Many regions in California were hit hard by the 2022-23 winter storms. In Sacramento, the losses came in the form of a thinning of the urban forest.
In the modern world of niche media and streaming entertainment, it’s not often that the citizens of the United States of America share a simultaneous experience. One such occurrence will take place this week, when the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, conducts a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System.
This is the seventh time that this system will be used. An updated version of the Emergency Broadcast System—which delivered those familiar bursts of electronic noise followed by “This is a test…”—the Wireless Emergency Alert will simultaneously send a message to all of the nation’s cell phones. This will happen on Oct. 4 at around 5:20 p.m. Pacific Time.
This imminent event got us thinking. No, we weren’t thinking about ridiculous conspiracy theories, though predictably some folks are. Instead we thought it was an opportune time to contemplate the value of a smartphone in an emergency situation.
Making Radio Waves
This week we’re posting checklists for each of the counties we cover, offering information on resources that can help you stay safe during a local emergency. Each checklist is topped with a link to the county’s office of emergency services and specifics on how to sign up for local alerts. Counties may use different tech platforms to get the word out, but the end result is the same: real-time information dispensed simultaneously to your family, friends and neighbors. These are messages that could literally be lifesavers.
Many communities in California are lucky enough to have groups of local citizens who prepare not only to take care of themselves during a disaster but also to protect others. They form Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) to assist first responders, train to do search and rescue, or form ham radio groups. California Local reporter Kimberly Hickok shares the story of how one such group of radio enthusiasts in the disaster-prone Santa Cruz Mountains works to keep the lines of communication open.
Listening Skills
How local amateur radio operators can help in the next big emergency.
Where to Find Emergency Information in Santa Cruz County
California Local first posted this listicle back in January, as the floodwaters were rising on the Pajaro and San Lorenzo rivers. We’ve since updated it to reflect Santa Cruz County’s switch to Cruz Aware, a new emergency notification system.
• Anderson Homes Announces ‘Giving Back Starts at Home’
Between Oct. 1, and Dec. 10, homeowners who purchase from Anderson Homes choose one of these nonprofits to be awarded a donation: San Benito County Arts Council, Youth Alliance, San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, BenitoLink and the Community Foundation for San Benito County.
(10/02/2023) → Benito Link
• Hollister Police Department Adopts ABLE Program
Teaching officers to intervene when they see other officers violating policies is the goal of Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE), a project developed by Georgetown University Law Center.
(10/01/2023) → Benito Link
• South Road Townhomes Project Gets Permit Extension
The Hollister Planning Commission approved an extension for a tentative map, conditional use permit, and site and architectural review for a subdivision of 14 townhomes near R.O Hardin Elementary School.
(09/29/2023) → Benito Link
• Hollister Icon DeRose Debuts in San Martin
DeRose Vineyards in Hollister is well known to wine lovers for its casual atmosphere that somehow accentuates the serious intent of winegrowers Pat and Alphonse DeRose.
(09/27/2023) → Edible Monterey Bay
• Pretty Good Advice Adds Second Spot in Downtown Santa Cruz
This qualifies as more than pretty good news. Pretty Good Advice in Soquel is welcoming a sister into the world.
(09/26/2023) → Edible Monterey Bay
Many regions in California were hit hard by the 2022-23 winter storms. In Sacramento, the losses came in the form of a thinning of the urban forest.
