Santa Cruz County, CA

SANTA CRUZ — Caltrans began work Monday to dismantle a well-established homeless encampment hidden in wooded areas bounded by Highway 1, the San Lorenzo River and Santa Cruz Memorial property. Dubbed “Hell’s Camp” or “Hell’s Alley” and “Camp Paradise,” two adjoining rows of tents and more elaborate ad hoc lean-tos...

Santa Cruz County natives Nikki Hiltz and Vanessa Fraser saw their bids to qualify for the Tokyo Games end Monday evening at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials. Hiltz, a 26-year-old Aptos High and University of Arkansas alum who is now sponsored by adidas, took 13th in the 1,500-meter final in 4:10.60 — more than nine seconds off her personal best and more than five seconds off her season best.

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION) Santa Cruz County Fair is coming back to the Central Coast in September. Last year was the first year in the fair's history to cancel the fair. Anisa Velasco, a livestock exhibitor has been in showcases at the Santa Cruz County Fair before. This year, she won the Heritage Hog, an honor, and scholarship bestowed upon one person each year at the fair. When she learned she was going to get the opportunity to showcase her new lamb in this year's county fair and auction of the Heritage Hog, she was elated.

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — The Santa Cruz County Fair is back in 2021 after it was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. The fair will take place Sept. 15-19 and stick to the announced 2020 theme of 'cool shades & tractor parades.'

SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz County has shown promising signs of lowered transmission in recent weeks, even considering the two-week incubation period after Memorial Day weekend. While most metrics, such as total known cases of COVID-19, continue to inch upward, one number fluctuates: Active known cases. Active known cases have...

CAPITOLA — With the recent public announcement of his pending retirement, Police Chief Terry McManus is the second top law enforcement head preparing to depart Santa Cruz County this year. McManus, hired to lead the Capitola Police Department in the wake of former Chief Rudy Escalante’s departure in late 2016,...

SANTA CRUZ – A bike sharing system could make a return to Santa Cruz after more than a year-long hiatus. Bike sharing allows residents to pick a special bike up off the street and ride it with a designated app. Depending on the bike share company, users can pay for the time they use the bike, or the distance.

SANTA CRUZ – An event of jubilation celebrated the achievement of Black students in Santa Cruz County on Friday. The annual Black Graduate Celebration kicked off for the 22nd time at Santa Cruz City Hall. For the past 21 years, the event celebrated the momentous occasion for Black students at Santa Cruz High School. For the first time, it was expanded for all Black students in Santa Cruz County.

The Community Foundation Santa Cruz County honored the achievements of 32 students with scholarships established by generous and forward thinking donors. “This year’s awardees stood out for their focus on community service and mentorship,” said CEO Susan True in a prepared release. The honorees:. • Albert Sharing Fund Scholarship: Angel...

Incidents addressed in the Grand Jury's report include:. - Allegations of sexual assault and/or illegal sexual conduct by Corrections Officers (COs) in 2017 and in 2020 resulting in convictions. - An inmate’s self-mutilation in 2018. - An inmate assaulted by other inmates in 2018. - A suicide and then a...

A group of Santa Cruz County health providers gather this weekend to take a photo on the Capitola Trestle to get the word out that they support the trail proposal advocated by Santa Cruz County Greenway. More than 200 doctors, nurses, acupuncturists, and other health professionals signed a letter circulated by Greenway saying that they support opening the unused rail corridor now for a “safe, healthy and equitable trail.” In the letter Dr. Doug Hetzler, a long-time otolaryngologist at Palo Alto Medical Foundation is quoted as saying “The Greenway provides the best opportunity for the Santa Cruz County community to activate the unused rail corridor so that all ages can walk, run, cycle, commute, use wheelchairs and enjoy the outdoors. The health benefits of regular exercise are well documented. With the obesity crisis among our youth, we have to take every measure to encourage an active lifestyle at an early age. It’s time to prioritize community safety, health, and well-being.” (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel)

SANTA CRUZ — The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection on Tuesday will give the public a final opportunity to weigh in on its proposed fire safe regulations, which could impact Santa Cruz Mountain residents and wildfire survivors. If finalized, the regulations may be enforced communities that are accessed...

SANTA CRUZ (BCN) The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is offering an adoption deal when individuals adopt two kittens. All kittens aged four months and younger will be available for adoption at a discounted price now through July. The adoption fee includes spay and neutering, microchipping and registration, age-appropriate vaccinations,...

Wrestling with a persistent housing and homelessness crisis, Santa Cruz County last fall brought in a fresh face to lead a newly created division to tackle the far-reaching issue. After 14 years working for the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency and six years with a nonprofit community health center...

With Santa Cruz home prices seemingly trending ever upward, one of the county’s most iconic properties — so unique it has myriad nicknames and its own Atlas Obscura entry — is on the market. A longtime resident who hasn’t been past 515 Fair Ave. in a few years might not...

This summer brings a lot of change. The Capitola City Council will be discussing the future of. summer events and outdoor dining at its Thursday meeting. More information to come shortly thereafter. In addition, the governor has updated guidelines around COVID-19 regulations, which will have a dramatic impact on our community. You can stay up to date by visiting the CDPH and or Santa Cruz County Health Department. As we emerge from the pandemic please remember to be patient with one another, our community and yourselves. This pandemic has significantly changed many of our lives and it will take time to recover.

As the Chinese proverb goes, “Dig a well before you get thirsty.”. On June 13, California Department of Water Resources reported that 44% of the state was in the exceptional drought category, the most-dire level, up from 26% two weeks earlier. Lake Oroville, the second-largest reservoir in the state, has become the poster child for this year’s drought and is at just 37% of its total capacity with dozens of houseboats sitting on dry land as water levels have dropped.

SOQUEL — Octavio Moreno had the strength, he just needed the form. He incorporated it when it mattered most. The Mount Madonna senior placed fourth in the shot put with a throw of 49 feet, 3½ inches at the Central Coast Section Track and Field Championships. With his finish, he...