Santa Cruz’s Public Works Department is currently accepting applications for its 2026 Master Recycler Volunteer Training Program, in which participants will gain hands-on experience in waste reduction and recycling.
Westside / Downtown
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Regional air corridor project closer to kickoff; new vendors sought for Abbott Square
State efforts to create special aerial pathways among the airports in Watsonville, Salinas, Marina and Hollister could get off the ground as soon as the end of January, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly look at Santa Cruz County business.
Posted inFood & Drink
Lily Belli on Food: Abbott Square food openings, Other Brother Beer Co.’s lively Aptos menu, Seabright business struggles
In her Tuesday newsletter, Lily Belli notes a reshuffling at downtown Santa Cruz’s Abbott Square Market, reviews the new Aptos Village outpost of Seaside’s Other Brother Beer Co. and catches up with business owners affected by the Murray Street Bridge closure.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of Jan. 6
Businesses operating in Santa Cruz County must register with the county clerk. Lookout Santa Cruz reviews the public filings from local businesses to report on new businesses starting in the area.
Posted inLatest News
New year kicks off with more West Cliff erosion as another chunk tumbles into the bay
A section of coastal bluff near Getchell Street crumbled onto the shore beneath it on Saturday. Although the pedestrian path is expected to remain open, Santa Cruz officials are monitoring the area and will implement more safety measures if needed.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Yes, it’s time to get ready for the election year ahead: What’s up and who’s running
With seats up for grabs on all of Santa Cruz County’s city councils, the county board of supervisors, the California Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives, plus a new governor to be elected and statewide ballot measures, 2026 figures to be another active election cycle.
Posted inFood & Drink
Abbott Square seeks two new food tenants as popular downtown market shuffles stalls
Abbott Square is seeking two new, distinct food or drink tenants to fill recently vacated stalls. General manager Joey Ward is crowdsourcing ideas for cuisines the market doesn’t yet offer, and aims to bring in businesses ready to open quickly and complement the downtown Santa Cruz market’s independent lineup.
Posted inLatest News
NAACP to host 2026 MLK March in downtown Santa Cruz on Jan. 19
The Santa Cruz County branch of the NAACP is holding its 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day March for the Dream on Jan. 19, beginning at 10 a.m. in front of Santa Cruz City Hall.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: RTC seeking input on coastal resilience project; Watsonville police get grant for bike, pedestrian safety
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is seeking input on a coastal resiliency project along Highway 1 on the county’s north coast, with a workshop on the project set for the end of January. Meanwhile, the Watsonville Police Department received a state grant for bicycle and pedestrian safety efforts.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Beyond the Super Bowl and the semiquincentennial: Your big sneak peek at 2026 entertainment events to come
You made it through a harrowing 2025 and a half-decade of challenge. Now, put aside your fears of catastrophic climate change, the collapse of American democracy, and AI data centers stretching from sea to shining sea — for just a moment — and plan some fun in the year ahead.