Santa Cruz County Local News

At an October 17 meeting at the Silver Spur on Soquel Drive, local residents heard about plans to develop the property into a senior assisted-living and memory care facility.

With Democrats firmly in control of statewide offices and the Legislature, California isn’t often seen as a “battleground state.” But California could decide which party controls Congress — and both parties and their allies are spending tens of millions of dollars to seize the opportunity.

A project to restore native plant species and sensitive habitat has led the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation department to close the San Lorenzo Park Benchlands to public access.

The City of Santa Cruz has responded to a recent civil grand jury report noting a lack in tracking residency in affordable housing.

Elon Musk, the tech mogul who runs Tesla, said in December that diversity, equity and inclusion efforts “must die.” Now, two civil rights groups are calling for the nation’s largest public pension fund to divest from the electric vehicle maker.

Multiple state agencies spent nearly $24 billion on housing and homeless programs in the first five years of Gavin Newsom’s governorship, but the number of people without homes continued to grow, rising by 20% to more than 180,000 in the most recent federal count in 2023.

A new state law bans private colleges from considering an applicant’s ties to family members who are alumni or donors. California’s public universities don’t use legacy admissions.

The Yes and No on 33 campaigns have collectively spent more than $140 million. CalMatters fact checked some of the more pervasive claims made by both sides.

Tens of thousands of California ride-hailing drivers, and possibly more, could eventually get back pay after a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that clears the way for the state and some cities to proceed with their lawsuits against Uber and Lyft.

Supporters of a proposition to ban forced labor in California prisons believe they have a strong message centered on rehabilitation. But as Election Day nears, polls show it’s a toss-up or trailing.

Learn more about Central Coast District 17 State Senator John Laird's appointment to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Only a few months delayed, Gov. Gavin Newsom finally got to take his victory lap over the oil industry on October 14.

After the Watergate scandal, California voters approved a ballot measure that created the Fair Political Practices Commission — an independent, nonpartisan agency to police election campaigns and investigate political ethics violations.

Last week, VotingMatters went to public libraries, colleges, and a museum to talk about California’s ballot propositions. So far, VotingMatters has reached more than 750 people across 20 events, bringing crucial election information to voters around the state.

The state Senate signs off on Gov. Newsom’s bill to stop spikes in California gas prices. A final vote is scheduled on Monday.

Proposals are being sought for a mural up to seven stories high for a new building in downtown Santa Cruz.

A report on an October 10 community meeting held to discuss an affordable housing development planned for Soquel Drive and Thurber Lane in unincorporated Santa Cruz County.

An introduction to Enrique Dolmo Jr. who is running for a seat on the Capitola City Council in the November election.

An appeal has been filed against the approval of a 34-unit tiny home village for local homeless at the Westview Presbyterian Church in Watsonville.

Up to 189 units of housing is proposed for the site of the beloved diner on Soquel Drive.