In his final roundup of the 2023-24 academic year, Thomas Frey looks at where Santa Cruz County stars across the high school sports landscape will be continuing their careers at the next level.
Today’s Top Story
A significant story with interest across the county
The man standing between Santa Cruz County and $10 million in new sales tax funds
Santa Cruz County’s Measure K was meant to bring in millions of new sales tax revenue, a bright spot in a looming budget crisis. However, a new lawsuit from Boulder Creek resident Bruce Holloway has thrown that money into limbo.
Dozens arrested as police descend on pro-Palestine encampment at UCSC
By Friday morning, roughly 100 police officers from as far away as Modesto, Sacramento and San Francisco, along with officers from the Santa Cruz Police Department and California Highway Patrol, remained on campus Friday morning as about 200 protesters continued to block access to the school’s main entrance. UCSC said about 80 protesters had been arrested.
Santa Cruz County housing market takes another leap as summer draws closer
Santa Cruz County’s housing market saw another jump in activity in April, picking up where it left off following a March surge. Sales and prices rose in April compared to March, and homes were on the market for less time than they were a year ago. Local real estate agents say this time of the […]
Protesters blockade UCSC entrances as classes head back online through Thursday
Pro-Palestine protesters blocked both entrances to the UC Santa Cruz campus on Tuesday, continuing their monthslong push for UCSC to divest from weapons-manufacturing companies and cut ties with organizations associated with Israel. The university sent out a statement Tuesday evening, saying that instruction will be online through at least Thursday.
With few options under California’s new housing reality, Santa Cruz neighbors, city council gird for vote on Food Bin project
Neighbors disagree with the project, and city councilmembers have criticized developer Workbench’s approach to the five-story, 59-unit redevelopment of the Food Bin. But neither is likely to stand in the way of the project in California’s new era of state-mandated housing development.
One of Santa Cruz’s most recognizable Victorian houses hits the market on the Westside
A historic, unique painted lady Victorian house is for sale for the first time in nearly 50 years. George Ow Jr. and his wife, Gail Michaelis-Ow, have owned it since 1975, but the home has stood at its Highland Avenue location since the late 1800s, withstanding two massive earthquakes and many drastic changes within the Santa Cruz community.
‘Field of Dreams’ in reverse: How an unused baseball diamond could become a farm for Live Oak School District
A team of educators, farmers and activists is working to transform an unused baseball field on the Del Mar Elementary School campus in Live Oak into a farm for the district. The farm would grow food for the district’s nutrition program, educate students on agriculture and food production, and serve as a community hub. The project has been approved by the district and is currently seeking funding.
Wildlife groups seek county’s financial help for starving pelicans as number of sick birds declines
The number of sick and injured brown pelicans in Santa Cruz County has decreased quite a bit in recent weeks, but International Bird Rescue in Fairfield is still busy finishing rehabilitation for birds from all over the state, including locally. The organization, along with Native Animal Rescue of Santa Cruz County, is requesting additional funding from the county to help with costs associated with caring for the influx of ailing pelicans.
Pacific Station North affordable housing project breaks ground in downtown Santa Cruz
Along with Pacific Station South, Pacific Station North will bring the total number of new units on the corner of Pacific Avenue and Laurel Street to just shy of 200 by the end of 2026. The city celebrated its groundbreaking Monday as it prepares to open up Pacific Station South to tenants by the summer.

