The California Energy Commission has determined that an application from Massachusetts-based developer New Leaf Energy for its proposed battery storage facility located in Watsonville is incomplete following a 30-day review. The state energy commission finished its initial review of New Leaf’s application on July 8. It determined that the developers need additional information for more […]
Government
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Housing Santa Cruz County should disclose its ties to Workbench: the public deserves transparency
Who builds affordable housing in Santa Cruz County — and who decides which projects and policies deserve public support? After examining tax filings, annual reports and public records, local activist Kevin Norton says he uncovered organizational relationships that many residents may not know exist. He argues the findings raise important questions about transparency, governance and public trust in a housing system under enormous pressure.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Tony Nuñez unseats incumbent Felipe Hernandez in District 4 county supervisor race
Tony Nuñez, a longtime community leader and former journalist, has unseated incumbent Felipe Hernandez in the District 4 county supervisor race. This is the first time in recent memory that a challenger has defeated an incumbent in the primary for this race.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County arts community mourns ‘life without color’ in protest of proposed budget cuts
Following a nearly two-hour discussion and after hearing from the county’s arts community Wednesday, Santa Cruz County supervisors delayed their approval of the parks department budget, which included a proposed cut in arts funding to local organizations.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
District 4 county supervisor race: Nuñez maintains narrow majority; run-off still possible
Tony Nuñez continues to hold a narrow majority in the District 4 Board of Supervisors race, maintaining a lead over incumbent Felipe Hernandez, but there still is a possibility for a November run-off if Nuñez dips below 50%.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County scrambles to close public defender funding gap after supervisors split on cost-cutting plan
In a tough budget year, Santa Cruz County is proposing to create an alternate public defender’s office to help reduce costs and maintain its holistic defense model, which connects clients with social workers and services. The move, however, would end a longstanding contract with a local law firm.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County joins California lawsuit against proposed federal ICE site near Gilroy
Santa Cruz County is joining a lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Santa Clara County seeking to block a planned federal immigration facility near Gilroy.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Supervisors move forward with ballot measure strengthening offshore drilling ordinance
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is moving forward with a November ballot measure to make changes to an ordinance that requires voters to approve any onshore facility of over 20,000 square feet that supports offshore drilling operations.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Why did County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez take a campaign sign that wasn’t his own?
Felipe Hernandez, incumbent for the District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor seat, is facing allegations of removing one of his opponent’s campaign signs, just a week before the June 2 primary election.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
¿Por qué el supervisor del condado Felipe Hernández tomó un letrero de campaña que no era suyo?
Felipe Hernández, actual supervisor del Distrito 4 del Condado de Santa Cruz, enfrenta acusaciones de haber retirado un letrero de campaña de uno de sus oponentes, a solo una semana de las elecciones primarias del 2 de junio.
