RTC narrowly approves Keeley-Koenig ‘peace deal’ proposal to build trail segments over railroad tracks
By Max Chun
In a 7-5 vote, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission approved a proposal by Commissioners Manu Koenig and Fred Keeley to build three segments of the Coastal Rail Trail over the railroad tracks in a change of plans for the major project.
Georgia police chief, arrested for using Flock cameras for stalking and harassment, searched Capitola data earlier this year
By Max Chun
Data compiled by countywide grassroots coalition Get The Flock Out shows that a former Georgia police chief searched Capitola data in early 2025. Capitola Police Chief Sarah Ryan said she was not aware of these searches, but given the recent issues with Flock Safety is not surprised.
Citing understaffing, mismanagement at county Veterans Services Office, vets will take case to supervisors this week
By Mat Weir
Some local veterans have objections to the way the county oversees the Veterans Services Office, and a group of them plans to speak at Tuesday’s meeting of the board of supervisors to ask that the VSO be an independent department. They also plan to meet Monday with County executive Nicole Coburn.
From steelhead to sewer lines: Why the Murray Street Bridge rebuild can’t move faster
By Lily Belli
Construction on the Murray Street Bridge has disrupted traffic and strained nearby businesses, but Santa Cruz officials say the three-year timeline can’t be shortened, in part because of strict environmental regulations.
STATEWIDE UPDATES
Fewer international students are coming to the U.S. What this means for California
By Aliza Imran / CalMatters and Kahani Malhotra / CalMatters
December 1, 2025
The number of new international students enrolling in college in the U.S. is dropping. Their losses will be felt beyond classrooms, as foreign students in particular drive scientific research and advancement. As the state with the most international students, California will likely feel the biggest impact.
California is about to cut power company profits to historic lows. Your bill will barely drop
By Malena Carollo / CalMatters
November 26, 2025
California utilities regulators are bringing down “return on equity” payments to power company shareholders. It’s the lowest profit margin in 20 years for Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison, but it will be hard to notice in your payments.
How fear of Trump’s immigration blitz is changing life in California farm towns
By Nigel Duara / CalMatters
November 25, 2025
Tax receipts are down almost 30% in one California farm town, where immigrants are afraid to go out and some longtime workers are weighing self-deportation during the second Trump administration.
LOOKING AHEAD
Santa Cruz City Council: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 11:30 a.m. in chambers at 809 Center St., Santa Cruz.
- The council may move to form an official working group to explore standing up services to replace the county’s only public, drop-in day services, operated by local homelessness nonprofit Housing Matters, which will close at the end of March 2026. The group of city and county staff would discuss funding basic amenities for the unhoused community, take proposals for services from qualified entities and return with a recommendation no later than Feb. 28.
- The council will get a report from Visit Santa Cruz County about the long-term health of the tourism industry and efforts to entice to the county visitors in the region for the FIFA World Cup next year.
Santa Cruz City Planning Commission: No meeting this week.
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 9 a.m. in the Capitola City Council chambers, 420 Capitola Ave., Capitola.
- A group of veterans and advocates is asking the board of supervisors to make the Veterans Services Office its own independent agency. The VSO is currently under the authority of the county Human Services Department.
- A proposal to allow on-site consumption in designated lounge areas at certain cannabis farms and retailers is on the consent agenda, as well as an ordinance that would exempt non-cannabis goods sold at unincorporated cannabis companies from the county’s cannabis business tax rate of 7%.
- SEIU Local 521 members plan to show up en masse to ask the board to reconsider requiring county health workers to work in-person from the office three days per week.
Santa Cruz County Planning Commission: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 9:30 a.m. at the County Government Center, 701 Ocean St., in Santa Cruz.
- The commission will hear a proposal to subdivide an existing parcel at 5940 Soquel Ave. in Live Oak to create 100 condos within 17 three-story buildings.
Watsonville City Council: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m. in chambers at 275 Main St., Watsonville.
- Watsonville City Councilmember Kristal Salcido will be sworn in as mayor. Each year, the city council rotates its mayor and mayor pro tempore. Councilmember Casey Clark will be sworn in as mayor pro tempore. Elected officials will also make appointments to city- and countywide commissions.
Watsonville Planning Commission: No meeting this month.
Capitola City Council: Thursday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. at 420 Capitola Ave., Capitola.
- The council will consider a mandatory organic waste disposal rule to comply with a new state law that requires composting.
Capitola Planning Commission: No meeting this week.
County Latino Affairs Commission: Next meeting Feb. 4.
Scotts Valley City Council: Next meeting Dec. 17.
Scotts Valley Planning Commission: Thursday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. City Hall, 1 Civic Center Dr., Scotts Valley.
