Founded in 1856 by John McElroy (originally as the Pacific Sentinel), the Santa Cruz Sentinel came into being to offer a dedicated voice to a growing California coastal town. The idea sparked when McElroy realized that the somewhat isolated logging and agricultural community, which was expanding rapidly during California's early statehood, desperately needed a reliable source of local information and a way to connect with the outside world. The publication has changed hands many times over its long history, but the site continues to operate today under the ownership of the large newspaper publisher MediaNews Group. Today, the Santa Cruz Sentinel is based in Santa Cruz, California, and is mainly focused on local county news. They have made a name for themselves among residents and college students looking for comprehensive updates on local politics, environmental issues, vibrant coastal entertainment, and local community sports featuring regional high schools, surf competitions, and UC Santa Cruz athletics. One interesting fact: A unique fact about the Santa Cruz Sentinel is the extreme dedication of its staff during the massive 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Because the earthquake's epicenter was right in Santa Cruz County, the newspaper's building lost power and suffered significant damage; however, the journalists and press workers used flashlights, generators, and even worked out of their cars in the parking lot to ensure they didn't miss a single day of publication during the crisis!