Santa Cruz County Public Safety Articles

Smoke and burned trees are pictured near Sylvan Lake State Park during a wildfire that erupted south of Eagle in the White River National Forest on June 20, 2021. With intense wildfires becoming a greater threat in the West, homeowners …

At least 4-5 people were injured in a what witnesses described as a tornado in downtown Scotts Valley this afternoon, according to fire officials.

Damage to boats, docks and other property followed a 2011 tsunami at the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor. (TR Dreszer)
SANTA CRUZ >> If you received a tsunami warning on your phone Thursday and weren’t sure what to do, you …

New sidewalks on Soquel Drive near West Ledyard Way in Aptos are part of a larger project that includes bike lane upgrades. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local)
APTOS >> After more than a decade of residents’ requests and some …

About 40 people gathered outside the CineLux Green Valley Cinema in Watsonville Friday to protest new regulations by the Department of Pesticide Regulation regarding 1,3-dichloropropene, also called Telone, a pesticide widely used in California.

Graham Hill Road was a Highway 9 detour in February. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local file)
Highway upgrades

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk Giant Dipper has drawn over 60 million thrill-seekers to scream while careening around the roller coaster’s hairpin turns. But more than 65,000 motorists a day know that roller coaster ride pales compared to the high-speed, white-knuckle …

A controlled burn at Wilder Ranch State Park is planned Oct. 28 to Nov. 5, depending on weather. A crew works at Wilder in 2023. (State Parks)
SANTA CRUZ >> Cal Fire started a 250-acre controlled burn on private land …

Santa Cruz Community Health Partners with Central Coast Overdose Prevention to Provide 24/7 Access to Naloxone (Narcan) in the San Lorenzo Valley

A wildland fire broke out in trees and brush flanking northbound Highway 1 north of Buena Vista Drive Monday in Watsonville.

By Robin Musitelli

Central Fire District agreed to pay nearly $1 million in a civil suit brought by an employee. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local file)
LIVE OAK >> After more than a year in court, Central Fire District of Santa Cruz …

Gary Griggs, UCSC Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences tells us about his new book, California Catastrophes: The Natural Disaster History of the Golden State, about the history of disasters in our state and what we can expect in the future.

Residents at the UC-owned, 168-unit Hilltop Apartments on Western Drive in Santa Cruz described problems with rats, delayed maintenance and unexplained charges. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local)
Key takeaways

Measure T asks voters to help fund more firefighters and equipment upgrades in the Zayante Fire Protection District. (Allison Gasparini — Santa Cruz Local file)
ZAYANTE >> Zayante Fire leaders want to bring back more full-time staff and replace aging …

Last November, the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District asked Scotts Valley voters to approve a bond to build a new fire southside station and provide a better defense against wildfires. The measure lost by just 12 votes, leaving the district …

Last November, the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District asked Scotts Valley voters to approve a bond to build a new southside fire station and provide a better defense against wildfires. The measure lost by just 12 votes, leaving the district …

Central Fire District Station 1 is on 17th Avenue. Central Fire leaders have placed a bond measure on the Nov. 5 ballot. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local)
SANTA CRUZ >> Voters in the Central Fire District of Santa Cruz …

Since 1935, Felton Fire Protection District (FFPD) has had a storied history of excellence in its care for the community and engagement with its constituents.

Later this year, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency (PRFMA) will start construction of its $600 million Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project, a long overdue effort to improve levees along the …