Hello there! It’s Monday, July 20, and the forecast calls for a more-clouds-than-sun day around Santa Cruz County, with highs around 70 at our beaches, upper 80s in the mountains.
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After breaking the story last month that Martinelli’s was canceling contracts with local apple growers, Lily Belli has a big-picture look at the decline of the apple industry in the Pajaro Valley and around California. Competition from Washington state is a big factor, as are changing consumer preferences.
Monday means Carmageddon from Max Chun, and his traffic-and-transit-focused column leads off this week with the results of an annual survey by Bike Santa Cruz County of local cyclists. Traffic safety concerns were, not surprisingly, top of mind for many who bike around here regularly (or would like to do so more), as was a desire for better connected cycling routes.
July is National Ice Cream Month, and Lily’s got the story of former Santa Cruz mayor Don Lane’s monthlong quest to visit 100 ice cream parlors around California. Not only is Lane fulfilling a longtime dream, he’s discovering inventive flavors and raising money for immigrant-focused nonprofits.
The Monday headlines also include Caly Luna Plowman’s story about the Scotts Valley moms spearheading a new pro-democracy group and Community Voices opinion from Daniel DeLong about California’s proposed billionaires tax – let’s get after it.
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The root of the crisis: Martinelli’s contract cuts are just the latest blow to California apple farmers
Long before Martinelli’s canceled contracts with some local growers this year, the Pajaro Valley’s apple industry had been in steady decline, squeezed by competition from Washington state, shifting consumer preferences and the lure of more profitable crops. Now, as orchards are ripped out across the region, farmers and industry leaders are searching for new ways to preserve one of Santa Cruz County’s oldest agricultural traditions. Lily Belli has the story.
➤ MARTINELLI’S PULLBACK: Read more coverage here
Carmageddon: Bike Santa Cruz County annual survey shows traffic stress, poor connections, youth safety among top concerns
Bike Santa Cruz County released its second annual survey report, showing that unsafe traffic, poorly connected routes and concern for youth safety are among the biggest worries for local cyclists. Max Chun breaks it down.
DAILY DIGEST
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Good luck with whatever Monday throws at you, and thank you for reading.
Will McCahill