County dipping into reserves to cover Covid-19 deficit
SANTA CRUZ—Santa Cruz County Chief Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios told the Board of Supervisors Monday that it should spend $20 million in reserves to fill a deficit for the 2019-20 fiscal year caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
That move will be a sizable slice of...
Bamboo Giant offering first-ever nighttime walkthrough experience
Located on a busy thoroughfare between Aptos and Watsonville, Bamboo Giant Nursery and Gardens (BGNG) could easily be driven past without a second glance.
But the nursery, tucked into the side of a hill in a rural, forested section of Freedom Boulevard, is actually one...
Photo: Art and Wine in the village
Jerald O’Brien, founder of Silver Mountain Vineyards, pours a glass of 2013 Pinot Noir for Michelle Novicio on Sunday during the 39th annual Capitola Art and Wine Festival. The weekend affair drew thousands to Capitola Village.
Transportation advocates touting rail-trail project
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A group of local transportation organizers is hoping that, within the span of a decade, a passenger rail will run from Watsonville to Santa Cruz, making stops at hubs where busses will whisk passengers to further destinations.
For commuters who wish to eschew...
Local organizations celebrate Pride amidst crisis, unrest
On the morning of June 28, 1969, a group of police officers raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village, New York City. As police dragged patrons and staff out of the bar, residents responded—leading to a week of protests and violent...
Man shot several times by Seacliff resident
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s officials were releasing few details about why the man was at the residence on the 500 block of Cedar Street, and what led to the shooting. Sheriff’s Sgt. Dee Baldwin said he was an “uninvited guest” not associated with the home.
Plunging into civilian life
Operation Surf was designed as a way to offer veterans – many with missing limbs and other traumatic injuries – to challenge themselves with a safe but thrilling activity.
Two Safeway employees at Soquel location test positive for Covid-19
CAPITOLA—Two employees who work at the Safeway grocery store on 41st Avenue in Capitola have tested positive for Covid-19, company spokeswoman Wendy Gutshall said.
One employee has not worked since May 23, and the second since May 30, she said.
“That store has been through multiple...
New exhibit at Aptos Library features animals to abstracts
Eighteen artworks by Watsonville artist Sefla Joseph are now on exhibit at the Aptos Public Library, along with a show by Aptos artist Diane Levin.
Spread around the facility, Joseph’s works include abstract portraits done with charcoal, chalk, and ink and paintings in acrylic/mixed media...
Thousands flock to World’s Shortest Parade
The Fourth of July parade unfolded along a section of Soquel Drive Thursday, with 103 entries in what has been branded as the World’s Shortest Parade.




















