Local News

By Todd Guild, Katie Evans and Christina Wise California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Dec. 30 released a plan under which schools could reopen as early as February. The plan, which streamlines the process of applying for a waiver to bring students back for in-person instruction, is...

Audrey Parmenter is the embodiment of a good kid. A tenacious, inquisitive student with good grades and a fierce serve on the volleyball court, the San Lorenzo Valley High School senior has quietly been making a difference in the lives of those affected by...

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...

These days, everything is “smart.” Smartphones. Smartwatches. How about a smart laundromat? Behold The Mat in Boulder Creek, formerly the Village Wash. Run by third-generation laundromat owner Brandon Parker and his fiancé Erin Hexem, it’s the first smart laundromat in Boulder Creek, and one of...

St. Patrick’s Day is a time to celebrate with friends, family and good cheer. However, as the festivities often include alcohol, Scotts Valley Police Department is urging everyone to prioritize safety and avoid driving under the influence. Don’t rely on luck—plan ahead and make...

At the Dec. 15 San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District meeting, trustees had a private discussion with Superintendent Christopher Schiermeyer about his job performance, just weeks after parents say he berated students in an elementary school classroom for misbehaving. After the public meeting started—17 minutes...

Their client was found guilty of first-degree murder, but they did such a good job of putting up a defense that they’re now headed to state. Santa Cruz High School’s mock trial team hugged one another, after Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Syda...

Boulder Creek’s Tyrone Clark refers to himself as a “solutions guy.” He’s been in Boulder Creek since 1991, and when the CZU August Lighting Complex fire swept through the area, he felt compelled to do more than just watch. “When the evacuation orders came down,...

The County of Santa Cruz has released its Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26, outlining a comprehensive plan that balances fiscal responsibility with strategic investments in community well-being, infrastructure, and environmental resilience. The $1.23 billion budget includes a General Fund budget of $793.5 million and...

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution to extend the emergency declarations that came in the wake of the CZU August Lightning Complex fires. The County first proclaimed a local emergency related to the fires on Aug. 19...