RTC publicly discusses railbanking Santa Cruz Branch
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) on Thursday discussed the future of the county’s rail line, and possibly setting it aside for future use while first focusing on building a bicycle and pedestrian path.
In a report to the commission, RTC...
Sex crimes suspect ordered held without bail
SANTA CRUZ—The man accused of multiple sexual crimes against minors will remain in jail after a Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge on Thursday ordered him held without bail.
Carlos Gomez Velasco, 39, has been charged with several felonies, including assault with intent to rape,...
Greenway measure likely set for June election
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—In June, Santa Cruz County voters might be able to state their preference on what has become one of the region’s most contentious issues in the past decade: the future of the county’s 32-mile rail line.
On the ballot, voters will be asked...
PV Water’s plans, storage boosted during wet winter
SOUTH COUNTY—The first rainstorms of winter brought more than just moisture. With them came a chance to raise local water levels in alarmingly low aquifers and reservoirs. They also allowed water agencies across the county to put new sustainability projects—like injecting stormwater into underground...
County merges Public Works, Planning
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to integrate the Planning and Public Works departments, a move officials say will streamline services and improve customer service.
Officials will immediately begin creating the new department, called Community Development...
Bill establishing Pajaro Valley health district heads to Governor’s desk
SACRAMENTO—Senate Bill 418, authored by State Senator John Laird, was unanimously approved on the Senate floor in a 34-0 vote Thursday, paving the way for Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign the bill into law and establish a health care district for the Pajaro Valley.
The...
Roaring Camp Pushes Back on Reported Railbanking Talks
It’s just after noon on Jan. 28, and a Roaring Camp train is getting ready to leave the station to wind its way up the Santa Cruz Mountains.
“We’re two minutes late now, but that’s OK,” says the announcer on board, as the last stragglers...
Supervisors approve plan to increase internet access for rural residents
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The County of Santa Cruz will soon use a $500,000 grant to install 20 new antennae throughout the county, a plan officials say will boost Broadband internet signals for thousands of people living in rural areas, particularly low-income families.
The money comes from...
Townhome project featuring historic schoolhouse on the move
WATSONVILLE—The historic 1903 Roache schoolhouse is on the move, once again.
In order to make way for heavy equipment and ground moving, the building at 221 Airport Blvd. was recently hoisted across the property and now sits perched on cribbing at the edge of Airport...
Cabrillo College students plug into outdoor resource
WATSONVILLE—Last week students at Cabrillo College plugged into an in-person study space at the community college’s Watsonville center.
Staged at the outdoor work area of the Solari Green Technology Center, the program offers students a space to hook up to Wi-Fi and campus Chrome books,...
Thousands march for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Thousands of people amassed in the streets of downtown Santa Cruz on Monday morning for the annual People’s March for the Dream, an event...
