Trans and nonbinary people and their allies came together on Wednesday night to mark Trans Day of Remembrance to honor transgender people who died at the hand of violence over the past year. Speakers at the event included state Sen. John Laird, Cabrillo College trustee Adam Spickler and local NAACP president Elaine Johnson.
Today’s Top Story
A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inHousing & Development
A made-over proposal for 831 Water Street has emerged and is seeking input
At 831 Water Street, a revamped proposal for 140 income-restricted units has reignited a debate over local control that has become all too familiar in the city of Santa Cruz.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz County readies for first major rain of season as atmospheric river heads for California
As the first atmospheric river of the season heads toward California, Santa Cruz County can expect an onslaught of rain and some minor flooding for the next five days. The National Weather Service anticipates up to 1.5 inches of rain will fall at the height of the storm.
Posted inEducation
Meet the ‘next Lin-Manuel Miranda’ — a Mountain Elementary 4th grader
On Thursday evening, Mountain Elementary School’s fourth grade class will be performing a musical about the building of the transcontinental railroad. While the school’s students perform a play every year, this one is different. The school’s principal thinks this will be the first time they perform a musical written entirely by a student.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Activists, grand jury want Santa Cruz County to get more involved in how pesticides are used
Local activists and Santa Cruz County’s civil grand jury are pressuring county officials to exercise more control over regulating pesticide applications, in addition to having better communication with South County officials and residents.
Posted inEducation
‘It’s terrifying. It’s like an apocalypse’: Pacific Collegiate School students march against Trump
A senior at Pacific Collegiate School, Zero Pabich felt horrible after the news of Donald Trump’s victory last week. So the day after the election, Pabich said they began organizing a protest to show that young people will continue fighting to protect the rights of marginalized communities.
Posted inAptos
As the Bayview Hotel changes hands, its memories — and its ghosts — will live on in its next life
After more than 20 years, the historic former Bayview Hotel in Aptos Village will be under new ownership. As a sale approaches that could restore the vacant building to a working hotel, one of the current owners’ daughters is planning a farewell event and garage sale this weekend while reflecting on her fondest memories of the building, as well as its supernatural quirks.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘I hope for the 1960s’: Republicans in Santa Cruz County come out of hiding after Trump’s victory
In the heart of liberal Santa Cruz County, an unlikely gathering of Donald Trump supporters came together on Election Night. After Trump’s second ascendancy to the White House, local conservatives and Trump supporters say they don’t want to hide anymore. Meanwhile, residents in the LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities gird for the second term of a president who has targeted them constantly.
Posted inEducation
After election, Santa Cruz County school leaders affirm rights of immigrant, LGBTQ+ communities
Santa Cruz County education leaders say there’s a feeling of anxiety among many families in the wake of Donald Trump’s presidential victory. To immigrant and LGBTQ+ families, they say they’ll uphold and protect their rights.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
After Trump win, leaders say they’ll protect Santa Cruz County’s immigrants
In the wake of Donald Trump’s victory Tuesday, a broad coalition of public and private sector leaders, including county officials, law enforcement, health care leaders and educators, is pledging to protect Santa Cruz County’s immigrants. In Watsonville, nonprofit organizations are beginning to navigate the potential impacts a second Trump presidency could have on the city’s large undocumented population and how they’ll reassure the community the next four years.