Hello Santa Cruz! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: John Rybak + Friends @ Henflings Tavern and 9 more events.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Stephen P.!
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. 128-unit affordable housing project opens in downtown Santa Cruz (santacruzsentinel.com) — A new 128‑unit affordable housing complex, Pacific Station North, has officially opened in downtown Santa Cruz, offering income‑restricted studios and family‑sized apartments plus free Metro bus passes for residents. Funded by city, county, state and federal partners, the project is already about 80% leased and includes ground‑floor retail, community spaces and plans for an upgraded Santa Cruz Metro station on the site.
2. CALIFORNIA: Monterey Bay's fishing industry is changing: Here's what Santa Cruz fishers are catching now (savingseafood.org) — Santa Cruz fishers are adapting to big changes in Monterey Bay's commercial fishing industry, according to a new long-term report covering the Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Moss Landing harbors. Researchers, including experts from UC Santa Cruz, outline shifting fish species, fewer boats, and specific infrastructure upgrades—like ice machines, cold storage, and regular seafood markets—that could strengthen the local harbor's future.
3. Best Bets: African culture festivals, Flyaway Productions, Santa Cruz Porchfest, Symphony San Jose, Livermore Opera (localnewsmatters.org) — Santa Cruz is hosting its first-ever Porchfest this Saturday, turning about 15 downtown porches into free mini music stages from noon to 6 p.m. More than 50 performers, including Latinx-alternative band The Rumba Madre, will play genres from folk and hip-hop to surf rock and classical Italian, giving residents an easy, walkable way to explore new music and meet neighbors.
4. California reform bill targets juvenile offenders after Maddy Middleton's murder (ksbw.com) — A new California law inspired by the Santa Cruz murder of 8‑year‑old Maddy Middleton will change how courts handle dangerous juvenile offenders. Judges can now keep such offenders in custody for up to three years between review hearings and consider placements like state mental hospitals, a shift that could affect future high‑risk cases tied to Santa Cruz and beyond.
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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: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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