Community News · Santa Cruz County
Watsonville Community Hospital leaders meet Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m. to consider closing the hospital's maternity services and neonatal intensive care unit. Starting Sunday, Nov. 1, staff and visitors must mask in patient-facing indoor areas of skilled nursing facilities and infusion centers in Santa Cruz County. Vote centers open countywide Saturday, Oct. 31, with Soquel High's location adding Sunday, Nov. 1, offering in-person voting, ballot replacements, and same-day registration. Owners of developed properties outside city limits must arrange waste collection or register as self-haulers by Sunday, Nov. 1, to avoid potential fines. Santa Cruz will impose triple fines for specified violations and enforce downtown road closures and parking restrictions Saturday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Nov. 1.
Public Safety · Santa Cruz County
A wildfire named the Green Fire was discovered at 5:46 p.m. on October 27, 2026, burning on private land in Santa Cruz County, California. As of publication at 6:11 p.m., no containment data was available and the cause had not been determined. The report is sourced from the National Interagency Fire Center.
Community News · Santa Cruz, CA
Salsa by the Sea, a free open-air salsa dancing event held at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf for three years, faces restrictions on access, rising permit costs, and scheduling limits that organizers say threaten its continuation. Permit fees have increased from about $50 to $290 per event, and the city has limited events to select Sundays in October through December while proposing a time change from 5–8 p.m. to 2–5:30 p.m. Organizers say alternative locations offered by Parks & Recreation—San Lorenzo Park and Depot Park—lack the ocean setting central to the event. City officials, including Parks & Recreation Director Tony Elliot, say they have booked the group for every eligible Sunday and aim to balance the needs of a large amplified-music event with other Wharf users.
Education · Santa Cruz County
A Gallup/Lumina Foundation survey of 3,800 undergraduates in fall 2025 found about 16% changed majors due to AI career concerns, with up to 47% considering changes. Locally, Cabrillo College reports Career and Technical Education enrollments trending upward since 2023, with growth in Business and Commerce, Medical Assisting, and Office Technology fields. At UCSC, Humanities enrollments have declined while Computer Game Design and science fields show steady growth. In the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, career-connected pathways coordinator Julie Edwards reports increased interest in STEM, building trades, and automotive service, with all pathways structured as college preparatory.
Community brief · Santa Cruz, CA
The Santa Cruz Warriors, marking their 15th anniversary, revealed a 16-player training camp roster for the 2026-27 NBA G League season. Camp opened Monday and runs through Nov. 5, with the 50-game campaign beginning Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. on the road against the Stockton Kings. The home opener is set for Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at KP Arena against the San Diego Clippers. Three players—LJ Cryer, Malevy Leons, and Graham Ike—hold two-way contracts with Golden…
Community brief · Santa Cruz, CA
The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History is hosting "High Score: Vintage Arcade and Midway Games," featuring 20 vintage arcade and midway games from the early-20th century to the 1980s, curated by exhibitions manager Shanti Nagwani. The items are drawn from the Santa Cruz Seaside Company archive, which operates the Beach Boardwalk's Casino Arcade. Visitors can play select interactive games including Fascination and Clown Toss alongside historical…
