Nearly 50 juvenile brown pelicans have been rescued in Santa Cruz County since April 13. Scientists aren’t entirely sure why the birds are struggling but speculate that toxic algae blooms in Southern California are sickening parent birds, forcing inexperienced juveniles to hunt for themselves when they venture north. It’s the third mass starvation event since the start of the decade.
Today’s Top Story
A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inHousing & Development
As costs soar and investors hesitate, some Santa Cruz County housing projects remain in limbo
A slowdown in groundbreaking for major housing developments around Santa Cruz County can likely be attributed to supply chain issues and rising interest rates on construction loans, rather than solely economic uncertainty at the federal level — although that is a factor, too. Developers and planners continue to grapple with a rapidly shifting economy as they prepare for thousands of new residents.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz plans to rescind ordinance in exchange for rent cap agreement to settle federal lawsuit with downtown landlord
The City of Santa Cruz will rescind the rent cap on housing developments with expiring rental agreements, but with the understanding that the owners of the St. George Residences downtown will still abide by the cap.
Posted inEducation
Pajaro Valley Unified School District board rejects censure of trustee Gabe Medina
In a 4-2 vote Wednesday night, Pajaro Valley Unified School District trustees rejected a resolution to censure trustee Gabe Medina over inflammatory remarks and previous behavior.
Posted inLatest News
Longtime Santa Cruz resident’s immigration detention sparks protests ahead of court hearing in Washington state
Family, friends and fellow union members plan to rally in support of detained Santa Cruz resident and green card holder Cliona Ward at the Santa Cruz County courthouse Wednesday morning. Ward was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials at San Francisco International Airport on April 21.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Empty space: Why some downtown Santa Cruz storefronts stay dark for years
Despite new business openings in downtown Santa Cruz, several high-profile storefronts on Pacific Avenue — including the former homes of Palace Art and Peet’s Coffee — have sat vacant for years, raising questions about barriers to revitalization. City leaders hope a proposed “vibrancy ordinance” will push property owners to lease long-empty spaces, but high renovation costs, permitting delays and market mismatches continue to stall progress.
Posted inEducation
Parents protest as English-only students at dual-language Live Oak Elementary forced to switch schools
Parents at Live Oak Elementary School feel blindsided by the district’s “sudden” decision to move third and fourth grade students in the English-only strand to Del Mar Elementary starting next school year. Superintendent Pat Sánchez said the choice was made to solve staffing issues across the district.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz’s housing boom sees ‘significant slowdown’ as economic fears deepen
Santa Cruz County is facing multiple economic challenges, local leaders warned at an economic conference Thursday, as housing developments stall, UCSC grapples with federal funding cuts and government agencies prepare for a potential recession amid immigration concerns.
Posted inLatest News
Judge modifies warrant in UCSC protester phone seizure case
A judge ordered that the date range of a warrant that gave UC Santa Cruz police full access to a student protester’s cellphone be narrowed and that no text or email correspondence with her attorneys can be seized. The attorney for third-year student Laaila Irshad called it “an important win.”
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘This doesn’t end here’: Proposed layoffs, program cuts set off fight between the county and its largest union
As Santa Cruz County considers health department layoffs and service cuts, community members and staff warn of serious consequences — including risks to suicide prevention and recovery programs — setting the stage for a contentious budget process this June.