Local News

In 2020, Big Basin Water Company (BBWC) suffered catastrophic losses to its infrastructure due to the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire, which ripped through the housing of the water company and left it completely devastated, resulting in a 100% loss of water for the...

County begins Aptos Area Adaptive Traffic Control System Project  The County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development and Infrastructure has announced that the Aptos Area Adaptive Traffic Control System Project began July 1 and will continue through Aug. 21 (weekdays only) from 8:30am-4:30pm. The project...

When Covid-19 began to sweep the U.S.—and brought with it an economic recession—Cabrillo College officials expected a jump in enrollment that typically comes with a battered economy. But the college is now seeing a significant drop in those numbers, which it pins on the double...

During their first regularly scheduled meeting of the year on Jan. 18, Scotts Valley Council members handed out committee appointments for the upcoming year. Mayor Jack Dilles prepared the list, which was included as part of the consent calendar, and it was approved unanimously. The...

Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health has announced that Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) are now available 24/7 year-round to respond to behavioral health crises for youth and adults across Santa Cruz County, including the cities of Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, Capitola and all...

The County of Santa Cruz has received an $8 million grant from the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Proposition 47 Grant Program to enhance mental health, substance use disorder and diversion services for individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Under the...

San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District used to teach just under 2,300 students a year, but that’s dropped to around 2,100. And, unlike in such districts as Los Gatos-Saratoga, where residents pitch in directly through property taxes, SLVUSD gets government education funding based on how...

Santa Cruz County’s adjusted case rate recently fell below the state’s threshold (28 per 100,000 per day) needed to reopen in-class instruction for grades K-6, health officials announced at a press conference on Feb. 4. That means local school districts could start applying to the...

A local nonprofit has launched a drive to help young people have a bigger say in the development of the county. The United Way of Santa Cruz County is currently seeking members for a Youth Action Network, a new project meant to provide Gen Z...

Every January, the new year brings with it dozens of new laws that impact day-to-day life in many different ways. Here we bring you a few we find notable, from criminal justice reform to animal welfare to workplace rules. From inmate to firefighter During the massive...