Local News

Monster Mash

UCSC’s Festival of Monsters returns Oct. 14–18 with horror scholarship, authors, comics and free public events exploring the language of monstrosity.

King Crimson classics, guitar wizardry and a Zappa encore echoed through the redwoods as Terry Bozzio joined Adrian Belew, Steve Vai and Tony Levin for BEAT’s tour opener at UCSC’s Quarry Amphitheater.

Vote Hope

A Romero Institute town hall brings Santa Cruz leaders and activists together to discuss voting rights, civic courage and the power of community participation.

There and Back Again

UC Santa Cruz student Oliver Levine paddles 48 miles across Monterey Bay and back, navigating darkness, bioluminescence and self-doubt on a 12-foot board without a support boat.

Crimson at The Quarry

Adrian Belew talks King Crimson, BEAT’s dream-band chemistry and new drummer Terry Bozzio as the quartet prepares to open its final North American tour of Crimson music at the Quarry in Santa Cruz.

New Fire, Old Fears

Another battery fire at Moss Landing has renewed fears among restaurant owners, who describe lost sales, missed emergency alerts and uncertainty about their businesses’ future.

Grinding for a Great Cause

Santa Cruz punks and skateboarders unite for Grind the Cause, a benefit raising $150,000 for a new bowl at Sergeant Derby Skate Park in memory of local skater James DeBarrios.

Rainbow Conference

The Rainbow Conference returns to Watsonville High School Sept. 26, bringing LGBTQ+ students, families, educators and allies together for workshops, resources and a day centered on community and celebration.

Community Hub Gone

For 10 months, The Vessel operated in the shadows of Santa Cruz’s mainstream music scene, hosting 75 shows and more than 300 punk, metal, hardcore and alternative bands before closing for good.

World Wide Waves

Santa Cruz surfer and designer Taylor Lane turned thousands of discarded cigarette butts into a striking surfboard—and a globe-spanning surf documentary, streaming Sept. 15–27

Driving Hope

Santa Cruz humanitarian Curtis Reliford recounts a journey from violence and addiction to decades of service, compassion and cross-country relief work in his new autobiography, Madness to Surrender.

New Fireproofing Rules

California is moving closer to new Zone Zero wildfire rules for the first five feet around homes. The Board of Forestry has approved a final draft, now under state review. Here’s what Santa Cruz County homeowners should know.

Lightning Struck

Monster Mash

New Messiah (Ink)

Lucky Number 13

Street Talk

Smoke Circles

Sweet Freedom

All That Smoke

Lightning Struck

Monster Mash

Crimson Roars in the Redwoods

Vote Hope

There and Back Again

Crimson at The Quarry

New Fire, Old Fears

Grinding for a Great Cause

Rainbow Conference

Community Hub Gone

World Wide Waves

Driving Hope

New Fireproofing Rules