Santa Cruz County Local News

Watsonville is seeking proposals from qualified consultants by June 14 as it begins drafting its first Public Art Master Plan.

Santa Cruz Metro has observed a 23% increase in ridership following service changes in late 2023.

Monterey Bay's favorite otter is back and ready to steal more surfboards.

In its May 28 meeting the Santa Cruz City Council approved plans to build a 5 story housing project on Mission Street, with a slight modification.

An alignment known as a “planetary parade” will march across night skies starting June 3.

California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, flew more 6,000 miles to Rome this month to deliver a brief speech on climate change at a Vatican-sponsored conference.

Two major forces are at play: Gov. Gavin Newsom scaled back his promise of increased financial support for Cal State, while university officials agreed to 5% salary increases earlier this year.

California lawmakers voted to offer an official apology for the state’s role in supporting slavery and moved several reparations bills but let others die.

It’s been almost a half-century since I first heard the term “peripheral canal” uttered by William Gianelli, who was then-Gov. Ronald Reagan’s top water official. The project, in one form or another, had already been kicking around for decades.

A plan is underway and funding sought to convert an unused 1.1 acre sports field at Del Mar Elementary School into a productive on-site farm.

After collecting more than the required signatures, on May 22, the Board of Supervisors approved the Santa Cruz County Water and Wildfire Protection Act go to county voters on the November 2024 ballot.

In a decision released on May 23, a state labor board denied a request for an injunction against striking academic workers filed by the University of California.

As funds for climate change programs are cut, Democrats and environmentalists are pushing for a bond measure on the ballot to restore some funding.

UC Santa Cruz is developing housing for upper division undergraduate students and staff in the Delaware Addition on the Santa Cruz Westside.

Santa Cruz County's first cleanup day held on May 11 had 431 volunteers from 30 organizations collecting 1,548 pounds of litter.

A short shelter in place was declared at Aptos High School on May 21 after sightings of a mountain lion on campus were reported to staff.

UCSC researchers, with teams from the University of Texas and Monterey Bay, studied local sea otter use of tools such as rocks and other items.

On May 20, UCSC academic workers and students walked out of classes in protest of the UC system administration handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

The board of the Museum of Art and History is beginning the search for a new executive director as current director Robb Woulfe announced his departure.

On May 20, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on the now-cleared site of the former downtown Santa Cruz Metro station to celebrate the beginning of construction of a new transit hub and 128-unit affordable apartment complex.