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Longtime community leader, former journalist Tony Nuñez announces bid for District 4 supervisor seat
By Tania Ortiz
Tony Nuñez, a longtime community leader and former journalist, is running for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors 4th District seat. Nuñez is the current board chair of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District, which operates Watsonville Community Hospital, and works for nonprofit Community Bridges.
Santa Cruz County in for a week of rain following Valentine’s Day
By Max Chun
Rain is expected to roll into Santa Cruz County on Saturday night and linger into the following Friday, with the majority of the rainfall coming between Saturday night and Wednesday morning. National Weather Service meteorologists do not anticipate having to issue any flood advisories or watches.
Road closures, loss of parking during downtown Santa Cruz library construction taking toll on surrounding businesses
By Lillian Schrock-Clevenger
Multiple downtown Santa Cruz businesses say foot traffic is down since the city broke ground on the new public library and affordable housing project last August, eliminating a parking lot for customers and visitors.
Capitola City Council greenlights improvements to 41st Avenue
By Max Chun
The Capitola City Council approved plans for pavement rehabilitation and various striping and multimodal improvements to 41st Avenue at its Thursday meeting. The work is expected to cost $1.6 to $2.1 million.
Factory-built housing hasn’t taken off in California yet, but this year might be different
By Ben Christopher / CalMatters
Building homes inside a factory has long been seen as a way to revolutionize the American housing industry, ushering in a new era of higher-quality homes at lower prices. That dream has never quite panned out. Can California finally make it happen?
Scotts Valley Recreation seeks submissions for annual poetry and art contest
By Ashley Palma-Jimenez
Scotts Valley Recreation, in collaboration with the city’s arts commission, is asking residents of Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley to submit their poetry and art for this year’s Expressions of the Valley poetry and art contest.
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Best of Santa Cruz County events, March 27-29
Here are some events you may be interested in this weekend:
Friday, Mar. 27
- Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz with DJ Hani Gata, DJ Monk Earl & La Familia SC | 8 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- Lakecia Benjamin | 7 p.m. @ Kuumbwa Jazz
- 5 Year Anniversary Event | 10 a.m. @ Staff of Life | Free
- Intro to Oil Painting with Toaa Dallo! ~ Lone Cypress | 12 p.m. @ The Painted Cork | $65
- Private Screening: Drowning in Sickness | 6 p.m. @ True Source Waters (formerly Blue Zone Waters) | $12.51
- Mindful Movement with Horses | 9 a.m. @ Beyond Liberty | $25 (This class included with membership)
- 2026 Santa Cruz Paddlefest | 7 a.m. @ Steamer Lane | Free
- A Love Infused Crystal Bowl Sound Bath | 7 p.m. @ Breath + Oneness | $25
Saturday, Mar. 28
- Aptos Farmers Market | 8 a.m. @ Cabrillo College | Free
- Qingming Festival | 9 a.m. @ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
- (((folkYEAH))) Presents: MILD UNIVERSE, THEODORE | 8 p.m. @ The Crepe Place
- Empty Nest and All The Rest | 7 p.m. @ Santa Cruz High School Auditorium | $30 to $45 (Group of 4 Discount Price)
- Resin Window ~ Beach, Botanical or Memorial! | 4 p.m. @ The Painted Cork | $65
- Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter FUNDRAISER ~ Paint Your Pet – Warhol Style | 11 a.m. @ The Painted Cork | $75
- QingMing Festival | 9 a.m. @
- Spring Line Dance Party | 6 p.m. @ Roaring Camp Railroads
Sunday, Mar. 29
- Pigeon Point Light Station – Lighthouse History Walk | 2 p.m. @
- Sourdough Sunday at Sand Rock Farm | 3 p.m. @ Sand Rock Farm | $130
Repeats once more on March 29
- Documentary: Going Inside | 2 a.m. @ Resource Center for Nonviolence (RCNV) | $10-20 donation
- Persephone Restaurant presents a Wine tour of Spain | 5 p.m. @ Persephone Restaurant | $215.38 (Ticket price includes tax, gratuity and booking fee)
- 2026 Triple BMA Nominee Vanessa Collier “Keep It Saxy” Spring Tour | 7 p.m. @ Felton Music Hall | $44.24
Repeats once more on March 29
- Dynamic Gesture Drawing: Movement and Structure | 10 a.m. @ Santa Cruz Art League | $80 (SCAL members get a 12% discount on classes!)
- Beginner Bird Walk / Paseando con los Pájaritos | 10 a.m. @ UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden | $5 to $10 (Free with paid admission to the Arboretum)
- Crystal Sound Bath with Jeilene Tracey & the Mustangs | 11 a.m. @ Beyond Liberty | $40