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Aptos
September 12, 2026

Smaller classes, fewer days lead district’s plans for fall semester

PVUSD covid-19 fall
WATSONVILLE—Many students unable to return to class when school starts on Aug. 14 due to Covid-19 restrictions will attend a virtual academy, an all-online option created by Pajaro Valley Unified School District as it plans for the coming academic year. The PVUSD Board of Trustees...

Aptos burglary suspects arrested

Arthur Carson, 31, was charged with burglary, vehicle theft and carrying a concealed knife. Tracy Blundell, 43, faces burglary charges. Additionally, both face charges for possession of drug paraphernalia.

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...

Santa Cruz County asks visitors to leave as fires spread down mountains

Santa Cruz County
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center is requesting that all tourists and visitors occupying local overnight accommodations such as hotels, motels and vacation rentals leave immediately to free up shelter capacity. Local shelters are near capacity. The Emergency Operations Center is working...

Transportation commission approves corridor study

By a narrow 7-4 margin, the commissioners also approved a contract with Minnesota-based Progressive Rail to provide the passenger service. The company currently runs freight rail operations in South County.

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...

Firefighters get first ‘jump’ on CZU Complex fires

CZU August Lightning Complex Fires
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS—Seven days into the battle against the CZU August Lightning Complex fires, Cal Fire officials announced Saturday morning that they were able to get their first “jump” on the growing blaze in the Santa Cruz mountains. Although the fire overnight grew to 63,000...

Rancho Del Mar work progresses

Work moves forward at the major rebuild and renovation project at Rancho Del Mar in Aptos.

Man who died in Capitola fire identified

The 75-year-old man who died when his home caught fire late Monday night in Capitola Village has been identified as Robert Edgren. Ashley Kheen of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office did not release the cause of death. Central Fire crews responded to the two-alarm fire...

Gilroy man accused of ‘Boogaloo’ affiliation

Alan Viarengo
By Michael Moore, of the Morgan Hill Times SANTA CLARA COUNTY—Gilroy resident Alan Viarengo, who taught math at Gavilan College for nearly 20 years, was arrested last week on suspicion of stalking and threatening Santa Clara County’s public health officer, and police say he has...