Good morning! It’s September 25 — here’s what’s going on in your community today…
Showers early this morning in Corralitos / Freedom
Today will be a couple of showers early this morning; partly to mostly sunny. There is a 60% chance of rain. The high will be 76 with a low of 57. Partly sunny now, changing to partly sunny w/ showers at 9 a.m.
Top news from nearby
Inside a packed Del Mar Theatre last night, Lookout presented “Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink,” a 2023 documentary by Rick Goldsmith that tracks the crumbling ecosystem of hyperlocal news outlets throughout the U.S. Goldsmith particularly focused on Wall Street hedge fund Alden Global Capital’s leading role in buying distressed newspapers and squeezing them dry.
After the film, Lookout founder Ken Doctor joined CalMatters CEO Neil Chase and Julie Reynolds, a Santa Cruz-based investigative journalist and co-founder of Voices of Monterey Bay, to discuss the prospects for local news amid economic and political pressures, and how outlets such as Lookout and CalMatters are working to find a sustainable model for the future.
UC Santa Cruz first-years excited for a fresh start as new school year kicks off this week
By Hillary Ojeda
Sep 25, 2025
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What’s new around you
▼︎ road incidents ▼︎ real estate ▼︎ code violations ▼︎ food inspections ▼︎ events
Read on to see the details about each item…
Things to do in Corralitos / Freedom
Mariquita Farms: Marigold U-Pick
The Ladybug’s Labyrinth at Mariquita Farm is open for U-Pick marigold harvests by individuals or groups. Hundreds of Chedi Orange Marigolds surround …
At Mariquita Farm on September 28
Roadwork is affecting traffic in the region
- A lane on southbound Highway 1 at Larkin Valley Road in Aptos is closed for drainage work. The closure is expected to end at 5:59 a.m. on September 29.
- There is a one-way traffic closure on North Highway 9 at Prospect Avenue in San Lorenzo Valley because of emergency work. The closure is expected to end at 3:59 p.m. on December 5.
- A lane on northbound Highway 17 at W Vine Hill Road in Scotts Valley is closed for tree work. The closure is expected to end at 4:01 a.m. today.
- Long-term projects: PG&E has started work to replace a gas main in the Arroyo and Jolon Drive neighborhood off Green Valley Road. The construction is underway and will continue through November 25, with a soft closure in the area.
Property development
- The Santa Cruz County Planning Department has received a zoning application for a proposed project at 806 The Shore Line in La Selva Beach, CA 95076. The application seeks approval to establish a new three-bedroom vacation rental within an existing single-family home, allowing for short-term stays of up to 30 days at a time. The project requires a vacation rental permit before it can move forward. (view application)
Property code violations
County officials cite property owners for issues such as substandard housing, illegal uses of buildings, property maintenance, abandoned appliances or furniture, construction without permits, and other issues that affect public safety and quality of life.
- A code violation notice has been issued for the property at 1179 San Andreas Rd, Watsonville 95076-9639, under case number NV25295. The citation is for unpermitted grading (earth-moving) and removal of vegetation within the habitat range of the long-toed salamander, protected species. These activities were conducted without the necessary permits, which is a violation of local building and grading codes as well as environmental protection.
Restaurant inspections
County officials regularly inspect food facilities to ensure compliance with state laws. Here, Lookout Santa Cruz reports both those who have passed the inspections and those that the county deems to have a “major” issue. The county’s full ongoing report can be accessed here.
- Pacific Golf Centers at 101 Ranport Rd, Watsonville, passed a county health inspection on September 23 with no critical issues.
No crimes to report today
We checked with local police and there were no new incidents to report.
Disclosure: Traffic incidents, property development updates and code violations are partially generated by artificial intelligence. We are constantly working to improve the accuracy and quality of our AI-generated content. However, there may still be errors or inaccuracies. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.