Greetings, friends—and happy holidays to those of you celebrating the 12th day of Christmas–the feast of the Epiphany. And to all y’all—welcome to the first workweek of the new year (ouch… I feel ya).
In today’s edition of The Newsletter, we are celebrating local news, as we do 52 weeks a year. Today, we turn our attention to a couple of local news initiatives that serve people in rural California communities.
Just below, I share my own story about work I’m honored to be doing in San Benito County, in the little city of Hollister—a farm town a stone’s throw from Silicon Valley. As you’ll see if you click the link (please do; it’s a relatively short read) BenitoLink, an independent nonprofit newsroom, is providing its community with the essential information that they need for self-governance.
I also want to make you aware of important work being done by our friends at Bay City News and their newly acquired outlet, Mendocino Voice. Up on California’s North Coast, there are important issues being decided, and Mendo Voice is the only place people up there can find out about this important stuff.
Please follow this link to see what Mendocino Voice is up to. And read on here to get local news about what’s happening in your county, and, as always, a recipe to help you make life just a little bit better in your kitchen and dining room.
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By Eric Johnson
Published Jan 06, 2025
This ad for BenitoLink's NewsMatch fundraiser proved somewhat successful--and you can still contribute.
Rural California Local News Matters
BenitoLink: A Community's Connection
Founded by the Community Foundation for San Benito County, this nonprofit newsroom brings indepenendent journalism to a rural community in the shadow of Silicon Valley.
Greetings from San Benito County
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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 Winter! cookbook.
Get to Know a Group
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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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Filling Stations in Ben Lomond | Local History |
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Gasoline powered automobiles became popular in the 1920s as motorists enjoyed a new sense of mobility and adventure. In the early days, travel required careful planning, and gassing up was always a priority. Initially, gasoline had to be obtained at … |
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Santa Cruz Wharf to Reopen Saturday |
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About two weeks after heavy surf damaged the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, forcing its closure and all the businesses there, the city will host a reopening on Jan. 4. |
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Fairgrounds CEO Resigns |
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Less than two years after he was hired to run the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Zeke Fraser announced his resignation from the post. |
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First Baby Arrives 44 Minutes Into New Year at Watsonville Community Hospital |
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The first baby born in Santa Cruz County came 44 minutes into the New Year at Watsonville Community Hospital. |
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Take a Hike: The Watsonville Slough Trail |
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It can be ethereal to walk in the redwoods in the fog, to feel a Middle Earth majesty that seems too perfect for this world. But as we endure the shortest and darkest days of the year, sometimes Seasonal Affective … |
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Happy New Year From the Immortal Ginko |
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An inspirational creature card with a message of ‘fortitude, endurance, and badassness.’ |
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Looking Back on 2024: The Year in Photos |
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We wanted to end the old year and ring in the new one with a collection of photos from notable events from2024. |
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Supervisors Declare Local Emergency, County Estimates $25M+ in Damages |
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In a brief special meeting on Dec. 27, three Santa Cruz County Supervisors declared a local emergency, which will allow officials to request state and federal assistance for the damages from the heavy surf, winds and storm surge on Dec. … |
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Ups & Downs |
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The quaint little Santa Cruz we’ve known for decades has been booming in 2024, like no other time since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.It’s been a boom year for construction all over the county. It’s also been a boom for … |
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Recent Local News |
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Read on for information about the resignation of Capitola Mayor Yvette Brooks as she begins her new role as CEO of the United Way of Santa Cruz.
(01/03/2025) → Santa Cruz Sentinel• Community Foundation Opens Fund for Santa Cruz Wharf Workers & Residents
Read on to learn how you can donate to the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz fund for workers and harbor residents displaced by the devastating events of December 23 in the Santa Cruz Harbor.
(01/02/2025) → Santa Cruz Sentinel• Santa Cruz County Transportation Climate Risk Study Released
A CalTrans funded study of climate risk to the 586 miles of county-maintained roads and the 32 miles of rail was released. Read on to learn more of its findings.
(01/02/2025) → Santa Cruz Sentinel• What's Next for Santa Cruz Harbor Residents
Following the devastation to the Santa Cruz Harbor on December 23, questions are raised about what's next for the 50 people who live on their boats. Read on to learn more.
(01/01/2025) → Lookout Local• Contractor Selected for Murray Street Bridge Project
Now that a contract has been awarded for the Murray Street Bridge earthquake retrofit in Santa Cruz, a spring 2025 groundbreaking is expected for the $45 million project. Read on to learn more.
(01/01/2025) → Lookout Local• Some Watsonville Hospital Patient Information Hacked
Following the cyberattack on Watsonville Community Hospital, some patients are being notified that their personal information might have been compromised. Read on to learn more.
(12/31/2024) → Lookout Local• Santa Cruz to Host MLK Parade
Learn more about the Santa Cruz County NAACP Branch commemoration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a march down Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz and a resource fair at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium on January 20.
(12/31/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel• Santa Cruz County Mobile Crisis Response Teams Roll Out
Learn more about the Mobile Crisis Response Teams being deployed by Santa Cruz County to provide mental health services throughout the county.
(12/31/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel• Apply for Commercial Home Kitchen Permit
Applications are open for Santa Cruz County residents to apply for commercial home kitchen permits. Read on to learn more about this new program.
(12/31/2024) → Lookout Local• Spotlight on 2024 Santa Cruz County Homeless Count
A look at the shifting number and locations of homeless in the county in the last year.
(12/31/2024) → Santa Cruz Sentinel|
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Recent Statewide News |
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• Too Wet and Too Dry: The Crazy North-South Gap in California’s Rain
Some Northern California cities have been soaked with almost twice their average rainfall, while southern cities are bone-dry. This season’s huge — possibly unprecedented — disparity works in favor of the state’s water supplies.
(01/07/2025) → CalMatters• California’s $20 Billion Unemployment Debt Is Looking Like a Political Hot Potato
The legislative analyst has a plan to fix the “structural insolvency” of the unemployment benefits fund — but businesses aren’t happy and it’s unclear if lawmakers will get on board.
(01/07/2025) → CalMatters• California Study Finds Climate of Fear Driving Local Officials to Quit Amid Harassment, Abuse
THREATS AND HARASSMENT are pushing some politicians out of office, scaring off some would-be candidates and even compelling some elected officials to change their vote.
(01/04/2025) → Local News Matters• 4 New Laws Strengthen Cities’ Abilities to Impound Vehicles Involved in Sideshows
While cities in California continue to pass ordinances to combat illegal sideshows, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several laws that go into effect this year statewide to give municipalities more legal tools to address them.
(01/03/2025) → Local News Matters• California to Launch Amsterdam-Style Cannabis Cafés, Blending Weed and Coffee Culture
Those in California who’d like a latte with a side of weed have gotten their wish now that a new law goes into effect that permits licensed cannabis dispensaries to add sit-in cafes to their sites.
(01/03/2025) → Local News Matters• Can California Keep ICE Away From Schools? Lawmakers Want to Try as Crackdowns Loom
California legislators want to limit deportation actions at schools, but they can’t ban immigration officials.
(01/02/2025) → CalMatters• As California Tribes Sue Their Gambling Rivals, Cities Could Be the Losers
After winning a costly legislative battle last year, California’s casino-owning tribes have sued their rivals in the gambling business. Cities could lose money if the tribes prevail in court.
(01/02/2025) → CalMatters• Two New California National Monuments To Be Declared
Read on to learn about the two new California National Monuments to be declared by outgoing President Biden.
(01/02/2025) → Los Angeles Times|
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Government Announcements |
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City of Watsonville (01/06/2025) Library Closure: Martin Luther King Jr Day |
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Watsonville Public Libraries will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20, 2025
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City of Watsonville (01/06/2025) Videogame Tournaments |
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Did you know that we host monthly videogame tournaments at our Main Library?
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City of Watsonville (01/06/2025) Sewing Workshop |
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? Free Sewing Classes ?
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City of Watsonville (01/06/2025) Tech Drop-In |
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Do you have questions about e-mails? Your e-reader? Your cell phone?
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City of Watsonville (01/06/2025) Coffee with a Professional: Megan Bell |
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Our monthly Coffee with a Professional program for the month of January will feature winemaker Megan Bell.
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City of Watsonville (01/06/2025) Second Annual Toy Swap |
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City of Watsonville (01/06/2025) Books ‘n Bites |
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Interested in learning about nutrition and wellness?
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City of Watsonville (01/06/2025) Braceros Hasta el Último Aliento |
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Braceros Hasta el Ultimo Aliento is a research project conducted by Jose Sanchez Vargas, a native of Cueramaro, Guanajuato.
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United States (01/05/2025) FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen, Raw Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination |
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns of frozen, raw ground beef...
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Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (01/03/2025) RTC Mourns Loss of Former Commissioner Dr. Robert Quinn |
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The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is saddened to announce that former Commissioner Dr. Robert Quinn passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 22, 2024. Dr. Quinn was dedicated to public service and served on the RTC from January 2022 to December 2024 as the alternate to former Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend. He [...]
The post RTC Mourns …
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