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Aptos
September 10, 2025

County showcases new mental health facility

WATSONVILLE—Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Services showed off its new South County facility Friday, a building that has allowed the agency to more than double its space and bring an expanded offering of mental health services to the Watsonville area. The building at 1430 Freedom...

Local young inventors get state recognition

WATSONVILLE—A group of young inventors who earned accolades in local and state competitions last year visited the state capital Monday, where they met with lawmakers and showed off their winning creations. The visit to Sacramento was in advance of Kid Inventors Day on Jan. 17....

Citizen stopped alleged Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy killer

Steven Carrillo deputy shooting
APTOS—The man who allegedly shot to death a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy before engaging in a short but violent crime spree on June 6 was stopped by a resident who tackled him and held him down until law enforcement officials arrived, Sheriff Jim...

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.

Santa Cruz police evict homeless campers

SANTA CRUZ—Dozens of homeless people were roused by police officers in their tents early Friday morning at Phoenix Camp, the unsanctioned encampment behind the Gateway Plaza at River Street and Highway 1 in Santa Cruz. The message was clear: the residents were trespassing on city-owned...

President impeached, locals show support

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Just 24 hours after thousands of people rallied around the country in favor of impeaching President Donald Trump, including Watsonville and Santa Cruz, those people got their wish. On Wednesday Trump became the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. The House...

Cuts looming for Cabrillo as summer enrollment numbers climb

Cabrillo college covid-19
APTOS—A month before summer classes begin on June 15, Cabrillo College is seeing a significant increase in enrollment for that semester, even as college officials gird themselves for a recession and for budget cuts caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, Cabrillo announced Friday that...

Aptos Village shaping up

In the not-too-distant future, Aptos’ signature World’s Shortest Parade will terminate in the Village Green, the centerpiece of Aptos Village’s expansive new development.

Santa Cruz County asks visitors to leave as fires spread down mountains

Santa Cruz County
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center is requesting that all tourists and visitors occupying local overnight accommodations such as hotels, motels and vacation rentals leave immediately to free up shelter capacity. Local shelters are near capacity. The Emergency Operations Center is working...

Flea market vendors busted for illegal tobacco sales

SANTA CRUZ—Three vendors at the Santa Cruz flea market were cited for selling tobacco products to minors during a decoy operation on Sunday. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Unit conducted the operation at the market, which is held in the...