Posted inLatest News

Watsonville man sees drug, sex charges nearly double; incidents first reported at schools

The number of charges against Luis Alberto Salas, 35, accused of using social media to offer children drugs in exchange for sex, has jumped from 24 to 42 after the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office filed an amended complaint against the Watsonville man on Monday. According to court filings, police first started investigating the case after students reported it to local schools.

Posted inPolitics & Policy

County supervisors’ response to CZU recovery investigation ‘does not align’ with reality, District 5 candidates say

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is deflecting criticism from a civil grand jury report accusing the county of mishandling recovery from the 2020 CZU wildfire. The two candidates running in this November’s election for an open District 5 supervisor seat — Christopher Bradford, a fire victim, and Monica Martinez — criticized the board’s response this week and called for more accountability and expedited rebuilding.

Posted inPolitics & Policy

As longtime leaders retire, crowded Scotts Valley City Council race focuses on housing, Town Center project

Seven people, including one incumbent, are running for three seats on the Scotts Valley City Council this fall. They’ll take over for two longtime leaders who chose not to run again, and be charged with managing state mandates for a dramatic increase in affordable housing, along with kickstarting the city’s long-discussed Town Center project, which calls for the construction of a new downtown with housing and commercial uses.

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