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Body found near Davenport confirmed by family to be swimmer killed in Lovers Point shark attack
By Max Chun
A body discovered near the Davenport shoreline has been identified as Erica Fox, 55, of Monterey County, who went missing a week ago while swimming […]
Newsmakers 2025: Approaching final year in office, Fred Keeley reflects on a busy ’25 and ‘promises kept’
By Max Chun
The new downtown expansion district, an affordable housing measure and a rail-trail compromise all came to fruition in 2025. Now, Fred Keeley, Santa Cruz’s first […]
New Pajaro Valley Unified school board president surprises with management style
By Hillary Ojeda
New PVUSD board president Carol Turley’s first meeting in the role was marked by frequent interruptions of fellow trustees and a stricter enforcement of agenda […]
Carmageddon: County moving forward with plan for second phase of Soquel Drive improvements
By Max Chun
As the first part of Soquel Drive’s major makeover heads toward completion, Santa Cruz County is seeking a consultant to manage the next phase of […]
CSUMB led state university system with top graduation rate improvements during 10-year initiative
By Hillary Ojeda
California State University Monterey Bay was the only campus in the 22-school CSU system to meet all six goals of the system’s decadelong Graduation Initiative […]
Two new ‘churches’ show Santa Cruz may be leading the next wave of psychedelics
By Wallace Baine
Two local churches – Holy Trinity of Divine Church and the Rising Phoenix Entheogenic Temple – now make it easy to become a member and […]
OPINION: Organophosphates are obsolete. Why are we still spraying them on our fields and endangering kids?
By Kathleen Kilpatrick
Science has long warned that organophosphate pesticides damage developing brains, especially in pregnant women and children, writes local activist Kathleen Kilpatrick. Yet the Monterey […]

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Upcoming Santa Cruz County events
Here are some events you may be interested in this week:
Tuesday, Dec. 30
- Karaoke with Moondog | 7 p.m. @ Bay Bar and Grille | Free
- Flynn Creek Circus presents ‘The Bridge’ | 2 p.m. @ Capitola Mall | Tickets start at $23
- Salsa Social | 7 p.m. @ Abbott Square Market | Free
- Tacos and Trivia Tuesday! | 7 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill | Free
Wednesday, Dec. 31
- NO COVER New Year’s Eve Reggae, Dancehall & Afrobeats Party | 9 p.m. @ Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
- NEW YEARS EVE WITH HARRY AND THE HITMEN! | 9 p.m. @ The Crepe Place
- Midnight at MANE | 5 p.m. @ Mane Kitchen & Cocktails
- New Years Eve with Kentucky Mule | 9 p.m. @ Abbott Square Market | Free
Thursday, Jan. 1
- Persephone Restaurant Thursday Night Pasta Special | 5 p.m. @ Persephone Restaurant | $40
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park First Day Hike | 10 a.m.
- First Day Hike in the Redwood Grove | 11 a.m. @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- First Day Hike – Reflective Sandhills Hike | 3 p.m. @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- First Day Hike to Cable Car Beach | 1 p.m. @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- First Day King Tide Walk | 3 p.m. @ New Brighton State Beach







