Good day Santa Cruz! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Spanish Guitar Concert in Santa Cruz with Latin Grammy Winner Twanguero and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Workforce report highlights job growth, economic challenges in Santa Cruz County (pressbanner.com) — Santa Cruz County's latest State of the Workforce report shows modest job growth but a heavy tilt toward lower-wage work, leaving many residents short of a true living wage. It highlights sector gains and losses, population decline, and five priority strategies, from AI training to expanded apprenticeships, that could shape local career opportunities and affordability.
2. New Santa Cruz County Youth Commission holds first meeting (santacruzsentinel.com) — A new Santa Cruz County Youth Commission of 11 high school students has just held its first full meeting, giving local teens a formal voice in county policy. Members will meet monthly during the school year to advise supervisors on youth issues like mental health, road safety near schools, and representation for disabled and Latino students. Their recommendations could shape future programs and services for young people countywide.
3. Cliff continues crumbling at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz (mercurynews.com) — Cliffs at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz continue to crumble, with another sizable collapse prompting city officials to remind visitors to heed warning signs and stay back from bluff edges. Experts link the erosion to powerful swells and broader coastal changes, while the city advances long-term shoreline plans to protect West Cliff and adapt to future storms and El Niño conditions.
4. Lifeguards warn of dangerous conditions as families visit Santa Cruz beaches for Labor Day (ksbw.com) — If you're heading to Santa Cruz beaches this Labor Day weekend, lifeguards are warning about hazardous surf, including high tides, sneaker waves, rip currents, and dangerous rocks and jetties. They urge visitors to stay near staffed lifeguard towers, check in before swimming, and skip the water if conditions feel unsafe. Extra lifeguards will be on duty through Monday so families can enjoy the coast more safely.
5. Barilla buys better-for-you mac and cheese brand Goodles (fooddive.com) — A fast-growing mac and cheese startup that keeps its headquarters in Santa Cruz has just been acquired by global pasta giant Barilla, but will continue operating as an independent brand. Founded in 2020, Goodles focuses on higher-protein, higher-fiber boxed mac and cheese and plans to use Barilla's backing to expand and innovate while remaining rooted in Santa Cruz.
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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: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
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