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By Eric Johnson
Published Oct 07, 2024

Your Ballot Is in the Mail: It's Democracy Week 2024

Throughout California starting today, ballots are being put in the mail. It's go-time for Election 2024. Big week. Here's what you need to know.

In the News Feed below you will find quick-read links to articles about about important statewide and local races, keyed to your county so you can easily get to the news YOU can use. 

You may have caught wind of voter-restriction efforts by state lawmakers who have bought into the lie that mail-in voting breeds fraud. We present a hot-off-the-presses report from a non-partisan think tank that details how that perilous situation is shaping up. And how California lawmakers have moved in the opposite direction, making it easier than ever for voters to cast their ballots.

And: Because we believe in ending our News Features section on an upnote, we bring you the surprising and inspiring story of one of the nation's greatest champions of voting and democracy: Yep: the League of Women Voters. If you think the woman who built this organization were anything less than a passionate band of warriors, you should read this and educate yourself!

And in case you forgot: a Fall recipe ... and more!

Defending Democracy

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.

The Attack on the Popular Vote

Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr., a staunch defender of voting rights.
In more than 30 states, it’s harder than ever to vote this year. But in California, it’s never been easier.

Doing Good: The League of Women Voters

A portrait of the first Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters in Chicago in 1920.
The decades of work to win the right to vote for women was only the beginning.

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Santa Cruz County's Homepage
Direct your browser to https://santacruz.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Santa Cruz County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!

Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Fall! cookbook.

Like apple pie filling without the crust

Try these sautéed apples on waffles or pancakes for breakfast -- or pound cake or ice cream for dessert.
New! Maple sautéed apples make a great topping for waffles, pound cake and more

Get to Know a Group

Santa Cruz Baroque Festival logo Santa Cruz Baroque Festival

The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival has been active since 1974, presenting early music as it sounded in its own era. Members strive for artistic excellence while transmitting the joy of Baroque music to future generations.

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From Our Media Allies

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San Lorenzo Valley Post logo The Story Behind Measure U: Even a Water District Must Pay Its Bills

Running a water district is a lot like managing a household—they both need a funding source like a job or a fee structure; they both have bills to pay like maintenance, PG&E, and transportation; and both have to balance income …
Good Times logo Take a Hike: The Watsonville Slough Trail

Created in 1972, the DC Comic Anti-Hero Swamp Thing tells a story about the conflict between humans and the environment.

Santa Cruz Local logo Santa Cruz County Supervisors to Weigh Ban on Filtered Cigarette Sales

The Santa Cruz County Supervisors on Oct. 8 are expected to consider a ban on the sale of filtered cigars and cigarettes in the unincorporated county. Unincorporated areas include Live Oak, Soquel, the San Lorenzo Valley and other places outside …
The Pajaronian logo Bay/Porter Onramp Closed for Two Months

The Bay/Porter onramp to southbound Highway 1 in Soquel has been shut down as part of the ongoing project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Highway 1 between the Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park …
Press Banner logo San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley School Districts Are Back Into the Swing of Things

Local school districts have been working this semester to encourage good student attendance habits while also promoting positive mental health initiatives and other unique activities.
KSQD logo Gary Griggs: “California Catastrophes: The Natural Disaster History of the Golden State”

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.
Good Times logo $525 Million in School Bonds on November Ballot

School districts in Pajaro Valley, Live Oak, Soquel, Bonny Doon and Scotts Valley are asking voters to approve $525 million in school bonds. The districts cite degraded plumbing, electrical issues and leaky roofs as some of the problems in outdated …
KSQD logo Community Members Discuss Housing Affordability and the Battle Over Rent Control

Talk of the Bay host Len Beyea leads a discussion about housing affordability and, in particular, the rent control initiative on California's November ballot, Proposition 33.

Good Times logo Watsonville Community Hospital to Be Bought by PVHD

Watsonville Community Hospital could soon be owned by the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District. PVHD announced a plan to purchase the building and surrounding property, a major milestone in a years-long endeavor to return the facility to public ownership.
The Pajaronian logo An Interview With the District 2 Supervisor Candidates

Several candidates tossed their hats in the ring in early 2024 when Zach Friend announced his departure from the District 2 seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.
Santa Cruz Local logo Architects Describe 6-Story Apartment Proposal on Mission St. In Santa Cruz

A proposed six-story apartment building on Mission Street would provide college students and other tenants with the “right kind of housing” and would free up more single-family homes for families, the project’s architect said at an online meeting attended by …
Hilltromper Santa Cruz logo Pack Your Trash: How Santa Cruz Surfers Launched a Global Eco Movement

The Pleasure Point Night Fighters sparked the global beach-cleanup movement in the 1960s with a campaign launched around a slogan and the iconic “Pack Your Trash” logo. Also in Santa Cruz, Save Our Shores mentors students on ocean conservancy.
Santa Cruz Local logo 161 Homes Proposed on Graham Hill Road Near Scotts Valley

Forty acres of horse pasture on Graham Hill Road near Rollingwoods Drive could be transformed into a 161-unit development of houses and townhomes, according to a recent pre-application to Santa Cruz County planners.

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Recent Local News

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● Santa Cruz City Council Declines ADU Changes
In their October 8 meeting, the City of Santa Cruz rejected a proposal to open up rental and ownership rules governing accessory dwelling units in the city.
(10/08/2024) Lookout Local
● Second Watsonville Homeless Workshop
A report on the October 5 community workshop held by the City of Watsonville to brainstorm ideas about addressing homelessness in the city.
(10/08/2024) Lookout Local
● Santa Cruz Supervisors Advance Butt Ban
In their October 8 meeting, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors advanced a proposal to ban the sale of filtered cigarettes in the unincorporated parts of the county.
(10/08/2024) Santa Cruz Sentinel
● Affordable Housing to be Developed at 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive
Learn more about a project to develop 289 units of affordable housing at Soquel Drive and 41st Avenue in Santa Cruz County.
(10/08/2024) Lookout Local
● Temporary Road Built Over Mountain Charlie Landslide
Santa Cruz mountains residents are able to more easily come and go thanks to a temporary road built over the slow moving Mountain Charlie Road landslide.
(10/06/2024) Santa Cruz Sentinel
● Sempervirens Fund Acquires Parcel Adjacent to Big Basin Redwood State Park
The 41-acre Año Nuevo Vista parcel has been acquired by the Sempervirens Fund land trust providing a possible future link between Año Nuevo and Butano state parks.
(10/04/2024) Santa Cruz Sentinel
● Candidate Profiles: Watsonville City Council
An introduction to incumbent Jimmy Dutra and challenger Trina Coffman-Gomez who are running for the same seat on the Watsonville City Council in the November election.
(10/03/2024) Lookout Local
● Pure Water Soquel Project Construction Completed
The three year project to bring treated water from the Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Facility to a purification facility in Live Oak for injection to recharge the groundwater aquifer has been completed.
(10/03/2024) Santa Cruz Sentinel
● Damaged Road Dashboard Launched
Santa Cruz County has launched an online dashboard with which residents can track the progress of work on damaged roads in the county.
(10/03/2024) Lookout Local
● Waves of Wellness Coming to Santa Cruz October 19
The Waves of Wellness: Santa Cruz Festival will be held on October 19 in downtown Santa Cruz on Pacific Avenue, Cooper Street and Abbott square.
(10/02/2024) Lookout Local
● Santa Cruz Sued By Housing Developer
Claiming a violation of state housing laws, local developer Workbench has sued the City of Santa Cruz over restrictions on the proposed five-story development on the Food Bin parcel on Mission Street.
(10/02/2024) Lookout Local
● Groundbreaking Celebrated for Pajaro River Levee Repair Work
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 2 to celebrate the beginning of work to repair a 10-mile stretch of levee on the Pajaro River.
(10/02/2024) Lookout Local
● Habitat for Humanity Development in Watsonville Approved
On October 1, the Watsonville Planning Commission approved a Habitat for Humanity project to develop homes on a parcel located on River Road.
(10/02/2024) Santa Cruz Sentinel
● Candidate Profiles: Capitola City Council
An introduction to the four candidates running for seats on the Capitola City Council in the November election.
(10/02/2024) Lookout Local
● Writers of Color Hosting MAH Poetry Reading on October 10
Writers of Color Santa Cruz County are holding a reading of the poetry of 17 local poets at the Museum of Art and History on October 10.
(10/01/2024) Santa Cruz Sentinel
● Candidate Profiles: Scotts Valley City Counci
Meet the candidates running for seats on the Scotts Valley City Council in the November election.
(10/01/2024) Lookout Local
● Candidate Profiles: Pajaro Valley Unified School District Area 2
Meet the candidates running for the Area 2 seat on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees.
(10/01/2024) Lookout Local
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Recent Statewide News

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● Environmental Rebate Explained
How to apply rebate as part of the recent $80 million state program to electrify homes.
(10/08/2024) The Sacramento Bee
● Laphonza Butler Wants You to Know She’s Your U.S. Senator
Ever since Laphonza Butler took herself out of the running for U.S. Senate a year ago — just two weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom picked her to replace the late Dianne Feinstein — she has faded into the background quite a bit.
(10/04/2024) CalMatters
● Election Explainer: Proposition 35
The Mercury News explains the Proposition 35 to renew the existing tax used to fund Medi-Cal health services.
(10/04/2024) The Mercury News
● State COVID Surge Over But More to Come
The summer COVID surge in California may be finally abating, but people are still advised to get update vaccines in anticipation of a resurgence in the fall and winter.
(10/02/2024) Los Angeles Times
● California Collects Millions in Stolen Wages, but Can’t Find Many Workers to Pay Them
The state Labor Commissioner sometimes struggles to get back pay to workers when it reaches wage theft settlements. It tries social media, TV and hotlines. But money owed to employees is still sitting in state accounts.
(10/02/2024) CalMatters
● A Minimum Wage Increase for California Health Care Workers Is Finally Kicking In
A California minimum wage law that was delayed amid budget troubles is now set to go into effect Oct. 16. It’s expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of workers.
(10/01/2024) CalMatters
● Newsom’s Gas Price Bill Passes Assembly, but Senate Plan Still Uncertain
The Assembly approves Gov. Newsom’s bill on oil refineries on a 44-17 vote. But the state Senate will have its say during the special session.
(10/01/2024) CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of County of Santa Cruz seal. 10/8/2024 - Landmark Vote Prohibits Sale of Filtered Tobacco Products
County of Santa Cruz   (10/08/2024)
Image of County of Santa Cruz seal. 10/8/2024 - Core Investments Appeals Process Opens
County of Santa Cruz   (10/08/2024)
Image of State of California seal. John Laird CA Senate 17: Statement by State Senator John Laird on the Senate Extraordinary Session on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes
SACRAMENTO State Sen. John Laird made the following statement today as a member of the Senate Special Committee on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes, created through the Second Extraordinary Session:
State of California   (10/07/2024)
Image of Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission seal. Full Overnight Closure of Southbound Highway 1 Set for Monday October 7
Hwy 1. Auxiliary Lane/Bus-on-Shoulder Project between Bay/Porter and State Park Full Overnight Closure of Southbound Highway 1 Set for Monday October 7 A project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Hwy. 1 between the Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park Drive interchanges continues with an overnight closure of southbound Highway [...] The post Full Overnight …
Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission   (10/07/2024)
Image of City of Watsonville seal. Día de Muertos
Bring along your family and friends to our annual Day of the Dead program
City of Watsonville   (10/07/2024)
Image of City of Watsonville seal. Spooky Sensory Time
Do you have a little one who loves to explore and get messy? Join us for spooky sensory time
City of Watsonville   (10/07/2024)
Image of City of Watsonville seal. Wings, Scales, and Tails: A Creature Encounter
Join us for Wings, Scales, and Tails: A Creature Encounter featuring The Puppetry Institute
City of Watsonville   (10/07/2024)
Image of City of Watsonville seal. Teen Poetry Workshops
Explore crafting poems with Teen poets Simon Ellefson and Sylvi Kayser
City of Watsonville   (10/07/2024)
Image of City of Watsonville seal. Sewing 101
Have you ever wanted to learn how to sew? We invite you to our Sewing 101: Absolute Beginners.
City of Watsonville   (10/07/2024)
Image of United States seal. Jacks and the Green Sprouts Recalls Alfalfa and Alfalfa Onion Sprouts Because of Possible Health Risk
Jack and the Green Sprouts, Inc. of River Falls, WI is recalling its 5 ounce packages of Alfalfa and Alfalfa Onion sprouts because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or el
United States   (10/04/2024)