Santa Cruz County Local Local Governments News Articles and Digest

Elections & Politics Government

California Congressional Reps Overwhelmingly Vote to Expel Santos

12/01/2023
Forty-eight of California’s 52 members of the House of Representatives voted in favor of expelling George Santos. Of the other four members, all Republicans, Kevin McCarthy didn’t vote while three opposed Santos’ expulsion.

From SFGate...

Government

Biden and Xi Leave Messages in Bay Area Mansion Guestbook

12/01/2023
One sign that a meeting between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping might have gone well: Each left handwritten messages in the guestbook where the meeting was held near San Francisco. Jinping reportedly leaves these kinds of messages only on rare occasions.

From Capital & Main...

Public Safety Education Families & Children Government

Right-Wing Takeover of SoCal School Board Stirs Angst

12/01/2023
Students and teachers alike are decrying the actions of the Temecula Valley Unified School District board, which became conservative in majority following the recent elections of three members. The board’s actions include banning critical race theory and mandating parental notification if their child is transgender.

From Los Angeles Times...

Elections & Politics Government

Newsom-DeSantis Debate Could Benefit Each Man

11/30/2023
The Nov. 30 debate between governors Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis could be a win-win for both. DeSantis’s flagging presidential campaign could get a boost, while Newsom could increase his standing in Democratic circles.

From CalMatters...

Education Community Service & Support Government

With DACA Eligibility for Undocumented Students Dwindling, California Colleges Struggle to Find New Ways to Help

11/29/2023
Most undocumented college students in California are not eligible for DACA anymore, creating new dilemmas for students and colleges around employment, financial aid and the threat of deportation.

From Inside Climate News...

Water Agriculture, Food & Gardening Government

Monterey Farmers Try Novel Approach to Replenish Groundwater

11/29/2023
Water managers in Pajaro Valley are paying farmers for water they get back into the ground. The move comes as California has grappled with water shortages in recent years.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Families & Children Health Government

Will Kids Still Take Their Medicine? New State Law Forces Pharmacies to Take Out the Flavor

11/28/2023
Parents say flavored medication can help ensure their kids finish a prescription. Far fewer California pharmacies are offering that service as they await new rules from a state regulator.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Elections & Politics History Government

California vs. Florida: Need-to-Know Facts About the Rival States Ahead of Newsom-DeSantis Showdown

11/28/2023
Political wonks in California, Florida and maybe a few states in between, will be glued to their screens Thursday night to watch Gov. Gavin Newsom and Gov. Ron Desantis square off in a highly-anticipated Blue vs. Red State debate that’s been brewing since the summer.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Government

Santa Cruz County Streamlines Access to Services With New App

11/28/2023
MySCCounty+, now available in the App Store and Google Play, represents a new technological advancement for Santa Cruz County by allowing residents to store digital permits and other credentials on their electronic devices.

From KSQD...

Crime & Justice City of Santa Cruz

22 High Resolution License Plate Cameras in Santa Cruz Intersections. Do We Need Them?

11/27/2023
Image for display with article titled 22 High Resolution License Plate Cameras in Santa Cruz Intersections. Do We Need Them?

Talk of the Bay explores a proposal to install 22 high-speed license plate image capture cameras at busy intersections. The proposal is on the consent agenda of the Santa Cruz City Council, and Peter Gelblum joins the show to discuss the ACLU filed a request to delay the vote.

From Los Angeles Times...

COVID-19 Health Government

Data Explores Whether California or Florida Handled COVID Better

11/27/2023
California and Florida took starkly different approaches to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows that more Floridians died per capita of COVID than did Californians.

From CalMatters...

Land Use & Development Housing Government

How San Diego Hacked State Housing Law to Build ADU ‘Apartment Buildings’

11/27/2023
A 2021 state law has radically changed the housing equation in San Diego. Advocates, developers, and policymakers are split on whether it should be exported to other jurisdictions.

From New York Times...

Public Safety Health Government

More Migrants Getting Hurt Climbing Border Wall in California

11/27/2023
Seven times as many patients have been admitted to the trauma unit at UC San Diego Health since the Trump administration raised the height of the border wall to 30 feet in California. The hospital also notes that 23 people have died in falls from the wall since 2019.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Business, Economy & Jobs Elections & Politics City of Capitola

Capitola to Poll Residents on Potential Revenue Measures

11/24/2023
With the help of polling professionals, Capitola leaders are ready to see how much of an appetite local residents have for a pair of potential revenue measures that could appear on next year’s ballot.

From Press Banner...

Land Use & Development Government City of Scotts Valley

Scotts Valley Gets First Look at General Plan

11/22/2023
Image for display with article titled Scotts Valley Gets First Look at General Plan

The last time Scotts Valley got a new General Plan, Pete Wilson was California’s governor and Seagate Technology—which was still based in the community—hadn’t even expanded overseas.

From Good Times...

Elections & Politics County of Santa Cruz

Second District Candidates

11/22/2023
Image for display with article titled Second District Candidates: Schwartz and Jaffe

Six people intend to run for the Second District seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. Previous stories covered Kim De Serpa, Kristen Brown, Doug Dietch and Tony Crane. Now Good Times looks at David Schwartz and Bruce Jaffe.

From Los Angeles Times...

Government

Small SoCal City Calls for Cease-Fire in Gaza

11/22/2023
The Southern California city of Cudahy passed a resolution on Nov. 7 demanding a cease-fire in Gaza and declaring that the Israeli government was taking retributive action for a Hamas attack. With its action, Cudahy became the first city in Southern California to support Palestinians in Gaza.

From The Pajaronian...

Water Resilience Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency

Officials Sign Agreement to Rebuild Pajaro River Levee

11/21/2023
Image for display with article titled Officials Sign Agreement to Rebuild Pajaro River Levee

The legally binding agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Pajaro Regional Flood Risk Management Agency describes the $599 million project and the responsibilities of both parties.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Water Resilience Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency Launches Strategic Plan

11/20/2023
The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, which turns 40 next year, has launched its Strategic Plan 2024+, which outlines the history of the agency, its mission, and in-depth goals for the future.

From Sacramento Bee...

Government State of California

CA Lottery Director Gives Notice

11/20/2023
Alva Johnson, director of the California State Lottery has given his two weeks’ notice. Johnson had arrived in 2019, a year after a whistleblower complaint helped spur a reckoning for the agency.

Santa Cruz County Local News: Local Governments