Santa Cruz County residents with ties to Palestine and Israel say they’re stunned and saddened by the violence in the region. Two organizations are scheduled to host vigils this week to mourn those lost in the violence.
Civic Life
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Former Dodgers star and Republican Steve Garvey enters U.S. Senate race
Garvey, a former All-Star first baseman for the Dodgers, could upend the race to fill the U.S. Senate seat held by the late Dianne Feinstein since 1992.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
‘I want to reassure the public,’ parklets and outdoor dining are staying in Santa Cruz
The City of Santa Cruz does not want to remove any of the outdoor dining spaces that popped up during the pandemic. Quite the contrary, says Bonnie Lipscomb, Santa Cruz’s economic development director. The city wants to help restaurants keep the parklets and outdoor dining options and transition from temporary to permanent permits. The process can take time, she says, but the city is working to streamline it. The ultimate goal, she says, is to keep these spaces open long-term and keep dining outdoors safe and accessible to all.
Posted inLatest News
Zionism conference sparks heated debate at UCSC and among community groups
On Friday, Santa Cruz’s Resource Center for Nonviolence hosts a conference organized by the newly formed Institute for the Critical Study of Zionism. About 100 academics from UC Santa Cruz and across the country will discuss issues of Israel’s statehood and its treatment of Palestinians. The conference has caused a wide schism on campus and beyond, with the UCSC administration distancing itself from the event. Some academics say the conference is a legitimate “study of Zionist institutions,” while others argue it is “foundationally and irrevocably antisemitic.”
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Petition to cap Santa Cruz building height has enough signatures to qualify for March ballot, organizers say
Organizers of a petition to give voters the power to approve tall buildings in the city of Santa Cruz say they have gathered enough signatures to place a measure on the March primary ballot. The initiative from the group known as Housing for People would require voter approval for proposed new developments that exceed current zoning limits and would enforce affordable housing requirements in large multi-family projects. The initiative comes in response to a downtown expansion plan that sparked controversy with its proposal for 12-story buildings.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
I have worked for Native Animal Rescue for seven years — calls have exploded since 2021
Native Animal Rescue of Santa Cruz County makes close to 3,000 rescues a year — nearly double what it did as little as two years ago. Here, Amy Red Feather, the agency’s wildlife supervisor, makes a plea to humans to be more careful of other species. She also takes us through the recent rescue of a Seabright pelican who got her foot hooked and tangled in a fishing line.
Posted inEducation
Biden canceled billions more dollars in student loans. Here’s what you need to know
The Biden administration announced an additional $9 billion in student debt relief, part of fixes to income-driven repayment plans and public service loan forgiveness.
Posted inLatest News
Kaiser Permanente strike will affect Santa Cruz County through Friday
On Wednesday, tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente employees in California walked out on the job for the first of a three-day strike against the health care provider, protesting what employees feel are unmet concerns over staffing and wages.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Cabrillo College name needs to change, trustee Steve Trujillo writes — it’s the right thing to do
School leaders have put off a vote on the Cabrillo College name change until at least 2028. But Steve Trujillo, a trustee, thinks this is a mistake and wants the name removed. “To say Cabrillo was merely exploring is laughable,” he writes.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Watsonville downtown planning, Onewheel recall & small biz resources
In her weekly roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community, Jessica M. Pasko details Watsonville’s Downtown Specific Plan ahead of a city council vote and notes a recall affecting Santa Cruz-made electric skateboards, plus milestones for local businesses, dates to save and more.