Project Roomkey helped house hundreds of people in Santa Cruz County who were experiencing homelessness during the pandemic, but federal funding is due to run out by year’s end. Those involved say they are working as hard as they can to find stable housing for as many people as possible.
Hanna Merzbach
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz County home prices dip slightly
The median price of a single-family home in Santa Cruz County fell in September, to $1.185 million, though prices are still high compared to neighboring counties.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Working to raise awareness of domestic violence issues and promote healing
To mark Domestic Violence Awareness month, Santa Cruz County’s recently formed Commission on Justice and Gender launched a Healing Campaign to give survivors of domestic violence a platform to tell their stories.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Is downtown’s first hotel in nearly a century Cruz’n into town? What we know about the hot-button project
There are steps left to take if supporters of the for-now-called Cruz Hotel project are to get past loud opposition and become part of the overhaul of lower Pacific Avenue and the riverfront zone. It is one of six projects slated to be at least six stories in a downtown with few buildings that tall.
Posted inLatest News
High winds cause thousands to lose power around county as red flag warning remains in effect
Monday’s outages were largely triggered by high winds, with the Santa Cruz Mountains under red flag warnings and expecting to see gusts from 35 to 50 mph through the afternoon.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
To mask or not to mask: Local businesses vary on policies following end of mandate
After Santa Cruz County health officials lifted the mask mandate late last month, businesses have had to decide whether to continue to require them for their customers. While most continue to recommend them, a survey of retail shops, grocery stores and other shops shows a variety of approaches.
Posted inK-12 Education
No fierce battles over masks at school around here: ‘Vast majority of parents’ content to play it safe
School officials report that the kind of harsh rhetoric being seen elsewhere around the country has not reared its head in Santa Cruz County. For that, school leaders who are already challenged on numerous other fronts give thanks.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Weighing ‘impact on entire community’: Mixed reviews for Kaiser project as Koenig solicits feedback
While some neighbors vocally worried about traffic concerns at the proposed Live Oak medical site along Highway 1 on Soquel Avenue, others expressed the need for such services in the middle of the county. The next community meeting is Nov. 5, with a final decision on the project set to be made by February.
Posted inK-12 Education
Hybrid SRO program on its way: PVUSD chief says cop-clinician pairing to be in place by Nov. 1
Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez says hires are imminent for both Watsonville and Aptos high schools and that the pilot program should be on its way by Nov. 1.
Posted inCOVID 2022
‘Standard-bearers’ Newel and Hall feted with courage award at NYC gala
Representing “the countless medical workers who have stood up for science and sound policy in the face of menacing public outrage” amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Santa Cruz County health leaders Mimi Hall and Gail Newel were recognized at a star-studded New York event Tuesday.