Shasta County ditched its Dominion voting machines based on unfounded claims of fraud. The state then banned hand-counting ballots after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, a former Santa Cruz County clerk.
Civic Life
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
I don’t want to lose my south of Laurel home and hotel to a new Warriors stadium — here’s my solution
Joe Quigg owns the Pacific Blue Inn south of Laurel Street in downtown Santa Cruz and was horrified to see a model of his hotel and attached condo demolished in a city plan to build a new Warriors arena. He shares his thoughts on his neighborhood, his frustration with the city for not contacting him about the plan, and offers his idea for building housing and an arena.
Posted inEnvironment
A river runs through Bakersfield? Judge rules the Kern River must be allowed to flow
Conservation groups sued to try to prevent the Kern River from running dry in Bakersfield. A judge ordered the city to ensure water remains in the river.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Bad news for crab fleet, downtown food boom & numbers to know
In her weekly roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community, Jessica M. Pasko talks to local fishermen about yet another delayed start to the Dungeness crab season, the latest openings and closings across the region and a $325,000 price tag for a fencing company that is up for sale.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Dungeness crab season delayed again this year, another blow to Santa Cruz fishing industry
Commercial Dungeness crab season had been set to open Nov. 15, but amid concerns about whale safety that have delayed the season in recent years, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife has pushed it back to at least Dec. 1. “For many fishermen, this means there’s no income right now,” one veteran says, “and they’re hanging by the threads.”
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
In Watsonville, farmworkers, students and activists demand state reduce pesticide use, boost organic farming
Students, farmworkers and doctors urged the state’s Department of Pesticide Regulation to restrict the use of harmful pesticides and push farmers to adopt organic practices during a gathering Monday in Watsonville. Residents shared personal stories of health issues, calling for greater protection for farmworkers and their communities. Some speakers drove from hundreds of miles away to participate in the meeting. The department will consider public comments before finalizing a new strategic plan.
Posted inLatest News
Attorney for Michael Cheek appeals to California Supreme Court to speed up violent predator’s overdue release
Convicted sexually violent predator Michael Cheek’s long-awaited release continues to face roadblocks. Although Cheek has been cleared for release since 2019, state contractor Liberty Healthcare Corporation has been unable to secure housing him in Santa Cruz County. Cheek’s attorney says he is now appealing to the California Supreme Court for assistance.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A contractor’s voice: I am worried about the quality and sustainability of new downtown buildings
Lee Brokaw has worked in construction for 42 years, 36 as a licensed contractor, and is highly critical of the building happening in downtown Santa Cruz. “For me, it makes no sense to build anything that won’t last 100 years,” he writes. He thinks contractors are building too quickly and worries they are not using high-quality materials.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Opinion: Nothing has prepared me for the antisemitism I see on college campuses now
College officials may might being perceived as taking sides in the Israel-Hamas conflict, but it is wrong to confuse condemning antisemitism with ignoring the plight of the Palestinians, writes Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
‘Not just for old people’: Two Santa Cruzans to represent U.S. at international lawn bowling championship
Two Santa Cruz lawn bowlers are heading to England in January to represent the U.S. in the World Bowls Indoor Championship. They say that while the game is “easy to learn, it’s hard to master,” and expect some extraordinarily stiff competition overseas. Meanwhile, they look to bring more people of all ages to Santa Cruz’s lawn bowling green to foster local interest and keep the likelihood of the bowling green remaining through San Lorenzo Park’s redesign.