Santa Cruz County Public Safety Digest

Despite concerns, the increase in use of e-bikes in Santa Cruz hasn't led to a significant uptick in serious accidents.

H5N1 bird flu has been reported in three California dairy herds.

Inland communities with big population booms will experience the most extreme heat days under climate change projections. The combination puts more people at risk — and many cities are unprepared.

CalFire received the first of five planes promised by the federal government, a former Coast Guard C-130 Hercules air tanker.

Early warning systems save lives during disasters, but a recent FEMA survey found that only a third of people are signed up. Use this resource to find your county’s emergency alert sign-up page.

Data from the office of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff indicates a decrease in local fentanyl-related deaths in 2024.

As COVID cases surge, health officials are recommending people take advantage of a recently approved and updated vaccine when it becomes available.

The state of California is funding wildfire prevention and mitigation work in Santa Cruz County, including the clearance of fuel along Soquel San Jose Road and a wood chipping program.

On August 15, Santa Cruz County Health Officials announced the detection of animal tranquilizer mixed with Fentanyl in the local illicit drug supply.

The Santa Cruz City Council approved a contract to clean up an estimated 40 homeless encampments sprinkled throughout the Pogonip scenic open space reserve.

Several projects underway in Santa Cruz County to repair local roads impacted by storms in 2023 are affected by FEMA funding shortfalls.

In an August 7 vote, the Santa Cruz Local Agency Formation Commission approved the study of a a new consolidated fire protection district covering County Service Area 48 in the unincorporated county.

The chemical, used for decades, can harm babies’ developing brains. Farmworkers and people living near fields are most at risk. The EPA issued a rare emergency order.

So many intense wildfires all at once require an intricate chess game for maneuvering firefighters and equipment around the U.S.

About 80 Californians die every year after contracting Valley fever, a fungal disease that typically affects the lungs. A recent outbreak was traced to a music festival in Kern County.

Whether they mean to or not, people are responsible for about 95% of the state’s wildfires. While arson accounts for about 10% of the fires, others can start in a myriad of ways.

In his 2018 campaign, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would create 500,000 new apprenticeships in the decade after taking office. So far, the state has registered more than 180,000 new apprenticeships. Many of them are firefighters.

In their July 24 meeting, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees approved a deputy sheriff to be assigned to the Aptos High campus.

After years of delay, a new California regulation to protect indoor workers from extreme heat is now in effect.

The Scotts Valley Fire Protection District board of directors approved a $24.5 million bond measure to go before voters in the November election, to replace Fire Station 1 on Erba Lane.

The first two human cases of West Nile virus this season were reported in Yuba and Stanislaus Counties.

Santa Cruz County Health officials report that COVID numbers in the county remain high.

State officials have issued an advisory on local shellfish on July 23 and a red tide has been reported off Rio Del Mar and Seacliff beaches.

The California Department of Public Health has issued a warning not to eat recreationally harvested shellfish gathered from Monterey Bay counties.

The Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency noted a drop in local COVID rates following a surge in June.

An update on repairs to the Cabrillo College pedestrian bridge over Soquel Drive which was damaged and closed in January.

A multi-part series examining the impact of fentanyl and opioids in Santa Cruz County.

The Santa Cruz County Health Department issued an alert on July 8 warning of possible measles exposure risk.

An interview with Boulder Creek resident Luka McClish, recently rescued after 10 days lost int he Santa Cruz Mountains.

A recap of a June 27 meeting attended by residents of Mountain Charlie Road and officials from the Santa Cruz County Department of Public Works.

Assemblymember James Gallagher speaks during the floor session at the state Capitol in Sacramento on June 13, 2024. Photo by Cristian Gonzalez for CalMatters

In their July 1 meeting, the Felton Fire District Board of Directors approved a reciprocal service agreement with the Zayante Fire Protect District.