Writer, podcaster and big-wave surfer Kyle Thiermann has written his first book, which serves as both a memoir of growing up in the surf community in Santa Cruz and a practical guide in getting to know your parents better.
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A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inFood & Drink
Food aid resumes after shutdown, but Santa Cruz County faces bigger challenges ahead
Federal food assistance has resumed for thousands of Santa Cruz County residents after a shutdown-related disruption in early November, with local agencies scrambling to fill gaps through pop-up food pantries and expanded food bank operations.
Posted inLatest News
With atmospheric river soaking region, Santa Cruz County under wind and flood advisory through Thursday afternoon
An atmospheric river drenching much of California since Wednesday night had dropped several inches of rain and brought gusty winds and minor urban flooding to parts of Santa Cruz County as of Thursday afternoon.
Posted inLatest News
Packages, family letters and social security: Inside the final months of a tiny Santa Cruz mail room that provides a lifeline for the homeless
In a room barely larger than a cubicle, 1,710 lives intersect through benefits, letters from family, bulletin boards and daily routines. The Housing Matters’ mail room reveals how something as simple as a physical address can underpin survival and dignity for the region’s unhoused. The mail room is slated to close in March, along with other day services at the Coral Street campus. Local officials are racing to find a replacement.
Posted inHousing & Development
Live Oak neighbors appeal approval of 57-unit Capitola Road project, challenge use of state’s ‘builder’s remedy’ law
Residents near a proposed Capitola Road apartment complex led by local developer Workbench are appealing the Santa Cruz County planning commission’s approval of the project, arguing the builder can’t take advantage of state laws to override local control.
Posted inEducation
Pajaro Valley Unified school board to discuss plan to cut more than 160 positions at Wednesday meeting
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District board will discuss a proposal Wednesday to eliminate more than 160 positions — including counselors, teachers, mental health clinicians and special education staff — in an effort to address a $15.3 million budget shortfall tied to declining enrollment and the loss of pandemic-era funding.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville City Council wants more say in county’s battery storage ordinance
As Santa Cruz County officials work on battery storage facility regulations, members of the Watsonville City Council say they want their concerns to be heard.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Santa Cruz’s John Malkin explores the spiritual underpinnings of punk rock in new book ‘Punk Spirit!’
Santa Cruz journalist, filmmaker and musician John Malkin brings together two unlikely subjects, punk rock and spirituality, in his new oral history, “Punk Spirit!” The book explores the many religious/spiritual traditions that punk musicians have embraced, as well as the spiritual dimensions of art, music and activism.
Posted inFood & Drink
Second Harvest adding sites, doubling volunteer shifts as demand for food surges after pause in SNAP benefits
With a pause in food assistance benefits driving thousands of Santa Cruz County residents to seek help, Second Harvest Food Bank and its partners have doubled volunteer shifts to pack grocery boxes, plan to expand pickup locations and received more than $1 million in community support.
Posted inHousing & Development
Election 2025: Santa Cruz affordable housing advocates celebrate win on Measure C
Santa Cruz voters have approved Measure C, the housing advocate-supported ballot initiative, with more than 53% of the vote, while the competing Measure B, supported by local real estate interests, failed with just 11.9%. County officials continue counting ballots, with the next update on Friday at 4 p.m.