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By Chris Neklason
Published May 05, 2025

A man dressed in shorts, a broad rimmed hat, blue tshirt and sunglasses assists a young boy on a mountain bike as he traverses a plank bridge at a bike rodeo in San Lorenzo Park in Santa Cruz on April 11, 2015.

This isn't his first (bike) rodeo. Image credit: Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious CC BY-SA 2.0

The News: May 5 2025

Happy Monday, happy Cinco de Mayo, and thank you! Just so you know: Every single Monday, hundreds and often thousands of Californians click the link in their inbox that delivers The News—we are grateful that you are one of them and one of us. We hope the information you find here is useful.

The Headline: California is on the Move. Starting today (well, a couple days ago), we celebrate Bike Month and "biking as transportation, as recreation, as essential to our well-being and everyday lives"—(thank you, League of American Bicyclists). If you are happy on a two-wheeler, we honor you. Not yet? Now may be the time to start.

The Throughline: Up and down California, transporation projects funded by your tax dollars at work are gaining steam. Learn more in our News Digest below.

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 Spring! cookbook.

Bright and juicy salsa for spring

Fresh strawberry salsa is a bright spring accompaniment to tortilla chips, or to grilled chicken or pork.

New! Strawberry salsa perfect for May celebrations

	Santa Cruz County's Homepage
Our overview page for Santa Cruz County is updated daily with the latest state and local news, weather alerts, local government announcements and local blog posts and news snippets from community groups and individuals.
Direct your browser to 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!

Get to Know a Group

Dentistry4Vets

Dentistry4Vets is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing dentistry care for veterans in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.

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From Our Media Allies

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	Cinco De Mayo Festival Hits 35th Year
	Thousands of people showed up for the 35th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in downtown Watsonville Sunday for live music, food, dancing and arts and crafts.

	Transportation Commission Seeks Community Input for Rural Highway Safety Overhaul
	Santa Cruz County’s rural highways, critical arteries for residents and visitors alike, are poised for transformative safety upgrades led by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission.

	Speaking Out Against Pesticide Use
	Prominent farmworker activist and organizer Dolores Huerta joined several other speakers at a public meeting in Watsonville Saturday to raise awareness about the dangers of agricultural pesticide use on farmworkers, children, consumers and residents throughout Santa Cruz county.

	Damian’s Ladder: Low and No-Cost Home Repairs for Seniors and Individuals With Disabilities
	Founded in 2023, Damian’s Ladder is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities in the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley. By providing free or low-cost home repairs and modifications, the organization helps residents live …

	From the Streets: Restoring Ethnic Studies in Pajaro Valley – Talk of the Bay
	“From the Streets,” is a new Talk of the Bay series, hosted by Omar Dieguez. His guests for this show were Professor Christine Hong of UC Santa Cruz and Pajaro Valley Unified School District Trustee, Gabriel Medina. They discuss the …

	PVUSD Trustees to Mull Censuring Gabe Medina
	The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday will consider a proposal to censure Trustee Gabe Medina.

	County Office of Education Raises Pride Flag
	Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah joined two young people at the flag pole at the Office of Education headquarters on Encinal Street in Santa Cruz Friday morning, where they attached a Pride flag that will fly with …

	A Musical Legend Leaves the Podium
	Almost every local music-lover has been inspired and touched by Cheryl Anderson, leading lady of the Cabrillo College Music Program, who is now about to lift off into retirement.

	Over $30K in Stolen Bikes and Tools Recovered From Illegal Encampment
	A man living in a homeless encampment in the Arana Gulch area was arrested Tuesday after he was found with illegal drugs, cash, police scanners and a passel of high-end stolen bikes totaling more than $30,000.

	Solar Canal Pilot May One Day Help California Achieve Its Ambitious Climate, Energy Goals
	AS YOU DRIVE through the Central Valley, it is hard to miss the iconic California Aqueduct, which moves millions of gallons of irrigation water through a large canal in the middle of the state. The canal is visible because it’s …

	Protesters Hit the Streets for May Day
	In concert with scores of protests, marches and rallies around the globe on May Day—or International Worker's Day—Watsonville and Santa Cruz took to the streets in solidarity with workers, and to show displeasure with the Trump administration.

	Map: Santa Cruz County’s Most Dangerous Roads for Cyclists and Pedestrians
	Over the past 12 years in Santa Cruz County, 86 pedestrians and cyclists have been killed and more than 3,000 have been injured, state records show.

	Proposed County Budget Shows Cuts to Health Services Department
	The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday took a first look at this year’s finances in advance of budget hearings in June.

	Aptos Junior High School Robotics Wins Top Award
	Teams from schools around the Monterey Bay, Central Valley and San Francisco Bay area tested their skills in engineering, robotics and electronics—as well as their business acumen—at Watsonville High School on April 26.

	Watsonville to Hold May 12 Rail Planning Meeting
	The city of Watsonville is inviting the community to a workshop focused on planning for future passenger rail service and trail improvements in and around the Watsonville area.

	San Lorenzo Valley High School Junior Named Youth Poet Laureate for 2025-26
	The definition of a poem is, “A piece of writing that partakes of the nature of both speech and song that is nearly always rhythmical, usually metaphorical, and often exhibits such formal elements as meter, rhyme, and stanzaic structure.”

	Santa Cruz Downtown Toastmasters Celebrates Contest Wins, 70th Anniversary Event
	Santa Cruz Downtown Toastmasters is celebrating a series of exciting achievements following the recent Toastmasters Division A Speech Contests—alongside a major club milestone: 70 years of helping local residents become confident speakers and leaders.

	Circle Church Home Building Not Expected Until 2026
	Water and electrical work is expected this summer at the site of the former Circle Church in Santa Cruz, and construction on the first of 12 homes and in-law units is anticipated no sooner than spring 2026, its developer said.

	Racism Criticized at Local School District
	The Times of Israel and the Anti Defamation League have labeled as antisemitic comments made on April 16 by two Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board trustees. In addition, Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah has denounced the …

	4 Housing Rezones in Live Oak, Corralitos Delayed by Santa Cruz County Supervisors
	Santa Cruz County supervisors on Tuesday advanced rezones of 43 properties to allow for more housing in Soquel, Aptos, Live Oak and near Corralitos. Supervisors removed four properties from a proposed list after backlash from some residents, but the supervisors …

	Radio and Podcast Workshop May 6 6-8pm
	Are you interested in being a broadcaster or podcaster? Join us for a training program where you will learn the techniques of modern journalism at a workshop led by local journalists, radio hosts and podcasters at K-Squid Community radio.

	Union Pacific Train Strikes Truck in Pajaro
	A freight train owned by Union Pacific pulling seven cars collided with an agricultural tank truck east of Pajaro around 3:15pm.

	As Transitional Kindergarten Programs Grow in Roseville, Other Communities Look to Expand Offerings
	California Governor Gavin Newsom’s budget provides $2.4 billion in ongoing Proposition 98 funding to permanently expand Transitional Kindergarten, or TK, which has been gaining steam in Capital area communities like Roseville.

	Janet Johns Named Artist of the Year
	A free “profile performance” will be staged on May 9 for the Santa Cruz County Arts Commission’s Artist of the Year Janet Johns.

	Millions in Mental Health Services Slashed in Draft County Budget
	A $793.5 million General Fund draft budget for the County of Santa Cruz includes layoffs and millions in cuts for mental health services.

Recent Local News

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● Santa Cruz County Supervisors Consider Bonny Doon Cell Tower

In their May 6 meeting, Santa Cruz County Supervisors heard from developers of a proposed 151 foot tall cell tower denied permits by the planning commission, with a final decision to be made June 10. Read more.

(05/06/2025) Lookout Local

● Interim County Health Services Agency Director Named

Following the abrupt resignation of Mónica Morales, Santa Cruz County Executive Carlos Palacios appointed longtime public health professional Jennifer Herrera as interim director of the Heal Services Agency. Read more.

(05/06/2025) Santa Cruz Sentinel

● Santa Cruz County Highway 1 Project Cost Overruns Top $5 Million

As the first phase of Highway 1 construction winds down, the Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission approved an additional $1.8 million in funding to cover change orders and other unanticipated costs, bringing the total in accumulated overruns to $5.3 million. Read more.

(05/06/2025) Santa Cruz Sentinel

● New Tenant Found for Former New Leaf Store in Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz Pacific Avenue store formerly occupied by New Leaf Community Markets will soon be occupied by an outlet for home decor and clothing retail chain Anthropologie. Read more.

(05/06/2025) Lookout Local

● Spotlight on Downtown Santa Cruz

A look at why some storefronts in downtown Santa Cruz remain empty for years. Read more.

(05/05/2025) Lookout Local

● Santa Cruz Celebrates London Nelson

Former slave London Nelson, who donated land for the first permanent school in Santa Cruz in 1860, was celebrated in a City of Santa Cruz ceremony proclaiming May 5 as London Nelson Day. Read more.

(05/05/2025) Lookout Local

● Spotlight on Evergreen Cemetery

Lookout Local ponders the future of Santa Cruz's historic Evergreen Cemetery. Read more.

(05/05/2025) Lookout Local

● Long Marine Lab Sea Lion Has an Ear for Music

It's unusual for animals to discern beats in music and bob along, but not for Ronan the Long Marine Lab sea lion. Read more.

(05/03/2025) Santa Cruz Sentinel

● Happy 25th Birthday, Seymour Marine Discovery Center

In his latest "Our Ocean Backyard" column, UCSC professor Gary Griggs looks back at the history of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center on Santa Cruz's far west side. Read more.

(05/03/2025) Santa Cruz Sentinel

● Interim County Health Services Agency Director Named

Following the abrupt resignation of Health Services Agency Director Mónica Morales on April 25, Jennifer Herrera was appointed by the county to lead the agency in the interim. Read more.

(05/02/2025) Lookout Local

● Volunteers for All-County Cleanup Day May 10

Volunteers are sought for the second annual Pitch In All Santa Cruz Cleanup Day coming on May 10. Read more.

(04/30/2025) Lookout Local

● Watsonville Residents Can Get Free Compost

Just in time for spring gardening and landscaping, the City of Watsonville is offering free compost to residents or businesses operating in the city. Read more.

(04/30/2025) Lookout Local

● Cliona Ward Update

An update on the status of longtime resident Cliona Ward who was arrested by immigration officials and held at a detention center in Tacoma, Washington. Possibly for months. Read more.

(04/29/2025) Santa Cruz Sentinel

● Martinelli’s Recalls Apple Juice

Local agricultural giant Martinelli & Co. is voluntarily recalling more than 170,000 bottles of apple juice due to possible contamination. Read more.

(04/29/2025) Santa Cruz Sentinel

● VegFest Coming to Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds

The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds will be hosting the celebration of the vegan Santa Cruz VegFest on May 31. Read more.

(04/29/2025) Lookout Local

● Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley Skates Along

Mayor Fred Keeley will celebrate his 75th birthday on wheels thanks to the Santa Cruz Roller Derby on May 10. Read more.

(04/29/2025) Lookout Local

Recent Statewide News

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● Many Californians Can’t Get Mental Health Help. Is It Too Hard to Become a Therapist?

In her home in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Eboni Moen, 42, struggled to find help. Some days she would rock back and forth in her shower, crying uncontrollably and thinking back to her son’s murder. She needed a therapist, she said, someone who could help her process what happened and find appropriate medication. Read more.

(05/06/2025) CalMatters

● Kaiser in the Hot Seat as California Lawmakers Blast Company for Skipping Mental Health Hearing

California lawmakers called an informational hearing on mental health services at Kaiser Permanente, but the company didn’t attend. Read more.

(05/06/2025) CalMatters

● Inmate Firefighters Battled LA’s Wildfire. Now a Lawmaker Wants to Help Launch Their Careers

As the Los Angeles fires raged in January, about 1,000 inmate firefighters labored on hand crews alongside professional firefighters battling the blazes. Read more.

(05/06/2025) CalMatters

● California Regulator Weakens AI Rules, Giving Big Tech More Leeway to Track You

Tech that helps businesses make decisions or target ads will be given freer rein following pressure from the governor. Read more.

(05/06/2025) CalMatters

● An Overdose Killed Her Son. Then, California Lawmakers Asked Her to Help Save Others

Ryan Matlock died of a fentanyl overdose after seeking addiction treatment. Today, his mother is urging lawmakers to get tougher on health insurance plans. Read more.

(05/05/2025) CalMatters

● When Will Democratic Lawmakers Make California More Affordable? Later, Leaders Say

It’s been five months since California’s legislative leaders deemed affordability an “urgent” issue for the session. So far: committees, bills, but few results Read more.

(05/04/2025) CalMatters

● California Democrats Backed Into a Corner Over Teen Sex Solicitation

California Republicans are increasingly pushing Democrats on child sex crimes bills. The supermajority is growing more divided about it. Read more.

(05/02/2025) CalMatters

● California Lawmakers Kill Bid to Force HOAs to Follow Open Meeting Laws

A Republican bill to require more transparency from California’s 50,000 homeowners associations failed to advance out of committee despite bipartisan support. Read more.

(05/01/2025) CalMatters

● Covered California Pushes for Better Health Care as Federal Spending Cuts Loom

Faced with potential federal spending cuts that threaten health coverage and falling childhood vaccination rates, Monica Soni, the chief medical officer of Covered California, has a lot on her plate — and on her mind. Read more.

(05/01/2025) California Healthline

● Reintroduced Condor Update

An update on the endangered condors released in California three years ago. Read more.

(04/30/2025) CapPublicRadio

● Yosemite Reservation Rules Released

On April 29, the administration released rules for Yosemite Park Reservations in the coming months. Read more.

(04/30/2025) The Mercury News

● They Found Their Homeless Loved Ones After Years Apart. But That Was Just the Beginning.

After reading a CalMatters article, two people were able to reconnect with their homeless relatives. Here’s what happened next. Read more.

(04/30/2025) CalMatters

● What to Do if Your Loved One Is Homeless

Finding a homeless loved one can be difficult. So can helping them once you’ve found them. Here are some tips from people who’ve been there. Read more.

(04/30/2025) CalMatters

● Unprecedented Vote Shows Dems Fractured Over Housing Policy

Two consecutive committee chairs getting overruled by their committee members signifies a growing rift among California Democrats about how to address the housing crisis. Read more.

(04/30/2025) CalMatters

● The ‘Science of Reading’ Won’t Be Required in California Schools, at Least for Now

The original proposal would have mandated phonics instruction in K-12 classrooms. The latest version makes that optional. Read more.

(04/30/2025) CalMatters

● Welcome to the First Fire-Resistant Neighborhood. Now What About the Rest of California?

Dixon Trail is the first purpose-built “wildfire resilient neighborhood” in the United States. Making that a reality for the millions of Californians who already live in harm’s way is a daunting and costly challenge that lawmakers are only just beginning to grapple with. Read more.

(04/29/2025) CalMatters

● Judge Restricts Border Patrol in California: ‘You Just Can’t Walk Up to People With Brown Skin’

‘You just can’t walk up to people with brown skin and say give me your papers,’ a federal judge told Border Patrol attorneys at a hearing challenging recent immigration sweeps. Read more.

(04/29/2025) CalMatters

● California Sent Investigators to ICE Facilities. They Found More Detainees, and Health Care Gaps

A California law empowers state investigators to check on conditions at ICE detention centers. A new report raises concerns about health care inside them. Read more.

(04/29/2025) CalMatters

Government Announcements

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	United States (05/02/2025) Ray & Mascari Inc. Recalls 4 Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes Because of Possible Health Risk
Ray & Mascari Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, is recalling 4 Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes packaged in clam shell containers [20 oz. (1 lb. 4 oz) 567g] with UPC# 7 96553 20062 1, and a master case label with Lot# RM250424 15250B or Lot# RM250427 15250B because of the potential for them to be contaminated

	State of California (05/02/2025) Dawn Addis CA Assembly 30: AB 1391 Press Conference
Friday, May 2, 2025 Assemblymember Addis held a press conference concerning AB 1391 - Education finance: transitional kindergarten: funding for basic aid school districts and necessary small schools.

	United States (05/02/2025) Vietti Food Group Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in 15-oz Yellowstone Brown Sugar Molasses Baked Beans
Vietti Food Group of Nashville, TN is recalling 4,515 cases of its Yellowstone Brown Sugar Molasses Baked Beans (15 oz.) due to the presence of undeclared soy. Individuals with an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

	United States (05/02/2025) Williams Farms Repack LLC Recalls Tomatoes Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
Williams Farms Repack LLC is recalling Tomatoes sizes; 4x5 2 layer, 60ct 2layer, 3ct trays in the Williams Farms Repack label, and 5x6 25lb, 6x6 25lb H&C Farms Label, due to a potential contamination of Salmonella. Salmonella an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in you

City of Watsonville (05/01/2025)

Drive Smart, Ride Safe, May is Bicycle Safety Month

	United States (05/01/2025) East Trading Inc., Issues Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in "Licorice Plum"
East CK Trading, Inc. of Long Island City, NY, is recalling its 8-ounce packages of "Licorice Plum" food treats because they contained undeclared sulfites and unallowed color, Amaranth (E123). Consumers who have severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reac

State of California (05/01/2025)

Robert Rivas CA Assembly 29:
Speaker Robert Rivas Issues Statement on New Actions to Punish Child Predators and Strengthen Protections for Survivors

Speaker Robert Rivas Issues Statement on New Actions to Punish Child Predators and Strengthen Protections for Survivors sanchema Thu, 05/01/2025 - 14:00 Thursday, May 1, 2025 SACRAMENTO Today, Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) issued the following statement on new California State Assembly actions to punish child predators and strengthen protections for survivors: "Protecting children, standing up for trafficking victims and stopping …

	Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (05/01/2025) Coastal Rail Trail Ribbon Cutting Event Scheduled for May 21
The City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department will host a ribbon cutting event for the Coastal Rail Trail Segment 7 Phase II on Wednesday, May 21, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at La Barranca Park. The event will mark the trail's official opening and feature remarks from local leadership, a celebratory trail walk with [...] The post Coastal Rail …

	Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (04/30/2025) Updated Date – Chanticleer Bicycle & Pedestrian Overcrossing Ribbon Cutting
The ribbon cutting date for the Chanticleer Bike/Ped overcrossing is being pushed back a bit so that we can instead hold one event to celebrate the opening of the overcrossing along with the completion of the aux lanes/bus-on-shoulder part of the project, which is expected to be completed soon and ahead of schedule. We hope [...] The post Updated Date …

State of California (04/30/2025)

Robert Rivas CA Assembly 29:
Speaker Robert Rivas, Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi and Blanca Rubio Advance Major Child Literacy Legislation

Speaker Robert Rivas, Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi and Blanca Rubio Advance Major Child Literacy Legislation vincelty Wed, 04/30/2025 - 13:14 Assembly Bill 1454 makes sure educators are equipped with the tools they need to help all students succeed in reading Title Press Secretary Email Cynthia.Moreno@asm.ca.gov Phone 916-319-2029 Wednesday, April 30, 2025 SACRAMENTO, CAToday, Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), …

The News: May 5 2025

Recipe of the Week

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