Federal Aid incoming for Storm Relief
Federal aid is on the way. President Joe Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Santa Cruz County on Jan. 14, following the damage caused by a series of massive atmospheric rivers that have ravaged the state since the storm made landfall on Dec. 27….
From City Council to County Board, Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson and Justin Cummings race for District 3
After working together on Santa Cruz City Council for two years, Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson and Justin Cummings know each other well. This midterm election season has the two city representatives facing each other for a county supervisor seat. Only 500 votes separated the two candidates in…
What the Closure of the Benchlands Means for its Residents
Steven Bailey has been living in the Benchlands, a city-sanctioned houseless encampment in San Lorenzo Park, for the past two years. Soon, that won’t be the case. In the eyes of the City of Santa Cruz, an eviction notice needs to be served. “They look…
Three Candidates, One Seat: The Battle for District 4
Santa Cruz’s fourth City Council District spans all the way from the bottom of the Upper West Side on High Street to the Beach Flats near the coast on Beach Street, and also encapsulates the city’s downtown area. Ensuring that community voices are heard is…
Seat Up for Grabs: District 6 City Council Election
The streets of Santa Cruz are filling up fast with RVs parked for days on end with nowhere to go, houseless camps residing in public spaces, and worried residents wondering if they’ll be able to make rent next month. With these concerns at the forefront…
The Two Candidates Running in Santa Cruz’s Inaugural At-Large Mayoral Election
For the first time in Santa Cruz history, voters will have a direct say in determining who their next mayor will be. Measure E, approved by voters on June 8, established at-large mayoral elections, along with a six-district map. Previously, the mayor was appointed annually…
Measure O: What is at Stake For Downtown Santa Cruz?
Fresh produce surrounded by smiling vendors, warm red walls of buildings, and homes of longtime families line the street. Even the parking lots hold sentimental value as you scour for the perfect spot ahead of another memorable day strolling around the city. This is Downtown…
Can Measures K and L Save Santa Cruz City Schools?
Failing infrastructure, outdated classrooms, and a teacher shortage are only some of the problems Santa Cruz City Schools (SCCS) are hoping to address with two new bond measures this November: Measure K and Measure L. While Measure K would raise funds for the local middle…
Measure N Could Open Doors for Housing Opportunities: Good Policy Or Too Invasive?
A $6,000 tax on empty single family homes could be implemented this November. But how would this affect Santa Cruz homeowners? If a simple majority votes to pass Measure N, also known as the Empty Home Tax, every homeowner in Santa Cruz will be required…
How Would Measure P Impact Taxes on Hotels and Short-Term Rentals?
Santa Cruz’s sunny beaches, rocky coast, breathtaking redwoods, and notorious Boardwalk have made the city into a desirable tourist destination. Attracting more than three million visitors annually, tourism employs nearly 8,000 people countywide and brings millions of dollars in revenue to the city. But at…