There’s a rise in domestic violence against women, say officials with Women’s Crisis Support in both Santa Cruz and Watsonville. Laura Segura, executive director of the center, says that calls have increased by 21 percent in the past two years. Segura was reluctant to pin the blame on the recession, but the trend witnessed in the county is repeated elsewhere throughout the nation. Across the country in Rhode Island, for example, felony-level domestic violence has increased by 25 percent.
Articles by Danny Wool
Police Still Stumped by Homicides
It has been a violent year in Santa Cruz County, with 15 homicides so far—five more than for all of 2009. The problem facing police, however, is not just the number of murders, but the number of murders that are still unsolved. In one extreme case, police are still trying to identify the victim.
Economy, Public Safety Top Voter Priorities
Santa Cruz city residents went to the polls yesterday and put the city on a new path. Incumbent Councilmember Lynn Robinson will be joined by top vote-getter Hilary Bryant and 2008 candidate David Terrazas on the city council. All three support increased economic development for the city, including the encouragement of new businesses. “The economic strength of the city is on everybody’s minds,” said Robinson, explaining that this will help to generate more tax revenue for the cash-strapped city.
Two Bomb Scares in County
The Santa Cruz County bomb squad unit was kept busy yesterday afternoon, investigating and dismantling two suspicious devices. The suspected bombs later turned out to be duds.
Figures In for Halloween Bash Downtown
The final figures are in for the Halloween bash that took place on Pacific Street this past Sunday.
Election Day Is Here!
Tired of robocalls, of people knocking on your door, of junk mail galore expounding the virtues of this candidate or that? Tired of seeing signs plastered across every lawn and public space, espousing the same tired names and encouraging you to vote Yes or No? Yes or No? The light at the end of the tunnel is here, and sorry, Jon Stewart, but it isn’t New Jersey. Election Day is finally here, and this round of bickering will soon be over.
Unofficial Halloween Party More or Less Peaceful
Thousands of people swarmed Pacific Avenue on Sunday night for an unofficial Halloween Party that combined pop culture and politics. Lady Gaga rubbed shoulders with pirates, blue Na’vi women (from Avatar) and superheroes while musicians played and people strolled along the street, in shoes and on stilts. A few people held a rally in support of Proposition 19, handing out stickers with the logo, “Yes We Cannabis.”
Robber Offers $1,000 for Getaway Ride
A man robbed a Capitola bank of an undisclosed amount of money, then reportedly offered passersby $1,000 to give him a ride to Santa Cruz with his heist. Police are still looking for the suspect, described as a transient in his forties or fifties, with gray hair and poor hygiene. He was wearing jeans, a gray sweatshirt, and black shoes.
Local Small Businesses Get a Boost
Comerica Bank announced that it will be adding $150,000 to the $300,000 Grow Santa Cruz fund established by the National Development Corp.
A Funny Place to Take a Bath
Derrick Burch is your typical dirty old man, but not in the traditional sense of the word.
