Santa Cruz County Local News

In their June 12 meeting, the Live Oak School School District Board of Trustees appointed Patrick Sánchez as the new Superintendent with a 1-year contract.

In its June 11 meeting, the Santa Cruz City Council approved the 2024-2025 budget of $423 million.

Tens of thousands of California homeowners, especially those who live in areas at risk of wildfires, have lost their insurance or have to pay more to keep coverage. One after another, major companies have pulled out of the state, many citing the cost of claims.

Aiming to store more water and protect the public, legislators are negotiating with the governor to restore $50 million to help repair 42 aging dams throughout the state.

The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury released a report critical of mental health services provided at the county jail.

On June 11, Solano County elections officials announced the verification of necessary signatures for the California Forever sponsored initiative to amend the county General Plan to be on the November ballot.

The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury released a report on the state of the 586 miles of county-maintained roads, finding them inadequately funded and maintained.

The two-day CalMatters Ideas Festival wrapped on June 6 with more than a dozen events examining critical policy issues impacting the lives of millions of Californians.

A rendering for a Solano Sports Complex development with facilities for baseball, basketball, football, swimming, tennis, volleyball, pickleball and other sports was released as part of the California Forever project in east Solano County.

A panel of labor experts at the CalMatters Ideas Festival say California workers should have more access to more apprenticeships that pay more. Barriers still exist, especially for women and low-income Californians.

A panel at the CalMatters Ideas Festival debates how to reduce homelessness without punishing poverty. There’s worry about a potential $1 billion cut in state funding.

Season 11 will be the biggest yet, with two plays by William Shakespeare and two by other authors.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission approved an additional $3 million for the Highway 1 expansion project to cover cost overruns.

On June 6, the Solano Land Trust announced its opposition to the California Forever project to build a new community housing up to 400,000 people in the county.

Photos spotlight the beauty of the Big Sur community.

Over the last decade, nearly 50 maternity wards have closed across California, with more than half shutting down in just the last four years.

A new study, conducted by researchers at three University of California campuses, projects that a combination of factors will reduce California’s water supply by up to 9 million acre-feet a year.

EdSource reports that police are dispatched thousands of times per school day across California.

On June 4, the City of Santa Cruz released a draft of the Downtown Plan Expansion project documents for public review.

The long-delayed 155 room La Bahia Hotel and Spa is making progress toward a spring 2025 opening.