Bernie Escalante, who has served as Santa Cruz’s police chief since October 2021, is retiring at the end of October following 30 years of service.
Latest News
Posted inPolitics & Policy
No endorsement in Santa Cruz mayor race as Democratic Central Committee splits on candidates
Just like in the primary election, the Santa Cruz County Democratic Central Committee failed to reach a consensus on its endorsement for Santa Cruz mayor, meaning it will not officially back either Ami Chen Mills or Ryan Coonerty in November.
Posted inEducation
Cabrillo College faces estimated $2M budget deficit; President Capps ‘cautiously optimistic’ on stabilization path
Cabrillo College faces a roughly $2 million structural budget deficit as it works to cut costs and boost enrollment. President Jenn Capps said she is “cautiously optimistic” about the college’s path to financial stability.
Posted inVisual Story
25 years later: Santa Cruz, Bay Area first responders honor 9/11 victims with memorial stair climb
More than 60 people honored the fallen first responders of 9/11 by climbing Seacliff State Beach’s stairs 13 times – equal to the World Trade Center’s 110 stories – at Friday’s 25th anniversary memorial climb in Aptos.
Posted inLatest News
Nearly 6,500 Capitola and Live Oak residents without power; outage caused by equipment issue
Nearly 6,500 residents in Capitola and Live Oak are without power Wednesday afternoon, according to PG&E officials.
Posted inLatest News
Heat advisory in Santa Cruz County: Temperatures to reach 90s through Thursday
Santa Cruz County and much of California are under a heat advisory as peak temperatures are forecast to reach the low 90s in Santa Cruz and Watsonville and the upper 90s in the mountains.
Posted inEducation
After Pajaro Middle teachers demanded principal’s removal, district appoints her to new admin role
Pajaro Middle School teachers say they’re relieved that Principal Nicole Killian is moving to a district office role. In May, they gave the district superintendent a vote of no confidence and demanded her removal.
Posted inFood & Drink
Barilla buys Goodles, the Santa Cruz mac and cheese brand making ‘noodles, gooder’
Gooder Foods, the maker of Goodles, agreed to be purchased by Barilla, the world’s largest pasta producer, the companies announced Thursday.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville Police Department receives federal grant for crime analysis
The Watsonville Police Department is receiving a $22,285 federal grant that will help fund the department’s ongoing efforts to understand crime patterns within the city.
Posted inLatest News
Monterey County blazes: Timber fire passes 25,000 acres, containment up to 23%; Plaskett fire now 29,000 acres, still 1% contained
Crews are trying to make progress on the Timber and Plaskett fires, which continue to burn near Big Sur in Monterey County. Containment of the Timber fire inched up to 23% as it had scorched roughly 25,226 acres as of Wednesday night. Farther south, the Plaskett fire was up to 29,123 acres, with containment still only 1%.
