Santa Cruz County Local Local Governments News Articles and Digest

Homelessness Land Use & Development City of Watsonville

‘Nuisance’ Homeless Camp on Airport Blvd. Approved for Clearing, Cleanup

04/19/2024
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In a weed-strewn, vacant lot on Airport Boulevard Tuesday, Bryan Hilgeman was busy around his makeshift tarp dwelling where he lives, along with about 40 people in the unsanctioned homeless camp.

From KSQD...

Public Safety Land Use & Development Parks & Recreation Resilience County of Santa Cruz

Low-Impact Camping Ordinance Raises Questions in Fire Zone

04/18/2024
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The Low Impact Camping Ordinance drafted by the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission took some rural residents by surprise.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Land Use & Development Transportation County of Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission The Santa Cruz Rail Trail

Transportation Commission Reaffirms Support for Rail Trail

04/18/2024
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The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission on Thursday reaffirmed its support for a paved path parallel to the train tracks through Capitola and Seacliff.

From CalMatters...

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 Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Land Use & Development Transportation City of Santa Cruz

Pilot Street Sweeping Plan Moves Forward

04/17/2024
The City of Santa Cruz is set to begin a pilot program of neighborhood street sweeping, including a provision to tow vehicles not complying with posted parking limits.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

City of Capitola

Capitola Eyes Sales Tax Increase

04/17/2024
The Capitola City Council are considering a November ballot item to increase 2016's Measure F sales tax rate from %9 to %9.25.

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
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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...

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 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 Press Banner...

Land Use & Development Sustainability Housing City of Scotts Valley

State Certifies Scotts Valley’s Housing Element on First Try

04/12/2024
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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 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.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Public Safety Transportation Sustainability Resilience County of Santa Cruz

‘Bleak’ Outlook for Santa Cruz County Budget

04/11/2024
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A proposed budget for 2025 cuts money for road repairs. Storms in 2023 caused about $140 million in damage to county-maintained roads, county staff said.

From Press Banner...

Government County of Santa Cruz

Informational Meetings Planned for Civil Grand Jury Recruitment

04/11/2024
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The Superior Court of Santa Cruz County will be hosting two informational meetings on the Civil Grand Jury.

From Lookout Local...

Transportation Crime & Justice City of Santa Cruz

Excessive Force Complaint Filed Against Santa Cruz Police to Review Excessive Force Complaint After Multiple Officers Arrest Westside Cyclist

04/11/2024
Witnesses allege Santa Cruz police used excessive force arresting a Black man for a bike infraction on April 10 at the intersection of Bay Street and West Cliff.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Business, Economy & Jobs City of Santa Cruz

Ban on New Cannabis Businesses Removed From Agenda

04/11/2024
An item to discuss an emergency moratorium on new commercial cannabis businesses was removed from the Santa Cruz City Council April 9 meeting agenda.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Homelessness Land Use & Development City of Watsonville

Watsonville Proceeding With Homeless Camp Removal

04/10/2024
In its April 9 meeting, the Watsonville City Council voted to seek contractor bids to clear out a homeless camp from the nearly 2-acre lot on Airport Boulevard.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Public Safety Transportation County of Santa Cruz

E-Bike Ordinance Delayed After Community Feedback

04/10/2024
A proposed ordinance limiting use of e-bikes on sidewalks and walkways in unincorporated parts of the county was delayed by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors until its May 14 meeting following feedback from residents.

Santa Cruz County Local News: Local Governments