With her late husband, Rowland Rebele, who died in late 2023, Pat Rebele donated tens of millions of dollars to local charities, nonprofits, arts groups and scholarship funds in Santa Cruz County and beyond.
Jessica M. Pasko
Jessica M. Pasko has been writing professionally for almost two decades. She cut her teeth in journalism as a reporter for the Associated Press in her native Albany, New York, where she covered everything from plane crashes and arts & culture to state politics, including assisting with the coverage of former New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s resignation. After getting her master’s degree at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she moved to the West Coast and covered crime and breaking news for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. She has also worked for KION and written for a variety of local, regional and national publications on both coasts, including Evanston Patch, The Good Times, Santa Cruz Waves and many others.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Wonderfil’s mission to reduce single-use plastics, Tesla dealership coming to Capitola, Joby-Archer feud heats up
A Westside startup making inroads in cutting down single-use plastics, a new tenant in Capitola’s King’s Plaza Shopping Center and the latest chapter in an electric air taxi rivalry are all included in this week’s look at Santa Cruz County business from Jessica M. Pasko.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Flying taxi rival Archer Aviation countersues Joby Aviation, claiming Santa Cruz company misled U.S. regulators and concealed ties to China
The legal battle has escalated between two companies vying to provide ride-hailing electric helicopters. Archer Aviation has filed a countersuit against Joby Aviation, alleging that the Santa Cruz-based company concealed its ties to China.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Westside startup’s innovative, self-serve soap dispensers aim to reduce single-use plastics
Wonderfil has partnered with UC Santa Cruz, Whole Foods and others to allow customers to refill bottles of soap, detergent and shampoo in their containers of choice in a fully automated process.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: La Selva drone developer clears hurdle; funding for Scotts Valley energy company; Joby, Uber unveil new app
A key milestone for Parallel Flight Technologies, $140 million for Heron Power Electronics Company and another step forward for Joby Aviation are among the topics in this week’s look at local business from Jessica M. Pasko.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: New owners for Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios; Activity Ally aims to help parents find activities for their kids
A key piece of Santa Cruz’s music culture is under new ownership, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly look around local business. She also spotlights a new site that aims to be a repository for children’s activities in the area.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Local music lovers vow to keep the good times going at Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios
Drummer and longtime Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios customer Eric Peterson and his wife, Lisa Lincoln, took over earlier this month from Jenn and Paul Gallacher. They aim to keep things affordable for local musicians while planning some renovations and upgrades.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: La Selva Beach drone company inks Spanish partner; Watsonville’s economic matchmaker
Parallel Flight Technologies has enlisted help in adapting its Firefly drone for maritime environments, Jessica M. Pasko reports in this week’s look around Santa Cruz County business.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Joby lawsuit against Archer Aviation moves to federal court; residents sound off on Catalyst demolition
Jessica M. Pasko’s weekly look at local business includes an update on Joby Aviation’s suit alleging corporate espionage by a competitor and recaps a contentious meeting on the fate of a downtown Santa Cruz landmark.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Joby rival seeks dismissal of corporate espionage suit; case moved from Santa Cruz County to federal court
Joby Aviation’s lawsuit against a rival electric helicopter service company has been moved to federal court. The defendant, Archer Aviation, filed a motion to dismiss, calling Joby’s claims of stealing trade secrets “speculation and innuendo.”