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06/18/2026

A man fell to his death from a cliff at Bonny Doon in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 6.
According to Cal Fire CZU, around 1:30am, a man in his early 20s fell halfway down a cliff at Bonny Doon Beach and landed mid-cliff. Although rescuers were able to recover him, the fall had killed him.
Members of Cal Fire, City of Santa Cruz Fire, Calif. State Parks, Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office, Santa Cruz Police, and U.S. Coastside Guard all responded to the emergency.
It was initially reported that a male had fallen off the cliff into the ocean below. Emergency responders arrived on scene and proceeded onto the beach to search the surf for any signs of a victim.
Per the reporting parties, the victim fell from the cliff on the south side of the cove, and the reporting parties were unable to locate the victim after the fall.
Santa Cruz Police officers arrived on scene and launched a drone into the sky to assist with the search.

A man fell to his death from a cliff at Bonny Doon in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 6. According to Cal Fire CZU, around 1:30am, a man in his early

06/18/2026

Pacific Gas and Electric is racing to keep pace with an unsatiable demand for energy that will give Watsonville a huge power boost. Last month, the utility began phase one of a $40 million project to upgrade the city’s electrical grid. PG&E spokesperson Stephanie Magallon said the company expects the demand for energy to double in the next decade. According to data from the California Public Utilities Commission, Watsonville’s electrical grid hasn’t had a major makeover since the 1970s.

“Phase one is replacing the poles and the powerlines,” said Magallon. She said customers can expect planned power outages and minor traffic delays while the work is taking place by outside contractors. “So far, the project is going well,” said Jesus Muniz. His company is doing the ground work in preparation for the new power poles on Highway 152.

06/17/2026

Grand Marshals • Letter from the Aptos Chamber President • Parade Participation Information • Aptos Parade Map • Aptos Chamber of Commerce Sponsors & T-shirt Designer • Aptos Fourth of July Parade • Past Parades Time Capsules • Residents Warned About Fireworks • Aptos Fourth of July & The World’s Shortest Parade • Party in the Park • Enjoy Your State Parks • The Meaning of Aptos • Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of our Country … and much more!

Grand Marshals • Letter from the Aptos Chamber President • Parade Participation Information • Aptos Parade Map • Aptos Chamber of Commerce Sponsors &

06/16/2026

Counties, Non-profits Collaborate to Create Hope Village: Housing Built for Homeless Living Along Pajaro River Levee, By Claudia Iseman • County Supervisors Review Long-Term Strategic Plan: Ambitious Goals Laid Out to Improve Residents’ Lives, By Jon Chown • Sister Act at Cabrillo Stage, By Mindy Pedlar • Six Local Girl Scouts Cap Remarkable Journey With Scouting’s Highest Honor, By Peter Levy • The Healthy Way Celebrates 40 Years of Service to the Community June 27 • Watonsville High SchoolStudent Wins SC Fair Poster Contest • Assembly Member Addis Names Small Business of the Year • Joe Ortiz to Bring Musical Memoir to Actors’ Theater • A Pioneer of the Beach: Aptos Woman Writes of Early Life as Lifeguard, By Jon Chown • Summer Shuttle Operating Again at Big Basin • Panetta Announces Congressional Student Art Winners • STS9 Amazes Crowd With Sound and Vision: Santa-Cruz Based Band Headlines Music Festival, By Jon Chown • Capitola’s Premier Classic Car Event Returns to the Coast

 Counties, Non-profits Collaborate to Create Hope Village: Housing Built for Homeless Living Along Pajaro River Levee, By Claudia Iseman • County Sup

06/15/2026

By Jon Chown
Capitola has begun the process of shifting from at-large City Council elections to a district-based voting system after receiving a legal threat alleging violations of the California Voting Rights Act.
The Capitola City Council on April 30 adopted a resolution declaring its intent to transition to district elections, triggering a 90-day “safe harbor” period under state law designed to protect cities from costly litigation while they complete the process.
At a May 14 informational meeting, city officials and consultants outlined the timeline for the transition, launched a public mapping tool and invited residents to begin shaping how future voting districts should be drawn.
The move comes after the city received a March 19 letter from Shenkman and Hughes representing the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project alleging that Capitola’s current at-large election system dilutes the ability of Latinos to elect candidates of their choice.

By Jon Chown Capitola has begun the process of shifting from at-large City Council elections to a district-based voting system after receiving a legal threat a

06/14/2026

The Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club is gearing up for a milestone Fourth of July tradition, as the Firecracker Run returns for its 41st year in 2026, coinciding with the nation’s 250th birthday.
Organizers are aiming to make this year’s event the largest in its history, with a goal of more than 1,000 participants ranging from competitive runners to families, walkers and children. The race will once again be based at Harvey West Park, a longtime hub for the community celebration.
“This is one you don’t want to miss,” organizers said in promoting the event. “Lace up your shoes, hit the pavement, and kick off Independence Day the way this community has for over four decades.”
The event features three courses designed for different abilities and ages.

The Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club is gearing up for a milestone Fourth of July tradition, as the Firecracker Run returns for its 41st year in 2026, coinciding

06/13/2026

By Jon Chown
A status update given to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors during its May 19 meeting has shed a little light on the extent of the damage done by an arson attack at the McDermott Fire Station on March 18.
At approximately 4:43 a.m. on March 18, sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a water tender engulfed in flames at the station. The fire had been extinguished by firefighters at the scene, but the 2024 Kenworth T48 Fouts Fire tanker was a complete loss, according to a press release from the county issued at the time.
Investigators believe it was arson, but all other information regarding the incident has been closely guarded by the county, especially what led investigators to believe it was arson, whether security cameras captured the incident, were working or had even been installed.
According to the county’s status report given to supervisors, the incident originated in the apparatus bay, and more than just the fire tanker was damaged.

By Jon Chown A status update given to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors during its May 19 meeting has shed a little light on the extent of the damage

06/13/2026

Damians Ladder has received a $15,000 general operating support grant from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County to help seniors and people with disabilities remain safely in their homes through essential home repairs and modifications.
The funding will support the organization’s mission of providing low- or no-cost repairs for older adults and residents with disabilities throughout Santa Cruz County.
For many seniors, minor home issues — such as broken steps, missing grab bars or doors that no longer close properly — can threaten their ability to live independently.
Damians Ladder addresses those needs through small but critical repairs designed to improve safety and accessibility.
“We are deeply grateful to Community Foundation Santa Cruz County for this generous grant,” said Ann Bennett Young, executive director of Damians Ladder.

Damians Ladder has received a $15,000 general operating support grant from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County to help seniors and people with disabilities r

06/13/2026

By Jon Chown
SANTA CRUZ — County of Santa Cruz has released its proposed $1.29 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, the first budget presented by new County Executive Officer Nicole D. Coburn.
According to a letter Coburn released at the same time, the budget protects essential public services, avoids layoffs and maintains core operations despite a projected $23.2 million General Fund deficit and growing financial pressure from federal policy changes, labor costs and inflation.
The proposed budget includes an $844.1 million General Fund and supports 2,682.28 full-time equivalent positions. That is a reduction of 57.88 funded positions from the current fiscal year, though officials said no employees would lose their jobs because the eliminated positions are vacant.

By Jon Chown SANTA CRUZ — County of Santa Cruz has released its proposed $1.29 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, the first budget presented by new

06/12/2026

WATSONVILLE — The Santa Cruz County Fair has selected 17-year-old Watsonville High School student Alondra Jaramillo-Arreola as the winner of its 2026 fair poster art contest.

Fair organizers said the contest drew more than 20 submissions from community and youth artists after organizers called for artwork reflecting the 2026 theme, “Apple Pies and Starry Skies.”
According to the fair, Jaramillo-Arreola’s hand-drawn poster features “all the elements” of the theme, including “a cute cow and pink pig” picnicking on apple pie beneath a night sky filled with constellations.
“Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity,” Jaramillo-Arreola said in a statement released by the fair. “It was an honor being able to participate in this big and well-known community event. Being able to put my work out in this community means so much to me. I was born here and my dream is to become an artist.

WATSONVILLE — The Santa Cruz County Fair has selected 17-year-old Watsonville High School student Alondra Jaramillo-Arreola as the winner of its 2026 fair pos