Local News

Rejoice, Rejoice

The Medicine Buddha Festival returns to Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel with Tibetan music, monks chanting, Mongolian performances, a thangka procession, free lunch, family activities and a full community celebration.

A Great Artist Lost

Santa Cruz native Oliver Tree Nickell, the musician, performance artist and internet star known for his fearless weirdness, global reach and deep local roots, is remembered by the community after his death in a Brazilian helicopter crash.

Guitar Power

Santa Cruz Guitar Company celebrates 50 years of custom acoustic guitars, sustainable craftsmanship and global influence with a new MAH exhibit honoring founder Richard Hoover and the luthiers behind the legendary local shop.

Stocker Shock: The Amazing Gifts of Gabrielle Stocker

The estate of Santa Cruz musician, singer and teacher Gabrielle Stocker has left transformative gifts to the local music community.

Pride Weekend’s Grand Marshalls

Santa Cruz Pride 2026 honors Assemblywoman Gail Pellerin, Dinah Phillips and Gail Groves, linking this year’s Grand Marshals to a landmark 2008 same-sex marriage.

Big Relief

Watsonville Community Hospital receives $10.6 million in state aid to help stabilize operations and preserve healthcare access in the Pajaro Valley.

Safe Battery Storage?

Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s bipartisan BESS Act would expand federal research and testing to improve battery energy storage safety.

An American Pickle

The Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival closes May 28 with “An American Pickle,” capping a 14-film series focused on Jewish culture, history, identity and connection across Santa Cruz County.

Running for Mayor

Santa Cruz voters will choose among Ryan Coonerty, Gillian Greensite, Chris Krohn, Ami Chen Mills and Joy Schendledecker in the June 2 mayoral primary, with a runoff possible if no candidate tops 50%.

Foot Traffic Jammed

Although appellate courts affirmed the public’s right to use the Rio del Mar beachfront walkway, access remains blocked as homeowners and Santa Cruz County return to court over enforcement and possible restrictions.

Funding Hope

A new community pledge campaign asks whether Santa Cruz locals could help buy or preserve the Catalyst, even as the historic venue’s building faces redevelopment into mixed-use housing.

Failure to File

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez has filed multiple campaign finance reports late as he seeks reelection in the 4th District race against Tony Nuñez and Elias Gonzales.

Don’t Be Blindsided

Rejoice, Rejoice

It’s All Rock and...

Solstice Symphonies

Beyond the Scale

Letters

What it Takes

Hola Puerto Rico

Don’t Be Blindsided

Rejoice, Rejoice

A Great Artist Lost

Guitar Power

Stocker Shock: The Amazing Gifts of Gabrielle Stocker

Pride Weekend’s Grand Marshalls

Big Relief

Safe Battery Storage?

An American Pickle

Running for Mayor

Foot Traffic Jammed

Funding Hope

Failure to File