Stephen Baxter

1 month ago | ithaca.com | Stephen Baxter

I’m not sure this is a great idea, may not be the best way to open a letter to the editor? But I had to do something! After I sobered up around November 9th, I spent the next three months alternating between comatose depression and homicidal rage. You see I’m a 75 year old white male living on Social Security. I get help with my housing, receive food stamps and aid with my winter heating bills.

Aug 5, 2024 | santacruzlocal.org | Nik Altenberg |Stephen Baxter

A free National Night Out event with games and food will take place 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 at MacDorsa Park near Scotts Valley City Hall. (Kara Meyberg Guzman — Santa Cruz Local file)National Night Out in Santa Cruz County4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 / Boulder Creek Fire Department, 13230 Central Ave., Boulder Creek5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 / Jade Street Park, 4400 Jade St., Capitola5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 / MacDorsa Park, 77 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug.

Jun 28, 2024 | santacruzlocal.org | Stephen Baxter

Santa Cruz County’s population has declined since 2017, and industries like health care are growing in part because of an aging population. (BW Research Partnership)SANTA CRUZ >> Santa Cruz County’s job growth has rebounded from the pandemic slower than the state average, and new jobs in the county were led by emerging industries in biotechnology, transportation and manufacturing, according to a 2024 State of the Workforce report released this week.

Jun 17, 2024 | santacruzlocal.org | Jesse Kathan |Stephen Baxter

From left, Scotts Valley City Councilmembers Donna Lind, Alan Timms, Mayor Randy Jonson and Derek Timm. (Marcello Hutchinson-Trujillo — Santa Cruz Local)The Scotts Valley City Council approved a $40 million city budget on June 12 and took a step toward putting a business tax hike on the Nov. 5 ballot. To help cover an average annual deficit of $2.5 million, city staff has proposed to raise the cost of business licenses. The business license fee was established in 1992 and has not been raised since.

Jun 10, 2024 | santacruzlocal.org | Stephen Baxter |Nik Altenberg |Jesse Kathan

Expected to finish in September, Segment 7 of the rail trail connects California Street to Beach Street near the wastewater treatment plant in Santa Cruz. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)Santa Cruz: A paved path from California Street to Beach Street in Santa Cruz is expected to finish construction in mid-September, said Ricardo Valdes, a Santa Cruz senior engineer. The project is part of Segment 7 of the Coastal Rail Trail that was initially anticipated to finish in February.