A crime ring that had the local cannabis industry on edge has been arrested, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced in a news conference Thursday in Santa Cruz County. The group was responsible for more than $1 million in stolen product from cannabis businesses since August 2023.
Government
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Panetta proposal becomes a pillar of Kamala Harris’ plans to transform housing
Vice President Kamala Harris is championing assistance for first-time homebuyers as a foundation of her presidential campaign’s economic policy. It’s based in part on legislation authored by Santa Cruz County’s congressman, Rep. Jimmy Panetta.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz will pay stipend to volunteer board members
Beginning in January, volunteers who serve on city advisory boards in Santa Cruz will be paid a stipend of $75 a meeting. It’s part of an effort to increase participation from historically underrepresented groups, including Latinx residents and renters.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
As new boss is named, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office rejects report critical of jail conditions
In June, the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury published a highly critical investigation into the conditions and mental health care inside the county’s jails. On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office submitted its formal response to the investigation, disputing nearly all of its findings.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Chris Clark appointed Santa Cruz County sheriff, praised as progressive
In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors appointed Undersheriff Chris Clark to succeed retiring Sheriff Jim Hart in December. Clark will serve a rare four-year “interim” term without going to voters because of a recent statewide realignment in sheriff election cycles.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz-based group will stop insuring California’s foster agencies over sex abuse liability
Santa Cruz-based Nonprofits Insurance Alliance, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit insurance firms, announced it would drop all California foster family agencies from its policies as they face increased risk from lawsuits over sexual abuse and neglect. The move comes after a failed attempt to pass state legislation that would limit their liability from such claims.
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Santa Cruz County’s next sheriff will serve 4 years before going before voters
The job of sheriff in Santa Cruz County is officially an elected position, and one with vast power and autonomy over law enforcement, corrections and public health and safety response. But longtime Sheriff Jim Hart’s decision to retire with four years remaining on his term means his successor will serve for four years before going before voters. All signs point to that person being Hart’s chosen successor, Undersheriff Chris Clark. If appointed by county supervisors, Clark would be the first Santa Cruz County sheriff in at least the last 50 years to earn a full, four-year term without an election.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Judge won’t block Santa Cruz soda tax ballot language former candidate says is misleading
Former Santa Cruz City Council candidate Hector Marin says he’s appealing a judge’s dismissal of his lawsuit challenging the wording of November ballot language for a proposed city sugary drink tax. He claims that a list of potential uses for revenue from the tax that will appear on the ballot — youth and senior programs, for example — is misleading because it will actually be considered general fund revenue that could be used for any city expense.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz Mayor Keeley says he is cancer-free after a year of treatments
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley was diagnosed with bladder cancer in July 2023. One year of treatments later, he said he is officially cancer-free. The 74-year-old mayor didn’t miss a single Tuesday city council meeting over the course of his treatment and recovery.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
New Santa Cruz assistant city manager brings climate action experience
Santa Cruz’s new assistant city manager is a city native who comes to the job with experience in implementing numerous climate action and environmental initiatives. Michelle Templeton was previously assistant city manager in Santa Clara, holds a degree in environmental studies, and “has managed collaboration across all city departments to achieve sustainability and climate action […]