Hello Santa Cruz! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: John Rybak + Friends @ Discretion Brewing and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. 2 adults critically injured after vehicle intentionally strikes them in Santa Cruz, police say (ksbw.com) — Two adults are in critical condition after Santa Cruz police say a driver intentionally struck them late Wednesday night on the 700 block of Front Street, and investigators are treating the case as attempted homicide. Officers remained at the scene Thursday gathering evidence, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department or submit an anonymous tip online.
2. Santa Cruz police chief Bernie Escalante to retire (ksbw.com) — Santa Cruz residents will soon see a change at the top of their police department, as Chief Bernie Escalante plans to retire on Oct. 30 after more than 30 years of local service. A Santa Cruz native and high school graduate, he rose through the ranks and emphasizes employee wellness and community trust while the city manager now works on a transition plan.
3. New Big Basin Redwoods State Park $6M Donation will be Stewarded by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks to Build Redwood Ecology Interpretive Center (coastsidebuzz.com) — A Santa Cruz–based nonprofit has secured a $6 million family donation to fully fund a new Redwood Ecology Interpretive Center at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, aiding recovery from the 2020 CZU Fire. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks says the center will anchor visitor education as long-term rebuilding continues, and invites locals to support broader restoration through its Fire Recovery Fund.
4. Air taxis will need a trained workforce. Here's how one California region is making that happen. (smartcitiesdive.com) — Santa Cruz plays a quiet but important role in the emerging air taxi industry, with Joby Aviation headquartered here as part of a growing Central Coast hub. A regional economic group is working with schools and airports in nearby cities to train local workers for advanced air mobility maintenance and operations jobs expected to expand over the next decade.
5. California surfer builds working surfboard from 10,000 cigarette butts for documentary (thecooldown.com) — A new documentary follows a California surfer who built a working board from 10,000 discarded cigarette butts to spotlight beach pollution. The project dovetails with local action: Santa Cruz County and the cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola have approved first-in-the-nation bans on single-use cigarette filter sales, set to take effect in 2027 as part of a broader push to clean coastlines.
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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: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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