Join our movement - Santa Cruz Local

Santa Cruz to build a new type of mental health care center for youth

County leaders eye a short-term residential center to keep kids closer to home

With less stability, less community, homeless displaced from Coral Street struggle to make it

Santa Cruz continues to conduct homeless sweeps, with limited housing options

Santa Cruz County immigration arrests steadily increase as nationwide arrests surge

Data shows most arrestees had criminal charges or convictions

Pajaro residents can get Uber credits through new transit partnership

A pilot program by Monterey-Salinas Transit seeks to help commuters

Watsonville NICU closure approaches two months with no opening in sight

Watsonville Community Hospital nurses protest nursery closure

First look: who is running for Watsonville City Council

Four seats up for grabs in Watsonville for the Nov. 3 election

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

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Housing

‘The carpet’s been pulled out’: 250 Santa Cruz County households brace for loss of housing subsidy

Jesse Kathan2026-02-26T18:13:31-08:00February 27, 2026|

Emergency vouchers to end as Section 8 waitlist could be put on ice

Overcoming years of financial setbacks, a veterans housing project secures new funding

Amaya Edwards2026-02-25T19:26:33-08:00February 25, 2026|

“I just want it to be done”, Veterans Village inches closer to finishing

Affordable housing applications open on Pacific Ave.

Alexandria Bordas2026-02-18T12:28:44-08:00February 18, 2026|

Apply through March 21

Santa Cruz County Supervisors reluctantly approve Live Oak housing project

B. Sakura Cannestra2026-02-11T16:04:15-08:00February 11, 2026|

Neighbors poised to sue over application timeline

Government

PVUSD school relocations are postponed, but still on the table.

Jesse Kathan2026-05-22T11:29:50-07:00May 21, 2026|

Five ways to use your voice and get involved

‘Everything’s getting taken away’: PVUSD could close two schools this summer

Jesse Kathan and Nik Altenberg2026-09-03T12:26:24-07:00May 18, 2026|

Renaissance High could move to Duncan Holbert campus, displacing students

Four housing ideas from Santa Cruz mayor, council candidates

Jesse Kathan2026-05-27T16:29:37-07:00May 16, 2026|

Build triplexes, fight the state, register rentals, consider taxes

Santa Cruz Local’s June election guide is here

Jesse Kathan2026-05-09T22:27:14-07:00May 10, 2026|

You told us what to ask candidates in Santa Cruz, South County and Pajaro. Here’s what they said.

Health

After 50 years at Santa Cruz Planned Parenthood clinic, nurse was laid off with 1 hour notice

Nik Altenberg2026-09-03T18:58:21-07:00December 30, 2025|

Nurse speaks out after non-disclosure agreement expires

Months after closure, leaders of Santa Cruz homeless services nonprofit unanimously quit

Jesse Kathan2025-12-12T18:39:28-08:00December 12, 2025|

Future of MHCAN building, program is unclear

10 meals under $10: The best cheap eats in Santa Cruz County

2026-09-03T12:27:45-07:00December 5, 2025|

Sushi, tacos, chow mein, beef stroganoff all on the menu

Free food in Santa Cruz County: The definitive guide

Jesse Kathan2025-12-05T11:41:01-08:00December 5, 2025|

Meals, groceries, pantries and more

Transportation

Watsonville’s walking and biking deaths far outpace the county average. Here’s why.

Jesse Kathan2025-08-22T19:08:43-07:00August 16, 2025|

Experts blame wide roads and high speeds

Share biking and walking wants with City of Santa Cruz staff

Jesse Kathan2025-08-16T00:05:17-07:00August 11, 2025|

Open house set for Thursday

Santa Cruz harbor rail bridge could open for biking, walking

Jesse Kathan2025-08-07T16:58:40-07:00August 7, 2025|

Also: final rail planning report expected in December

Passenger rail could require sales tax hike to 12% in Santa Cruz County

Jesse Kathan2025-11-05T12:26:06-08:00August 4, 2025|

Transportation commission to discuss report Thursday

Environment

Laid off NOAA employee in Santa Cruz was improving agency’s efficiency

Mark DeGraff2025-03-14T21:59:37-07:00March 14, 2025|

Three Santa Cruz federal science workers dismissed as agencies brace for more layoffs

Trump funding changes could delay Santa Cruz County passenger rail planning for years

Jesse Kathan2025-03-01T19:26:22-08:00February 28, 2025|

Design and cost estimate report pushed to fall

Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz water projects aim for better reliability

Jesse Greenspan2025-03-01T14:04:42-08:00February 26, 2025|

Climate change, aging facilities prompt millions in upgrades

Major water project to finish in Soquel, Aptos, Capitola

Jesse Greenspan2025-02-27T09:50:07-08:00February 20, 2025|

Recycled wastewater to replenish groundwater basin