| View in Browser | Our Journalism Needs Your Support | Please Donate Today |
By Eric Johnson
Published Jan 15, 2024
Hey, Mickey—please pay attention to your driving!
Image credit: Antonio Gravante, Shutterstock
Happy MLK Day, California. A reminder that this day was dedicated to volunteerism when Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act of 1990, encouraging Americans to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy “with acts of civic work and community service.” If you are in a position to do that and plan to do so, we commend you.
And a reminder that below our featured articles, you will find an easily digestible digest of curated news from trusted sources.
This week we begin with the first of two articles about unnecessary losses of life. Jon Vankin writes about the increasing phenomenon of “traffic violence,” which is also known as the automobile “accident.” As you will see, thousands of Californians lose their lives each year because we’ve designed our transportation system to optimize for cars instead of people. Meanwhile, pedestrians are being killed by distracted drivers in bigger and bigger cars in devastating numbers.
Death on the Roads: Traffic Fatality Crisis Far From Over
In his new book, a former New York Times science reporter and expert on pandemics writes: “If the lies hadn’t been told ... we really would’ve ended up with only about 600,000 dead instead of 1.1 million dead.” I consider the book’s harrowing truths while suffering from a late case of COVID-19.
For generations, US copyright law was determined largely by the value of one iconic piece of intellectual property. The fascinating tale of the Walt Disney Company’s successful campaign to protect the world’s most famous mouse, which has finally come to an end.
Mickey Mouse Enters Public Domain. What That Means for California
|
Santa Cruz County's Homepage |
| Our overview page for Santa Cruz County is updated daily with the latest state and local news, weather alerts, local government announcements and local blog posts and news snippets from community groups and individuals. | |
| Direct your browser to santacruz.californialocal.com to catch up on the latest news in California and Santa Cruz County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community! | |
|
Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus |
Supporting local singers by building, promoting, and nurturing vocal music programs, the Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus hosts two annual concert series that feature music from a range of genres, such as classical, Broadway, and contemporary hits.
|
From Our Media Allies |
→ View All |
 |
Climate Profile: David Carter of Deep Planet |
|
Climate Profile, a feature by the North Tahoe chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, explores how climate change has affected the lives of local citizens. |
|
The Push for a National Landmark at Donner Pass |
|
The railroad tunnels high above Truckee hold historic stories. Deep in the granite, the lives of immigrant workers were made and lost over 150 years ago. |
 |
Tahoe Restaurant Uses Robot Tech to Combat Staffing Shortages |
|
When Arvi Sabherwal took over a Zephyr Cove restaurant in November of 2022, he wasn't anticipating the challenge many businesses face: a shortage of employees. |
|
Palisades Tahoe: ‘Strange Vibes’ Day After Deadly Avalanche |
|
The avalanche occurred about a half hour after the lift opened for the first time this season. |
|
Recent Local News |
→ View All |
• Sound Check Music Keeps on Rolling in Grass Valley
“Where one door closes, another opens” is a common saying that applies to the three partners at Sound Check Music Center in Grass Valley.
(01/13/2024) → Read the full The Union report• County Funds Animal Shelter Design, Preps for Board Workshop
Nevada County Board of Supervisors took action on two items that will begin the design phase of a proposed animal shelter for the region.
(01/13/2024) → Read the full The Union report• Sheriff Moon Appoints New Undersheriff and Captain, Gives Life-Saving Medals
Sam Brown was sworn in as the official new undersheriff of Nevada County, as appointed by Sheriff Shannan Moon, following the retirement of Alicia Burget.
(01/12/2024) → YubaNet• Sue McGuire Announces Candidacy for District 1 Supervisor
“As a lifelong resident of Nevada County, I am deeply committed to preserving its natural resources, beauty, and fostering a robust economy,” says Sue McGuire, who is seeking a seat on the position of Nevada County Board of Supervisors.
(01/08/2024) → YubaNet|
|
Recent Statewide News |
→ View All |
• SCOTUS to Hear Case with Major Implications for Homeless
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case related to whether cities and towns can ban camping on public property. The high court could overturn Martin v. Boise, a 2018 federal court decision that keeps western cities and counties from blocking public camping when sufficient shelter space is unavailable.
(01/12/2024) → Sacramento Bee• Fourth Graders Might Lose Free Access to California State Parks
California’s projected budget deficit of close to $38 billion likely means some cuts are coming. Among them, Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed ending the California State Park Adventure Pass, which offers free access to some state parks for fourth graders.
(01/12/2024) → SFGate• Iconic California Restaurant Closes Without Warning
Pea Soup Andersen’s, a Buellton, Calif., restaurant just shy of its 100th birthday, closed suddenly. The restaurant's other location, near Interstate 5 in Santa Nella, remains open.
(01/10/2024) → SFGate• $10M-Plus Lawsuit Follows Multiple Deaths at Sacramento Jail
Sacramento attorney Mark Merin has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of a man who died in May after being held at the county jail. Other inmates have died in recent years, and the jail is under a federal consent decree to improve its health care.
(01/09/2024) → Sacramento Bee• Hate Crimes Rising in Los Angeles
Cal State San Bernardino’s Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism found that hate crimes rose 12.9% between 2022 and 2023. The spike follows a particularly stark increase in crimes against Jewish people.
(01/09/2024) → LAist• Newsom Sets March 19 Special Election to Fill McCarthy’s Seat
Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for a March 19 primary to elect a replacement for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who resigned from Congress in December. If a candidate doesn’t win outright, a runoff will be held on May 21.
(01/08/2024) → Sacramento Bee• State Trying to Use Generative AI to Reduce Traffic
Caltrans has set a Jan. 25 deadline for tech companies to show how generative artificial intelligence might reduce traffic congestion in the state. This follows an executive order that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September related to this type of AI.
(01/08/2024) → LA Times• New Year Brings Protections for Deep-Sea Corals and Ocean Fishing Opportunities
New rules took effect Jan. 1 permanently protecting the most fragile deep sea corals off Southern California. Simultaneously, more than 4,500 square miles of ocean waters are now reopened to fishing after more than 20 years of closures.
(01/08/2024) → YubaNet|
|
Government Announcements |
→ View All |
|
Santa Cruz County Office of Education (01/12/2024) Nurturing Educators: A Transformative Journey in Strengthening Social-Emotional Skills for Effective Teaching and Leading |
|
Twenty educators from across the country participated in an eight-week course to strengthen their social-emotional skills to deepen connections to self and others and expand the strategies needed to teach and lead effectively, with purpose and joy. The Community of Practice was facilitated by COE staff Suzanne Denham and Robyn McKeen, along with award-winning Social [...]
The post Nurturing Educators: …
|
|
|
County of Santa Cruz (01/12/2024) State Funding for Traffic Safety Programs Awarded to County Public Health |
|
|
County of Santa Cruz (01/12/2024) Fondos estatales para programas de seguridad vial otorgados a salud pública del condado |
|
United States (01/11/2024) World Green Nutrition, Inc. is Recalling ELV Alipotec Brand Mexican Tejocote Root Supplement Pieces (Raiz De Tejocote Mexicano Suplemento En Trozos), Net. Wt, 0.3 0Z (7g), Due to the Presence of Yellow Oleander in this Product |
|
WORLD GREEN NUTRITION, INC. is recalling ELV ALIPOTEC brand MEXICAN TEJOCOTE ROOT SUPPLEMENT PIECES (RAIZ DE TEJOCOTE MEXICANO SUPLEMENTO EN TROZOS), NET. WT, 0.3 0Z (7g), due to the
presence of yellow oleander in this product. The consumption of yellow oleander can cause adverse effects on neurolog
|
|
|
City of Watsonville (01/11/2024) Permits required for construction on the City's right of way |
|
City of Santa Cruz (01/11/2024) Santa Cruz Water Dept To Move Forward With Three ‘Climate Resilient Santa Cruz’ Projects In 2024 |
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2024
Contacts:
Amanda Rodriguez, Community Relations Specialist, arodriguez@santacruzca.gov
Santa Cruz, California - In the face of threats from severe wildfires, longer droughts, record rainfall from...
|
|
|
|
County of Santa Cruz (01/11/2024) Santa Cruz Seeks Community Input on Mobile Crisis Response Program |
|
|
County of Santa Cruz (01/11/2024) Santa Cruz Busca la Opinión de la Comunidad Sobre su Programa Móvil de Respuesta a Crisis |
|
State of California (01/10/2024) Gail Pellerin CA Assembly 28: |
|
Assemblymember Pellerin Chair of the Assembly Elections Committee introduces AB 1784 to clarify that a candidate can only run for one office
robbee
Wed, 01/10/2024 - 20:16
(916) 319-2039
916-319-2028
Friday, January 5, 2024
SACRAMENTO, CA Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) introduces AB 1784 with Co-Authors Assemblymember Berman, Assemblymember Bennet, Assemblywoman Dixon, Assemblymember Friedman, Assemblymember Kalra, Assemblymember Low, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva, …
|
|
|
|
United States (01/10/2024) U.S. Trading Company of Hayward, CA is Recalling Dragonfly Jelly Bars Because it Contains Konjac Powder and May Present a Choking Hazard |
|
U.S. Trading Company of Hayward, CA is recalling Dragonfly jelly bars because it contains konjac powder and may present a choking hazard. Konjac and its consequent texture and consistency could pose a choking hazard to small children as well as adults with functional and/or anatomic abnormalities.
|
|