Soquel News

Robin Lerios will celebrate her first year as owner of the York Framing Gallery with an event 5-7 p.m. Friday at 619 Soquel Ave. She worked 16 years at York and decided to buy the business last year when she learned it was soon to close.

With the future of the proposed desalination project in flux, the Soquel Creek Water District is taking the opportunity to reassess alternatives to solve its water supply shortage.

The city of Capitola is once again giving holiday shoppers a break, offering free parking on the street in Capitola Village and city-owned lots starting Thursday.

Whether you're an aspiring home chef or a professional chef, it's important to stay sharp.

I see the new "No Panhandling Signs" are up now -- good job. But I have noticed they do not discourage people from still panhandling.

Through Dec. 13, anyone can adonate a gently worn coat or jackeet at Classic Clearners at 285 Water St., Santa Cruz; 809 Bay, Captitola; or 415 Trout Gulch Road, Aptos.

Those looking for an affectionate furry friend may find one at Rabbit Haven's adoption event Sunday at Pet Pals.

San Lorenzo Valley residents can drop off clean, sorted yard waste for free Friday and Saturday at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station, 9835 Newell Creek Road.

During closing statements Tuesday for a Soquel woman on trial for torching a Twin Lakes house in January, attorneys focused on her mental health at the time of the fire.

Santa Cruz County businesses El Salchichero, Plumline and Osocalis have landed spots in the finals of the 2014 Good Food Awards.

But the family moved to Santa Cruz this year and changed their minds. Earlier this month, they bought "Theo," an adorable boxer-Labrador-German shepherd mix.

A 20-year-old Soquel woman on trial for torching a Twin Lakes home was talking incoherently about God and the devil when authorities found her half-dressed behind the burning home, prosecutors said Thursday during opening statements.

Jill Judd of State Farm Insurance in Capitola has been elected to a two-year term as trustee of the National Council of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, which comprises more than 600 associations representing approximately 200,000 agents.

Saturday, November 16, 3:00 am to 5:00 am - Intermittent freeway closures for 15 minutes or less in both directions of Highway 1 between the Soquel and Morrissey interchanges for PG&E to string lines across the highway.

Santa Cruz County small businesses Jill Alexander Designs, Drumskull Drums, The Penny Ice Creamery, Lyons Marble and Granite, Synergy Organic Clothing, Donnelly Chocolates and BrainChild Nutritionals -- have garnered the 250 votes required to advance in the Mission Main Street nationwide competition for a $250,000 grant.

Kevin Kotzur, Kiwi Gardner and John Allen from the Santa Cruz Warriors visited New Brighton Middle School to kick off the school's Grind Out Hunger food drive Tuesday.

The district offered a 3 percent pay raise for two years to union leaders. The union represents nearly 80 district office workers, janitors and bus drivers.

Soquel Unified School District support staff expects management to make a pay raise offer Wednesday, bringing an end to three months of contract negotiations.