Cities and counties across the state have slowly been banning plastic bags, despite the opposition of plastic bag lobbyists. Single use plastic bags are the most prevalent form of trash found on the county’s beaches, and end up adding to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The county is considering a ban on bags in all unincorporated areas, but many activists claim that the current approach, operating piecemeal from city to city, is not the best strategy.
Articles by Danny Wool
Just How Bad Is The Violence In Santa Cruz?
There’s no question that there has been an upswing in violence in Santa Cruz over the past year or so. There have already been six homicides this year, the last one just this past Friday. Teens no longer feel safe walking in parks at night, because of the threat of gang violence and the murder in April of Carl Reimer, 19. A professor at UCSC had his tires slashed. Vandals tagged buildings downtown with graffiti just after shop owners cleaned up from the May Day riot.
Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting
The SCPD arrested James Alexander Oehler, 23, on Saturday for the murder of an as-yet-unnamed Santa Cruz man who had a “significant history of drug-related arrests.”
Farr Proposes $159M In Earmarks
Federal earmarks—love ‘em or hate ‘em? That’s a big question around the country these days, with last year’s budget including $15.9 billion in earmarks for 9,499 projects around the nation. Some argue that they help stimulate the economy. Others claim they just increase the deficit.
Teen Sentenced for 2008 Murder
Jonathan Cardenas was 16 in 2008, when he attended a party at a Beach Hill motel. He and seven other teens had been drinking and smoking pot when a fight broke out between them. Another participant, a 14-year-old, accused Robbie Reynolds, 18, of stealing money from her purse. Reynolds smacked her, and Cardenas and another friend jumped into the fight. Cardenas stabbed Reynolds once in the side. Reynolds later died from the wound.
Bad Beaches = Bad News for Memorial Day Weekend
Oh, the irony! Just yesterday SantaCruz.com.html reported that the Times of London considers Santa Cruz to be the world’s top surfing destination. Closer to home, the Santa Monica-based nonprofit Heal the Bay listed two Santa Cruz beaches on its “Beach Bummer” list for 2010. According to their report, the high levels of bacteria in the water there could put surfers and swimmers at a higher risk for illness. Bad news, for sure, especially as the county prepares for the long Memorial Day weekend.
Grim Prospects for City Schools
Mary Hart, Associate Superintendent of Business for County Education, has some grim news for the Santa Cruz City School District. Despite teacher concessions and other steps taken to overcome the deficit, it is unlikely that local schools will be able to rehire teachers or restore abandoned programs. The district is facing a $7 million budget shortfall over the next three years
Why Does That Car Smell Like French Fries?
Have you ever walked down the street and suddenly had a hankering for French fries? You look around for the nearest McDonald’s, but there isn’t one in sight. What’s going on?
We’re the Best (for Surfing at Least)
The Times of London has named Santa Cruz the world’s top surfing destination, beating such strong contenders as Australia’s Gold Coast, Bali and the North Shore of Oahu.
Saying Goodbye to The Capitola Theater
It’s been a while since the Capitola Theater held its last show. Still, the wrecking ball came as a shock to fans of the 61-year-old venue, considered a landmark in Capitola Village.
