View in Browser Our Journalism Needs Your Support Please Donate Today
California Local Logo
Graphic which spells out The Newsletter.

By Eric Johnson
Published Dec 18, 2023

JP Reese, a registered nurse, stands with a couple of Ukranian soldiers near the front lines of the war zone. The photo was taken by JP's bride, Dawn Davidson, two weeks after they were married in Sacramento. JP Reese, a registered nurse, stands with a couple of Ukranian soldiers near the front lines of the war zone. The photo was taken by JP's bride, Dawn Davidson, two weeks after they were married in Sacramento.

Californians Supporting Ukraine

In one of his final acts as the most powerful California Republican, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy capitulated to radical members of his party and refused to allow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address a joint meeting of Congress. Last week, as the brutal dictator Vladamir Putin predicted that Americans will grow weary of helping Ukraine defend itself against his murderous war, the same group of House members seemed to prove him right.

Meanwhile, as the progressive Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has pointed out, House Democrats are being unhelpfully obstinate by refusing to even discuss the situation on our southern border as a condition of funding the war, making things more difficult for Zelenskyy.

In this week's edition of The Newsletter, we bring our focus to Californians who are standing with the Ukrainian people. 

Nurses on the Front Lines

My friend JP Reese is a wound nurse who has worked for the past decade as a home healthcare provider. Most Tuesday evenings we sit in a men’s group together, and occasionally JP will tell a story about visiting one of his patients, most of whom are house-bound and in serious need of his skills as a healer. It’s a powerful gift to witness the depth of his compassion—in my judgment, he was already a hero before he decided to spend his honeymoon in a warzone. 

JP and his bride, Dawn Davidson, who is also a nurse, hoped to spend the weeks after their wedding helping wounded Ukrainian soldiers. As you will see in Graham Womack's wonderful telling of their story, they were unable to accomplish that, but they found other ways to help.

While very few Californians will manage to deliver aid to Ukrainians directly, plenty are doing what they can. Tamara Warta presents here a nunber of organizations that deserve your support.

A Honeymoon in Ukraine

JP Reese (left) and Dawn Davidson (right) celebrated their union with a honeymoon spent serving others.
After their October wedding, registered nurses Dawn Davidson and JP Reese spent their honeymoon in Ukraine, where they distributed humanitarian aid.

From California to Kyiv


With the war between Russia and Ukraine dragging on, California organizations are continuing to take action in support of embattled Ukrainians.

Ambition and Luck

How former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy became Califonria's most powerful Republican leader—and how it all suddenly and predictably came to an end.

Kevin McCarthy: A Look Back

Kevin McCarthy, the Bakersfield Republican whose fall from power was even more rapid than his rise, gave a farewell speech on Dec. 14.
Many conservatives believe success is achieved through hard work. So how did California’s most prominent conservative politician reach the top? Kevin McCarthy won the lottery.

Impact Report Image for decorative use

California Local logo

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

Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship logo Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship

This nonprofit group brings together thousands of volunteers to maintain trails in local open spaces, with a focus on sustainable outdoor recreation that works with the environment rather than against it.

→ Learn more

California Media Alliance logo

From Our Media Allies

 → View All
San Lorenzo Valley Post logo Loch Lomond Recreation Area Seeks Chief Ranger

Career opportunity in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Deadline to apply: Jan. 18, 2024.
KSQD logo Behind the Mic Interview: Jennifah of Zombie Jamboree

Jennifah, host of KSQD’s Zombie Jamboree, talks about her three decades as a broadcaster, and what fuels her eclectic live shows, curated on a different theme every Friday night.
KSQD logo KSQD Interviews the Guys Who Book Local Music

Steve Volk, Dick Brundle and Tom Miller have made a major impact shaping the Santa Cruz music scene by booking and hosting local and touring musicians.
Santa Cruz Local logo Activists Press Santa Cruz Leaders to Support Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

More than 100 people filled the Santa Cruz City Council chambers to call for a ceasefire resolution in the Israel-Hamas war. The same day, activists also attended a Watsonville City Council meeting and a Santa Cruz County Supervisors meeting.
Press Banner logo New General Plan Receives Approval from Scotts Valley City Council

The Scotts Valley City Council approved the first big update of the guiding municipal document since the early ’90s—brought about by an update process that faced its fair share of bumps in the road.
Good Times logo Santa Cruz City Schools District Announces First Net-Zero Campus

Bay View Elementary students, parents and faculty gathered to celebrate a big milestone: the school became the district’s inaugural net-zero campus, generating as much or more energy than it consumes.

Good Times logo County Grapples With Millions in Unpaid Federal Disaster Relief

The CZU fires, the pandemic, and the storms and floods in early 2023 have left the county strapped as it waits for federal relief.
Good Times logo Biden Asked to Reschedule Cannabis

Last week the governors of six states—Illinois, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Louisiana and Maryland—sent a letter asking President Biden to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III, meaning there would be fewer restrictions on pot and its medical benefits would be …
Good Times logo The Cool New ADU

Santa Cruz residents find refuge in Airstream living amid a housing crunch.
The Pajaronian logo Watsonville Hospital Nurses Ratify Contract

After five months of negotiations, nurses at Watsonville Community Hospital have a three-year contract they say helps to improve patient safety and increase nurse retention.
  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Local News

 → View All

• Supervisor Race: Businessman David Schwartz Seeks 2nd District Seat

Things are heating up as candidates eye three seats on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. Farm owner and U.S. Air Force veteran David Schwartz hopes to represent the 2nd District, running from Aptos to the Pajaro River basin.

 (12/18/2023) → Santa Cruz Sentinel

• Capitola Leaders Move on Traffic Safety After Fatal Hit-and-Run

In its final meeting of the year, the Capitola City Council took steps toward improved traffic safety, including installation of six LED flashing lights and re-striping at the Bay Avenue and Hill Street intersection.

 (12/18/2023) → Santa Cruz Sentinel

• Judge Syda Cogliati Elected Presiding Judge

Judge Syda Cogliati has been elected by the bench to serve as the presiding judge and Judge Jerry Vinluan has been elected to serve as assistant presiding judge, according to a release from the Superior Court of Santa Cruz County.

 (12/17/2023) → Santa Cruz Sentinel

• Santa Cruz RTC Appoints New Interim Executive Director

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has found a new leader: former California Transportation Commission Executive Director Mitch Weiss will temporarily takes over for Guy Preston while it continues its search for a permanent replacement.

 (12/16/2023) → Santa Cruz Sentinel

• Interview: Bikes4All Founder Iman Moshari

With fellow classmates, Iman Moshari collects underused bikes, repairs them and give them to people who apply.

 (12/15/2023) → Times Publishing Group

• New Fish Market Debuts in Moss Landing

Sea Harvest, the family-owned fishing outfit with boats on the water and a constellation of market-restaurants on shore, has a new market that just opened in Moss Landing.

 (12/11/2023) → Edible Monterey Bay
  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Statewide News

 → View All

• SF Hits New Record for Overdose Deaths

The fentanyl epidemic has pushed San Francisco to a grim milestone: a new record for overdoses. A total 752 people overdosed in the first 11 months of this year, surpassing 2020’s record number of 726.

 (12/14/2023) → SFGate

• Newsom Touts California to Seth Meyers

Gov. Gavin Newsom defended his work and that of current or former California leaders like Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris during an appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” Newsom suggested conservatives focus unduly on California's failures.

 (12/14/2023) → SFGate

• Commute Times Highlight Income Divide

Higher-income workers are more likely to work from home, analysis of recent census data shows. Lower-income workers can face long and solitary commutes to get to work.

 (12/13/2023) → Los Angeles Times

• Michelin Guide Adds Seven California Restaurants

Three restaurants in San Francisco, three in Los Angeles and one in San Diego have been added to the Michelin Guide. Two of the SF eateries also made Esquire’s list for best new American restaurants in 2023.

 (12/12/2023) → SFGate

• Assembly Group on Retail Theft to Hold First Hearing

A new select committee in the California Assembly dedicated to retail theft will hold its first hearing on Dec. 19. This allows the committee to get to work before the next legislative session on an issue that’s drawn much press for California in recent years.

 (12/12/2023) → Sacramento Bee

• Supreme Court Upholds California Ban on Conversion Therapy

By declining to hear a conservative group’s challenge, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a California ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth. California is one of 22 states to ban this practice.

 (12/11/2023) → Sacramento Bee

• Yosemite Trying New Strategies to Reduce Food Packaging Waste

An estimated 100,000 pizza boxes have been removed from Yosemite’s waste stream. This is because the famed park now serves pizza on trays and puts to-go portions in compostable bags, part of a move to reduce food-related waste.

 (12/11/2023) → SFGate
  California Local Pin Marker  

Government Announcements

 → View All
Image of City of Watsonville seal. City of Watsonville   (12/16/2023)

Stay Weather Ready, Watsonville!
Image of Santa Cruz County Office of Education seal. Santa Cruz County Office of Education   (12/15/2023)

2022-23 Annual Report Released
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is pleased to present our 2022-23 Annual Report to the Community, providing an an overview of our programs, priorities, and partnerships throughout the year, as well as demographic and financial information regarding the COE and Santa Cruz County students. Printed copies of the report are available in the COE [...] The post 2022-23 …
Image of City of Watsonville seal. City of Watsonville   (12/15/2023)

Science Nights
Create, experiment, and engineer! Join us for Science Night
Image of City of Watsonville seal. City of Watsonville   (12/15/2023)

Cadets’ end of the year summary
Image of City of Watsonville seal. City of Watsonville   (12/15/2023)

Pajama Storytime
Grab your favorite stuffed animals and slippers! Come to our Pajama Storytime
Image of City of Watsonville seal. City of Watsonville   (12/15/2023)

Family Movie Night
Join us for a Family Movie Night at 5:30pm on the first Wednesday of each month
Image of City of Watsonville seal. City of Watsonville   (12/15/2023)

Crafternoons
Looking for a fun and creative way to spend your Wednesday and Friday afternoons with your family?
Image of City of Watsonville seal. City of Watsonville   (12/15/2023)

Bilingual Baby Laptime
Join us for some fun while helping your child build socialization and early literacy skills ~ our Bilingual Baby Laptime
Image of Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission seal. Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission   (12/14/2023)

RTC Board Appoints New Interim Executive Director
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) has appointed Mitch Weiss, former executive director of the California Transportation Commission (CTC), as interim executive director for the agency. Weiss will temporarily replace former Executive Director Guy Preston, who retired on Dec. 1, 2023, while the RTC searches for a new permanent executive director. Weiss has... [Read More]
Image of City of Watsonville seal. City of Watsonville   (12/14/2023)

Additional patrols hitting the streets during the holiday season