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.

10/30/2025

🏵️💀🕯️ Se acerca el Día de los Mu***os y algunos campos en el Valle de Pajaro se han vestido de naranja, el color de esta flor que nos recuerda las antiguas tradiciones de México ahora replicadas por las comunidades mexicanas de la Costa Central de California. Fidel M. Soto, reportero de Noticias Watsonville, visitó el primer campo de cempasúchil de Royal Oaks.

¿En qué forma celebra usted el Día de los Mu***os y a quién recuerdas? Envíanos una foto o un video de tu altar.

10/29/2025

A year after Santa Cruz Local published an investigation revealing poor living conditions, lagging maintenance, rent hike and rats at the University of California-owned Hilltop apartments in Santa Cruz, 19 current and former tenants have filed a lawsuit.

The tenants are suing over alleged harassment, fraud and habitability issues. An LLC owned and operated by the UC and multinational property management company Greystar are named as defendants. The UC purchased the property as an investment in 2021 and shortly after raised rent on dozens of units, displacing many tenants.

UC Santa Cruz has distanced itself from Hilltop and its problems, but its leaders also described advising the UC on how to market the apartments to its students, some of whom are now plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

A UC spokesman said the university takes all legal complaints seriously, and representatives of Greystar did not return a request for comment on the lawsuit.

Read the whole story and prior investigations at santacruzlocal.org and at the link in bio.

✍🏼📸:

Santa Cruz County is preparing for a second “No Kings” rally on Saturday, Oct. 18 — a follow-up to the massive June 14 e...
10/17/2025

Santa Cruz County is preparing for a second “No Kings” rally on Saturday, Oct. 18 — a follow-up to the massive June 14 event that drew millions nationwide and thousands locally.

The rallies will take place in more than 100 cities, including Santa Cruz, Watsonville and Salinas, where local Indivisible chapters are leading the organizing charge.

To learn more about the rallies and how to get involved, read the full story at the link in our bio.

10/03/2025

¿Sientes orgullo de tus raíces hispanas o latinoamericanas? Noticias Watsonville salió a las calles de la ciudad para hablar con la gente sobre por qué sienten orgullo de ser hispanos o latinos en este país.

El Mes de la Herencia Hispana se celebra en Estados Unidos del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre. Mándanos un video de 5 a 30 segundos contándonos por qué. Si recibimos suficientes respuestas, haremos un segundo video para compartirlo por Instagram y en nuestra comunidad de WhatsApp. Para unirte con WhatsApp sigue el enlace en la biografía.

09/25/2025

🚦🚴🏽‍♂️🚶🏽‍♀️ Que las calles sean más seguras. Acompaña a nuestros periodistas Jesse Kathan y Fidel M. Soto en el Farmers Market de Watsonville este viernes para una tarde de arte y conversación. Queremos escuchar tus ideas sobre cómo hacer que las calles de Watsonville sean más seguras para peatones y ciclistas.⁠ Kathan publicó una serie de artículos sobre el tema y estará presente para responder preguntas y compartir sus descubrimientos.
⁠
📍 Watsonville Placita⁠
📅 3-7 p.m. viernes 26 de septiembre⁠
🗞️ Lea los artículos al enlace en bio.

09/18/2025

Watsonville hunger strike Providence Martinez Alaniz ended up in the hospital Wednesday night after 17 days without food. Her and Omar Dieguez planned a 30-day hunger strike to protest the use of pesticides near schools in the Pajaro Valley. More at santacruzlocal.org

09/12/2025

Omar Dieguez shares updates on day 11 of a 30-day hunger strike against pesticides in the Pajaro Valley.
Reporting by Nik Altenberg

09/04/2025

Watsonville activist Omar Dieguez began a 30-day hunger strike this week to protest the use of pesticides near schools. Several pesticide activists, school teachers, faith leaders, and local organizers have pledged to join Omar in fasting, some for several days, some longer. Providence Martinez Alaniz stopped eating Sept. 1 and said she plans to fast for all 30 days.

Supporters gathered at a rally Tuesday outside Driscoll’s offices in Watsonville. They hope to pressure the company to convert its fields near schools to organic. Driscoll’s declined to comment on the protest.

Check back for regular updates as we track the hunger strikers throughout the month. Read more at santacruzlocal.org including an investigation into pesticides and farmworker health.

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/

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