Santa Cruz Local

Costs are mounting to repair main access bridge in Bonnie Brier, with residents still cutoff

Boulder Creek Community has one way in and one way out after a after a rainstorm in 2025 washed away part of Lanktree Lane in ...
Santa Cruz Local

How Big Soda nearly killed Measure Z in Santa Cruz

Measure Z in Santa Cruz flies in the face of a 2018 state ban against grocery taxes approved under duress from beverage ...
Santa Cruz Local

A decade ago, a soda tax effort fizzled in Watsonville. Advocates blame Big Beverage.

An investigation by Santa Cruz Local and Lighthouse Reports examines strategies by beverage companies to fight soda tax in ...
Santa Cruz Local

How to apply for a Measure C parcel tax exemption in Santa Cruz

Applications for an exemption tot he Measure C parcel tax are due by July 24. Eligible homeowners must provide income and residence documents.
santacruzlocal

Appeal expected after judge rules in city’s favor in soda tax lawsuit

The No on Z campaign mailed fliers to Santa Cruz voters, sent people door to door and blanketed social media and TV with advertisements ahead of the Nov. 5, 2024 election. (Photo collage by Jesse ...
santacruzlocal

Capitola affordable housing advances, construction expected by November

A proposal for 52 homes at 1098 38th Ave. could be constructed by May 2028. (Tyler Maldonado — Santa Cruz Local file) CAPITOLA >> A proposal for 52 below-market-rate homes beside the Santa Cruz Branch ...
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‘We’re going to keep escalating’: Dominican Hospital nurses decry proposed layoffs

Nurses and their supporters hold an informational picket at Dominican Hospital on June 30. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local) LIVE OAK >> Dominican Hospital nurses rallied in front of ...
santacruzlocal

As Felton Fire faces mounting financial challenges, an assessment proposal divides residents

Felton Fire leaders have proposed a charge on property owners to maintain an independent district. (Amaya Edwards —Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local) FELTON >> Property owners in Felton Fire ...
santacruzlocal

Cabrillo College dental hygiene faculty, students allege toxic work and learning environment

An anonymous source finishes up paperwork after a day of working at their dental office on June 23. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local) APTOS >> A toxic work environment. Excluded from ...
santacruzlocal

Mayoral race: Coonerty leads a field of five in early count

Note: This story has been updated as of 4 p.m. on Friday, June 5 as vote counts are released. See all results. SANTA CRUZ >> Ryan Coonerty was leading a crowded field for Santa Cruz Mayor in ...
santacruzlocal

Juneteenth in Santa Cruz: Celebrating the Black community

Santa Cruz has one of the state’s longest-running Juneteenth celebrations, with events across the county spanning over two weekends. This year marked the 35th anniversary. Juneteenth is connected to ...
santacruzlocal

How is your police department using Flock data?

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY >> Over the past year numerous news outlets, including Santa Cruz Local, have investigated how data collected from Automated License Plate Readers have been used by local and ...