A retired teacher, Pauline Seales has worked behind the scenes on some of the county’s most high-profile environmental campaigns. But beyond political issues, Seales works with youth to restore fragile natural habitats and raise awareness about the changing climate.
Civic Groups
Posted inLatest News
New peril for gray whale survival? Predatory orcas spotted in Baja calfing lagoon
Predatory orcas have breached a gray whale safe space in Baja California. Could this spell disaster for a species already struggling for survival?
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
‘A Renaissance woman’: Monarch Services’ Laura Segura passes
As women’s need for support multiplied during the COVID-19 pandemic, Laura Segura and her Monarch Services team met the profound challenges of helping those driven for help with sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking. The work crowned Segura’s contributions in helping the people of her native Watsonville.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘More than just paint on the ground’: Community shows support for muralists at BLM mural restitution hearing
The downtown Santa Cruz BLM mural vandalism case continues, with nearly 30 community members showing up to court Thursday to support muralist Abi Mustapha as she testified. With a restitution amount still not agreed, the case moves into summer for a possible trial date.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Breaking down the county’s ‘siloed’ homelessness response: New task force brings together varied stakeholders
How will Santa Cruz County better strategize around homelessness solutions? The new “H4HP” policy board, made up of key leaders and experts from around the area, is intended to up the ante of what a policymaking board can achieve on the one of the most pressing issues of our time.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Unveiling Live Oak’s big new community health and dentistry center
Dientes and Santa Cruz Community Health will both open their fourth county locations this fall, this a joint one on Capitola Road near 17th Avenue. The aim: to serve the underinsured, uninsured and homeless.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Q&A: Darrie Ganzhorn, hunger fighter of the year
2021 produced unprecedented hunger in Santa Cruz County. Among those recognized by Second Harvest Food Bank for helping meet the need is the longtime leader of the Homeless Garden Project, Darrie Ganzhorn.
Posted inEnvironment
‘The time is now’: Santa Cruzans call for transit equity, accessibility
On Friday, Equity Transit held a march and rally with nearly 100 attendees calling for increased and accessible transit options throughout Santa Cruz County. “Transit inequities affect lots of people in different camps, and we’re all affected by it,” organizer Michael Wool said. “It’s a very multifaceted problem, we have to come at it from many different angles.”
Posted inLatest News
What’s railbanking, and why are Santa Cruz transit experts discussing it?
The Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission’s meeting Feb. 3 will include an informational agenda item dealing with “railbanking” and “adverse abandonment” of the Felton Line. What do these terms mean and how will they affect the future of transit and trails in the county?
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Mixed results in arraignment of men accused of vandalizing Santa Cruz’s Black Lives Matter mural
Brandon Bochat pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony vandalism charges with a hate crime enhancement, while Hagan Warner was granted a delay as he seeks a new attorney. The co-defendants are next scheduled to appear in court Feb. 10.