A Watsonville man killed by debris washed up by storm at local beach has been identified as David Koons.
briefs
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Ripple Effect, a brand new arts festival, to debut spring 2026
A committee of arts professionals and community activists has announced plans to establish a new 10-day annual festival called “Ripple Effect” to take place in spaces all over Santa Cruz County starting in April 2026.
Posted inLatest News
Cause of Capitola Village explosion and fire still under investigation; roads mostly reopened
The cause of a Christmas morning explosion and fire in Capitola Village remains under investigation, but police do not believe that it is the result of suspicious activity. Three residents in the nearby area have been displaced by the incident.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Costume designer Phillips to appear at Santa Cruz screening of ‘A Complete Unknown’
Famed costume designer Arianne Phillips, who grew up in Santa Cruz, comes to the Santa Cruz Cinema for a Q&A session before the screening of the new Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” on which she did the costume design.
Posted inLatest News
Huge swells could force holiday beach closures in Santa Cruz County
Dangerous ocean swells are forecast to hit California’s Central Coast this weekend through Monday, with waves up to 40 feet possible. State beaches in Santa Cruz County could close for safety during the holiday week.
Posted inLatest News
City to reopen part of West Cliff to two-way traffic after nearly two-year closure
The City of Santa Cruz will finally reopen the block of West Cliff Drive between Columbia Street and Woodrow Avenue to two-way traffic on Friday, nearly two years after it was severely damaged due to the deluge of atmospheric rivers in January 2023.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville appoints Nick Calubaquib as deputy city manager
The City of Watsonville has tapped Nick Calubaquib to join Nathalie Manning as deputy city manager. Calubaquib, who has worked for the city for 13 years, will oversee community outreach, strategic planning and citywide initiatives, while Manning will continue to focus on human resources and internal operations across all city departments.
Posted inLatest News
Thousands without power as high winds, rain hit Santa Cruz County
A powerful storm battered Santa Cruz County early Saturday morning, leaving nearly 20,000 homes and businesses without power and forcing road closures across the region. Witnesses reported seeing a funnel cloud in Scotts Valley.
Posted inLatest News
Man arrested in Neighbor’s pub vandalism to be charged with hate crime
Santa Cruz police have arrested a suspect in connection with the vandalism of The Neighbor’s pub in downtown Santa Cruz, which they are now calling a hate crime.
Posted inLatest News
Man and two children rescued Friday from blaze above Brookdale post office
Firefighters rescued an unconscious child and two others from an apartment fire that broke out above the Brookdale post office early Friday morning.