63.6 F
Aptos
September 9, 2025

Sheriff’s deputy, security guard thwart inmate escape

SANTA CRUZ — A Santa Cruz County Jail inmate was recaptured Monday during an attempted escape on a visit to Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dee Baldwin said.

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...

Watsonville, Dominican hospitals resume elective procedures

Watsonville hospital elective procedures
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Watsonville Community Hospital and Dominican Hospital have restarted offering elective procedures after they were put on hold to help slow the spread of Covid-19 and to prepare for a surge of patients with the disease.  This includes procedures such as surgeries, endoscopies, cardiac...

First International Women’s Festival set for Central Coast

La Selva Beach will be the location for the Central Coast’s first International Women’s Festival on March 30.

Railbanking initiative heads to June ballot

rail trail
SANTA CRUZ—The fate of Santa Cruz County’s rail line is now in the hands of the voters. The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 4-0 to place on the June 7 ballot an initiative which, if successful, would amend Santa Cruz County’s...

Downed power lines snag motorcyclist

Aptos - A motorcyclist was dragged off his motorcycle on Highway 1 Friday after a giant oak tree crashed to the pavement, ripped down power lines and draped them across the freeway.

PG&E customers may be eligible for power shutoff compensation

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers affected by the recent Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) may qualify for reimbursements. Under its Safety Net program, PG&E pays customers that have gone without power for more than 48 hours due to severe weather events, according to...

Santa Cruz County jail system still free of Covid-19

Santa Cruz County Sheriff
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has released 93 people from its jail system since March 20, when county Health Officer Gail Newel imposed a series of restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Of the 93 that were released,...

Several county events, businesses close their doors | COVID-19 closures

The City of Watsonville on Thursday cancelled several local gatherings because of growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. Those cancellations included its Friday farmers market and its annual Earth Day event, scheduled this year for April 26.  Watsonville City Manager Matt Huffaker said...

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.