Join our movement - Santa Cruz Local

Monitoring invasive beetles in Santa Cruz County

Invasive beetles put native trees at risk

Watsonville City Council approves new restrictions on Flock cameras

Reduction in cameras, changes to data retention policy, and more

Watsonville leaders to discuss Flock contract

Meeting Tuesday evening, how to submit public comment

Bracing for El Niño: County looks to better forecasting, more alerts, road work

Heavy rain, landslides, flooding all possible

Capitola council candidate concerned over indoctrination of children by pro-LGBTQ+ educators, governments

Candidate TJ Welch reaffirms support for the LGBTQ+ community despite scrutiny

Moss Landing battery facility reignites 1.5 years after fire

Shelter-in-place warnings for nearby residents

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

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Housing

Seven-story affordable housing proposed next to Palomar Inn

Jesse Kathan2026-04-18T19:49:17-07:00April 17, 2026|

Property is owned by mayoral candidate's wife

As lawsuits ensnare three housing proposals, what could it mean for the future of development in Santa Cruz County?

Jesse Greenspan2026-04-17T11:10:35-07:00April 17, 2026|

Developer Workbench has more than 200 proposed units tied up in court

279 below-market-rate apartments on tap in Santa Cruz

Nik Altenberg2026-09-03T12:27:13-07:00April 3, 2026|

Center St. proposal switches from market rate to affordable

Developer and residents sue County of Santa Cruz over two Live Oak apartment proposals

Jesse Greenspan2026-03-27T16:08:00-07:00March 27, 2026|

Both proposals from developer Workbench invoked Builder’s Remedy

Government

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

Incumbent Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church leads in early election results

Nik Altenberg2026-06-03T15:56:18-07:00June 2, 2026|

Challenger Ramon Gomez trails

It’s Election Day: here’s what you need to know

Jesse Kathan2026-06-01T16:27:12-07:00June 2, 2026|

It's time to vote in the June 2 primary, we're here to help you today

Health

Local activists sue state regulators over cancer-causing pesticide

Nik Altenberg2026-09-03T18:56:34-07:00February 10, 2026|

‘We should not have to keep suing the state just to be protected from cancer-causing chemicals.’

Watsonville Hospital lost $24 million last year. 2026 isn’t looking much better

Nik Altenberg2026-05-11T12:08:23-07:00January 29, 2026|

Plus: ICU staffing agreement extended through March 7

This Santa Cruz nonprofit gave him a home. Then they took it away.

Jesse Kathan2026-02-15T11:27:13-08:00January 20, 2026|

Left behind by the defunct Mental Health Client Action Network

Watsonville Hospital could close ICU amid staffing shortage

Fidel M. Soto and Nik Altenberg2026-05-11T12:08:29-07:00January 15, 2026|

ICU to remain staffed for at least four weeks

Transportation

Cost-saving efforts backfire for rail trail in Santa Cruz, Live Oak, Capitola

Jesse Kathan2025-09-03T14:15:08-07:00September 3, 2025|

Shortfall could delay construction

Santa Cruz council pushes forward with $1.7 million harbor rail bridge plan, other relief measures

Jesse Greenspan2025-08-28T20:54:12-07:00August 28, 2025|

Free parking, expanded bus and water taxi service proposed

This New Jersey city achieved zero traffic deaths. Could it be a model for Santa Cruz?

Jesse Kathan2025-08-22T19:41:45-07:00August 22, 2025|

Hoboken lowered speed limits, traded parking for safety

Santa Cruz staff advise against opening harbor rail bridge for walking

Jesse Kathan2025-08-22T18:55:44-07:00August 22, 2025|

Report recommends expanding water taxi, bus service

Environment

Cotoni-Coast Dairies trails set to open Saturday for hiking, biking

Jesse Greenspan2025-08-14T12:53:48-07:00August 11, 2025|

Public gets first access to national monument

Fire near Davenport cement plant fully contained, expected to extinguish

Jesse Kathan2025-08-11T15:16:39-07:00August 10, 2025|

2-acre blaze continues smoldering Monday

Battery storage debate continues at Santa Cruz meetings

Jesse Greenspan2025-08-01T14:41:06-07:00July 31, 2025|

Industry experts speak to lithium-ion concerns

How should $7.5 million be spent on water, wildfire and land projects in Santa Cruz County?

Nik Altenberg2026-07-24T07:26:10-07:00June 9, 2025|

Residents’ priorities gathered for Measure Q spending

What went wrong at Live Oak School District

Jesse Kathan2025-05-01T11:01:31-07:00March 21, 2024|

Money problems explained, and how other school districts compare

Property tax changes proposed in Santa Cruz County

Jesse Kathan2025-05-01T11:01:37-07:00November 9, 2023|

State formula blamed for poor county roads, facilities

Explainer: Roaring Camp and freight rail in Santa Cruz County

Jesse Kathan2025-05-01T11:01:42-07:00February 1, 2022|

What to know about Thursday’s Regional Transportation Commission meeting