Watsonville Community Hospital reports nearly $23 million loss in 2025
Watsonville Community Hospital reported losses of nearly $23 million in 2025 following a challenging year of fewer patient visits and changes to federal and state funding. Hospital leadership expects to have an update by March on its search for a private partner to help shore up its finances.
Carmageddon: City hopes to make decision on Murray Street two-way traffic within weeks; RTC’s early steps toward interim trail construction
After the Murray Street Bridge reopened last week for the first time since last June, the City of Santa Cruz is continuing to gauge the feasibility of allowing two-way vehicle and bicycle traffic along the one opened lane, and hopes to make a decision within weeks.
Panetta, local officials and nonprofit leaders working together to protect county residents from immigration enforcement impacts
Local government officials, nonprofit leaders and U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta say they are working together to protect Santa Cruz County’s most vulnerable residents from the impacts of immigration enforcement amid federal agents’ intensifying enforcement in Minnesota.
More than 1,000 students throng downtown Santa Cruz in anti-ICE protest
More than 1,000 students from local schools staged a walkout and marched through downtown Santa Cruz on Friday to protest against ICE and Trump administration policies before settling in outside the county courthouse.
Road network considered in ‘fair’ condition, but Santa Cruz County needs a lot more money just to maintain that
Santa Cruz County’s road network is in “fair” condition, according to its public works department. However, there is a large funding gap between the current budget for paving and what is needed to simply maintain conditions as the county braces for another tight budget in the upcoming fiscal year.
County supervisors prepare for possible immigration enforcement actions with subcommittee
Santa Cruz County elected officials are creating a subcommittee, led by Supervisors Monica Martinez and Felipe Hernandez, to prepare for the possible impacts of immigration enforcement on county residents.
Longtime community advocate Elias Gonzales announces bid for 4th District supervisor seat
Elias Gonzales, a Watsonville native and nonprofit leader, is running for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors’ 4th District seat. He will face incumbent Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, who is finishing out his first term on the board.
STATEWIDE UPDATES
Child care in California was already hard to find; the immigration crackdown has made it worse
In California, almost 40% of the workforce is foreign-born and more than a million parents — immigrant and otherwise — rely on child care providers so they can go to work.
Immigration arrests quietly surge by 1,500% in San Diego: ‘I feel the temperature rising’
San Diego doesn’t feel like a city under siege by Border Patrol, but it’s the scene of a dramatic increase in immigration arrests during President Donald Trump’s crackdown.
Tom Steyer vows to cut electricity bills by 25%, but experts say the details fall short
California has the second-highest electricity bills in the nation, and no candidate for governor has homed in as much as climate investor Tom Steyer. But is his promise to cut bills 25% realistic?
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a frequent Newsom critic, jumps into California governor’s race
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan on Thursday announced he’s joining the crowded race for California governor, casting himself as a moderate Democrat with a track record of tackling some of the state’s most persistent issues including homelessness and crime.
Los Angeles won’t be tweaking its ‘mansion tax.’ Now the debate is likely to go statewide
A ballot measure do-over in Los Angeles was intended to ward off a statewide anti-tax crusade. Hanging over the debate is the specter of a proposed statewide proposition that would sharply cap municipal transfer taxes while also restricting other local taxes.
LOOKING AHEAD
Santa Cruz City Council: Next meeting on Feb. 10.
Santa Cruz City Planning Commission: Next meeting is Thursday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. at Santa Cruz City Hall, 809 Center St.
- The commission will revisit the zoning map and code changes for Coral Street following a noticing error flagged by a member of the public. On Dec. 18, the Santa Cruz Planning Commission approved implementing an overlay district that would allow for temporary housing, fully affordable housing developments, residential behavioral health facilities, supportive housing, and other services in the Coral Street area. Nothing in the proposed amendments has changed, but staff is bringing the item back with the public noticing error corrected. The commission will also vote on whether to allow affordable housing projects on industrial land in the overlay district.
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors: Next meeting on Feb. 10.
Santa Cruz County Planning Commission: Next meeting is Feb. 11.
Watsonville City Council: Next meeting is Feb. 10.
Watsonville Planning Commission: Next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m. at Watsonville City Hall, 275 Main St.
- City planning staff will present commissioners with a report on the first draft of the Vision Zero Corridor Study, which is meant to prevent traffic-related accidents along Freedom Boulevard.
Capitola City Council: Next meeting is Feb. 12.
Capitola Planning Commission: Next scheduled meeting is Thursday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m. at Capitola City Hall, 420 Capitola Ave.
- Commission to consider recommending that city council adopt zoning code amendments for the Capitola Mall site, which includes development of potential housing, retail space, meeting space and a hotel.
County Latino Affairs Commission: Next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m. at United Way of Santa Cruz County, 4450 Capitola Rd., Capitola.
- The Latino Affairs Commission will consider what additional recommendations to send to the board of supervisors, which recently established a subcommittee to respond to immigration actions in the community, prompted by escalating federal enforcement around the country.
Scotts Valley City Council: Next meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m. at Scotts Valley City Hall, 1 Civic Center Dr.
- The council will consider extending the joint powers agreement to provide library services in Scotts Valley along with neighboring municipalities.
Scotts Valley Planning Commission: Next meeting is Feb. 12.
