Local News

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—At least 4,000 Santa Cruz County residents have been infected with Covid-19 during the current winter surge sparked by the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus. That figure posted to the County Health Services Agency’s online dashboard, however, is likely vastly...

NORTH COAST—The 40-year-old Santa Cruz woman who fell to her death following a mysterious two-car crash Monday on the North Coast of Santa Cruz County has been identified as Wendy Edwards, according to Ashley Keehn of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators have...

On March 7, a 62-year-old Scotts Valley man pleaded not guilty to 12 felony aggravated sex assault of a minor charges, and denied additional special allegations, in Santa Cruz County Superior Court. Anthony Pujals is accused of committing the offenses in 1998. According to a...

For months, the lot on the corner of Mt. Hermon and Graham Hill roads in Felton has been a beehive of activity. Usually, the verdant venue known as Daybreak Camp hosts horses and their handlers, but following the CZU Lightning Complex fire the area was adopted by...

The signs draped on highway overpasses really do say it all:  “Thank you Firefighters”  “Thank you Cal Fire, Sheriff, Police, EMS.” The profound thanks and gratitude is from the heart and the feelings of appreciation are authentic and run deep.  I believe this outpouring reflects a realization that our homes and way of life in our city really did hang in the balance and our fortuitous escape from disaster made people reflect on their good fortune.

After 16 years in local government across Santa Cruz County, Scotts Valley City Manager Tina Friend is leaving her post to start a new job in Coronado in September, the city announced Wednesday. “This community has given me more gifts than I could have ever...

Omega Nu provides support for teachers Omega Nu of Santa Cruz announced that $15,630 in grants have been awarded to public school teachers in 2023 through the Funds for Fundamentals program. Since its inception in 2005, Funds for Fundamentals has been a dedicated source of...

The County of Santa Cruz is reminding residents and visitors that fireworks are prohibited in most of Santa Cruz County, including on all beaches. “Illegal fireworks can be a threat to public safety, spark wildfires and be harmful to the environment, vulnerable residents and pets,”...

FireSafe Council completes latest HIZ home assessor training The FireSafe Council of Santa Cruz County has completed its latest HIZ home assessor training and has broadened its reach south to meet the greater needs and range of Santa Cruz County, from Boulder Creek and Summit...