The Santa Cruz Fire Department received a $753,328 FEMA grant that will allow it to hire three new firefighters.
Articles by Danny Wool
Local School Districts Strapped
State Superintendent Jack O’Connell warns that three school districts in Santa Cruz County may not be able to meet their future financial obligations due to cuts to public education. The Pajaro Valley Unified District and Santa Cruz City Elementary and High School districts have all received qualified certification because they may not meet their obligations in this or the coming two academic years.
Ollies Across America
Anyone watching the opening ceremony of the Vancouver Olympics saw eight great Canadians carrying the Olympic flag. Actually, it was seven great Canadians and one great Canadian’s mother. Her son, Terry Fox, is generally considered one of the 10 greatest Canadians of all time.
The Trouble with Lucy
The Irish often say that “A wild goose never reared a tame gosling.” But what about a tame goose? That’s a question being debated at the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor. For over 20 years, a goose named Lucy has made the harbor her home. For over 20 years Ursula Grunwald has watched over her, feeding her apples, grain, and other food. That’s because Lucy is all alone in this world. Her partner was mauled by a dog 11 years ago.
Police Crack Down on Heroin, Meth
Officers from the SCPD’s Street Crimes team made a series of heroin-related arrests over the weekend.
New Freezer for the Homeless Center
With more and more people homeless and hungry across Santa Cruz, the addition of a brand new walk-in freezer at the Homeless Service Center was a very welcome addition to the city’s homeless services.
Art, Music Classes on the Chopping Block
With pink slips going out to dozens of teachers across Santa Cruz County, education officials are concerned that music and art programs in schools could be the first to go.
Local Vet Performs Surgery on Bats
Some vets specialize in cats and dogs. Other specialize in farm animals. Kerrin Hoban specializes in bats. She’s already performed dozens of microsurgical procedures on the flying mammals at the Harbor Veterinary Hospital.
Redwoods Destined for Highway Merger
It’s a labor of love for Luen Miller, 54, and Clark Magruder, 59. For the past three years, the two men have been collecting redwood cuttings from trees across the county and raising them at Miller’s nursery. Some of them are already 8 feet tall, and just about ready to be replanted along the Highway 1/17 Merge Lane Project.
Smoking Ban for Parks and Beaches Goes to State Vote
The state legislature will be voting on Monday whether to ban smoking in state parks and beaches. If it is passed, the law will impact over one dozen parks and beaches in Santa Cruz County. An effort to pass the ban yesterday fell five votes short of the necessary majority.
