San Joaquin County News, Traffic & Weather


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Image caption: The California Treasurer's Office
Billions in Bonds on Your Ballot

Californians are being asked to approve two bond measures totaling $20 billion in the election now underway. What does that mean, and how does it work? Find out here.

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Ballots Are in the Mail: It's Democracy Week

As voters receive their ballots for the 2024 presidential election and important statewide and local races, we look at efforts to build democracy, and efforts to weaken it.

Image caption: Welcome to town. Here's how you can pitch in!
The Changing Nature of Doing Good

The legacy of ‘service clubs’ such as Soroptomists and Rotary lives on in a new generation of social clubs and volunteer organizations.

Image caption: A road in Florida flooded by the massive rains brought by Hurricane Helene.
A History of Mutual Aid

Volunteering and looking out for one another is central to community life.

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How We Helped Create a National Monument

A spectacular piece of land north of Santa Cruz shows what a determined group of people, with the help of a tenacious little media company, can do.

Image caption: The author, left, with Hilltromper Managing Director Mike Kahn at the Cotoni Coast Dairies National Monument.
A Collective, Monumental Effort

The Cotoni Coast Dairies National Monument, just north of Santa Cruz, brought a community together.

Image caption: Loch Lomond, the reservoir that supplies the city of Santa Cruz with a significant portion of its drinking water, is also a beautiful recreational and natural resource.
Dams and Reservoirs: Up and Down

California's first big reservoir project in decades is underway, as the state finally gets rid of some old dams. Environmental responsibility meets aridification.

Image caption: Tens of thousands of truck loads of earth will be moved to raise the B.F. Sisk Dam by ten feet.
The Ups and Downs of California Dams

We check in on efforts to raise some dams in the state to store more water, and to raze some dams to to let water run free.

Image caption: Democracy is all about having a seat at the table.
The Simmering California Public Service Crisis

What happens if you have a democracy and nobody shows up?

Image caption: Democracy works better when more people actively participate.
Building a Civic Engagement Pipeline

We look at one of many local efforts to cultivate the local civic engagement talent pool.

Image caption: The council chambers in Santa Cruz City Hall has been the scene of countless heated political battles, and at least one melee.
It Takes a Village to Run a Village: Developing Leadership

As some municipalities struggle to find people to run for elected offices and advisory boards, we look at the civic engagement pipeline.

Image caption: A relaxing nap can be a good way to spend the holiday which honors workers.
Happy Labor Day to All Who Celebrate

In which we salute the hard workers who make California the fifth largest economy on the planet.

Image caption: Many hands make the community bloom.
Cultivating Civic Engagement

Things bloom best when people get their hands dirty.

Image caption: The Memorial Rose Garden at McKinley Park in Sacramento. Built and maintained by everyday citizens as a gift to their city.
How Citizenship is Like Gardening

For one thing, "citizen," like "garden," can be used as a verb.

Image caption: Gov. Gavin Newsom walks through a homeless camp with a garbage bag.
California Cracks Down on Homeless Camps & Crime

In the midst of charges that California, and its favorite daughter Kamala Harris, are soft on crime, lawmakers step up in the name of public safety.

Image caption: A homeless encampment in San Jose, California.
California Cracks Down on Homeless Encampments

Nobody is happy with the current situation. Especially California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Image caption: You know it's bad when they need to lock up the baby formula.
Proposition 36, AB 2943 & 1179: California Cracks Down On Crime

Californians are fed up with flash mob shoplifting, smash and grab theft and an alarming uptick in Fentanyl deaths.

Image caption: Humpback whales lunge feeding in Monterey Bay.
Biden Comes Through for the Monterey Bay Area

Joe Biden visited the Santa Cruz County beach towns of Aptos and Capitola following bad storms a couple winters ago. Last week, his administration delivered a big pile of money to help these communities and their neighbors build resilience.

Image caption: Robert Mazurek, who helped launch the globally influential Seafood Watch program for the Monterey Bay Aquarium 25 years ago, is now overseeing a historic climate resilience grant, and working on even bigger stuff.
Robert Mazurek Q&A: Preparing for Climate Change

The Santa Cruz-based California Marine Sanctuary Foundation receives a historic $71 million climate resilience grant from Biden Administration.

Image caption: Board of directors come in all shapes and sizes, but by and large, the job is the same.
Anil Dash Explains: What Does a Board of Directors Do?

The writer and Internet dynamo shares his experience and reveals what happens in the board room.

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From SJC Engage
10/11/2024

Spooky Movies to Watch This Halloween

Halloween is the perfect time to cozy up with your favorite treats and indulge in some thrilling, spooky, and sometimes downright terrifying movies. Whether you’re a fan of heart-pounding horror o...

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From Visit Lodi
10/09/2024

Explore Lodi for Free: Top Budget-Friendly Activities

Lodi, California is famous for its vineyards, charming downtown and beautiful nature spots. Here are a few ways to explore the area for free or low cost. Whether you're into outdoor adventures or ...

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From SJC Engage
10/08/2024

Breast Cancer Awareness: How You Can Get Involved

Every October, the world turns pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, supporting those affected, and advancing research. Breas...

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From Visit Lodi
10/08/2024

Three Lodi Wine Varietals to Enjoy This Season

If warm summer nights call for a chilled Sauvignon Blanc, then cool fall days are made to explore red wines from the Lodi region. With over 85 wineries and 125 varietals to explore, there’s plenty...

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From Visit Lodi
10/08/2024

Fall for Lodi Wine Country

The ultimate autumn adventure awaits in Lodi! Whether you are enjoying time with the family, or creating the ultimate fall itinerary with friends, you'll find that Lodi has everything you need to ...

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I Love My Community: Rene Catania

René Catania, executive assistant with Iacopi, Lenz & Company, visited with HERLIFE Magazine recently to share her service to family and community. HLM: How long have you lived here and what do yo...

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