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🌱 Patch AM: How could these lawsuits reshape where new homes get built in Santa Cruz?

Coming up: Creative Awakening: Mixed Media Creativity Workshop on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

Saturday April 18th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Santa Cruz! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

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In today's newsletter:

  • How could these lawsuits reshape where new homes get built in Santa Cruz?
  • How long could today’s massive Santa Cruz power outage last?
  • How a state budget fight could shrink Santa Cruz food bank shelves

Also on today's calendar: Creative Awakening: Mixed Media Creativity Workshop and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the DJ's favorite part of the candy? 🤔 (Answer below!)


From our Partner Today's Santa Cruz Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's best mobile network in the US, according to Ookla Speedtest. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Santa Cruz Patch AM possible. Find a T-Mobile store near Santa Cruz.


Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 72 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Sunday: Cool with sun and clouds, temps: high: 63, low: 53.
  • Monday: A couple of afternoon showers, with a high of 62 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. As lawsuits ensnare three housing proposals, what could it mean for the future of development in Santa Cruz County? (santacruzlocal.org) — Multiple lawsuits are slowing or reshaping major housing proposals in the City and County of Santa Cruz, including projects at the Food Bin site, Clocktower Center, Capitola Road and Paul Sweet Road. Disputes over accessory dwelling units, Builder’s Remedy rules and housing plan deadlines could set legal precedents that affect how much and how fast new housing gets built locally. Neighbors, developers and county leaders are all watching the courts.    

2. Nearly 20,000 customers without power in Santa Cruz County due to outage (ksbw.com) — Thousands of Santa Cruz residents are without electricity this afternoon as a major PG&E outage affects nearly 20,000 customers across the county, including Capitola and unincorporated areas. An equipment problem at a Santa Cruz substation is to blame, and PG&E crews are working to reroute power with restoration currently estimated around 7:30 p.m.    

3. Proposed CalFood cuts jeopardize supply at Santa Cruz County food shelters (santacruzsentinel.com) — Potentially deep cuts to California’s CalFood program could significantly shrink the food supply for Santa Cruz County food banks, which rely on it for about 30% of their budget. Local leaders, including Sen. John Laird and Second Harvest Food Bank staff, are pushing to preserve funding so 70,000 residents can keep accessing consistent, healthy staples each month.    

4. Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School set for community work day (santacruzsentinel.com) — Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary is inviting neighbors to Sunday’s Community Garden Work Day, featuring tours, healthy food and hands-on workshops in its six student-tended gardens. As an Ocean Guardian School, the campus uses these gardens to teach watershed stewardship and show how kids can help protect local ecosystems. Families can explore pollinator, sensory and other themed gardens maintained by students.    

5. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk rides closed due to power outage (ktvu.com) — Rides at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk were shut down Friday after a widespread power outage tied to a local PG&E substation left nearly 19,000 customers without electricity. Power has since been restored, with indoor arcade games and mini golf open and rides expected to operate normally today, just as a rebuilt section of the century-old wharf begins its soft reopening.    


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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I wanted to give applause and appreciation to all staff at PAMF urgent Care.
    This includes Coop at the front desk and all front desks to all the techs (radiology), nurses, assistants and doctors who helped me. They were over… (Nextdoor Upper Seabright/Gault)
  • Missing chicken!
    Did you find a very sweet and docile chicken near grocery outlet on Morrissey? My son left our back gate open and I think she wandered out into the… (Nextdoor East Morrissey)

Ok Santa Cruz! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The wrapper (rapper) (Thank you Austin D. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


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