Tess Fitzgerald, clerk to Santa Cruz County’s Board of Supervisors, has long been distressed by the amount of money it costs just to print the Board’s weekly meeting agendas—a whopping $14,000 per year, not counting staff time. That has been reduced drastically, now that the Board is using HP’s EliteBook tablet PCs. The EliteBooks cost $1,300 each, but considering paper costs, the savings are well worth it.
Articles by Danny Wool
Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite
Did anyone ever say to you, “Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite”? You’d better hope so. The infestation of bed bugs, first noticed in New York City, has been making its way across the country, with hot spots in Philadelphia and Columbus, Ohio. “Go West, young bug!” seems to be their motto, and there are already signs of infestations appearing right here in Santa Cruz.
Woman’s Sentence Upheld for BB Gun
Back in July, SantaCruz.com reported about the case of Barbara Saldinger, 47, a medical doctor with a degree from Stanford who raises horses as a hobby. Four years ago, Saldinger unwittingly became involved in a major gun rights case. Ironically, the only gun she’s ever owned is a BB gun. Involved in a property dispute with her neighbors, Janette Magoc and Jack Bloxham, she waved a BB gun at Magoc and a friend.
Record-Breaking Temps for Surf City
It was 101 degrees yesterday in Santa Cruz, which is fine if you live in Florida, but this is Northern California, where the weather is always cool and comfortable. In fact, the last time it hit even 90 degrees in town on that date was way back in 1926. Of course, it could be worse. And in fact, it was in Scotts Valley, where the thermometer reached 107, and in Ben Lomond, where it hit 104.
Bruckner Swims Monterey Bay
Patti Bauernfeind tried earlier this week, but the jellyfish proved too much for her. This did not deter Bruckner Chase, 44, a Santa Cruz native with dreams of conquering Monterey Bay. He simply decided to be more prepared. He started his swim from Seabright Beach early Tuesday morning with just a swimsuit and lanolin to protect him from the chilly 55-degree water. The jellyfish did come—but this time Chase was prepared.
Santa Cruz Rock Icon Dead at 60
Michael Been may not have been a household name, but his band, The Call, had several major hits in the 1980s, and even had Bono sing backup to him on his song “Let the Day Begin.” Been died at the Pukkelpop Music Festival in Belgium last Thursday. He was attending as sound engineer for his son Robert Been’s band, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
Cabrillo Students Forced To Live in Cars, Use Food Stamps
The recession is taking its toll on students. Cabrillo College’s Vice President of Student Services Dennis Bailey-Fougnier reports that financial aid requests by students this year have already broken last year’s amount by more than 1,000, and that last year was a record year. He called it a “huge problem,” explaining that “We have students who are living in their cars, or at the beach, as you would in Santa Cruz.”
Jellyfish Cut Woman’s Bay Swim Short
When Patti Bauernfeind entered Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz at midnight, she had hoped that sometime this morning she would enter the record books as just the second person to swim across Monterey Bay. No one has done it since 1983, when Cindy Cleveland completed the grueling 23-mile swim across the frigid waters.
Santa Cruz To Go Chiefless
No one doubts that violence continues to be on the rise in Santa Cruz. Just last Friday night, a 17-year-old girl was shot in the hand during a car chase in what police are describing as yet another instance of gang-related violence, while the rival Vagos and Hell’s Angels motorcycle gangs are fighting over turf in the city. And in the middle of all this, Police Chief Howard Skerry’s resignation goes into effect next week.
Judge Orders Homeless Couple Off The Streets
Anna Richardson, 28, has been homeless for half of her life.
