Santa Cruz County seal and portrait of new chief probation officer Sandra Mendez
January 6, 2026

County announces new probation chief

Santa Cruz County has named Sandra Mendez as its next chief probation officer, bringing more than 20 years of experience in community-based justice and corrections leadership to the role.
January 6, 2026

County Looks at New Battery Law

In the wake of the Moss Landing battery fire, Santa Cruz County supervisors will review proposed rules governing large-scale battery energy storage systems, focusing on safety, land use, and environmental protections.
Santa Cruz County seal and portrait of new chief probation officer Sandra Mendez
January 6, 2026

County announces new probation chief

Santa Cruz County has named Sandra Mendez as its next chief probation officer, bringing more than 20 years of experience in community-based justice and corrections leadership to the role.
January 6, 2026

County Looks at New Battery Law

In the wake of the Moss Landing battery fire, Santa Cruz County supervisors will review proposed rules governing large-scale battery energy storage systems, focusing on safety, land use, and environmental protections.
Guitarist Mike Dawes holding an acoustic guitar
January 6, 2026

Things to do in Santa Cruz

This week’s calendar highlights live music, punk shows, festivals, literary events, and a featured performance by guitarist Mike Dawes at Felton Music Hall.
Interior of Bad Animal bookstore and wine bar in downtown Santa Cruz
January 6, 2026

Animal Instincts

Bad Animal—part bookstore, part wine bar, part restaurant—returns to in-house bistro cooking with chef Nick Hahn, bringing Parisian bistro flair and Santa Cruz soul to downtown.
Castroville Italian sandwich from Zoccoli’s Delicatessen in Santa Cruz
January 6, 2026

Downtown Deli-ciousness

Zoccoli’s has been a downtown Santa Cruz institution since 1948, serving old-school Italian deli classics, handmade soups and sandwiches.
Interior of Bad Animal bookstore and wine bar in downtown Santa Cruz
January 6, 2026

Animal Instincts

Bad Animal—part bookstore, part wine bar, part restaurant—returns to in-house bistro cooking with chef Nick Hahn, bringing Parisian bistro flair and Santa Cruz soul to downtown.
Castroville Italian sandwich from Zoccoli’s Delicatessen in Santa Cruz
January 6, 2026

Downtown Deli-ciousness

Zoccoli’s has been a downtown Santa Cruz institution since 1948, serving old-school Italian deli classics, handmade soups and sandwiches.
Exterior of the historic Porter Building in downtown Watsonville
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January 6, 2026

PV Arts Comes Home to the Porter Building

Pajaro Valley Arts returns to its roots at the historic Porter Building in downtown Watsonville, preparing for its first exhibition of 2026 and a new chapter in its long community history.
fingers typing on a vintage typewriter
January 6, 2026

Letters

Readers weigh in on major local issues, from the future of the Coastal Rail Corridor and interim trail funding to the upcoming MLK March for the Dream in Santa Cruz.
Joe Ferrara holding a Batman comic inside Atlantis Fantasyworld in Santa Cruz
January 6, 2026

The Editor’s Desk

From the end of MTV to the endurance of local print journalism, this week’s Editor’s Note reflects on Santa Cruz institutions that survive change.
fingers typing on a vintage typewriter
January 6, 2026

Letters

Readers weigh in on major local issues, from the future of the Coastal Rail Corridor and interim trail funding to the upcoming MLK March for the Dream in Santa Cruz.
Joe Ferrara holding a Batman comic inside Atlantis Fantasyworld in Santa Cruz
January 6, 2026

The Editor’s Desk

From the end of MTV to the endurance of local print journalism, this week’s Editor’s Note reflects on Santa Cruz institutions that survive change.
best of santa cruz county 2025
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