68 F
Aptos
November 7, 2026

Grey Bears of Santa Cruz acquires new warehouse facilities

Grey Bears, which has been helping seniors for more than five decades, has unveiled plans to renovate an 11,000 square-foot warehouse next to its existing mid-county facility.  The space, formally a warehouse for Palace Art & Office Supply, will serve as a home of the...

Veterans organizations to be recognized at Skillicorn BBQ

CORRALITOS — Two local veterans organizations will be honored during the Skillicorn BBQ on April 3, an annual fundraiser for the Boy Scouts of America.

County Fairgrounds sets up shelter for fire evacuees

CZU August Lightning Complex Fire
WATSONVILLE—Cal Fire on Tuesday night ordered more than 22,000 residents in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties to evacuate as the CZU August Lightning Complex fires began to spread throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains. Temporary shelters have been set up across the region to house...

Seacliff fence comes down

A long-standing fence that has thrown off pedestrian traffic from a stretch of Beach Road in the Seacliff area of Santa Cruz County for decades has now been opened to the public.

Aptos man shot, killed by San Jose Police

SAN JOSE—A 29-year-old Aptos man was shot and killed Saturday by police on Highway 85 during a vehicle stop, San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia said Wednesday. San Jose Police say that the man, who has not been named, was the passenger during the stop...

Man dies from shark attack at Santa Cruz County beach

Santa Cruz county shark attack
WATSONVILLE—A 26-year-old Santa Cruz County man died Saturday after he was bitten by a shark in the waters just off Manresa State Beach, California Public Safety Superintendent Gabe McKenna confirmed. The victim has been identified as Santa Cruz resident Ben Kelly, a prominent surfboard maker...

Man arrested for large cache of drugs, guns

Joseph Watts
SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies on Thursday arrested a man after finding more than three pounds of heroin and several illegal firearms in his possession. Joseph Watts, 65, was charged with drug possession, and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He...

Soquel man arrested after search uncovers a pound of meth, guns

SOQUEL—Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies on Thursday arrested a man after finding a massive amount of illegal drugs and firearms in his Soquel residence. Eli Burry, 39, was charged with possession of narcotics for sale, possession of a controlled substance while armed and weapons violations....

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...

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...