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Aptos
May 23, 2026

Santa Cruz County Covid-19 cases see largest jump to date

Watsonville coronavirus
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Santa Cruz County on Monday saw its largest single-day jump, 20, in Covid-19 cases since the virus started its spread along the Central Coast in early March. The case spike increases the county’s active cases to 100, and raises its total case count...

Friend beats Steinbruner in Supervisor race

APTOS—Second District Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend remained far ahead of challenger Becky Steinbruner Wednesday, with just over 67 percent of the vote. In a packed party in Cantine Winepub in Aptos, Friend gave a short victory speech, which was led off by his...

Michael Escobar guilty on all counts

WATSONVILLE—Five years after Michel Escobar gunned down a rival gang member, and killed a young girl when one of his bullets went astray, a jury convicted him of two counts of first-degree murder and several special allegations. Escobar, now 36, will likely be sentenced to...

Offering 'another chance'

A contingent of politicians, educators and residents gathered in Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult Education’s Rodriguez Street location Dec. 3 to help ring in the institution’s 90th anniversary.

Sexually violent predator Michael Cheek will not be placed in Watsonville, Santa Cruz hotels

Editor's note: This story was updated at 10:50am on April 10 with new information. Watsonville officials said Friday that a proposed plan to house a designated sexually violent predator at a Main Street motel has been halted after the property owner withdrew, citing community opposition. The...

Capitola Library set for summertime opening

CAPITOLA—Work is moving forward on the Capitola Branch Library on the busy corner of Clares Street at Wharf Road. Currently, workers are installing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems overhead and in-wall, said Megan Blackwell, marketing manager for Otto Construction, the general contractor for the job. Over...

Ambitious changes proposed for Capitola Mall 

More than 600 housing units, open public spaces, “world class” retail brands, distinguished local and national restaurants and a luxury cinema have all been part of the plan during Merlone Geier’s presentations to City of Capitola officials and members of the public.

Historic Aptos building faces uncertain future after Sunday night fire

Aptos SeaBreeze fire
RIO DEL MAR—A fire that apparently started in a pile of rubble in an alleyway behind the SeaBreeze Tavern late Sunday night has destroyed the building, bringing to a close a story that began when it was built 92 years ago in what was...

Begonias bow out

"We are so happy that we got to participate," she said. "We are also so said that it's going to be the last one. We hope something will continue." In January, the Capitola Begonia Festival committee announced that the 2017 iteration of the festival will be the last. Golden State Bulb Growers, which grows the begonia blossoms in Marina, is retiring from the business of growing begonias, but agreed to donate the blossoms for the festival for one final time.

Local organizations rally for awareness of human trafficking

APTOS—Ten years ago, former President Barack Obama made a Presidential Proclamation deeming January National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, intending to raise awareness and equip people with the tools to recognize and combat the problem. It was only 10 years prior to that, that...