Santa Cruz Local

Santa Cruz Local recently published a three-part investigation into how public money is spent on homeless services in Santa Cruz County. In today's episode, we'll discuss why we took on this investigation and several of the key takeaways from our reporting. We also hear from some key leaders in homeless services management. Read the transcript with links to our related stories. santacruzlocal.org/2023/08/02/podcast-how-homeless-services-money • Read part one “How homeless services money has been spent in Santa Cruz County”: santacruzlocal.org/2023/05/05/homeless-services-money-part-1 • Read part two “Money sources, constraints and problems with homeless services spending in Santa Cruz County”: santacruzlocal.org/2023/05/05/homeless-services-money-part-2 • Read part three “Is homeless services spending effective in Santa Cruz County?”: santacruzlocal.org/2023/05/05/homeless-services-money-part-3 • Listen to Santa Cruz Local podcast Ep. 96 “How Santa Cruz County could solve chronic homelessness”: santacruzlocal.org/2021/12/17/podcast-96

In today's episode we meet the five candidates for Capitola City Council. They are Yvette Lopez Brooks, Joe Clarke, Enrique Dolmo Jr., Gerry Jensen and Alexander Pedersen. The five candidates are running for three seats. They appear before Capitola voters on the Nov. 8 ballot. We explain what a council member does. Then we press the candidates on the issues important to Capitola residents. Read the transcript with links to our related stories. https://santacruzlocal.org/ Read Santa Cruz Local's Election Guide: https://tinyurl.com/ep-103-guide Santa Cruz Local's Election Guide for Capitola City Council: https://santacruzlocal.org/election/2022-nov-08/capitola-city-council/ Santa Cruz Local is supported by its members. Join us! Keep local journalism strong with a membership today. https://tinyurl.com/ep-103-membership Make a one-time donation to Santa Cruz Local's newsroom: https://tinyurl.com/ep-103-donate Support Santa Cruz Local on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/santacruzlocal Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local's email newsletter for free. We're in your inbox twice a week. https://tinyurl.com/ep-103-newsletter

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. For the first time, Santa Cruz voters will choose a mayor. We meet the two candidates: Joy Schendledecker and Fred Keeley. We explain the new format for Santa Cruz City Council elections and the new mayoral role. Then we press the candidates on the issues important to Santa Cruz residents. Read the transcript with links to our related stories. https://santacruzlocal.org/ Read Santa Cruz Local's Election Guide. https://tinyurl.com/ep-102-election-guide Santa Cruz Local's Election Guide for Santa Cruz City Council: https://tinyurl.com/ep-102-sc-guide Santa Cruz Local is supported by its members. Join us! Keep local journalism strong with a membership today. https://tinyurl.com/ep-102-membership Make a one-time donation to Santa Cruz Local's newsroom. https://tinyurl.com/ep-102-donate Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local's email newsletter for free. We're in your inbox twice a week. https://tinyurl.com/ep-102-newsletter Support Santa Cruz Local on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/santacruzlocal

We meet two candidates for Santa Cruz City Council: Renee Golder and Sean Maxwell. They're running for the District 6 seat on the Nov. 8 ballot. You'll vote in the District 6 council race if you live in these areas: areas of the Lower Westside west of Younglove Avenue and Columbia Street; areas along Western Drive; and a western part of the UC Santa Cruz main campus. We explain what a council member does. Then we press the candidates on the issues important to Santa Cruz residents. Read the transcript with links to our related stories. https://santacruzlocal.org/ Read Santa Cruz Local's Election Guide. https://tinyurl.com/ep-101-election-guide Santa Cruz Local's Election Guide for Santa Cruz City Council with map of District 4: https://tinyurl.com/ep-101-map Santa Cruz Local is supported by its members. Join us! Keep local journalism strong with a membership today. https://tinyurl.com/ep-101-membership Make a one-time donation to Santa Cruz Local's newsroom. https://tinyurl.com/ep-101-donate Support Santa Cruz Local on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/santacruzlocal Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local's email newsletter for free. We're in your inbox twice a week. https://tinyurl.com/ep-101-newsletter

In today's episode we meet three candidates for Santa Cruz City Council: Hector Marin, Gregory Hyver and Scott Newsome. They're running for the District 4 seat on the Nov. 8 ballot. You'll vote in the District 4 council race if you live in these areas: Downtown; Beach Flats; part of the Upper Westside, east of Bay Street and south of High Street; and areas along Mission Street generally east of Laurent Street. We explain what a council member does. Then we press the candidates on the issues important to Santa Cruz residents. Read the transcript with links to our related stories. https://santacruzlocal.org/ Read Santa Cruz Local's Election Guide. https://tinyurl.com/election-guide-ep-100 Santa Cruz Local's Election Guide for Santa Cruz City Council with map of District 4: https://santacruzlocal.org/election/2022-nov-08/santa-cruz-city-council/ Santa Cruz Local is supported by its members. Join us! Keep local journalism strong with a membership today. https://tinyurl.com/ep-100-membership Make a one-time donation to Santa Cruz Local's newsroom. https://tinyurl.com/ep-100-donate Support Santa Cruz Local on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/santacruzlocal Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local's email newsletter for free. We're in your inbox twice a week. https://tinyurl.com/ep-100-newsletter

In the Nov. 8 election, Scotts Valley voters will choose two city council members. In today's episode we'll learn about the role of a council member. Then we'll meet the three candidates: Derek Timm, Allan Timms and Jim Reed. Santa Cruz Local presses the candidates on the issues important to Scotts Valley residents. In the Nov. 8 election, Scotts Valley voters will choose two city council members. In today's episode we'll learn about the role of a council member. Then we'll meet the three candidates: Derek Timm, Allan Timms and Jim Reed. Santa Cruz Local presses the candidates on the issues important to Scotts Valley residents. Read the transcript with links to our related stories. https://tinyurl.com/ep-99-transcript Read Santa Cruz Local's Election Guide. https://tinyurl.com/SCL-election-guide Santa Cruz Local is supported by its members. Join us! Keep local journalism strong with a membership today. https://tinyurl.com/ep-99-membership Make a one-time donation to Santa Cruz Local's newsroom. https://tinyurl.com/donate-ep-99 Support Santa Cruz Local on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/santacruzlocal Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local's email newsletter for free. We're in your inbox twice a week. https://tinyurl.com/ep-99-newsletter

Santa Cruz Local wants you to decide what the local candidates talk about as they compete for your vote in the Nov. 8 election. This year, Santa Cruz Local's team conducted nearly 300 interviews and collected 150 survey responses from Santa Cruz County residents. Here is what residents told us they want from local government, in order of frequency: - Affordable housing development - Help paying rent - Solutions to homelessness - Better wages and jobs - More bike and walk infrastructure In today's episode, we'll hear from residents about why they care about these issues. We'll hear voices not normally heard by local government or local media. Read the transcript with links to our related stories. https://tinyurl.com/ep-98-transcript Read Santa Cruz Local's Election Guide. https://tinyurl.com/SCL-guide Santa Cruz Local is supported by its members. Join us! Keep local journalism strong with a membership today. https://tinyurl.com/ep-98-membership Make a one-time donation to Santa Cruz Local's newsroom. https://tinyurl.com/ep-98-donate Support Santa Cruz Local on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/santacruzlocal Subscribe free to Santa Cruz Local's email newsletter. We're in your inbox twice a week. https://tinyurl.com/ep-98-newsletter

In the June 7 primary election, North Coast and Santa Cruz residents will choose a new District 3 representative on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. We hear from residents about their priorities for the election. Then we meet candidates Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson, Justin Cummings and Ami Chen Mills and press them on residents' concerns. We hear from the candidates on their plans to: Develop affordable housing. [21:17] Expand rent assistance programs. [27:47] Address homelessness. [34:59] Attract employers and create higher-paying jobs. [43:25] Repair roads, expand law enforcement and improve cellphone service on the North Coast. [50:10] Prioritize bike and walk projects and improve public transit. [57:07] We also press Justin Cummings and Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson on their voting records on the Santa Cruz City Council. [1:03:40] Read the transcript with links to our related stories. https://tinyurl.com/ep-97-transcript Read Santa Cruz Local's Elections Guide with information on this and other races. https://tinyurl.com/SCL-guide Santa Cruz Local is supported by its members. Join us! Keep local journalism strong with a membership today. https://tinyurl.com/ep-97-membership Make a one-time donation to Santa Cruz Local's newsroom. https://tinyurl.com/ep-97-donate Support Santa Cruz Local on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/santacruzlocal Subscribe free to Santa Cruz Local's email newsletter. We're in your inbox twice a week. https://tinyurl.com/ep-97-newsletter Editor's note: This podcast has been updated to correct the year that Ami Chen Mills left the executive director role at the Center for Sustainable Change.

Bakersfield and Kern County, California, solved chronic homelessness in part through better coordination of service providers, shared housing databases and a fearless approach to experimentation and results monitoring. Despite Santa Cruz County's housing shortage, there are lessons from Kern County that start with making housing searches more efficient for the unhoused. In Santa Cruz Local Ep. 96, Kara Meyberg Guzman travels to Bakersfield to learn the successes and limitations of the area's approach to homelessness. Former Santa Cruz Mayor Don Lane and Santa Cruz County leaders discuss strategies to solve homelessness that center on permanent housing. Read the transcript: https://tinyurl.com/transcript-SCL-96 Read more in Santa Cruz Local's Solutions to Homelessness series: https://tinyurl.com/solutions-ep96 Santa Cruz Local is supported by its members. Join us! Keep local journalism strong with a membership today. https://tinyurl.com/ep-96-membership Make a one-time donation to Santa Cruz Local's newsroom. https://tinyurl.com/donate-scl-96 Support Santa Cruz Local on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/santacruzlocal

We hear from four Santa Cruz County residents: a 25-year-old caregiver in Santa Cruz, a 54-year-old janitor in Watsonville, a father of three in Santa Cruz and a 24-year-old sales associate in Capitola. They share their experiences with homelessness and the keys to getting housed. This episode is part of Santa Cruz Local's Solutions to Homelessness Series. Read the transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ep95-transcript Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: https://tinyurl.com/podcastSCLmembership Support Santa Cruz Local on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/santacruzlocal Sign up for Santa Cruz Local's free email newsletter. We're in your inbox twice a week: https://tinyurl.com/SCL-podcast-signup Read more stories in Santa Cruz Local's Solutions to Homelessness Series: https://tinyurl.com/SCLhomeless-series

Responses to mental health crises are set to change in Santa Cruz County with a new 988 system as an alternative to 911. Non-police responses are expected to be dispatched through the system, and advocates say the 24-hour, non-police system is overdue. Santa Cruz Local's Stephen Baxter talks to Assemblymember Mark Stone, advocate Jeffrey Arlt and others about the mental health crisis response in the county now and its shortcomings. Some potential solutions may come from Santa Cruz County's Mobile Emergency Response Team at 1-800-952-2335 and Alameda County's Community Assessment and Transport Team. Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: santacruzlocal.org/membership/ Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local's free newsletter. mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Read the transcript to this episode: https://santacruzlocal.org/2021/06/11/podcast-reshaping-mental-health-crisis-response-in-santa-cruz-county/ Santa Cruz Local's mental health crisis resources page: https://santacruzlocal.org/resources/crisis/ Call MERT: 1-800-952-2335 Read more in Santa Cruz Local's Police Reform Series: Podcast Ep. 81: Reducing harm in Santa Cruz County Law Enforcement : https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/07/15/podcast-ep-81-reducing-harm-in-santa-cruz-county-law-enforcement/ How Alameda County addresses mental health crisis response (May 20, 2021): https://santacruzlocal.org/2021/05/20/how-alameda-county-addresses-mental-health-crisis-response/ New committees address police reform in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County (Feb. 19, 2021): https://santacruzlocal.org/2021/02/19/new-committees-address-police-reform-in-watsonville-santa-cruz-county/ Data special: Trends in Watsonville crime, police work, funding (April 1, 2021): https://santacruzlocal.org/2021/04/01/data-special-trends-in-watsonville-crime-police-work-funding/ Police Reform Series: State bill sets stage for new mental health crisis hotline (May 13, 2021): https://santacruzlocal.org/2021/05/13/state-bill-sets-stage-for-new-mental-health-crisis-hotline/

Tuesday, the Santa Cruz City Council will consider a proposed law that aims to prevent large homeless camps by limiting where and when people can camp and requiring most tents to be removed each morning. We explain the proposal. And we hear from three Santa Cruz residents who are homeless. We hear their stories: their goals, their barriers and their thoughts about the proposed law. Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: https://santacruzlocal.org/membership/ Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local's free newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Read the transcript to this episode, with a map of where camping would be allowed: https://santacruzlocal.org/ Read Santa Cruz Local’s story on the proposal and residents’ views: https://santacruzlocal.org/2021/03/10/santa-cruz-city-homeless-rules-to-be-reconsidered-in-april/ Comment to the city council on the proposal: Email citycouncil@cityofsantacruz.com by 5 p.m. Monday. Zoom link for the city council meeting 5:30 p.m. Tuesday: https://zoom.us/j/94684401344 Call into the meeting: 1-833-548-0276 and enter the meeting ID 946 8440 1344. Read the draft law: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/20612766-santa-cruz-homeless-law-draft-ordinance-20210413 Read recent public comment on the proposed law: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/20612764-santa-cruz-homeless-law-public-correspondence-20210409

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a need for mental health services in Santa Cruz County’s public schools. We hear from a director at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education about virtual mentoring, an approach that has shown promise in addressing student mental health needs. We discuss how it works and where it falls short. This episode is the third in Santa Cruz Local’s Distance Learning Series. Listen to part one of this series: Ep. 89 Public education money, COVID and the power of Santa Cruz County school boards https://santacruzlocal.org/2021/01/31/podcast-public-education-money-covid-and-the-power-of-santa-cruz-county-school-boards/ Listen to part two of this series: Ep. 90 Student mental health needs in Santa Cruz County, part 1 https://santacruzlocal.org/2021/03/23/podcast-student-mental-health-and-stress-in-santa-cruz-county-part-1/ Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: https://santacruzlocal.org/membership/ Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local's free newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Santa Cruz Local members, read the transcript to this episode: https://santacruzlocal.org/ Take Santa Cruz Local's survey on education: https://santacruzlocal.org/schools Santa Cruz County mental health resources: Call or text 211 or visit https://www.211santacruzcounty.org/mental-healthx/ For counseling: Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, 831-728-6445 or https://www.pvpsa.org/ For counseling: Encompass, 831-429-8350 or https://www.encompasscs.org/youth_services_counseling Anyone who is contemplating suicide or has lost someone to suicide can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Were some COVID-19 deaths preventable in Santa Cruz County long-term care facilities? This episode investigates why some senior homes — which had more than half of the COVID deaths in the county — waited for vaccines through January while others received vaccines. Separately, the episode includes a conversation with contributing reporter Jerimiah Oetting and Santa Cruz Local's Kara Meyberg Guzman and Stephen Baxter about whether new housing means more water demand in Santa Cruz County. Read the stories: "Vaccines came slowly for the most vulnerable in Santa Cruz County": https://santacruzlocal.org/2021/03/03/vaccines-came-slowly-for-most-vulnerable-in-santa-cruz-county/ "Does more housing mean more water demand in Santa Cruz County?": https://santacruzlocal.org/2021/02/15/does-more-housing-mean-more-water-demand-in-santa-cruz-county/ Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: https://santacruzlocal.org/membership/ Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local's free newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Santa Cruz Local members, read the transcript to this episode: https://santacruzlocal.org/

Many students in Santa Cruz County feel stressed and disconnected after months of online-only school. We hear from three Aptos High students about their social and emotional well-being needs. A program administrator responds to these stories and shares tips on how adults can help. This episode is the second in Santa Cruz Local’s Distance Learning series. Listen to part one of this series: Public education money, COVID and the power of Santa Cruz County school boards https://santacruzlocal.org/2021/01/31/podcast-public-education-money-covid-and-the-power-of-santa-cruz-county-school-boards/ Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: https://santacruzlocal.org/membership/ Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local's free newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Read the transcript to this episode: https://santacruzlocal.org/2021/03/23/podcast-student-mental-health-and-stress-in-santa-cruz-county-part-1/ Take Santa Cruz Local's survey on education: https://santacruzlocal.org/schools Santa Cruz County mental health resources: https://www.211santacruzcounty.org/mental-healthx/ Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance: 831-728-6445 or https://www.pvpsa.org/ Connect to a mental health provider: Call 211. Anyone who is contemplating suicide or has lost someone to suicide can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

This episode is the first in Santa Cruz Local's Distance Learning series. Today we explore how the state's public education system is organized and funded, and how decisions are made. Many of you wanted to know: How can students, parents and teachers make their voice heard in such a huge, complicated system? We hear from former county superintendent Michael Watkins and state Sen. John Laird on the governor's school reopening plan and how to get involved. Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: https://santacruzlocal.org/membership/ Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local's free newsletter. We're in your inbox two to three times a week: https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Santa Cruz Local members, read the transcript to this episode: https://santacruzlocal.org/ Take Santa Cruz Local's survey on education: https://santacruzlocal.org/schools Learn how to participate in the state senate budget subcommittee on education: https://sbud.senate.ca.gov/subcommittee1 Email state Sen. John Laird: senator.laird@sen.ca.gov

In the wake of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in Santa Cruz County, this episode explores forest management policies in the state and county. It also looks at the role of prescribed burns in land management in the county, and a new Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association. Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: https://santacruzlocal.org/membership/ Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local's free newsletter. We're in your inbox two to three times a week: https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Santa Cruz Local members, read the transcript to this episode: https://santacruzlocal.org/ Learn about Nature Conservancy training burns: https://tinyurl.com/trex21 Contact the Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association: drorao@ucanr.edu, https://calpba.org/

Santa Cruz Local presses the Santa Cruz City Council candidates on the priorities we heard from residents: housing and homelessness. We meet eight of the nine city council candidates: Martine Watkins, Sandy Brown, Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson, Kelsey Hill, Kayla Kumar, Maria Cadenas, Elizabeth Conlan and Sonja Brunner. Voters will pick four. Read the transcript: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/10/18/podcast-vote-nov-3-santa-cruz-city-council/ Read Santa Cruz Local’s elections guide: https://santacruzlocal.org/elections/ Support Santa Cruz Local’s journalism with a membership: https://santacruzlocal.org/membership/ Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local’s free email newsletter: https://santacruzlocal.org/free-newsletter-local-news/

Santa Cruz Local presses the five Watsonville City Council candidates on the priorities we heard from residents: affordable housing development, city-sponsored youth programs, the high cost of rent and more. We break down the differences between District 2 candidates Aurelio Gonzalez and Vanessa Quiroz-Carter, District 6 candidates Jimmy Dutra and Tony Gomez, and District 1 candidate Eduardo Montesino. View the maps of the Watsonville City Council districts: https://santacruzlocal.org/elections/ Read the transcript: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/10/14/podcast-vote-nov-3-watsonville-city-council/ Read Santa Cruz Local's elections guide: santacruzlocal.org/elections/ Support Santa Cruz Local’s journalism with a membership: santacruzlocal.org/membership/ Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local’s free email newsletter: santacruzlocal.org/free-newsletter-local-news/

If you’re a voter in Live Oak, Pleasure Point, Soquel, western Capitola or the Santa Cruz Mountains north of Soquel, you’ll vote on the District 1 Santa Cruz County supervisors race. But even if you don’t live in the district, this race still matters to you. The decisions of the board of supervisors affect the entire county. We press incumbent John Leopold and challenger Manu Koenig on the priorities we heard from District 1 residents. A map of Santa Cruz County's District 1: https://beta.documentcloud.org/documents/7016018-Supervisorial-District-1 Read the transcript: santacruzlocal.org Read Santa Cruz Local's elections guide: santacruzlocal.org/elections/ Register for Santa Cruz Local’s upcoming candidate forums: santacruzlocal.org/events/ Support Santa Cruz Local’s journalism with a membership: santacruzlocal.org/membership/ Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local’s free email newsletter: santacruzlocal.org/free-newsletter-local-news/

Santa Cruz Local has interviewed and surveyed about 50 Scotts Valley residents in recent months to hear their priorities for the Scotts Valley City Council race. Today, we press the candidates — John Lewis, Donna Lind, Jack Dilles and Randy Johnson — on the concerns of residents. Listen to the candidates’ views on housing, supporting local business, stabilizing the city budget, school funding and policing. Read the transcript: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/09/29/podcast-vote-nov-3-scotts-valley-city-council/ Visit Santa Cruz Local’s elections webpage: https://santacruzlocal.org/elections/ Register for Santa Cruz Local’s upcoming candidate forums: https://santacruzlocal.org/events/ Read more about Scotts Valley’s recent police reforms, including data on vehicle stops: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/09/17/scotts-valley-police-offer-reforms-vehicle-stop-data/ Support Santa Cruz Local’s journalism with a membership: https://santacruzlocal.org/membership/ Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local’s free email newsletter: https://santacruzlocal.org/free-newsletter-local-news/

We hear from Santa Cruz County Supervisor Bruce McPherson with an update on the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. McPherson’s district covers San Lorenzo Valley, which has been hard hit by the fire. McPherson shares an update on the fire response. He also describes his tour Monday of San Lorenzo Valley and what damage he saw. Read more stories on the wildfire: https://santacruzlocal.org/ Find resources, shelter, and how to help: https://santacruzlocal.org/wildfire/ Episode transcript: https://santacruzlocal.org/ Support Santa Cruz Local with a membership: https://santacruzlocal.org/membership/ Sign up for Santa Cruz Local’s free email newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/SCLsignup

COVID-19 shutdowns have hurt many locals on the brink of poverty because of the county’s high cost of living. About 40% of Santa Cruz County residents have received some food assistance since the COVID-19 shelter orders began in March, according to Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County staff. We hear from four people on the margins, from San Lorenzo Valley to Watsonville. We hear how COVID shutdowns have changed their lives and what solutions they’d like to see. Join Santa Cruz Local's email newsletter: mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership Episode transcript: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/07/31/how-has-covid-19-hurt-santa-cruz-countys-most-vulnerable/

Residents’ recent calls to reduce police presence and funding in Santa Cruz County come at the same time police say they are overburdened with calls for mental health care and homelessness. We explore the aftermath of two recent, fatal police shootings in our county that involved mental health — and how harm could be avoided. Looking toward solutions, we examine a program in Oregon that dispatches mental health care workers to crises without police. We talk to a Santa Cruz County 911 dispatcher and law enforcement leaders about the advantages and disadvantages of crisis response without police. Join Santa Cruz Local's email newsletter: mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership Episode transcript: www.santacruzlocal.org

Santa Cruz County on Monday recorded its largest single-day increase of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Local health leaders say the uptick is worrisome but expected, as businesses reopen. We hear advice from infectious disease expert and UC Santa Cruz professor Marm Kilpatrick on small ways people can be safer as they venture out. And we share what we know so far about the recent uptick, how the virus moves, and the county’s shortcomings with contact tracing. Join Santa Cruz Local's email newsletter: mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Apply for Santa Cruz Local's Business Advisory Circle: santacruzlocal.org/apply-advisory/ Take our voter survey: www.santacruzlocal.org/votersurvey Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership Episode transcript: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/06/26/podcast-ep-80-how-to-be-social-but-safer-during-the-pandemic/

A big decision is on tap Tuesday for the Santa Cruz City Council: Should the downtown library be renovated, or should a new, larger library with a parking garage and at least 50 affordable housing units be built on nearby city land? Santa Cruz Local talks to library and city leaders, activists and architects about the $27 million question.  Join Santa Cruz Local's email newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Apply for Santa Cruz Local's Business Advisory Circle: https://santacruzlocal.org/apply-advisory/ Take our voter survey: https://www.santacruzlocal.org/votersurvey Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: http://www.santacruzlocal.org/membership Episode transcript (members only): www.santacruzlocal.org

Santa Cruz Local's Stephen Baxter and Kara Meyberg Guzman start their reporting for the upcoming Nov. 3 elections by listening to residents and watching city council meetings. We see the biggest local races as the city councils for Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Capitola and the District 1 supervisor runoff. As we kick off a county-wide listening tour, we share what we heard at our first stop: the Nueva Vista Community Resources food bank in the Lower Ocean neighborhood of Santa Cruz. Take our voter survey: www.santacruzlocal.org/votersurvey Read the transcript: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/06/11/vote-nov-3-part-1-start-by-listening/ Get Santa Cruz Local's free email newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership

Parents and child care providers worry about the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Santa Cruz Local's Jerimiah Oetting answers your questions about child care rules in Santa Cruz County during the coronavirus emergency: How can we expect young children in daycare to socially distance? What is the county doing to ensure these facilities are safe? This is the fifth installment of "Santa Cruz Local Answers," where Jerimiah tackles your coronavirus-related questions. Submit your questions: www.santacruzlocal.org/coronavirus Read the transcript: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/06/07/tough-decisions-child-care-during-a-pandemic/ Get Santa Cruz Local's free email newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership

Santa Cruz Local's Jerimiah Oetting answers your questions about antibody testing: What is it? Is it available in Santa Cruz County? How reliable are the tests? And is the county pursuing antibody testing? This is the fourth installment of 'Santa Cruz Local Answers,' where Jerimiah tackles your coronavirus-related questions. Submit your questions to www.santacruzlocal.org/coronavirus. Or email a question to answers@santacruzlocal.org. Get Santa Cruz Local's free email newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/coronavirus Support local journalism with a membership: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership Read the transcript to this episode: www.santacruzlocal.org

Santa Cruz Local's Jerimiah Oetting answers your questions about Project Roomkey, the state effort to provide hotel rooms to vulnerable parts of the homeless population. Where is Santa Cruz County at with the project? How much money did the state provide? How many rooms are there, and who qualifies? Jerimiah talks to a Project Roomkey resident, county officials and homeless service providers. This is the third installment of "Santa Cruz Local Answers," where Jerimiah tackles your coronavirus-related questions. Submit your questions: www.santacruzlocal.org/coronavirus or email answers@santacruzlocal.org. Get Santa Cruz Local's free email newsletter: mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/coronavirus Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership Read the transcript to this episode: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/05/07/whats-the-status-of-project-roomkey/

Santa Cruz County’s health officer limited beach hours and hotel visitors in her latest revision to the COVID-19 shelter order. How deep are the county’s economic problems, with the prospect of far fewer tourists? How do shelter orders impact a county where the largest share of jobs are in leisure and hospitality? We hear from California economist Chris Thornberg and Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce CEO Casey Beyer.

Dr. Catherine Sonquist Forest answers frequently-asked questions on COVID-19. How long do we have to wait for a vaccine and treatment? Can I get an antibody test and what does that mean? Can people without COVID symptoms spread the disease? Does social distancing and wearing masks work? Sonquist Forest is a Santa Cruz County resident and a medical professor at Natividad Hospital in Salinas. Read Santa Cruz Local's story on new COVID rules, effective late Friday night: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/04/30/santa-cruz-county-covid-progress-prompts-new-rules/ Send us your COVID questions: Email answers@santacruzlocal.org or take our survey www.santacruzlocal.org/coronavirus Get our free email newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/coronavirus Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership Read the transcript to this episode: www.santacruzlocal.org

Santa Cruz Local's Jerimiah Oetting answers a listener's question on what UC Santa Cruz is doing to help with COVID testing. This is the second installment of 'Santa Cruz Local Answers,' where Jerimiah tackles your coronavirus-related questions. Submit your questions to www.santacruzlocal.org/coronavirus , by email or voice memo to answers@santacruzlocal.org, or by voice mail to 831-222-0460. Read the transcript to this episode: www.santacruzlocal.org Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local’s free newsletter: mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Yes, I support local journalism! Count me in as a Santa Cruz Local member: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership

Santa Cruz Local hosted its first town hall meeting Friday, April 17 on Zoom. Our guests: Dr. Larry DeGhetaldi, Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical Foundation Santa Cruz division president, and Dr. David Ghilarducci, Santa Cruz County’s deputy health officer. Some takeaways: Santa Cruz County can maybe expand to 60 intensive care beds, but models predict 100 will be needed at a peak in May or June. The plan is to transport patients to hospitals out of county. Dr. Ghilarducci said the shelter-in-place orders are a blunt but effective tool. He expects the economic shutdown to last until the county has broad, widespread testing. Meanwhile, the local hospital system has lost most of its revenue since hospitals have cut elective surgeries. Some front-line workers have seen cuts in pay. Listen to the full town hall call, where Santa Cruz Local co-hosts Kara Meyberg Guzman and Stephen Baxter ask your contributed questions. Transcript: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/04/19/santa-cruz-local-town-hall-medical-leaders-talk-hospital-capacity/ Subscribe to Santa Cruz Local’s free newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/forward Yes, I support local journalism! Count me in as a Santa Cruz Local member: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership Attend Santa Cruz Local’s members-only solutions meetup 8 a.m. Tuesday April 21: https://santacruzlocal.org/event/members-only-solutions-meetup/

Details emerged this week from California and Santa Cruz County leaders on what it will take to lift the shelter orders. The county still lacks about 50 ventilators it needs for a potential peak of 100 severe COVID-19 cases, county health leaders said. That peak could come as late as June. Santa Cruz summer traditions remain up in the air, including the Wharf to Wharf footrace, Junior Lifeguards and visits to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Read the transcript to Thursday's news conference: www.santacruzlocal.org Attend the Santa Cruz Local Town Hall 12:30 p.m. Friday April 17: https://santacruzlocal.org/event/santa-cruz-local-town-hall/ Support local journalism with a Santa Cruz Local membership: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership Sign up for Santa Cruz Local's free email newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/coronavirus

Santa Cruz Local is seeing its fastest growth since its launch in August. Co-founders Kara Meyberg Guzman and Stephen Baxter take you behind the scenes. We share where we're heading with the company. One of the biggest things that sets Santa Cruz Local apart is our commitment to community listening. We discuss our business goal for April ㅡ reaching 600 active members ㅡ and how that sets us up to better listen. Become a Santa Cruz Local member: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership Upgrade your membership tier: www.santacruzlocal.org/account Attend Friday's Santa Cruz Local Town Hall: www.santacruzlocal.org/events

At a news conference Thursday, Santa Cruz County health officials said they were encouraged by the relatively low numbers of COVID hospitalizations in our county. However, the county still only has a maximum intensive care unit capacity of 50 beds. Dr. Gail Newel said she plans to extend her shelter-in-place order past May 3. Santa Cruz Local co-hosts Kara Meyberg Guzman and Stephen Baxter explain their key takeaways from the conference. And they ask the health officials your questions. Transcript: www.santacruzlocal.org Submit your questions. We'll ask them at the next health department news conference. www.santacruzlocal.org/coronavirus

We share tape from a special Santa Cruz City Council meeting that took place Tuesday. Mayor Justin Cummings spoke about coming together after the March 3 election. New city council members Katherine Beiers and Renee Golder also gave statements after they were sworn in through a video conference call.

Santa Cruz Local's Jerimiah Oetting answers your questions on coronavirus testing: Who gets tested? What is the process? How long does it take? Why is testing limited in Santa Cruz County and when will that change? Jerimiah talked to a medical leader, a scientist and others to get some answers. This is the first installment of 'Santa Cruz Local Answers,' where Jerimiah tackles your coronavirus-related questions. Submit your questions to www.santacruzlocal.org/coronavirus . Read the transcript to this episode: www.santacruzlocal.org

Santa Cruz County public schools are shut down through the end of the academic year, to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Families, teachers and school administrators have been forced to adapt quickly. Santa Cruz Local co-hosts Stephen Baxter and Kara Meyberg Guzman focus on two questions: What’s working for students and parents with distance learning? And what can we do to help kids get comfortable with the new normal? Transcript: www.santacruzlocal.org Sign up for our free email newsletter: mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/coronavirus Support our journalism with a membership: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership Donate to the Live Oak Education Foundation for Chromebooks for Live Oak students: http://www.liveoakedfoundation.org/

Santa Cruz County health officials said Thursday that hospitals remain relatively quiet, but they anticipate COVID-19 patients to top a “surge capacity” of 50 intensive care unit beds this month or in May. Santa Cruz Local hosts Kara Meyberg Guzman and Stephen Baxter explain the top five takeaways from a news conference Thursday with county health officials. The full news conference with reporters’ questions follows their introduction. Transcript: www.santacruzlocal.org Sign up for our free newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/coronavirus Support our journalism with a membership: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership

Santa Cruz County's lockdown may last for months. We have to wait for one of three things: a vaccine, a treatment or herd immunity. A vaccine or treatment could take a year or more. Herd immunity — when enough people have recovered from the disease are now resistant — could also take a while. Local experts agree: A lockdown is needed to save our hospital system from being overwhelmed. But what if there's another way? What can Santa Cruz County learn from countries that are suppressing the coronavirus without long, drastic lockdowns? Read our transcript and related links: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/03/26/global-lessons-for-santa-cruz-in-the-covid-19-response/ Subscribe to our free newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/santacruzlocal/coronavirus Support our work with a membership: santacruzlocal.org/membership Donate protective gear to Watsonville Community Hospital: 831-763-6040 Donate protective gear to Dominican Hospital: 831-462-7712, https://www.dignityhealth.org/bayarea/locations/dominican/about-us/press-center/coronavirus

The time for coronavirus testing for the general public was in February, says Santa Cruz County epidemiologist Will Forest. The real question is how well can the county’s medical centers expand to meet expected demand. What may determine that is how well residents follow the county health officer's order to stay home. We talk to Santa Cruz Mayor Justin Cummings and leaders from Sutter Health, Santa Cruz Community Health Centers and others about what’s next. Spoiler alert: This could be just the start of mandatory stay-at-home orders. Our coronavirus resource page: www.santacruzlocal.org/COVID-19 Read the transcript: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/03/19/santa-cruz-county-medical-capacity-to-face-coronavirus-test/ Support our work: www.santacruzlocal.org/membership

To stem the spread of the coronavirus, Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel ordered residents to stay in their homes for three weeks and not leave unless necessary. The mandate starts early Tuesday. It follows six Bay Area counties with similar measures. Hear Newel explain how the order protects the community, at a press conference Monday at the county government building. Read our related story here: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/03/16/santa-cruz-county-orders-residents-to-shelter-in-place/ Sign up for our newsletter here: https://santacruzlocal.org/free-newsletter-covid-19/ Get informed, find resources and how to help here: https://santacruzlocal.org/covid-19/ Tell us what questions you have about the local response to the coronavirus: www.santacruzlocal.org/coronavirus

Santa Cruz County has seven confirmed cases of the coronavirus as of Thursday night. County leaders now have evidence that the virus has spread within the community. Lives are disrupted by many closures and cancellations, including an announcement Thursday that Santa Cruz County public schools will be closed next week. We talk to county epidemiologist Mikala Caton about the county’s testing capacity. We hear tips on how to be prepared, not scared: what you need to know to stay healthy and prevent the virus' spread. Survey and transcript: https://santacruzlocal.org/2020/03/13/coronavirus-spreads-in-santa-cruz-county/

Despite a concerted effort to stop the recall of Santa Cruz City Council members Chris Krohn and Drew Glover, the pair seemed to be ousted from the council in Tuesday's election, according to unofficial results from the county. The results (which have all precincts reporting but do not include many vote-by-mail and same-day registration ballots) show that Krohn and Glover will be replaced by 87-year-old former mayor Katherine Beiers and elementary school educator Renee Golder. In the Santa Cruz County Supervisor District 1 race, incumbent John Leopold will face a November runoff against challenger Manu Koenig. Santa Cruz Local hosts Kara Meyberg Guzman and Stephen Baxter talk about these and more county election results.

There are two recall votes happening in the City of Santa Cruz right now. This episode focuses on one of the races, for Councilmember Chris Krohn’s seat. We hear from Krohn and the candidates vying to replace him: former Santa Cruz mayors Katherine Beiers and Don Lane. The candidates discuss homelessness, jobs, the environment, housing and discord on the city council. Our questions come from our 10-day  listening tour around the community.

We press the candidates for Santa Cruz City Council on what we heard are your concerns: homelessness, housing, the environment, jobs and discord on the city council. We hear from Drew Glover, Renee Golder and Tim Fitzmaurice. We explain what a recall is and why it's on your ballot. We also discuss who's funding the recall campaign.

Our work on the People's Agenda continues. Candidates for the District 1 supervisor race discuss plans for homelessness, the rail corridor, traffic, housing and jobs. We hear from incumbent John Leopold and challengers Manu Koenig, Mark Esquibel and Benjamin Cogan. If you’re a voter in Live Oak, Pleasure Point, Soquel, western Capitola or the Santa Cruz Mountains north of Soquel, you’ll vote on this race. But even if you don't live in the district, this race still matters to you. The decisions of the board of supervisors affect the entire county. Read the full transcript at www.santacruzlocal.org .

We press Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend and challenger Becky Steinbruner on what we heard are your top issues: homelessness, traffic, the environment, housing and the rail corridor. Friend and Steinbruner are the candidates in the District 2 county supervisor election that will take place March 3. The district covers Aptos, Corralitos, Freedom, La Selva Beach, Pajaro Dunes, eastern Capitola and other areas. This is part three of our local elections series "Vote March 3."

In January, we interviewed more than 200 voters from Santa Cruz, Live Oak, Aptos, La Selva Beach, Corralitos, Soquel, the Summit, Capitola and the surrounding areas. Our goal: Listen to ordinary people's priorities for the upcoming March 3 local election. We tried to find voices that you don't normally hear in city council or board of supervisors meetings. We share with you what we learned from our interviews and our online survey. Based on what we heard, we wrote a list of questions that we asked the candidates for Santa Cruz City Council and the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. For transcript, photos and our newsletter: https://www.santacruzlocal.org Register to vote in California or change your party, your address or your name: https://www.registertovote.ca.gov/ Check your registration and voter history: http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/ElectionSites/