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When the Capitola Begonia Festival wrapped up its 65-year run in 2017, many in the community refused to let it go.

CAPITOLA — St. John’s Helpful Shop in Capitola Village is preparing to move out and find a new home after 65 years. A literal cornerstone of the village, St. John’s Helpful Shop first opened at its location on the corner of Monterey and Capitola avenues in 1953. Women from the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, then located in the Depot Hill area of Capitola, opened the store to raise money for a new church carpet. Gradually, the church grew, and the shop became a way for St. John’s to expand its community outreach. Church and community members alike volunteer their time at the shop, with all proceeds given as grants to local nonprofits. The building that houses the Helpful Shop recently changed hands, said shop volunteer Daniel Oliver. This has prompted them to move out and possibly find a new location. “We’re currently making a decision of where and when we can reopen,” Oliver said. “We’d like to get the word out and ask help from the community.” In 2018, St. John’s Helpful Shop helped support 26 different organizations across the region — including Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, Homeless Services Center, Native Animal Rescue, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County and more. “That’s really the whole point,” Oliver said. “The outreach. We’d really like to keep that going.” Aug. 25 was the Helpful Shop’s final day open at its Capitola Village location. The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist is now located at 125 Canterbury Drive in Aptos, and Helpful Shop volunteers say they hope to find a location not too far from the church itself — but are open to other ideas. To contact St. John’s Helpful Shop, visit st-john-aptos.org.

Santa Cruz County homeless advocates on Jan. 18 released a request for proposals to help address the growing number of people living on the streets.

APTOS — When he was in school, Brandon Gruber occasionally found himself in the role of the underdog, and occasionally the target of bullies. But he always rose above it. Gruber, now 22, is hoping he can help others do the same. He recently launched the Diamond Awards, for students who find themselves in similar situations. This can include those that are struggling to learn English or those with special needs, who may otherwise be overlooked.

From serving freshly cooked food at banquets, special events, festivals and other community events, the two-man crew inside the ShockWave Food Truck is, well, riding a wave of success.

A little more than three decades after opening in Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center, Aptos Coffee Roasting Company will be closing. Owner Bronson Baker made the announcement Thursday on Facebook. According to Baker, Terramar Retail Center LLC, which owns the property, declined to renew the business’ lease. It now has until Aug. 31 to vacate the building.

A Watsonville man is facing felony vehicular manslaughter charges after a woman he allegedly struck with his vehicle on June 5 died from her injuries.

Santa Cruz Police shut down the Water Street Bridge in Santa Cruz Monday for about 90 minutes where a woman reportedly waved a knife at people early Tuesday. The incident was coupled with an unrelated major water main break and flooding.  Around 1 p.m. the...

The Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola is hosting its annual “Dine for the Red Cross” fundraiser on Jan. 15.

When the rock-opera musical “Rent” first opened in New York City in 1996, it wasn’t quite the celebration many had imagined. The show’s creator, Jonathan Larson, had died suddenly just a day before the show’s Off-Broadway premiere, leaving friends and the theater world devastated. Despite this, the production eventually did open. It then went on to be one of the most groundbreaking and longest-running musicals to ever hit Broadway.