisies responded to the call and were willing to serve. Equipped with vinyl gloves, trash bags and mechanical grabbers, the afternoon started with a talk about being safe. Tips included: using the grabbers to pick up all items, no picking up sharp objects, and always use the gloves.

Angry Chickz opens, Staff of Life to celebrate 5th year

A new Watsonville businesses celebrated a milestone on Friday, and another is planning its own. Staff of Life grocery store is planning to ring in its five-year anniversary, and Angry Chickz restaurant opened its doors for the first time. Alejandro Rodriguez and his mother used...

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...

Carjacking suspect arrested after chase

SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz police on Saturday arrested a San Jose man on numerous charges after a chase that led more than 10 miles through the northern reaches of the county. Albert Blanco, 38, was charged with carjacking and felony reckless evading. He was not in...

Nominations for Be The Difference Awards open

Be the difference
The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County has opened the nomination period for the 15th Annual Be the Difference Awards. The awards honor the individuals, groups, nonprofits and businesses that transform Santa Cruz County through volunteerism. People can share their stories of inspiration by nominating...

Santa Cruz County again breaks single-day record for Covid-19 cases

Watsonville coronavirus
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County on Monday identified 22 new Covid-19 cases, breaking its previous single-day record (21) set just a week ago. There are now 129 active cases in the county and there have been 379 cases overall. Of those residents that have contracted...

Aptos High graduates map out future

Aptos High school graduation
APTOS—Cynthia Jimenez-Gutierrez says she found inspiration to become a financial planner by helping her immigrant parents with their fiscal issues. After her education, she hopes to make a life in her community helping other immigrant families. “I like to work with money,” she said. “I thought,...

CHP: DUI suspect struck Capitola police officer

CAPITOLA—A Santa Cruz man was arrested Saturday for felony DUI after allegedly striking a police officer riding a motorcycle, California Highway Patrol Officer Sam Courtney said. Kolton Matosich, 29, was charged with felony DUI. He was not in custody Monday morning, jail records showed. According to...