Santa Cruz County politics and policy news and notes from Christopher Neely.
Westside / Downtown
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: As two rail trail segments left in limbo, another readies for a summer opening
The short section of segment 7 that will run from the intersection of California Street and Bay Avenue is expected to finally wrap up this year, and perhaps as early as this summer. However, city transportation officials acknowledge that the work area is a “challenging site” particularly sensitive to weather impacts.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz became only the second California city to close the gender pay gap in sports. How?
All city-sanctioned competitions in Santa Cruz that offer prize money must offer equal payouts to men and women. How is Santa Cruz only the second California city to require this?
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The centennial man: Visionary painter Richard Mayhew reaches a milestone
Known for landscapes that dance daringly close to pure abstraction in an art career shaped by his Black and Indigenous ethnic heritage, longtime Santa Cruz County resident Richard Mayhew turns 100 on Wednesday. His art show “Inner Terrain” is on now at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, where this week his milestone will also be feted with a First Friday reception.
Posted inHousing & Development
Cruz Hotel gets final green light from city, but prospect of Coastal Commission appeal looms
The Cruz Hotel, developer Owen Lawlor’s latest local venture, cleared the Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday with overwhelming support. However, the much-debated downtown hotel could still face another political hurdle if the project is appealed to the California Coastal Commission.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Surfers, lawmakers push back against proposal to expand marine protections in Santa Cruz County
A petition by an environmental advocacy group to the state’s Fish and Game Commission would establish a state marine reserve off Pleasure Point and expand a reserve adjacent to Natural Bridges State Beach. Local lawmakers, along with the fishing and surfing communities, have come out against the idea.
Posted inHousing & Development
Whither the Pacific Cultural Center? A Seabright landmark faces an uncertain future
The Pacific Cultural Center in Santa Cruz, long a home to a thriving yoga/dance community, is on the cusp of being sold to the Santa Cruz City Schools district, which plans to turn the property into a meeting space and parking area. Some locals aren’t happy with those plans.
Posted inLatest News
Man found guilty of first-degree murder in downtown Santa Cruz parking garage stabbing
The weeklong trial in Neoklis Koumides’ November 2022 murder came to an end Friday afternoon when a Santa Cruz Superior Court jury found John Frederick Burke guilty of first-degree murder with an enhancement of the use of a deadly weapon. Burke’s sentencing date will be determined after a final hearing next Thursday.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Two Santa Cruz sisters find their bond in music
Singers Ariel Thiermann and Becca Davis have a deep connection – the two are stepsisters who grew up together in Santa Cruz and now, in their 40s, they’ve discovered the joys of performing as Canyon Sisters.
Posted inLatest News
Koumides was ‘fighting for his life,’ witness testifies in downtown garage murder trial
The prosecution brought more witnesses to court Tuesday in John Frederick Burke’s murder trial for the November 2022 stabbing of Neoklis Koumides in a downtown Santa Cruz parking garage. Those testifying ranged from law enforcement personnel to eyewitnesses at the scene at the time of the stabbing.