Hi! It is Wednesday, March 27, and the Santa Cruz County forecast is for increasing clouds and temperatures in the 50s and 60s, with chances of rain through the day and heavier stuff coming toward evening.
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Plenty of news from local government after Tuesday meetings. The county board of supervisors split over the approval of segments of the Coastal Rail Trail through Live Oak, Capitola and Aptos, Max Chun reports. With Supervisor Zach Friend recusing himself, Supervisors Manu Koenig and Bruce McPherson voted against approving staff recommendations largely due to concerns about removing trees and an estimated $28 million funding shortfall caused by rising construction costs.
The Santa Cruz City Council, meanwhile, moved the downtown Cruz Hotel project forward – but, as Christopher Neely reports, the project at Front and Laurel streets could yet be appealed to the powerful California Coastal Commission.
In the wake of its superintendent’s resignation, Hillary Ojeda digs into what went wrong at Live Oak School District. As a budget crisis brewed, staff say trust frayed with administration in a fraught work environment.
The Wednesday headlines also include Jessica M. Pasko’s weekly local business roundup, which spotlights a move by Scotts Valley’s Paystand into philanthropy – read on!
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Board of supervisors fails to approve two sections of Coastal Rail Trail
With Supervisor Zach Friend recusing himself Tuesday, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors deadlocked on the staff recommendation to approve Segments 10 and 11 of the Coastal Rail Trail, running between 17th Avenue in Live Oak and State Park Drive in Aptos. Max Chun reports.
Firings, resignations and finger-pointing: How Live Oak School District fell into crisis
Live Oak School District Superintendent Daisy Morales announced her resignation on March 15 after months of turmoil. Interviews with district staff and teachers describe a breakdown of trust between staff and leadership over the past year. Go behind the scenes with Hillary Ojeda.
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Stay solid, and I’ll catch you back here Thursday morning.
Will McCahill