Join our movement - Santa Cruz Local

Woman returns home after years of displacement by CZU Lightning Complex Fire

Santa Cruz nonprofit completes first ground-up housing rebuild

"Doesn't matter how I'm homeless. How do I get un-homeless?"

Transitional housing program led by Housing Matters opens for referrals

Affordable housing open to waitlist in Downtown Santa Cruz

Four apartments on Cedar Street are ready to rent

Costs are mounting to repair main access bridge in Bonnie Brier, with residents still cutoff

Small mountain community working to create an assessment district

How Big Soda nearly killed Measure Z in Santa Cruz

Part 2: How voters fought back against pressure by the beverage industry

A decade ago, a soda tax effort fizzled in Watsonville. Advocates blame Big Beverage.

Part 1: Industry leans on elected leaders of color to defend against regulation, experts say

Join our movementSanta Cruz Local2026-03-09T15:04:05-07:00

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Housing

‘Nowhere to go’: Palomar tenants decry rent hikes, cockroaches

Nik Altenberg2026-05-15T13:42:42-07:00May 13, 2026|

Tenants Association says landlord failed to give required notice

Santa Cruz residents make bid to purchase Catalyst building as community-owned venue

Nik Altenberg2026-05-08T17:41:34-07:00May 8, 2026|

More than $500,000 pledged in first 48 hours

Housing development behind Peace United Church grows in size

Jesse Kathan2026-04-27T14:30:10-07:00April 27, 2026|

New application now calls for 47 units

Tenants set to be displaced by new affordable housing in Downtown Santa Cruz

Nik Altenberg and Amaya Edwards2026-04-28T09:07:41-07:00April 25, 2026|

102-unit building approved by planning commission

Government

Paid parking, road repairs and scanter reserves: Inside the draft Santa Cruz County budget

Jesse Kathan2026-06-10T13:00:37-07:00June 9, 2026|

Weigh in on draft budget in meetings Wednesday and Thursday

Mayoral race: Coonerty leads a field of five in early count

Jesse Kathan2026-06-05T16:21:10-07:00June 2, 2026|

No runoff if preliminary results hold

Nuñez inches over 50% of the vote for District 4 Santa Cruz County Supervisor

Jesse Kathan2026-06-05T16:53:35-07:00June 2, 2026|

Gap between the three candidates grows

Incumbents Newsome, Golder lead in preliminary results for Santa Cruz City Council

Jesse Kathan2026-06-05T16:22:35-07:00June 2, 2026|

Challengers Marin and Noack trail

Health

‘Don’t let anyone tell you no’: Mother Rosa Dolores, the driving force and heart of Pajaro

Fidel M. Soto2026-05-15T16:46:14-07:00May 15, 2026|

She once dreamt of bullfighting and now fights for Pajaro

‘Unacceptable’: Cabrillo College dental hygiene program on three-year state probation

B. Sakura Cannestra2026-04-30T13:31:41-07:00April 30, 2026|

Regulators say program changed student grades and is understaffed

‘I don’t know what to do’: Santa Cruz homeless residents grapple with dwindling services

B. Sakura Cannestra2026-04-03T09:13:17-07:00April 3, 2026|

Housing Matters’ Day Services closure cuts off bathrooms, showers, water

As Watsonville Hospital relies on loans to stay afloat, long-term fix still unclear

Nik Altenberg2026-05-11T12:08:07-07:00April 2, 2026|

Plus: Hospital moves to limit immigration enforcement access

Transportation

Santa Cruz County residents’ input wanted on 2050 transportation plan

Nik Altenberg2026-01-12T17:00:06-08:00January 12, 2026|

RTC meeting Jan. 15

Update: Santa Cruz transportation officials pivot toward temporary trail design

B. Sakura Cannestra2025-12-08T16:51:20-08:00December 5, 2025|

‘Interim trail’ approved for 6 miles of Coastal Rail Trail

‘We’re not in a good position’: Santa Cruz transportation staff push for trail atop tracks

Jesse Kathan2025-12-10T16:56:50-08:00December 4, 2025|

Train advocates, Roaring Camp push back ahead of Thursday vote

Rail line operator says ‘no’ to Santa Cruz harbor bridge path

Jesse Kathan2025-11-21T13:20:30-08:00November 17, 2025|

Plus: City council to consider tenant relocation payments

Environment

Lighthouse Point can’t catch a break from erosion

B. Sakura Cannestra2026-01-28T16:05:44-08:00January 25, 2026|

Worsening storms threaten iconic surf spots and historic monuments on West Cliff

County supervisors greenlight draft rules for battery energy storage facilities

B. Sakura Cannestra2026-01-14T15:55:24-08:00January 14, 2026|

Energy company could seek state approval instead

Santa Cruz County remains a hotspot for fishing-related bird injuries

Jesse Greenspan2026-01-03T11:02:17-08:00January 3, 2026|

Bird rescuers call on fishermen to clean up lines, hooks

‘First big rain of the season’ expected in Santa Cruz County on Monday

Nik Altenberg2026-02-19T16:12:08-08:00October 10, 2025|

Flood watch resources and storm prep advice

Maps: Could a tsunami in Santa Cruz County reach your home?

Jesse Kathan2025-05-01T11:00:02-07:00December 6, 2024|

Consult maps and make a plan, officials advised after Thursday’s warning

New rail-trail map tracks work in Santa Cruz, Live Oak, Capitola, Aptos

Jesse Kathan and Stephen Baxter2025-05-01T11:00:08-07:00November 22, 2024|

Updates on design, construction, funding

What triggers a homeless camp sweep in Santa Cruz County?

Jesse Kathan2025-05-01T11:00:12-07:00September 26, 2024|

County staff start to draft clearer rules

Earn money by advising Santa Cruz city and county leaders

Jesse Kathan2025-05-01T11:00:16-07:00August 30, 2024|

How to volunteer for a board or commission