Santa Cruzians Call for Change in “No Kings” Protest
Editors’ Note: Some sources in this article are referred to by just their first name. How many protests does it take to make change? “Nobody knows,” answered Eric, a Santa Cruz resident of over 50 years. “It depends on the change that’s being called for.”...
Tea House Spa Considering Closure Due to Catalyst Demolition Project
City on a Hill Press is dedicated to continuing coverage of the threatened closure of The Catalyst. When Alyssa Pullen, a third-generation Santa Cruz local and owner of the Tea House Spa in Downtown Santa Cruz, learned of the impending shutdown of the historic Catalyst...
A Pillar of Resistance: What is a Legal Observer?
“You’re essentially signing up to put yourself in a risky situation,” explained Skyla Tomine, a fourth-year UC Santa Cruz student. The decision to put yourself in harm’s way is not an easy choice to make. In the homestretch of an undergraduate degree, Tomine could devote...
Black Surf Santa Cruz Widening Surfing Access Locally
For many surfers, the ocean waves provide a space for those who want to experience the freedom of gliding across the water. As the culture surrounding surfing continues to evolve, deep-rooted understandings of inclusion expand with it. Over 40 percent of surfers are Black, Indigenous...
Sean Dougherty Launches Bid Against Panetta for House Seat
Sean Dougherty’s campaign slogan for 2026 is “For the many, not the money.” Dougherty, a Santa Cruz community member and activist, announced that he will run against incumbent Jimmy Panetta and other candidates in the 19th Congressional District race, both in the primary on June...
Santa Cruz Voted to End its Contract with Flock Safety. What About the Rest of the County?
Santa Cruz became the first city in California to terminate its contract with Flock Safety on Jan. 13, in a six-to-one vote by the city council. Flock Safety is a security company aiming to create a nationwide network of license plate data collection. Though Santa...
Stepping into the Future Together: Celebrating MLK’s Legacy
“A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true,” said Rev. Dr. Martin Luther...
Santa Cruz City Council Votes 6-to-1 to Ban Flock
For over a year, cameras deployed across Santa Cruz County have scanned thousands of license plates. According to the city council, eight devices called Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) were added to the streets of Santa Cruz, providing police with the service of a 24-hour...
Community Left in the Dark Over Proposed Catalyst Demolition
Editor’s note: Some sources have been named only by their first name for privacy reasons. The Catalyst, a historic music venue and community space that has served Santa Cruz since the 1960s, has hosted notable bands from Nirvana and Pearl Jam to Tina Turner and...
Santa Cruz Waves Face Uncertain Future as Cliffs Erode
Every day, the cliffside of Santa Cruz is filled with surfers, bikers and families. Santa Cruz’s West cliff represents a place where many can go to relax and remove themselves from everyday pressures. But now, experts say the Santa Cruz cliffs could become more dangerous...