Good morning! It’s March 2 — here’s what’s going on in your community today…
Sprinkles early this morning in Aptos
Today will be sprinkles early this morning; otherwise, clouds giving way to some sun. There is a 55% chance of rain. The high will be 63 with a low of 46. Showers now, changing to mostly cloudy at 10 a.m.
Aptos news
Santa Cruz County seeks $15 million for passenger rail environmental work; local mountain lions are now threatened, boosting protections and raising land use and livestock concerns.
Big cats, bigger protections: Santa Cruz County mountain lions now listed as threatened
By Cassidy Beach
Mar 1, 2026
OPINION: Santa Cruz County failed our most vulnerable during extreme weather
By Sara Coon
March 1, 2026
What’s new around you
▼︎ real estate ▼︎ code violations ▼︎ events
Read on to see the details about each item…
Things to do in Aptos
Blue Monday Blues Jam
🎸 Blues Jam Night! 🎶 Great Music by Amazing Musicians — You Don’t Want to Miss This! Every 1st Monday of the Month No Cover Charge | Fully Stocked Ba…
At VFW Post 7263 on March 2
Repeats 8 more times until November 2
Persephone Restaurant Thursday Night Pasta Special
Every Thursday along with our regular menu we offer a prix fixe pasta dinner! Enjoy three courses starting with a fresh farmers market mixed green sal…
At Persephone Restaurant on March 5
Repeats 32 more times until October 15
Property development
- The Santa Cruz County Planning Department has formally approved a zoning application on February 26, for a project at 230 Rio Del Mar Blvd. #N in Aptos. The approved project is a proposal to renew a permit that allows a two-bedroom condo at this address to be used as a vacation rental for overnight stays of up to 30 days at a time. The application sought approval to continue operating the existing vacation rental in compliance with county regulations. (view application)
Property code violations
County officials cite property owners for issues such as substandard housing, illegal uses of buildings, property maintenance, abandoned appliances or furniture, construction without permits, and other issues that affect public safety and quality of life.
- The property at 629 Seacliff Dr, Aptos 95003-3573, which was first cited for code violations on May 29, 202, under case number NV24420, has now resolved all outstanding issues. The violations included an unpermitted interior remodel, unpermitted grading and tree removal within the coastal zone, and encroachment onto State Parks land. Following the county’s code compliance process, the property owner has addressed these violations and is now required to pay assessed fees to the county as part of the resolution.
Roadwork is affecting traffic in the region
- There was a three-car crash with possible injuries on Highway 1 South at Bay Porter, near Capitola and Soquel. All lanes were closed and traffic was being diverted at Morrissey. CHP helped with construction and traffic control. The incident was reported yesterday.
- South Highway 9 at Lorenzo Avenue in San Lorenzo Valley has one-way traffic because of emergency work. This closure will last until April 1 at 3:59 p.m.
No crimes to report today
We checked with local police and there were no new incidents to report.
Disclosure: Traffic incidents, property development updates and code violations are partially generated by artificial intelligence. We are constantly working to improve the accuracy and quality of our AI-generated content. However, there may still be errors or inaccuracies. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.