51 F
Aptos
March 7, 2026

Santa Cruz METRO steps up disinfecting routines to keep rolling

Santa Cruz Metro
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Deep cleaning is now routine at Santa Cruz METRO to not only keep their fleet on the road, but to assure riders that busses are squeaky clean. Every day since early March, before the first person in Santa Cruz County was diagnosed with...

Farmers markets to reopen

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Catherine Barr, Executive Director of Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets, was in good spirits Tuesday. She had just received news that the Cabrillo Farmers Market in Aptos would remain open during the countywide shelter-in-place order due to COVID-19. “I am over the moon...

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,...

Carrillo sentenced to life in prison without parole

steven carrillo santa cruz county superior court
SANTA CRUZ—The man who slaughtered Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller during a violent crime spree two years ago was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Steven Carrillo, 34, also received prison time for attempting to kill four other...

Adult education graduates find prosperity by looking within

adult education PVUSD graduation
WATSONVILLE—When April Ortiz became pregnant during her senior year at Watsonville High School, severe morning sickness and other complications sidelined her education. Then came the birth. “Mothering was a new life and a new experience,” she said.  Ortiz, now 26, received her GED on May 22 from...

New Captain at local CHP

aron ching CHP
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz area California Highway Patrol has brought aboard a new Captain, Aron Ching.  Born and raised in the Hawaiian Islands, Ching moved to California to pursue a career with the CHP and has been with the department for 23 years.  His new...

Mustangs gallop to Wharf

Ford Mustang buffs had their day in the sun May 5th on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf at the second annual Mustangs on the Wharf.

Evacuation center at Lakeview Middle School opens

lakeview middle school evacuation center
WATSONVILLE—An additional evacuation center for Santa Cruz County residents fleeing the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires opened Friday night at Lakeview Middle School in Watsonville. The center is a partnership between the County of Santa Cruz, the City of Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley Unified...

Demolition begins at Hideout restaurant

The Hideout “family” started a GoFundMe account to help defray rebuilding costs and raised more than $44,000 of their $50,000 goal.

Woman arrested for felony vandalism

SANTA CRUZ — A Santa Cruz woman was arrested Thursday for allegedly slashing 25 tires on vehicles parked on the 2800 block of Soquel Avenue on Feb. 16.