Aric Sleeper News Today

People from all over California and beyond gathered at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on Saturday morning to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the iconic Giant Dipper roller coaster.

In the April 26 Sentinel, reporter Aric Sleeper reports how once again the Santa Cruz City Council is wasting taxpayer dollars by paying a firm to “rebrand” the city. The City Council has made it clear that they are pushing for more development at the expense of all else. The city approved a large apartment […]

Dramatically bucking a national trend reflecting a 12% increase in homelessness, Santa Cruz County counted its smallest estimated unhoused population to date during its annual point-in-time count early this year.

After a devastating swell pounded West Cliff Drive with a powerful barrage of storm-fueled waves, taking portions of the pedestrian path and roadway into the sea last January, the city of Santa Cruz facilitated an all-hands-on-deck response to redirect traffic and swiftly repair the extensive damage, an endeavor that it is still underway.

From the formulation of its initial draft in the first few months of the year to its submittal to the California Department of Housing and Community Development in December, the creation of the city's latest housing element has been a laborius, endeavor for the city of Santa Cruz.

The annual Downtown Holiday Parade featured 74 different groups, bands and performers of all types and brought thousands of Santa Cruz County residents and visitors from around the Bay Area.

After almost two years dedicated to the Santa Cruz Public Library system, Yolande Wilburn will retire from her role as director Thursday. Wilburn is moving to the greater Chicago area to be closer to family.

"I can’t predict the future, but I can recognize a pivotal moment when it happens, and that moment for the city of Santa Cruz is now," writes Susan Monheit in a Guest Commentary. "There are 42 significant developments on the city website that developers have proposed and City Council is in the process of approving."

With a sand sculpture contest, nautical parade and stand-up paddleboard race among other contests and activities, the Capitola Beach Festival returns this Saturday and Sunday with the theme "Beauty and the Beach."

Between February 2022 and 2023, however, homelessness declined substantially to 1,804 people, the county's lowest population recorded in more than two decades.