Local News

Tony Nuñez and Zach Friend discuss youth voter participation

Who Got Out to Vote?

August 5, 2026

Santa Cruz County voters over 55 turned out at more than twice the rate of voters ages 18–34, raising questions about political power, representation and how to bring younger residents to the polls.

Seedlings of Inspiration

Thousands gathered at the UCSC Quarry to remember Santa Cruz musician Oliver Tree with stories, jokes, videos and music celebrating his wildly inventive life.

Boom to Bust

Santa Cruz County authorities received at least 242 illegal-fireworks complaints and issued at least 23 citations over the Independence Day holiday.

The Price of Prevention

Richard Stockton examines why preventive dental care remains beyond reach for many Medi-Cal patients—and why waiting for catastrophe ultimately costs everyone more.

Berry ‘Greenwashing’ Suit

A federal class-action lawsuit accuses Watsonville-based Driscoll’s of misleading consumers about pesticide compounds and environmental standards for its conventional strawberries.

The Race is On

The 54th annual Wharf to Wharf Race returns Sunday, July 26, with 16,000 runners, a temporary Portola Drive starting line and a six-mile coastal course to Capitola.

PVUSD Trustees Renew Contracts

PVUSD trustees voted to renew school resource officer contracts at Watsonville, Pajaro Valley and Aptos high schools amid debate over student safety, policing and mental health support.

Housing for Teachers

Santa Cruz City Schools is building roughly 100 below-market apartments on Swift Street to help teachers and staff afford to remain in the community.

Robot Masters

Santa Cruz County high school students won the Ranger Class at the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship after months of designing, repairing and testing their underwater robot.

Nuñez Unseats Incumbent

Tony Nuñez won the 4th District Santa Cruz County supervisor seat outright, defeating incumbent Felipe Hernandez and avoiding a November runoff.

Parking Problems

The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury says the ParkMobile system at the County Governmental Center creates barriers to public access and raises privacy concerns.

Plenty to Parade

Fourth of July parades filled Santa Cruz County, from Seabright and Aptos to Watsonville, Scotts Valley and Boulder Creek.

July Fourth Parades

Good Times rounds up Fourth of July parades across Santa Cruz County, from Seabright’s first parade to Boulder Creek, Scotts Valley, Aptos and Watsonville.