Santa Cruz Local

Santa Cruz Local Santa Cruz Local is a local news organization in Santa Cruz, Calif. We produce fair and accurate journalism that holds power to account.

We value integrity, transparency, public trust, and quality over quantity. We aim for truth, depth, context, and analysis, not virality, online engagement and speed.

Thank you to our readers for your strong support in our December fundraising drive. Because of you, we're growing our st...
01/23/2025

Thank you to our readers for your strong support in our December fundraising drive. Because of you, we're growing our staff to engage young people in local civic life.

Applications are open now for a photo and social media journalist to support our goal of dramatically increasing civic engagement in Santa Cruz County by helping lead our new Instagram-first news product for students.

Do you know of any photo journalists, social media managers, or photographers who might be interested in full-time journalism work in Santa Cruz County?

You can check out more details about the role here: https://santacruzlocal.org/jobs/photo-and-social-media-journalist/

Voters in San Lorenzo Valley Water District in November will decide whether to reverse a recent water bill hike and cap ...
11/03/2024

Voters in San Lorenzo Valley Water District in November will decide whether to reverse a recent water bill hike and cap some future charges with .

Supporters of the voter-initiated Measure U said it would save ratepayers money. Opponents — including multiple district board members — said its passage would halt or greatly limit badly needed water system repairs.

The district includes Ben Lomond, Zayante and parts of Boulder Creek, Scotts Valley and Felton.

How are you voting? What do you think should happen with the measure?

Still deciding? Learn more with our free local election guide 👇

https://santacruzlocal.org/election/2024-nov-05/measure-u/

Voters in the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District will consider approval of $24.5 million in bonds with Measure S in ...
11/03/2024

Voters in the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District will consider approval of $24.5 million in bonds with Measure S in the Nov. 5 election.

Measure S bond money could be used to:

- Repair the existing fire stations or build a new one.
- Repair or replace Scotts Valley Fire administrative offices.
- Buy land for a new station or administrative offices

How are you voting on ? Not sure yet? Visit our free election guide for key voter info 👇

https://santacruzlocal.org/election/2024-nov-05/measure-s/

Voters in the Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County will decide whether to approve $221 million in bonds with Measu...
11/02/2024

Voters in the Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County will decide whether to approve $221 million in bonds with Measure R in the Nov. 5 election.

The district includes much of mid-Santa Cruz County, including Capitola, Soquel, Aptos, Live Oak, La Selva Beach and Rio Del Mar.

The money could be used to:

- Build or repair fire stations in Soquel, Capitola and La Selva Beach.
- Buy land for new or relocated fire stations.
- Build or repair department staff offices, training rooms and other facilities.
- Buy land for, and construct, a training facility for firefighters and other first responders.
- Buy fire engines and other equipment.

How are you voting? Need more info? Visit our election guide for more info on 👇
https://santacruzlocal.org/election/2024-nov-05/measure-r/

Voters in Scotts Valley Unified School District will decide whether to approve $85 million in bonds for new playgrounds,...
11/02/2024

Voters in Scotts Valley Unified School District will decide whether to approve $85 million in bonds for new playgrounds, infrastructure repairs, multipurpose rooms and sports facilities at the district’s four schools.

The school district serves more than 2,100 students and covers the city of Scotts Valley and some surrounding areas.

How are you voting? Or need more info still? Visit our election guide on 👇

https://santacruzlocal.org/election/2024-nov-05/measure-o/

Voters in Live Oak School District will consider whether to approve $45 million in bonds with Measure N in the Nov. 5, 2...
11/02/2024

Voters in Live Oak School District will consider whether to approve $45 million in bonds with Measure N in the Nov. 5, 2024 election.

The money would help the school district build housing for school district employees. It could buy land or build or improve classrooms, playgrounds and utilities.

How are you voting? Let us know in the comments!

👉 Or visit our election guide for more voter info on : https://santacruzlocal.org/election/2024-nov-05/measure-n/

Voters in Pajaro Valley Unified School District will decide whether to approve $315 million in bonds in the Nov. 5 elect...
11/02/2024

Voters in Pajaro Valley Unified School District will decide whether to approve $315 million in bonds in the Nov. 5 election to help repair and upgrade the district’s 35 schools.

The money would go towards school facilities, potential teacher housing, and expanded technology programs. The school district serves more than 17,000 across much of South Santa Cruz County and part of Monterey County.

Will you be voting for or against Measure M?

Haven't decided? Check out our local election guide with all your questions answered on 👇
https://santacruzlocal.org/election/2024-nov-05/measure-m/

If voters pass Measure Z, the city of Santa Cruz could collect about $1.3 million annually from soda distributors. If th...
11/01/2024

If voters pass Measure Z, the city of Santa Cruz could collect about $1.3 million annually from soda distributors. If the full cost of the tax is passed on to shoppers, a 12-ounce soda would cost 24 cents more and a 12-pack, $2.88 more.

The tax would apply to sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, slushies, sweetened teas, most kombuchas and some iced teas and coconut waters.

Proponents have said the tax would nudge people towards healthier drinks and raise money for parks and public health programs. Opponents have said the tax is unfair to lower-income shoppers.

How are you voting? Share in the comments!

Haven't decided yet? Read our in-depth local election guide with all your questions answered on ! 👇

https://santacruzlocal.org/election/2024-nov-05/measure-z/

City council members, county supervisors and local measures are up for your vote in this year's local ballot.Are you reg...
09/19/2024

City council members, county supervisors and local measures are up for your vote in this year's local ballot.

Are you registered to vote? View how in our link in bio or visit our brand new, all-free Santa Cruz County election guide to get you ready for election day.

➡️ Or visit our election guide directly at santacruzlocal.org/election

Do you know how you're voting this election season? 🤔 The 20-somethings on our team are working on something special: An...
09/10/2024

Do you know how you're voting this election season? 🤔

The 20-somethings on our team are working on something special: An election guide for student voters who attend Cabrillo and other Santa Cruz County universities and schools. Follow us to get all the information you need about local elections this Nov :)

No more Trump and Harris: Just local candidates' stances on rent, climate, transit, and more.

Tag a friend who might be interested 🙏 Or let us know the issues you care about!

09/09/2024

Eighty apartments are proposed at a vacant lot at Soquel Avenue and Cayuga Street in Santa Cruz. (Workbench) Join on Zoom or by calling 669-444-9171 meeting ID 810 9843 4200. Submit comments

09/07/2024

The California Coastal Commission is set to decide whether a planned hotel at Front and Laurel streets in Santa Cruz will include some lower-cost rooms. (BCV Architecture + Interiors) Attend at Portola Plaza Hotel, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey. To comment by Zoom or phone, submit a request

09/06/2024

Un terreno al final de la calle Gonda es el sitio donde se propone construir un complejo de viviendas para 248 campesinos temporales. Al lado del sitio es un proyecto construido recientemente con vivienda para 360 campesinos temporales. (Fidel M. Soto — Noticias Watsonville) PAJARO >> Se ha propue...

09/06/2024

Measure U on the Nov. 5 ballot measure would repeal a recent charge in San Lorenzo Valley Water District and cap some future increases. Repairs recently began on a pipeline near Ben Lomond that was severely damaged in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. (San Lorenzo Valley Water District) BOULDER CREEK....

09/03/2024

A housing project at 2838 Park Ave. in Soquel is supposed to finish in early 2025. (Tyler Maldonado — Santa Cruz Local file) SOQUEL >> Construction appeared to stall for several weeks this summer at a 36-unit permanent supportive housing complex at 2838 Park Ave. in Soquel, but a representative

09/03/2024

Una vista del centro de Watsonville. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local) WATSONVILLE >> Cada mes Noticias Watsonville publica eventos locales con el fin de servirles mejor. Este mes de septiembre, hay eventos programados cerca del Valle de Pajaro incluyendo Watsonville, Salinas, Pajaro y Aptos. ¿...

08/30/2024

County boards and commissions help advise the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. (Marcello Hutchinson-Trujillo — Santa Cruz Local file) SANTA CRUZ >> Have ideas to improve Santa Cruz County? Residents can now apply to have a direct line to Santa Cruz city and county leaders — and get paid

08/30/2024

A five-building housing complex is proposed at Thurber Lane and Soquel Drive. (Jesse Kathan — Santa Cruz Local file) Many Live Oak residents have objected to a proposed affordable housing development on Soquel Drive and Thurber Lane with concerns that the five-building apartment complex is too lar...

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🤔 Who cares about Trump and Harris - County Supervisors make decisions that impact our day-to-day lives in areas like policing, housing and roads. Do you know who's running to be your county supervisor? Link in our bio to learn more. Drop questions below 👀 or follow us on Instagram for more: https://instagram.com/watsonvilleelectionguide #watsonville #capitola #santacruzcounty #norcal #centralcoast #visitcalifornia

¿Estás registrada/o/e para votar? Las elecciones de Watsonville son este noviembre, y el poder de influir en el alquiler, el tráfico, el cambio climático, y las cuestiones de inmigración están en la boleta electoral. Regístrese para votar en el siguiente enlace! 👇 https://linktr.ee/watsonvilleelectionguide #watsonville #santacruz #vivienda #votación #watsonvilleelectionguide

Our team spent the summer talking to fellow students about what's hardest for them about life in Santa Cruz County. We heard a lot of us care about the cost of rent, traffic, climate change, and immigration issues ✍️ Local candidates are running for office this Nov. and have direct control over how these issues impact us. We're going to press them on these issues + report back to you with their answers. Follow along for more! What are your top issues this election season? Tell us in the comments below. #santacruz #watsonville #voting #santacruzcounty #watsonvilleelectionguide

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In the next three months, we want to investigate what’s being done to address homelessness in Santa Cruz County. We want to look at programs that have shown promise at addressing homelessness in other parts of California. We want to understand how those approaches work, examine their limitations and share insights. We’ve heard from hundreds of Santa Cruz County residents that solving homelessness is their top priority. We’ve planned this series because of you. This kind of deep, community-informed, solutions-focused journalism takes time, and it’s expensive. We need to raise $10,000 by July 30 to start our reporting. We're thrilled to announce that one day in to our fundraising drive, we've raised more than $3,200 toward our $10,000 goal! THANK YOU! 🙌🏾🎉 We're well on our way, but we still need your help. Will you donate to Santa Cruz Local today? https://santacruzlocal.org/donate/

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