60.5 F
Aptos
January 18, 2026

Cool weather helps firefighters notch ‘best day yet’

czu august lightning complex fire
SCOTTS VALLEY—Cool, moist weather throughout the day continued to help firefighters battle the CZU August Lightning Complex fires, which have now scorched 78,684 acres, and as of Monday night was 13% contained, firefighters told reporters during a press conference. During the conference, Santa Cruz County...

Window to the past

The public will be given a chance to take a huge step back in time at the Santa Cruz County History Fair in Capitola on May 18.

School districts brace for looming budget cuts

Watsonville school Covid-19 closures
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Gov. Gavin Newsom on May 14 released an updated state budget that calls for a 10 percent cut to school districts across the state. Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez said that the district is looking at a $19.18 million slash. Watsonville/Aptos/Santa...

Cabrillo celebrates 60 years of education

WATSONVILLE—Cabrillo College got its start six decades ago in several condemned buildings in an unused corner of Watsonville High School.  More than 800 freshmen began classes there on Sept. 1, 1959. The community college has since evolved into a mid-county educational centerpiece, serving more than 15,000...

One killed, several injured in crash with Metro bus

CAPITOLA — One woman was killed and several others were injured late Tuesday morning in a three-vehicle crash involving a Santa Cruz Metro bus at the intersection of 41st Avenue and Clares Street in Capitola.nd Clares Street in Capitola.

First business opens in Aptos Village

Sereno Group, a commercial and residential realtor, was the first business to open its doors in the Aptos Village Project. On Jan. 25, the folks inside the business were adjusting to their new environs, said Coastal Regional Manager Gina Odom said.

Santa Cruz County faces weekend power shutoff

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Thousands of people throughout Santa Cruz County could lose power this weekend if Pacific Gas and Electric Company conducts a Public Safety Power Shutoff in advance of predicted hot, windy weather. Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin said that 45,000 people could...

Students test their skills in math, science and engineering

SANTA CRUZ — More than 300 students, grades six through 12 from Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, converged at the Baskin Engineering building at UC Santa Cruz Saturday to compete in the annual Math, Engineering, Science Achievement preliminary competition.

Human trafficking symposium draws hundreds

Standing in front of a large audience at Santa Cruz County’s first human trafficking symposium, Pembrook said that, when she was a young girl, a trusted family friend brought her to truck stops and seedy motels to sell her for sex.

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,...