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

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

Live Oak apartment proposal appears poised for legal battle over state housing law

Jesse Greenspan2026-02-06T13:23:36-08:00February 5, 2026|

Supervisors to consider 841 Capitola Road at Tuesday meeting

Controversial proposal for seasonal farmworker housing stalls in Pajaro

Nik Altenberg2026-09-03T18:56:13-07:00February 2, 2026|

Developer lists 1.3-acre parcel for sale

Tell us how you found housing in Santa Cruz County

Jesse Kathan2026-02-06T19:23:33-08:00February 2, 2026|

Send tips for tenants on the hunt

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

Watsonville Hospital races to find solution as financial woes deepen

Evan Quarnstrom2026-05-11T12:08:33-07:00November 14, 2025|

Hospital losses for 2025 could top $14 million

How to get free food in Santa Cruz County as food stamps set to run dry

Evan Quarnstrom2025-11-03T14:16:47-08:00October 31, 2025|

Local food banks brace for surge amid federal shutdown

Federal shutdown threatens food assistance program for thousands of children in Santa Cruz County

Nik Altenberg2026-09-03T18:58:27-07:00October 14, 2025|

Tariff money, new bill hope to provide relief

Report: 21,000 Santa Cruz County residents could lose health insurance by 2028

Tyler Maldonado2025-10-15T09:48:05-07:00October 8, 2025|

Thousands of Santa Cruz County residents set to lose health insurance or see premiums double

Transportation

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

Report describes $5 fares, potential train frequency in Santa Cruz County

Jesse Kathan2025-08-01T14:38:57-07:00August 1, 2025|

Future of rail project to be discussed at Thursday meeting

Help make highways safer in Santa Cruz County

Jesse Kathan2025-08-13T17:29:12-07:00July 23, 2025|

Survey will help guide improvements

Electric carshare program to launch in Watsonville

Tyler Maldonado2025-06-27T14:01:48-07:00June 25, 2025|

Nonprofit Míocar to offer 8 cars in pilot program

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