Jesse Kathan

Santa Cruz, Them

Freelance Science Journalist at Freelance

Reporter for @theSCLocal @ucbsoj California Local Reporting Fellow @UCSC_Scicomm alum

Articles

“It’s as dire as it could be”: Funding freeze threatens to halt UCSC research, stifle Santa Cruz biotech industry

1 month ago | santacruzlocal.org | Jesse Kathan

Microbiology professor Karen Ottemann addresses a crowd of students, faculty and other supporters at a Stand up for Science rally Friday at UC Santa Cruz. (Jesse Kathan — Santa Cruz Local)SANTA CRUZ >> A de facto funding freeze on federal biomedical grants could soon stymie UC Santa Cruz research on cancer and other diseases, and stifle the county’s biotech industry, several UC Santa Cruz faculty members said.
161 homes proposed on Graham Hill Road near Scotts Valley - Santa Cruz Local

Sep 30, 2024 | santacruzlocal.org | Jesse Kathan

A Builder's Remedy project with 161 homes is planned for Graham Hill Road on 40 acres of horse pasture near Rollingwoods Drive.
Downtown Santa Cruz hotel could get lower-cost rooms

Sep 6, 2024 | santacruzlocal.org | Jesse Kathan

The California Coastal Commission is set to decide whether a planned hotel at Front and Laurel streets in Santa Cruz will include some lower-cost rooms. (BCV Architecture + Interiors)Meeting: 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12Attend at Portola Plaza Hotel, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey. To comment by Zoom or phone, submit a request by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11. The meeting will be streamed on Cal-Span.
Measure U would reduce San Lorenzo Valley Water bills, but could slow repairs

Sep 5, 2024 | santacruzlocal.org | Jesse Kathan

Measure U on the Nov. 5 ballot measure would repeal a recent charge in San Lorenzo Valley Water District and cap some future increases. Repairs recently began on a pipeline near Ben Lomond to a water treatment plant that was severely damaged in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. (San Lorenzo Valley Water District)BOULDER CREEK >> Voters in San Lorenzo Valley Water District in November will decide whether to reverse a recent water bill hike and cap some future charges.
Park Ave. Soquel housing project on track, developer says

Sep 3, 2024 | santacruzlocal.org | Jesse Kathan |Nik Altenberg

A housing project at 2838 Park Ave. in Soquel is supposed to finish in early 2025. (Tyler Maldonado — Santa Cruz Local file)SOQUEL >> Construction appeared to stall for several weeks this summer at a 36-unit permanent supportive housing complex at 2838 Park Ave. in Soquel, but a representative for the developer said the project remains on track to finish next year. Santa Cruz Local’s newsletter breaks down complex local topics and shows residents how to get involved.
Earn money by advising Santa Cruz city and county leaders

Aug 30, 2024 | santacruzlocal.org | Jesse Kathan

County boards and commissions help advise the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. (Marcello Hutchinson-Trujillo — Santa Cruz Local file)SANTA CRUZ >> Have ideas to improve Santa Cruz County? Residents can now apply to have a direct line to Santa Cruz city and county leaders — and get paid a small sum for the privilege.
Live Oak affordable housing proposal grows despite neighbors’ concerns

Aug 30, 2024 | santacruzlocal.org | Jesse Kathan

A five-building housing complex is proposed at Thurber Lane and Soquel Drive. (Jesse Kathan — Santa Cruz Local file)Many Live Oak residents have objected to a proposed affordable housing development on Soquel Drive and Thurber Lane with concerns that the five-building apartment complex is too large and will exacerbate traffic. Now, the potential development has more homes and less parking.
Relocation money available for CZU fire survivors

Aug 26, 2024 | santacruzlocal.org | Jesse Kathan

Felton roads are nearly deserted under a sepia sky Aug. 20, 2020 after evacuation orders for the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. (William Duncan — Santa Cruz Local file)Meeting: 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27Attend the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting, 701 Ocean St., Room 525, Santa Cruz. Join on Zoom or call 669-900-6833, meeting ID 817 3220 2363. The meeting also will be streamed on Facebook. To comment ahead of the meeting, email by 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26.
Central Fire’s $221 million bond measure, explained

Aug 26, 2024 | santacruzlocal.org | Jesse Kathan

Central Fire District Station 1 is on 17th Avenue. Central Fire leaders have placed a bond measure on the Nov. 5 ballot. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local)SANTA CRUZ >> Voters in the Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County will decide whether to approve $221 million in bonds with Measure R in the Nov. 5 election. The district includes much of mid-Santa Cruz County, including Capitola, Soquel, Aptos, Live Oak, La Selva Beach and Rio Del Mar.
School board races participation drops in Santa Cruz County

Aug 19, 2024 | santacruzlocal.org | Jesse Kathan

The Live Oak School District Board of Trustees will not have an election this November. Its three open board seats will be appointed due to a lack of candidates. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local file) SANTA CRUZ >> Just one-fourth of open school board seats in Santa Cruz County will be on voters’ ballots in the Nov. 5 election. Twenty of 32 seats will be awarded to the sole candidate, and four more will be appointed or go vacant.