County’s budget cuts to Sheriff’s Office eased
SANTA CRUZ— The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an $874 million budget for the coming year that includes cuts and position reductions to every department in the county.
According to County Budget Manager Christina Mowrey, the reductions include furloughs of 5-10%,...
Cuts looming for Cabrillo as summer enrollment numbers climb
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...
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...
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 fair canceled
WATSONVILLE—Every year on the outskirts of Watsonville, late summer brings the intoxicating aroma of fried food, along with the sweet summer cacophony of carnival rides, livestock and giant, jubilant crowds.
But those voices will fall silent this year at the Santa Cruz County Fair, after...
Santa Cruz Police looking for stabbing suspect
Santa Cruz Police are looking for a man who allegedly stabbed two people Friday night in the downtown area.
Santa Cruz County asks visitors to leave as fires spread down mountains
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...
Two murder suspects escape Monterey County jail
SALINAS—Two inmates escaped from the Monterey County Adult Detention Facility early Saturday.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said 21-year-old Santos Samuel Fonseca and 20-year-old Jonathan Salazar were both awaiting trial on unrelated murder charges along with numerous other felony charges.
The MCSO said Saturday it was...
Escobar handed two life sentences
SANTA CRUZ—The man who gunned down a rival gang member and killed a 4-year-old girl in the crossfire nearly six years ago was sentenced Thursday to two consecutive terms of life without parole in state prison.
Michael Escobar, 36, also received more than 12 years...
Fire breaks out at hotel
Fire swept through at least one room at the Surf City Inn and Suites early Saturday in the Beach Flats area of Santa Cruz.























