A beach hazards statement will be in effect from Saturday morning through Tuesday afternoon for beaches along the Pacific Coast, including Santa Cruz County, warning that Hurricane Fausto could generate dangerous ocean conditions that could sweep people off their feet and pull them into the water.
Caly Luna Plowman
Caly Luna Plowman is a narrative and audio student at UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism on the investigative reporting track. Originally from Los Angeles, she graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2025. There, she was an editor at the student-run newspaper, reporting stories across Santa Cruz County and the greater Bay Area.
Over the years, Caly has reported on stories related to the tight special education budget in Oakland Unified School District, the homeless encampment sweeps alongs the Pajaro River levee and the deadly 2025 Los Angeles fires. Her work has been published in outlets such as EdSource, KALX 90.7FM and Oakland North.
Caly is excited to return to Santa Cruz to reconnect with and report on the community she lived in for many years, centering stories that would otherwise go unheard.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
Annual Wharf to Wharf Race returns this weekend, set to draw thousands of runners. Here’s what to expect
One of Santa Cruz’s trademark events is back this Sunday, and with it there are expected to be significant traffic delays and road closures in Live Oak and Capitola.
Posted inLatest News
Police identify victim, suspect in fatal Capitola Mall stabbing
Capitola police and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim in Monday’s fatal stabbing outside the Capitola Mall as Rachell Summers, 73, of Capitola. On Tuesday, the law enforcement agencies also identified the suspect as Tyler Leibelt, 19, of Santa Cruz, who remains in custody.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Meet the two moms behind Scotts Valley’s new pro-democracy group
After the killings by federal immigration officers of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two U.S. citizens, moms Holley Gilliland and Jess Florence decided they wanted to work together and take action in their own city of Scotts Valley, rather than drive down Highway 17. They have since spearheaded three other events, slowly building their new pro-democracy group that has close ties to Indivisible Santa Cruz County, called Scotts Valley Democracy Rising.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In wake of national ICE traffic stop deaths, Santa Cruzans gather in grief and protest on Ocean Street
Driven by a rise in national ICE-involved deaths, Santa Cruz community members gathered Monday evening to honor two men killed during separate traffic stops over the past week. Organizers said the vigil is part of an ongoing effort to stand in solidarity with those targeted by aggressive immigration enforcement.
Posted inHousing & Development
Live Oak Landing opens months after slated, set to offer interim housing and pathways to permanent housing
Housing Matters announced that its $5 million Live Oak Landing interim housing program was officially open and would be welcoming participants immediately, stating that construction finished months ago but there had been final permitting and occupancy approval delays. Advocates are hopeful that the project can help take people off the streets, but also expressed frustrations over the lack of transparency with its delayed opening.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Peacocks, Batman and ‘Indiana Jones’: The vibrant, uninhibited creativity blossoming at Santa Cruz’s Common Roots Farm
Common Roots Farm’s art program began around two years ago, spearheaded by Heidi Cartan, one of the farm’s founders, and Ilana Ingber, the art teacher. It was created to provide a space for New Perspectives’ clients, which are made up of adults over 22 who have aged out of special education services, to participate in organized activities outside in nature.
Posted inLatest News
Sheriff’s Office investigates death of 16-year-old Capitola boy found near wharf
The body of a 16-year-old boy from Capitola was pulled from the water near the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf on Monday morning. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, though no foul play is suspected at this time.
Posted inLatest News
County recognized as Fire Risk Reduction Community, making certain homeowners eligible for wildfire insurance discounts
In response to insurance issues residents have faced since the 2020 CZU Fire, Santa Cruz County recently secured a statewide recognition through the California Fire Risk Reduction Community List that could help ease some of these struggles and potentially fund future wildfire prevention efforts.
Posted inLatest News
After 44 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters Monterey Bay closes — but some matches say their bonds will last a lifetime
After 44 years serving Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monterey Bay is shutting down its mentoring program, leaving many mentors and mentees shocked and searching for answers. For longtime pairs like Santa Cruz’s Amé Yeager and Brenda Canizal, the closure marks the end of a local program but not the deep bonds it helped create.
