Local News

Is Our Water Safe?

A recent notice about chromium-6 in local water has residents uneasy. But experts say the situation is more nuanced—and far less alarming—than it first appears.

Advocates Warn of Immigration Scam

Legal advocates are warning the public about a multi-state scam targeting the immigrant community, with some victims losing as much as $30,000. According to Claudia...

RTC Seeks $15 Million

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission voted to seek $15 million in state and federal funding to advance environmental review of a proposed 22-mile passenger rail line.

Housing Too Close to Runway

A court ruling says Watsonville broke state law by approving housing near the municipal airport without first adopting mandatory airport safety standards into its General Plan.

Indie Film Pioneer Dies

Bill Raney, who founded Santa Cruz’s Nickelodeon Theater and helped shape the city’s independent film culture for decades, has died at 90.

Hundreds of teachers, staff and students packed a Watsonville school board meeting to protest planned layoffs in Pajaro Valley Unified School District, delivering a petition with more than 1,000 signatures and calling on trustees to “put students first.”

Panetta will fight drilling

Business leaders from fishing, hospitality and agriculture warn proposed offshore drilling could threaten jobs and reshape the Central Coast’s economy.

Lower Speeds on Highway 9

Caltrans will lower speed limits on several segments of Highway 9 in Santa Cruz County following a recent engineering and traffic survey.

Upscale Cruz

Anthropologie’s grand opening on Pacific Avenue marks another step in downtown Santa Cruz’s retail resurgence, with vacancies dropping and new businesses on the way.