Okay, admit it. You’ve always dreamed of the day a beer truck crashes, releasing its contents on a parched public. It makes the whole “100 Bottle of Beer on the Wall” song seem like kid’s stuff. “If one fell, I’ll do well, 99 bottles of beer on the wall.” Even better if it has more than just the ubiquitous Bud Light.
Articles by Danny Wool
Santa Cruz Hires Rent-A-Cops to Patrol Downtown
Starting this weekend, three private security guards with the First Alarm service will be patrolling downtown Santa Cruz in the morning and early afternoon. The decision to employ the private security guards was made by the Downtown Business Association, the SCPD, local residents, and others who have a stake in the wellbeing of the downtown area.
Residents Debate Proposed Pogonip Trail
Just about no one is happy with Pogonip Park these days. The 640-acre park, the largest in the city, is a magnet for criminal activity, and one area, “Heroin Hill,” recently had to be closed off to limit crime there. Inevitably, fewer people are visiting the site, but that just makes it more amenable to criminal elements, so the city has decided to promote visits by building a new multipurpose trail there, for pedestrians, dog walkers, and cyclists.
Hail to the (Interim) Chief
After seven years, Santa Cruz bid farewell to Police Chief Howard Skerry and welcomed his replacement, Interim Chief Kevin Vogel. Vogel, a 23-year veteran of the SCPD is assuming the position in difficult times, a fact not lost on him during the ceremony.
Watsonville Gang Leader Arrested in Sweep
Armand “Bandit” Valle, 36, was among the dozens of people arrested in a sweep of Norteno gang members on Tuesday across Central California.
“Secret Summer” Campaign to Promote Tourism
Anyone who lives in Santa Cruz knows that there’s plenty to do here in the autumn months. Now news about Santa Cruz activities is going to reach a much larger audience, thanks to a new promotional campaign geared specifically for the autumn months.The campaign is the brainchild of the Tourism Marketing District, launched this July. Apart from great beaches and stunning mountain scenery, it will highlight 12 different festivals and events.
Milpitas Teen Arrested in Home Invasion
A 17-year-old teen from Milpitas was arrested for a home-invasion robbery that occurred near downtown Santa Cruz on Friday.
Salvia, Spice and Everything Nice … and Legal
Police in Santa Cruz County are worried about a new series of substances that are leaving people stoned, hallucinating and acting recklessly. The problem, they say, is that two of the substances are also perfectly legal. They are sold in shops throughout the county, and police can do nothing about them.
Santa Cruz County Asks State to Stop PG&E’s Smart Meter Installations
Plenty of people across Santa Cruz County are furious at PG&E’s efforts to install smart meters in homes and businesses. In addition to complaints about the meters’ accuracy, many people, led by the Wireless Radiation Alert Network, are suggesting that the wireless signals can have an adverse affect on residents’ health.
Beer and Pot Pair up for Fundraising
Last night, the Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Company held a special fundraiser. For every beer sold, $1 went to support the Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana and help them build a new home. WAMM says that it has been economically strapped recently, or as Valerie Corral puts it, “financially marginalized … it’s often month to month.”
