Stephen Homan came out of retirement as an environmental health specialist to help a Santa Cruz County neighbor struggling to rebuild from 2020’s CZU fire. He ended up helping 50 CZU fire survivors whose rebuilds were held up by poorly understood septic regulations and improperly applied environmental health ordinances. His efforts would ultimately help lead to a near sea change in the process, making it better for everyone. And he did it all for free. Daniel DeLong marvels at Homan’s humanity — and, nearly three years after the fires started, takes a few jabs at bureaucracy and incompetence.
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Posted inArts & Entertainment, Events
Weekender: Sedaris sighting, a ‘Shrew’d summer move, Sleepy John signing off & trivia night
Hi friends, Apparently, the whole country is melting like cheese toast under the broiler, except for a thin band along the Pacific coast. Years ago, it might have been fun to gloat at such a ridiculous situation, but no more. We are witnessing another slow-motion tragedy. Enjoy the mild summer, but think of those who […]
Posted inCity Life
Santa Cruz mural lovers, bookmark this site
Santa Cruz’s mural scene has blossomed in recent years, and local Greg Rose has taken it upon himself to catalog and map them out in all their glory at a website dedicated to the county’s bounty.
Posted inCity Life
Don’t sleep on Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s ‘Shrew’ this summer
Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s 2023 season is in full swing, but with high-profile productions of “King Lear” and “The Book of Will” also on the slate, it would be easy to overlook “The Taming of the Shrew.” That would be a mistake, Wallace Baine writes.
Posted inCity Life
Sleepy John Sandidge prepares for ‘Please Stand By’ swan song
KPIG’s “Please Stand By” has brought touring and local musicians to perform live on the two-hour Sunday morning radio show dating back 35 years, and Sleepy John Sandidge has big things in store for Aug. 6, his last turn behind the mic at 107.5 FM.
Posted inLatest News
Morning Lookout: Child care crisis, a decorated young inventor & Boulder Creek water lawsuit
In a lawsuit filed last week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office said it has lost confidence in the owners…
Posted inLatest News
California will cap hundreds of orphaned oil wells, some long suspected of causing illness
Improperly abandoned wells can leak methane and potentially leak harmful chemicals into groundwater. State regulators will begin by closing more than 370 wells.
Posted inLatest News
116 degrees at night: Death Valley’s extreme heat goes off the charts from climate change
Death Valley, one of the most extreme places on the planet, is already seeing the impact of climate change, with summers even hotter than usual.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
After years of problems, state looks to put Boulder Creek water utility into different hands
In a lawsuit filed last week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office said it has lost confidence in the owners of Big Basin Water Company and wants to put the private utility into receivership until it can figure out its finances and provide adequate service to its customers.
Posted inK-12 Education
Santa Cruz fourth grader wins national invention competition with a backpack for forgetful students
Challenged to find a way to stop from losing his water bottles at school, 10-year-old Aarav Patel of Santa Cruz invented the CheckPak, loaded with tracking devices and enough lights and gizmos to keep the most forgetful student on their toes. And despite a late misfire, the backpack won the fourth grade division at the national Invention Convention competition in Dearborn, Michigan in June.