The City of Santa Cruz is seeking public input at three upcoming community meetings as it develops a “five-year roadmap” for West Cliff Drive that aligns with a “50-Year Community Vision” unveiled earlier this year.
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Cruz Hotel will move forward after Coastal Commission gives it a green light
The California Coastal Commission last week approved the long-discussed and debated Cruz Hotel project proposed at the corner of Front and Laurel streets in downtown Santa Cruz. The project had been appealed to the Coastal Commission, as expected, following the Santa Cruz City Council’s 5-1 approval of the hotel in March.
Jimmy Dutra trial deliberations head to a third day as jury fails to reach verdict
A Santa Cruz Superior Court jury failed to reach a verdict in Watsonville City Councilmember Jimmy Dutra’s civil sex-abuse case on Monday, its second day of deliberation. The jury deliberated for about three hours on Friday and about another seven on Monday.
Tourism agency promotes Santa Cruz as filmmaking destination
An official with regional tourism agency Visit Santa Cruz County recently attended the Association of Film of Commissioners International week in Los Angeles to promote the county as a destination for filmmaking.
Faith leaders hold Santa Cruz climate festival Sunday
A festival with live music, food, art, eco-fashion, kids’ activities and spiritual offerings will focus on climate action Sunday, Sept. 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Resurrection Church in Aptos. Attendees of the free Climate Fest “will learn how to advocate for climate action, find out the latest on home electrification and electric vehicles, engage in creative and experiential workshops, get tips on plant-based eating and experience a sense of community with many faith traditions.”
Tiffany will perform Saturday at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Pride Day
Tiffany, of 1980s pop “I Think We’re Alone Now” and “Could’ve Been” fame, will perform as the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk celebrates Pride Day on Saturday. She’ll perform a free concert from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the Boardwalk’s main stage. A DJ will perform from 2 to 4 p.m., and informational booths on LGBTQ+ issues and resources will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
City of Santa Cruz to update public on homeless response
As it warns other California communities not to drop off people needing services in Santa Cruz, the city will provide a general update to the public on Tuesday on its response to homelessness. Tuesday’s update, which will be presented online at 6 p.m., is a semiannual report on the city’s “homelessness response programs, outreach efforts and outcomes.”
Lanes will close Sunday-Thursday for Highway 1 work between Capitola and Santa Cruz
For five consecutive nights beginning Sunday, Sept. 15, the left lane in both the north and southbound directions of Highway 1 between 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive in Santa Cruz will be closed. Northbound overnight lane closures will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., with southbound closures in effect 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. According to the California Department of Transportation, motorists should expect delays of up to 10 minutes.
Santa Cruz begins work on San Lorenzo River levee
Crews will be performing annual maintenance work on the San Lorenzo River levee in Santa Cruz through mid-October “to ensure continued protection against flooding.”
$4.35 million grant will extend broadband in Santa Cruz Mountains
Santa Cruz-based Surfnet Communications Inc. announced Thursday that it will implement three grants totaling $4.3 million in partnership with the nonprofit California Broadband Alliance to extend fiber broadband to communities in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The grants were awarded by the California Public Utilities Commission.

