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By Eric Johnson
Published Oct 28, 2024

The Sacramento San Joaquin Delta, which covers 1,153 square miles, is one of the largest estuaries in western North America. It supplies California with half of its fresh water, and is facing ecological collapse. The Sacramento San Joaquin Delta, which covers 1,153 square miles, is one of the largest estuaries in western North America. It supplies California with half of its fresh water, and is facing ecological collapse. Image credit: Photo by Daniel Parks   CC BY-NC 2.0

The Big Truth, and 'The Tunnel Vision'

Greetings from Sacramento, here in the heart of Northern California, which today is bathed in a golden autumn glow.

Most weeks, it’s our job to bring you pieces of reliable news—small facts that add up to something we might call The Big Truth. This week, another chapter in the neverending story of Building Democracy in the Golden State.

So ... this thing I am today branding The Big Truth, in a nutshell: As we face this moment in which many of us feel that democracy faces grave peril, let’s today embrace the radical notion that we are currently still in possession of something worth saving. By paying close attention to news in the ten counties we currently serve, we’ve determined that there are people and institutions engaged in civic life, throughout California, working hard to make this place better. 

The Big Truth is that our democracy still lives—especially here in California. Evidence can be found in the workings of many (certainly not all) city councils, county boards of supervisors, planning commissions, etc. And the hard work of democratic governance can be found happening right out in the open, at public meetings that anyone can attend. In our News Digest below, you will very likely be able to see what your elected representatives are up to in your county, warts and all.

This week, we are also featuring an ambitious multimedia investigative piece, from our friends at Bay City News and Local News Matters, which looks at several public agencies and individuals dealing with maybe the gnarliest of political problems in California—water. Specifically, one of California’s most precious and threatened natural treasures—the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta.


The Politics of Water Today

California has one of the most ambitious and highly engineered water delivery systems on the planet, and it’s being eyed for a new extension. The Delta Conveyance Project is Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal for a 45-mile underground tube that would tap fresh water from its source in the north and carry it beneath a vast wetland to users in the south.” Here is what you need to know. 


From Local News Matters: Water War on the Delta




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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.


Spice up a fall meal with these roasted potatoes

These spiced potatoes are an easy side dish for a dinner with grilled meat, or for brunch alongside eggs.
New! Dijon, horseradish and more provide the kick


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Downtown Association of Santa Cruz logo Downtown Association of Santa Cruz

The Downtown Association’s goal is to manage and promote business operations in Santa Cruz’s downtown district, in order to sustain downtown as a unique and economically viable business, entertainment, social and cultural center.

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From Our Media Allies

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The Pajaronian logo Commercial Crab Fishing Season Delayed Until at Least Nov. 15

The recreational dungeness crab season will open statewide beginning Nov. 2.

The Pajaronian logo Celebrating Brilliance

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez is part of a large crowd that showed up Saturday to celebrate the completion of the massive Watsonville Brillante mosaic mural project on the parking structure on Rodriguez and West Beach streets.

The Pajaronian logo Sarah Ryan Named Capitola’s First Female Police Chief

The City of Capitola announced Friday that Capt. Sarah Ryan has been named the next Police Chief.

Santa Cruz Local logo Nonprofits Boost Yes on Q, and Other Santa Cruz County Campaign Money Trails

Campaign filings Thursday offered a peek at the money trail behind some measures and candidates in the Nov. 5 election in Santa Cruz County.

Good Times logo Where to Vote in Santa Cruz County

With mail-in ballots already sent out by the Santa Cruz County Clerk, early voting for the Nov. 5 election has begun. Included in the mail-in voting kits are a sample ballot, an official ballot and a voter guide. There are …

The Pajaronian logo City Council Approves Two New Low-Income Housing Developments

The Watsonville City Council on Oct. 22 unanimously approved two new low-income housing developments that will add 18 units to the city and give some families a chance at home ownership.

Press Banner logo Music at Skypark Finishes Strong, Funds Schools

The Kiwanis Club of Scotts Valley has announced that it raised about $20,000 in net proceeds in 2024 from the Music at Skypark concert series, which concluded Sept. 29.

The Pajaronian logo Photo Story: Plein Air Returns to Capitola

LOCAL ART Waverly Liu works on a watercolor painting of the Stockton Bridge in Capitola Wednesday morning. She joined 40 area artists as part of the annual Capitola Plein Air; Artists Paint the Town.

Good Times logo Henry Cowell Observation Deck Loop Trail

A hike is not about completion. It’s about discovery.

The Pajaronian logo Contagious Diseases Force Temporary Closure of Watsonville Animal Shelter

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter in Watsonville at 580 Airport Blvd. will be closed to the public until at least Oct. 29 after doctors diagnosed cases of canine parvovirus and feline panleukopenia.

Santa Cruz Local logo Controlled Burn Starts in San Mateo County, With More Planned for Santa Cruz County

Cal Fire started a 250-acre controlled burn on private land near San Gregorio and Pomponio state beaches in San Mateo County late Wednesday morning, and more prescribed fires are expected this month at Butano and Wilder Ranch state parks.

Good Times logo Santa Cruz County Election Guide

As local voters prepare to fill in their ballots for the Nov. 5 election, they are faced with a large array of candidates and local ballot initiatives that can seem daunting. We attempt to demystify the local ballot.

San Lorenzo Valley Post logo 24/7 Access to Narcan at Mountain Health Center

Santa Cruz Community Health Partners with Central Coast Overdose Prevention to Provide 24/7 Access to Naloxone (Narcan) in the San Lorenzo Valley

Hilltromper Santa Cruz logo New Plan Unveiled to Safeguard Iconic Redwood Parks in Santa Cruz County

California State Parks and Save The Redwoods League release report outlining actions needed to restore and protect Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo and Butano state parks after CZU Lightning Complex Fire.

The Pajaronian logo PVUSD Board Appoints New Trustee

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Monday appointed Misty Navarro to fill the Trustee VII seat vacated in September by Jennifer Holm.

The Pajaronian logo Mid-Day Fire Chars Two Acres

A wildland fire broke out in trees and brush flanking northbound Highway 1 north of Buena Vista Drive Monday in Watsonville.

Santa Cruz Local logo Proposed Downtown Santa Cruz Rules Seek to Cap Building Heights

As the City of Santa Cruz moves forward with a plan to expand downtown, the Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday is set to consider a strategy to temper new building heights and support below-market-rent homes.

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Recent Local News

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Campaign Finance: Measure Z Soda Tax

A summary of the latest campaign finance filings for the Measure Z "soda tax" on the Santa Cruz County November ballot.

(10/25/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel

Introduction to New Santa Cruz County Youth Advisory Task Force

A look at the new 23 member Santa Cruz County Youth Advisory Task Force.

(10/25/2024) → Lookout Local

Residents Invited to Submit Complaints to Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury

Residents with complaints about local government are invited to get in touch with the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury.

(10/25/2024) → Lookout Local

Campaign Finance: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors

A summary of the latest campaign finance filings from candidates running for seats on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in the November election.

(10/25/2024) → Lookout Local

Santa Cruz Wharf Repair Update

An update to the ongoing repairs to the Santa Cruz Wharf including the demolition of the Dolphin Restaurant.

(10/24/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel

New Trustee Named for Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board

In a meeting on October 21, Dr. Misty Navarro was appointed to a vacant seat on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees.

(10/23/2024) → Lookout Local

Santa Cruz City Council Advances Downtown Expansion Plan

A report on the Santa Cruz City Council meeting of October 24 and the decisions made in advancing the Downtown Expansion Plan for the 29-acre neighborhood south of Laurel Street.

(10/23/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel

Watsonville Approves Affordable Single-Family Homes Development

In their October 24 meeting, the Watsonville City Council approved two affordable housing developments on Airport Road and Evan Circle.

(10/23/2024) → Lookout Local

Watsonville Brillante Art Project Completed

Watsonville celebrates the completion of the five years in the making of the massive Watsonville Brillante public art project.

(10/22/2024) → Lookout Local

Candidate Forum: Watsonville City Council

A report on the recent forum with candidates running for seats on the Watsonville City Council in the November election.

(10/22/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel

Candidate Forum: Watsonville City Council, County Supervisor District 2

A report on the recent forum featuring candidates running for seats on the Watsonville City Council and the District 2 seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in the November election.

(10/22/2024) → Lookout Local

Live Oak School District Farm Update

An update on the progress in developing an unused baseball field at the Del Mar Elementary School into a nutrition and education farm.

(10/21/2024) → Lookout Local

Clocktower Center Pans Revised

The developer of the controversial Clocktower Center high-rise has submitted revised plans featuring a scaled down design.

(10/21/2024) → Lookout Local

New Troupe Takes Over Colligan Theater

Once home to the Jewel Theatre, the Bud Colligan Theater in the Tannery is now hosting performance by All About Theater.

(10/21/2024) → Lookout Local
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Recent Statewide News

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• This California Proposition Is Drawing the Most Campaign Spending

Proposition 33 on local rent control and the related Proposition 34 are attracting the most campaign cash by far of the 10 ballot measures. But the amount pales to what was spent on dueling sports betting measures in 2022.

(10/28/2024) → CalMatters

• California’s Plan  to Overhaul a Key Climate Program — Raising the Cost of Gas — Ignites Debate

The state air board will vote on changes to its landmark clean fuel program that would cut more greenhouse gases but could raise the cost of gas and diesel.

(10/24/2024) → CalMatters

• Is a New Plan for Delivering Delta Water Worse Than Trump’s Rules? Environmentalists Say Yes.

Growers support a federal and state proposal for operating California’s massive systems that send river water south. But it could harm more salmon and other endangered fish.

(10/24/2024) → CalMatters

• Most California Republicans in Congress Won’t Commit to Certifying the 2024 Presidential Election

Only one-third of the California GOP congressional delegation has pledged to accept the 2024 presidential election results. And only two incumbents in office in 2021 voted to certify President Joe Biden’s win over Donald Trump in the 2020 race.

(10/23/2024) → CalMatters

• Tool: Explore Candidates and Elected Officials Investigated for Campaign Law Violations

Use our tool to search through investigations opened by the state’s campaign law watchdog. The data updates weekly.

(10/23/2024) → CalMatters

• California Reservoirs Are Full, but Water Politics May Trump Hydrology

Most of us operate on the calendar year — the 12 months that begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

(10/23/2024) → CalMatters

• Will CA Ballot Proposition Mean More Deportations?

With proponents of Proposition 36 raising nearly $15 million so far — about three times as much as its opponents — and 71% of likely voters in support, it appears the statewide ballot measure will pass in November.
And that’s exactly what immigrant rights advocates are worried about.

(10/22/2024) → CalMatters

• Lack of Candidates Means Many Californians Won’t Vote for School Board

More than half of the school board races in 49 counties analyzed won't appear on the November ballot because either no one is running for the seat or a single candidate is unopposed.

(10/21/2024) → EdSource

• First California Project to Bury Climate-Warming Gases Wins Key Approval

Capturing and storing carbon underground is a big part of California’s efforts to tackle climate change but community members and environmentalists say it prolongs the life of fossil fuels.

(10/21/2024) → CalMatters
  California Local Pin Marker  

Government Announcements

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Image of County of Santa Cruz seal. County of Santa Cruz   (10/28/2024)

10/28/2024 - Illegal Dumping Surveillance Cameras Installed

Image of United States seal. United States   (10/26/2024)

Fresh Express is Voluntarily Recalling a Limited Number of Gourmet Café Chicken Caesar Salad Bowls

Fresh Express is voluntarily recalling a limited number of Gourmet Cafe Chicken Caesar Salad Bowls due to the inclusion of recalled chicken items from BrucePac, an outside ingredient supplier. The BrucePac recall is due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The fresh vegetable components
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/25/2024)

Acme Smoked Fish Corporation Recalls Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon Due to Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

Acme Smoked Fish Corporation is issuing a recall of 111 cases of Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon in twin 12oz package, UPC 0 96619 25697 6, Lot# 8512801270, Best-by-Date 11/13/2024 due to laboratory testing confirming Listeria monocytogenes on October 21, 2024. Listeria monocytogenes, an organism w
Image of City of Scotts Valley seal. City of Scotts Valley   (10/25/2024)

Skypark Playground Survey

Image of United States seal. United States   (10/25/2024)

Grand Central Bakery Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in U-Bake Pie Crust, U-Bake Apple Pie, U-Bake Marionberry Pie, and U-Bake Chicken Pot Pie

October 25, 2024, Grand Central Bakery Portland, OR and Seattle, WA is recalling U- Bake frozen pie products and frozen pie dough because they may contain undeclared egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they co
Image of County of Santa Cruz seal. County of Santa Cruz   (10/25/2024)

10/25/2024 - First Youth Advisory Task Force Convened

Image of Santa Cruz County Office of Education seal. Santa Cruz County Office of Education   (10/24/2024)

Youth Led Leadership Alliance Honored With Golden Bell Award

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (Santa Cruz COE) is pleased to announce it has received a 2024 Golden Bell Award for its countywide student leadership program, the Youth Led Leadership Alliance (YLLA). A program of the California School Boards Association, the Golden Bell Awards recognize outstanding programs and governance practices in school districts [...] The post Youth Led …
Image of City of Capitola seal. City of Capitola   (10/24/2024)

41st Ave Corridor Plan

The Community Development Department for the City of Capitola is advertising for qualification submissions for the following project: 41st Avenue Corridor Plan General work description: You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Name * Company * Address * City * State * Zip Code * Telephone * Email *
Image of City of Watsonville seal. City of Watsonville   (10/23/2024)

WPD welcomes four new Officers

Image of County of Santa Cruz seal. County of Santa Cruz   (10/23/2024)

10/23/2024 - Initial Report of the Inspector General to be Released