Editor’s note: In the Public Interest will be on hiatus the next two weeks, to resume Monday, Jan. 5.
Deep-pocketed investors account for a third of home purchases in Santa Cruz County
By Dieter Holger
Since 2021, investors have spent nearly $1.45 billion on purchases of single-family homes in Santa Cruz County, accounting for around 44% of total sales value.
Are we there yet? As 2026 dawns, downtown Santa Cruz is still in the middle of a long process to transformation
By Wallace Baine
As 2025 morphs into 2026, Santa Cruz’s downtown is still deep in the middle of a major transformation. A new proposal for The Catalyst building has many up in arms, while fans of the new library quietly wait for 2028. Here’s an overview of where all the projects stand.
Carmageddon: Capitola to consider next steps for Grand Avenue pathway in the spring
By Max Chun
The Capitola City Council allocated $13,000 toward a concept plan for the Grand Avenue pathway, which is expected to inform the council’s next steps, including whether or not the city wants to commit to a project at all.
Immigration advocates, nonprofits push for statewide adoption of Childcare Safety Plan as enforcement continues nationwide
By Tania Ortiz
Santa Cruz County immigration advocates and nonprofits are asking California Attorney General Rob Bonta to adopt into a new state law a plan that helps families prepare for unexpected emergencies such as deportation.
Anti-Flock group finds that state agencies accessed SCPD camera data thousands of times on feds’ behalf since mid-2024
By Max Chun
Numerous California law enforcement agencies searched the Santa Cruz Police Department’s Flock camera data thousands of times in the past 18 months on behalf of federal immigration agencies, according to data compiled by grassroots coalition Get The Flock Out.
Supervisors, county executive voice support after veterans outline concerns over service agency
By Mat Weir
Military veterans packed Tuesday’s meeting of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to advocate for changes at the county Veterans Services Office. Executive Officer Nicole Coburn outlined steps the county has planned to support the VSO’s new director.
Law enforcement data shows 29 total ICE action notifications in county between January and November
By Tania Ortiz
Federal immigration officials visited the city of Santa Cruz at least once since late July, according to communication records provided by the police department. This increases the total number of courtesy notifications from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to local law enforcement since January to 29.
City, county of Santa Cruz formally begin process to replace Housing Matters’ day services
By Max Chun
The Santa Cruz City Council moved to form a group of city and county staff members to begin exploring options to replace the day services that homelessness nonprofit Housing Matters is poised to halt at the end of March. Staff are expected to return no later than Feb. 28 with a recommendation.
Construction on Pajaro River levee anticipated to begin in early 2026; funding for Phase 2 still in limbo
By Tania Ortiz
Construction on the Pajaro River levee is anticipated to begin in early 2026, according to local officials. The $600 million project focuses on rebuilding the levee to help prevent future flooding in the Pajaro Valley.
STATEWIDE UPDATES
California schools that need foreign workers for teacher jobs can’t afford Trump’s new visa fee
By Sophie Sullivan / CalMatters and Alina Ta / CalMatters
The Trump administration is now requiring new H-1B visa applicants to pay $100,000. California school districts that depend on hiring foreign workers to fill teacher jobs, especially in special education and bilingual education, say they can’t afford the new fee.
California’s last nuclear power plant faces renewed scrutiny as it gains latest permit
By Nadia Lathan / CalMatters
The California Coastal Commission is requiring the state’s last nuclear power plant – Diablo Canyon, near San Luis Obispo – to conserve 4,000 acres of surrounding land to keep operating until 2030.
Trump’s new order against AI regulation hits California especially hard
By Khari Johnson / CalMatters
Since 2016, California has enacted more regulations on artificial intelligence than any other state. President Donald Trump’s new order against such laws worries California officials.
LOOKING AHEAD
Santa Cruz City Council: Next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13.
Santa Cruz City Planning Commission: Thursday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m. at City Hall, 809 Center St., Santa Cruz
- The commission will consider permitting a path next to Swanton Boulevard and part of Delaware Avenue, changes to five intersections and removing a heritage-sized tree. The California Coastal Commission also has to weigh in on the project’s environmental impact.
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors: Tuesday, Dec. 16, 9 a.m. at the county building, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz.
- The board will consider new rules for cannabis retail sales at farms, including restricting hours of operation to before 10 p.m. and after 8 a.m. The county would have grounds to revoke licenses if patrons drive while intoxicated or if retailers don’t meet several other standards.
- The board will receive a report on the peer-based mental health nonprofit Mental Health Client Action Network (MHCAN) and the next steps to replace Housing Matters’ day services poised to close at the end of March. While the city and county start to work together to establish replacement day services, the board will be evaluating whether MHCAN remains viable. If not, county behavioral health staff will recommend that the county ends its existing contract for the program.
Santa Cruz County Planning Commission: No meeting scheduled this week.
Watsonville City Council: Next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13.
Watsonville Planning Commission: No meeting scheduled this week.
Capitola City Council: Next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 8.
Capitola Planning Commission: Next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 15.
County Latino Affairs Commission: Next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 4.
Scotts Valley City Council: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m. at City Hall, 1 Civic Center Dr., Scotts Valley.
- The council will hold a hearing on the environmental impacts of the Town Center development, especially on nesting habitat and special-status species such as raptors and bats.
Scotts Valley Planning Commission: No meeting scheduled this week.
