Santa Cruz County Local News Articles and Digest

Environment Health State of California

California Sets Nation’s First Water Standard for Cancer-Causing Contaminant

04/17/2024
Water suppliers say the costs will be massive, with rates increasing for many consumers. Known as the “Erin Brockovich” chemical, hexavalent chromium is found statewide.

From Los Angeles Times...

Elections & Politics Crime & Justice United States

Senate Impeachment Trial Begins for Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas

04/17/2024
Alejandro N. Mayorkas, a Cuban immigrant who grew up in California, is the first U.S. Cabinet official impeached in nearly 150 years.

From California Healthline...

Education Families & Children

Paris Hilton Speaks Up for California’s ‘Troubled’ Teens

04/17/2024
Heiress Paris Hilton is on a mission to shine a light on the "troubled teen industry," a largely unregulated multibillion-dollar industry that is gaining public scrutiny for alleged abuse of vulnerable youths.

From Good Times...

Art, Culture & Media History

Remembering John Sinclair — Poet, Protestor and Pot Activist

04/16/2024
Image for display with article titled Remembering John Sinclair — Poet, Protestor and Pot Activist

Activist, poet and music manager John Sinclair died last week at 82. He was someone about whom everybody concerned about cannabis reform, of any age, should know.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Transportation County of Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission The Santa Cruz Rail Trail

State Money for Rail Trail Could Transfer to Regional Transportation Commission

04/16/2024
Image for display with article titled State Money for Rail Trail Could Transfer to Regional Transportation Commission

At a special meeting Thursday, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission could step toward takeover of a $68 million state grant awarded to Santa Cruz County to help construct the rail trail through Live Oak, Capitola and Seacliff.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Business, Economy & Jobs City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Assistant City Manager to Resign

04/16/2024
Laura Schmidt is resigning from her position as assistant city manager for the City of Santa Cruz, effective August, to consult in the private sector.

From Lookout Local...

Business, Economy & Jobs

May 3rd Small Business Summit Approaches

04/16/2024
The Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center will be hosting the all day Small Business Summit on the Cabrillo College Campus

From California Healthline...

Health

In San Francisco’s Chinatown, a CEO Works With the Community to Bolster Hospital

04/16/2024
Chinese Hospital, located in the heart of this city's legendary Chinatown, struggles with many of the same financial and demographic challenges that plague small independent hospitals in underserved areas across the country.

From San Lorenzo Valley Post...

Land Use & Development Water Resilience San Lorenzo Valley Museum

AmeriCorps Team Improves San Lorenzo Valley Native Habitat

04/15/2024
Image for display with article titled AmeriCorps Team Improves San Lorenzo Valley Native Habitat

An AmeriCorps team led by San Lorenzo Valley Native Habitat Restoration Program founder and advisor Linda Skeff weeded invasive plants from the native plant demonstration beds at the San Lorenzo Valley Museum Grace Gallery in Boulder Creek on a rainy Saturday in April.

From Lookout Local...

Public Safety Crime & Justice City of Santa Cruz

Police Chief Finds No Violation in Cyclist Arrest

04/15/2024
An initial review of body cam footage indicated no violations of department policy or the law in the arrest by multiple officers of a lone Black cyclist on the Santa Cruz Westside, according to the police chief.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Environment Land Use & Development Parks & Recreation Animals Resilience

Dune Resilience Project Begins

04/15/2024
California State Parks and partner Friends of California State Parks are working together on a project to rehabilitate a number of dunes at Rio Del Mar State Beach to reduce erosion, increase resilience and restore wildlife habitat.

From City on a Hill...

Education Housing

UCSC Camper Park Update

04/15/2024
An update of meetings held between UCSC staff and Camper Park residents.

From Los Angeles Times...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment

PG&E Hit With $225-Million Lawsuit for 2021 Dixie Fire Damages

04/14/2024
A coalition of timber businesses filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the embattled Pacific Gas & Electric Co., alleging $225 million in damages caused by the 2021 Dixie Fire.

From SF Gate...

Animals

Officials Search for Gray Whale Seen Trapped in Fishing Net Off Bay Area Coast

04/14/2024
Obstacles are mounting for officials who are attempting to rescue a young gray whale that was discovered entangled in a gillnet off Laguna Beach was recently sighted off the coast of Thornton State Beach in Daly City .

From The Mercury News...

City of Cupertino

Applications Open for Cupertino Teen Commission

04/14/2024
Local teens are invited to apply for vacant seats on the City of Cupertino Teen Commission.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Environment Transportation Santa Cruz Metro

Ride Free on Earth Day

04/13/2024
All fixed-route rides on Santa Cruz METRO are free on Earth Day, April 22.

From The Pajaronian...

Health Elections & Politics

With Measure N Official, Hospital Officials Looking to Future

04/12/2024
Image for display with article titled With Measure N Official, Hospital Officials Looking to Future

After months of work promoting Measure N—efforts that included going door to door in the vast Pajaro Valley Health Care District (PVHCD)—officials can now begin to envision how they will use the $116 million to improve Watsonville Community Hospital.

From Press Banner...

Business, Economy & Jobs Community Service & Support

Informational Meeting Set for Newly Formed Ben Lomond Village Alliance

04/12/2024
Image for display with article titled Informational Meeting Set for Newly Formed Ben Lomond Village Alliance

Ben Lomond Village Alliance (BLVA) is inviting all residents and businesses to an informational meeting about its newly formed Village Alliance.

From Press Banner...

Land Use & Development Sustainability Housing City of Scotts Valley

State Certifies Scotts Valley’s Housing Element on First Try

04/12/2024
Image for display with article titled State Certifies Scotts Valley’s Housing Element on First Try

During a report at the April 3 Council meeting, Scotts Valley City Manager Mali LaGoe announced the California Department of Housing and Community Development had certified its Housing Element—on its first try.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Land Use & Development Transportation Sustainability Community Service & Support

Downtown Streets Program Expands to Boulder Creek

04/12/2024
The Downtown Streets Program is growing to 8 teams in the County with the start of a new 6 month pilot program in Boulder Creek on the Highway 9 commercial corridor.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Land Use & Development Transportation County of Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission

Groundbreaking Celebrated for Aptos Highway 1 Project

04/12/2024
The next phase of the $94.2M project to add lanes and bike/pedestrian overpasses on the three mile span of Highway 1 between the three mile Bay Avenue/Porter Street has commenced.