Good morning! It’s September 25 — here’s what’s going on in your community today…
Showers early this morning in Aptos
Today will be a couple of showers early this morning; areas of low clouds early; otherwise, mostly sunny. There is a 60% chance of rain. The high will be 74 with a low of 58. Showers now, changing to mostly cloudy at 9 a.m.
Aptos news
Inside a packed Del Mar Theatre last night, Lookout presented “Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink,” a 2023 documentary by Rick Goldsmith that tracks the crumbling ecosystem of hyperlocal news outlets throughout the U.S. Goldsmith particularly focused on Wall Street hedge fund Alden Global Capital’s leading role in buying distressed newspapers and squeezing them dry.
After the film, Lookout founder Ken Doctor joined CalMatters CEO Neil Chase and Julie Reynolds, a Santa Cruz-based investigative journalist and co-founder of Voices of Monterey Bay, to discuss the prospects for local news amid economic and political pressures, and how outlets such as Lookout and CalMatters are working to find a sustainable model for the future.
Habitat restoration underway along Aptos Creek in Forest of Nisene Marks
By Ashley Palma-Jimenez
Sep 24, 2025
What’s new around you
▼︎ road incidents ▼︎ real estate ▼︎ code violations ▼︎ events
Read on to see the details about each item…
Things to do in Aptos
Book Selection Party for Our Community Reads
A Book Selection Party to choose the 2026 title for Our Community Reads. This book will be used to plan a series of events which will run from the end…
At Aptos Library on September 25
Yoga In The Pasture with Jessica Fajans
Yoga in the Pasture is a nature-connected movement practice grounded in gentleness, awareness, and choice. Held outdoors alongside rescued horses, thi…
At BEYOND liberty, Center for Learning, Wellness, Sanctuary & Horse Retirement on September 25
Repeats once more on October 2
Mah Jongg Club – Hong Kong Style
Welcome players of all levels – the experienced and the newly curious! Connect with fellow Mahjong enthusiasts and build a supportive community. Share…
At Aptos Branch Library on September 25
Repeats 6 more times until November 6
Roadwork is affecting traffic in the region
- A lane on southbound Highway 1 at Larkin Valley Road is closed for drainage work. The closure is expected to end at 5:59 a.m. on September 29.
- There is a one-way traffic closure on North Highway 9 at Prospect Avenue in San Lorenzo Valley because of emergency work. The closure is expected to end at 3:59 p.m. on December 5.
- A lane on northbound Highway 17 at W Vine Hill Road in Scotts Valley is closed for tree work. The closure is expected to end at 4:01 a.m. today.
Property development
- The Santa Cruz County Planning Department has received a zoning application for a project at 511 Playa Boulevard in the La Selva Planning Area. The proposal seeks to renew a permit for a two-bedroom vacation rental within an existing single-family home, which allows for overnight stays of up to 30 days at a time. If approved, the renewal would extend the permit’s expiration date from December 15, to December 15, 203. (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 9665 Soquel Dr A, Aptos 95003-4146, associated with case number NV25255, was cited for several building code violations following a site visit on June 16. Inspectors found that the original duplex, which featured two units above their respective garages, had been altered without permits: both garages were converted into one-bedroom units, and an exterior staircase and a retaining wall with a surcharge were replaced without the necessary approvals. A Notice of Violation (NOV) was posted on June 17. County officials have now confirmed that the cited violations have been addressed, and they are continuing to monitor the property for ongoing compliance.
- A code violation notice has been issued for the property at 145 Bennett Rd, Aptos 95003-4641 under case number NV25296. County officials cited the property for the unpermitted construction and addition of an over-height fence, which exceeds the maximum height allowed by local building codes. The fence in question encloses the carport and directly abuts an alley or street, and was built without obtaining the necessary permits or approvals from the County of Santa Cruz. This constitutes a violation of local building and zoning regulations.
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.