Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Deadly West Cliff crash renews urgent questions about Santa Cruz coastal safety

Also check out Summer Sizzle West Cliff Outdoor Market on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

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Wednesday August 26th Patch AM
Wednesday August 26th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello Santa Cruz! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Deadly West Cliff crash renews urgent questions about Santa Cruz coastal safety
  • How one Santa Cruz County nonprofit rebuilt a CZU fire home from scratch
  • How to get your child's free meals in Santa Cruz schools

Also on today's calendar: Summer Sizzle West Cliff Outdoor Market and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the wall say to the other wall. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Record-breaking temperatures, with a high of 88 and low of 60 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, temps: high: 84, low: 60.
  • Friday: Nice with sunny spells, with a high of 79 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Teenage Indian-Origin Student Dies After Car Crashes Into Ocean Off Santa Cruz Coast (indicanews.com) — A 19-year-old UC Santa Cruz student died after a car plunged off a cliff into the ocean near Steamer Lane, renewing concerns about erosion and driver safety along West Cliff Drive. Emergency crews rescued a second occupant with minor injuries, while family and the campus community mourn the loss and officials highlight how shrinking buffers along the coast may be increasing risk.
   

2. Recovery group finishes first full rebuild six years after CZU fire (kazu.org) — Six years after the CZU fire, a Santa Cruz County recovery nonprofit has just finished its first full home rebuild in the Santa Cruz Mountains, helping a Boulder Creek resident return after losing everything. Powered by volunteers and donations, the Long Term Recovery Group of Santa Cruz County dramatically cut construction costs and continues supporting fire and storm survivors navigating rebuilding and reluctant lenders.
   

3. Santa Cruz City Schools offers free meals for all students for the school year (ksbw.com) — Families in Santa Cruz City Schools can count on free breakfast and lunch for every student during the entire 2026-27 school year, regardless of income. The district is using federal meal programs and still needs families to complete applications, which can also unlock discounts on internet, phone bills, college applications, and SAT testing. Local parents can contact food services for details and enrollment help.
   

4. Breaking: Mcamant Fire reported in Santa Cruz County on Aug. 25 (sanluisobispo.com) — A new wildfire named the Mcamant Fire was reported early Tuesday morning on private land in Santa Cruz County, and officials have not yet released any containment details or a cause. The blaze was first detected at 2:44 a.m. and is being tracked by federal fire agencies. Residents should stay alert for updated information from local and state authorities.
   

5. Scientists: Building EVs less pollutive than driving gas-powered cars (publicnewsservice.org) — A new study led by a UC Santa Cruz environmental scientist finds that replacing a gas car with an electric vehicle cuts lifetime emissions roughly in half, even if the gas car is only a couple of years old. For Santa Cruz drivers, the research suggests switching to an EV pays off after just a few thousand miles, especially as California's electric grid gets cleaner.
   

📸 Around Santa Cruz

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Cruz

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Santa Cruz Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday August 26
  • Fall Picture Day
    San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School Felton, CA 95018
    8:20 am
  • Wednesday Night Trivia @6:30 PM →
    Cocoa Vino, 312 Capitola Ave, Capitola
    6:30 pm
    • Thursday August 27
  • LO: Back to School Night
    Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    5:00 pm
    • Friday August 28
  • Fort Building Day
    Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    11:15 am
  • Spot Pizza & Baked Goods Fundraiser
    Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    12:15 pm
  • Felton Music Hall presents... W.I.T.C.H →
    Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton
    7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Santa Cruz PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Photo of 1982 Flooding
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/SantaCruzHistoryGenealogy/permalink/28068139546178406/?sfnsn=mo&ref=share&mibextid=VhDh1V (Nextdoor Mid East Side)
  • Remembering the life and times of our dear friend , MaryBeth Heil Henderson who passed away yesterday morning.
    MB and her husband , Bob, and son , Rob and daughter , Angela and her six grandchildren are in our thoughts today. She leaves behind innumerable… (Nextdoor Fair Street Neighbors)
  • Hope Services posted a job opening for Job Coach II in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • The Stepping Stones Group, LLC posted a job opening for School Counselor in Santa Cruz. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Cruz here.

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: Meet me at the corner. (Thank you Earlene M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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