Woodies on display on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
There was a large turnout for the annual Woodies on the Wharf Saturday in Santa Cruz where more than 200 stylish, wood-bodied cars were on display on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Owners were on hand to share their stories about their cars and trucks.
Drug lab discovered in Aptos vacation home
Multiple Santa Cruz County law enforcement agencies responded Friday afternoon to the discovery of a butane honey oil (BHO) lab at 120 Sea Terrace Way in Aptos.
Homeowners of the large vacation rental home were checking on the residence and noticed doors kicked in and a strong chemical smell coming from somewhere inside, Sgt. Brian Cleveland of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said.
Stronger together
SOQUEL — A little more than six years ago, triplets Kevin, David and Jason Gonzalez and their brother Flavio walked into Sanford’s Martial Arts in Soquel for the first time, tied the white belt of a novice around their waist and began a journey that has required years of work, focus and dedication.
Through the years, the Watsonville residents learned the series of moves and techniques that allowed them to move up through the ranks, respectively earning their yellow, orange, blue, green, purple and brown belts.
Begonia Festival organizes new event
CAPITOLA — Organizers of the Capitola Begonia Festival, which concluded in 2017 after 65 years, have formed a new event.
At the conclusion of the final festival, the Capitola Begonia Festival Board of Directors developed a plan to honor past festivals and launch a new festival.
The board formed the Capitola Beach Festival Committee.
Recognizing the underdog
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.
Soquel Church celebrates 150 years
Members of the Congregational Church of Soquel are celebrated 150 years of their majestic white steeple church in the heart of Soquel Village with an “Art and History Weekend.” Extensive displays of historic photos, some from the late 1800s, newspaper clippings, post cards and memorabilia were exhibited around the church’s campus May 19-20.
Girls Basketball: Hocom named Academic All-American by NHSCA
Add another pair of accomplishments to Hannah Hocom’s impressive 2017-18 season.
The Aptos High star junior basketball player was named an Academic All-American by the National High School Coaches Association late last month, and also earned a spot on Cal-Hi Sports’ All-State Underclassmen Third Team.
A starting guard for the Mariners each of the last three seasons, Hocom was named the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League’s Most Valuable Player after leading Aptos to its first league title since the 2000-01 season. This newspaper also selected the 5-foot-9 sharpshooter as our Girls Basketball Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Aptos/La Selva fire district welcomes new chief
Aaron Lowe has been tapped as the new fire chief of the Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District, the board of directors recently announced.
Lowe was selected from a field of 31 applicants after a five-month nationwide recruitment process, according to fire district officials.
His base salary is $190,000, according to a contract approved by the board of directors on April 12.
“I’m truly excited about coming to the Aptos/La Selva area,” said Lowe, who begins his new post on April 23. “When this opportunity came up, I was thrilled. It’s quite an amazing opportunity that I did not want to pass up.”
Cabrillo College approaches six decades
Cabrillo College in Aptos is shown in an aerial photo. The first classes were actually held in temporary quarters within the partially abandoned old Watsonville High School in 1959. Freshman enrollment was about 700 students at what was then known as Cabrillo Junior College, according to historian Sandy Lydon.
3rd Annual Soquel Village Sip & Stroll Wine Walk
A selection of wines from the newly opened Soquel tasting room, Vinocruz, was part of the third annual Soquel Village Sip & Stroll on Saturday. The event included a number of area wineries who set up stations throughout Soquel Village.