Matthew Renda, Author at Santa Cruz Local

About Matthew Renda

Matthew Renda is a freelance writer who has garnered multiple awards for his reporting. His work has appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, the Mercury News, CNET, CBS News, The Atlantic and Outside Magazine. He lives in Watsonville with his wife, Jessica, and their two children.

More outdoor dining approved in Watsonville

By Matthew Renda|2021-03-11T10:49:43-08:00November 11, 2020|Tags: City of Watsonville, downtown Watsonville, economy, Watsonville City Council|

City leaders issue apology in 1930 riot

Watsonville police chief discusses Saturday’s fatal shootings

By Matthew Renda|2021-03-11T10:49:45-08:00October 28, 2020|Tags: Agriculture, City of Watsonville, David Honda, Felipe Hernandez, pesticides, Porter Building, Rebecca Garcia, Trina Coffman-Gomez, Watsonville City Council, Watsonville Police Department|

Some residents worry about resurgence of violence

Coastal Commission to consider limits on rebuilding of Santa Cruz County beach homes

By Matthew Renda and Stephen Baxter|2021-03-11T10:39:41-08:00October 25, 2020|Tags: California Coastal Commission, climate change, environment, erosion, John Leopold, Local Coastal Program, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, sea level rise, Zach Friend|

Santa Cruz Local offers stories on local environment free [...]

Watsonville council reluctantly loosens rules on in-law units

By Matthew Renda|2021-03-11T10:49:49-08:00October 13, 2020|Tags: ADU, Ari Parker, Aurelio Gonzalez, City of Watsonville, Climate Action Plan, Francisco Estrada, housing, Lowell Hurst, Rebecca Garcia, Trina Coffman-Gomez, Watsonville City Council|

Hundreds live in illegally converted garages, councilmember says

Downtown Santa Cruz library project consultant contract delayed

By Matthew Renda|2021-03-11T10:41:06-08:00September 22, 2020|Tags: Chris Krohn, City of Santa Cruz, downtown library, Drew Glover, economy, housing, Katherine Beiers, library, Martin Bernal, recall, Santa Cruz City Council|

Some residents fear economic downturn, dislike parking garage

Money trail outlined in Santa Cruz County, city races

By Matthew Renda and Kara Meyberg Guzman|2021-03-11T10:50:09-08:00August 6, 2020|Tags: Capitola City Council, City of Capitola, City of Scotts Valley, City of Watsonville, Donna Lind, Jack Dilles, John Leopold, Katherine Beiers, Manu Koenig, Martine Watkins, Sandy Brown, Santa Cruz City Council, Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, Scotts Valley City Council, Watsonville City Council|

Manu Koenig tops John Leopold in donations in county supervisor race

Feds loan millions to Santa Cruz County businesses

By Matthew Renda and Stephen Baxter|2021-03-11T10:50:19-08:00July 14, 2020|Tags: City of Watsonville, Coronavirus, economy, Editor's Picks, jobs|

At least $234M for farms, schools, nonprofits in Paycheck Protection Program

Santa Cruz budget deficit prompts cuts, furloughs

By Matthew Renda|2021-03-11T10:41:36-08:00July 2, 2020|Tags: Coronavirus, Cynthia Mathews, economy, Martin Bernal, Sandy Brown, Santa Cruz City Council, Santa Cruz Police Department|

Leaders discuss calls to ‘defund police’

Scotts Valley council denies housing at toxic industrial site

By Matthew Renda|2021-03-11T17:19:41-08:00June 18, 2020|Tags: 440 Kings Village Drive, City of Scotts Valley, development, housing, inclusionary, Jack Dilles, Jim Reed, Scotts Valley City Council, Scotts Valley Town Center|

Lack of development plans, uncertain cleanup

Cannabis license transfers allowed by Santa Cruz City Council

By Matthew Renda|2021-03-11T10:41:44-08:00June 10, 2020|Tags: Andy Mills, cannabis, City of Santa Cruz, Justin Cummings, Katherine Beiers, Martine Watkins, race, Santa Cruz City Council, Santa Cruz Police Department|

New licensees would face same standards

New rail, bus options ahead for Santa Cruz County rail corridor

By Matthew Renda|2021-03-11T10:50:33-08:00June 4, 2020|Tags: City of Watsonville, climate change, rail corridor, Randy Johnson, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission|

Decision expected in November

Santa Cruz residents demand police reform

By Matthew Renda|2021-03-11T10:41:47-08:00June 4, 2020|Tags: Andy Mills, Justin Cummings, race, Santa Cruz Police Department|

George Floyd death, protests prompt community discussion on race, police violence