Aptos Times: January 1, 2026 by Times Publishing Group, Inc.

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Year in Review

This year was a difficult one for us at Times Publishing Group, Inc. as we lost our beloved editor Jondi Gumz. Jondi was a wonderful person and an excellent journalist who served the Santa Cruz County community for decades. We will always miss her and keep her in our hearts. Lookback begins page 8

California 2026: New Public Safety Laws Local writer Mark Marinovich poses for a photo in front of the SS Palo Alto, known as the Cement Ship. He will be giving a talk about the novel at the Aptos branch of the Santa Cruz Library on Jan. 23 from 2-3 p.m.

Cement Ship Inspires Local Writer Fictional Mystery Novel Steeped in Local Lore By Jon Chown

Mark Marinovich was one of them. The Aptos native, a 1972 Aptos High grad, grew up fishing off the concrete hull of the World War I-era ship built of cement and abandoned off Seacliff Beach. ... continues on page 4

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Volume 35

No. 1

Table of Contents

Happy New Year Please visit us!

Cover Cement Ship Inspires Local Writer: Fictional Mystery Novel Steeped in Local Lore, By Jon Chown Year in Review – Pages 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 30

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Community News Seven-Year-Old Wins 2025 ‘Youth Art in Lights’ Contest California Highlights New Public Safety Laws Taking Effect in 2026 She Adventures Film Tour at Rio Theatre • SC Farm Bureau Wins ‘County of the Year’ Award 9 Storm Pounds County During Holiday 11 Aptos Nonprofit Funds 600 New Coats for Kids • Opening of Dungeness Crab Season Delayed 13 PVUSD Board Votes For Job Cuts Again: Trustees Affirm Decision in Special Meeting 14 Farm Animals Returning to the County Fair: California Lifts Ban on Poultry, Dairy Cattle Exhibitions, Clearing Way for Their Return 5 6 7

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – New Year, 2026 – A Prayer for Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28, 29 Featured Columnists 23 Rushed Layoffs and Silenced Voices at PVUSD, By The Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers 25 Sixty-Five Years On, Soquel Creek Water District Continues to Look Ahead, By Dr. Tom LaHue, President, Soquel Creek Water District Board of Directors 31 Colorful Berries Brighten Wintry Gardens, By Tony Tomeo

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COVER STORY publisher

Patrice Edwards

editor

Jon Chown

layout

Michael Oppenheimer

graphic artists

Michael Oppenheimer, Ward Austin

“Seacliff Park” from page 1

photography Michael Oppenheimer

website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti

production coordinator

Camisa Composti

media consultants

Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine

Cathe Race

office coordinator distribution

Bill Pooley, Erik Long

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Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards. Entire contents ©2026. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission

Decades later, his memories of the Cement Ship, mixed with local lore and a lot of historical research, became the foundation of his new novel, Seacliff Park. Marinovich will discuss the book during a public appearance at the Aptos branch of the Santa Cruz County Library on Jan. 23 from 2 to 3 p.m. The Cement Ship, Marinovich said, creates a timeline for older generations of local residents. “Where at one time we climbed on the ship, often in the ship, and now there’s no pier to the ship,” he said. “Over the years, it means different things to all of us depending on the phase of life you’re in. It’s turned from a playground into a backdrop. It’s iconic. There’s nothing else like it.” In researching the novel, Marinovich leaned heavily on the work and guidance of local historians, including Carolyn Swift, John Hibble and Sandy Lydon. He also credits the late David Heron, whose book **Forever Facing South: The Story of the SS Palo Alto** he calls a “gold mine” of information about the ship. The book is currently out of print. Lydon’s foreword to Heron’s book describes childhood fishing trips inside the ship’s open compartments, the sort of experiences Marinovich shared years later as a teenager. He remembers climbing over the rail, sliding down rebar and lowering a fishing line into the holds. He wouldn’t

hook any fish, but would definitely catch an adrenaline rush. Those memories shaped Seacliff Park, a historical suspense novel set in 1929, during the ship’s brief life as an amusement destination. The book imagines newlyweds Lily and Charlie attempting to build a family attraction atop a derelict oil tanker, unaware that bootleggers have converted its hold into a Prohibition-era speakeasy — a setup that plunges them into violent gang conflicts. Though the story is fictional, Marinovich said some of the characters and events are real. “It’s a combination of both,” he said. “I was superficially aware of most of the characters and events that I reimagined for my story, but never dug much deeper than that.” Marinovich’s life as a writer began as soon as he could read, so it seemed obvious to pursue writing as a career. After high school, with the Watergate scandal in full throttle, he began studying journalism at Cabrillo College. A defining moment for him arrived when author Richard Bach, fresh off the success of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, visited Cabrillo. Marinovich helped pick up Bach from the Salinas airport, scribbling interview notes as the author watched over his shoulder. “That experience stayed with me,” Marinovich said. After college, Marinovich said he careened from survival job to writing project and back and forth. He wrote marketing

communications, emails, website content and product announcements. He wrote most of Wells Fargo Bank’s brochures for many years before eventually moving on to eBay, where he was a senior copywriter. During that time, he wrote novels before work, after hours and even during breaks in his car. His first novel, The White Boats, was optioned for film in 2015, though the project collapsed amid unrelated international media attention surrounding actress Kate del Castillo and her connections to the drug kingpin El Chapo. In 2023, Marinovich broke his arm in a fall and was confined to a chair for months. After a week of watching TV, he got tired of that and started writing. He said he initially envisioned a short adventure-romance story set during the Cement Ship’s heyday in the early 1930s where sweet newlyweds would build a family amusement park atop the Palo Alto. It would be a happy story. “Then I realized that nobody ever made a movie called ‘The Village of the Happy People’,” he said. Seacliff Park is available at the Seacliff Visitors Center, Two Birds Books on 41st. Avenue, at all Santa Cruz County library branches, and on Amazon. “It’s selling out at each location,” he said. “It’s because of that fasciation, that passionate interest in the Cement Ship. It’s unique. It’s iconic. It’s dramatic. It grips one’s imagination.” n

PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Seven-Year-Old Wins 2025 ‘Youth Art in Lights’ Contest WATSONVILLE — Move over Picasso! The Santa Cruz County Fair Foundation and Agricultural History Project has revealed the winner of the 2025 Sparky’s Holiday Lights ‘Youth Art in Lights’ contest! The winner is 7-year-old Allyson (last name withheld by parents) a very talented student from Ohlone Elementary School in Watsonville. Her enchanting artwork features a delightful blue penguin, adorned with a pink heart and holding a festive candy cane! It truly captures the essence of joy and creativity that embodies the Santa Cruz County community. The group gave a special thank you to their designer, Dave, who skillfully transformed Allyson’s vision into a stunning metal creation. And thank you to the “wrap stars” -- whose collaborative efforts brought her artwork to life in a spectacular display of lights. “We hope Allyson’s creativity inspires other young artists, as it has inspired us,” said Jeanie Kegebein of the SCFF. The “Youth Art in Lights” contest is open to kids aged 5-12. Young artists submit a drawing of a holiday-themed object or scene. The Holiday Lights

Allyson with her Youth Art in Lights sculpture

Committee selects a winner… and that drawing is brought to life in lights and becomes one of the colorful displays in Sparky’s Holiday Lights. n ••• Cover Photo: Allyson’s winning drawing

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Allyson with her mother Alejandra, Uncle Johnny, Aunt Elizabeth and cousins Bella, Mia and Iris.

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California Highlights New Public Safety Laws Taking Effect in 2026 F rom tougher penalties for burglary tools to new rules for electric bicycles and speed enforcement, a slate of public safety laws approved this year by California lawmakers will take effect in 2026, the California Highway Patrol reminded the public in a recent press release. The measures, passed during the 2024 legislative session and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, are aimed at improving roadway safety, protecting pedestrians and addressing emerging technologies such as electric bikes and autonomous vehicles. Unless otherwise specified, the laws take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Among the criminal law changes, Assembly Bill 486 makes it a misdemeanor to possess certain high-tech tools — including key programming devices, key duplicators and signal extenders — when intended for use in a burglary. Violators could face up to six months in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Several new laws focus on electric bicycle and off-highway vehicle safety. Under Assembly Bill 544, electric bicycles must display a red rear reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector at all times, not just at night. The law also allows a CHP-developed online safety course to satisfy training requirements for minors cited for helmet violations. Senate Bill 586 creates a legal definition for off-highway electric motorcycles, or “eMotos,” classifying them as off-highway motor vehicles. Riders will be required to wear safety helmets, and unregistered vehicles must display identification issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Pedestrian safety in school zones is also addressed. Assembly Bill 382 allows cities and counties to lower school zone speed limits from 25 mph to 20 mph by ordinance through 2031. After that date, the reduced speed limit will automatically apply where proper signage is posted. New speed enforcement tools are also coming. Assembly Bill 289 authorizes a pilot program using radar or laser systems in highway work zones to detect speeding and photograph license plates, with citations mailed to registered vehicle owners. Another measure, Assembly Bill 1014, allows Caltrans

to lower highway speed limits by 5 mph and requires warning citations during the first 30 days after a reduction. Drivers will also see an expansion of California’s “slow down and move over” law. Assembly Bill 390 extends protections to include any stationary highway maintenance or disabled vehicle using hazard lights, cones or flares. Vehicle impoundment rules change under Assembly Bill 875, which allows officers to impound certain electric-powered vehicles capable of exceeding 20 mph if they do not qualify as electric bicycles and are operated by unlicensed riders. The law also applies to Class 3 electric bicycles operated by children under 16. Additional laws passed in 2024 focus on product safety and emerging vehicle technology. Senate Bill 1271 requires electric bicycles, powered mobility devices and lithium-ion batteries to meet laboratorytested safety standards and carry compliance labels starting in 2026. By 2028, noncompliant devices may no longer be offered for rent. Assembly Bill 1777 addresses autonomous vehicles, granting law enforcement authority to issue notices of noncompliance to manufacturers once DMV regulations are in place. Beginning July 1, 2026, autonomous vehicles without human operators must also include two-way communication devices for first responders. The CHP said it is highlighting the new laws to help Californians understand the changes and make safer choices on roads and highways statewide. n

The measures, passed during the 2024 legislative session and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, are aimed at improving roadway safety, protecting pedestrians and addressing emerging technologies such as electric bikes and autonomous vehicles.

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She Adventures Film Tour at Rio Theatre O n Saturday Jan. 24, The She Adventures Film Tour returns to the Rio Theatre for a one-night celebration of women and girls pushing boundaries in the outdoors. The program features inspirational adventure films from independent filmmakers worldwide, spotlighting stories ranging from cave diver Jill Heinerth’s

explorations to young skateboarder Mia Kretzer’s breakthroughs. Films highlight mountain biking, snow sports, dance and river journeys, while supporting GirlsROCK!. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets and a full list of films are available at riotheatre. com. n Rio Theatre: 1205 Soquel AveSanta Cruz

SC Farm Bureau Wins ‘County of the Year’ Award

he Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau has received the “County of the Year” award at the California Farm Bureau’s 2025 Annual Meeting in Anaheim, according to a news release. The honor recognizes outstanding leadership in membership acquisition, advocacy work and community-based programs. The award was presented during the annual meeting held in Anaheim from Dec. 6–9. Four representatives from Santa Cruz County attended the meeting. Official delegates were John Pisturino, president, and Dennis Webb, past president. CJ Miller, second vice president, served as alternate

delegate. Executive Director Jess Brown also attended. “There are 54 County Farm Bureaus, so we were very honored to receive the ‘County of the Year’ award,” Pisturino said. He said the annual meeting allows members statewide to discuss shared issues affecting farming and to prepare for legislative issues in 2026. There are 54 County Farm Bureaus in California. n

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YEAR IN REVIEW

his year was a difficult one for us at Times Publishing Group, Inc. as we lost our beloved editor Jondi Gumz. Jondi was a wonderful person and an excellent journalist who served the Santa Cruz County community for decades. We will always miss her and keep her in our hearts. For Santa Cruz County, 2025 saw some progress on some fronts and some disappointments on others. Take a look back on 2025 with this month-by-month review.

eaching 1,000 points in four years of high school basketball is a rare and distinct accomplishment — and Isaiah Ackerman, a senior at Aptos High School, has done just that. He’s averaging 18 points a game this year. Last year, Ackerman shared the MVP title with Ben Dotten of Santa Cruz, and he’s certainly in the running this year.

JANUARY

Cabrillo Ethics Bowl Team to Compete at Nationals

abrillo College’s Ethics Bowl team has qualified to compete in the 2025 Association for Practical and Professional Ethics Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl National Competition in Norfolk, Virginia, in February. At the California Regional Competition at Stanford in December, four of the 27 teams competing advanced to the National Competition. Cabrillo College was the only community college team to compete against teams from four-year universities including UCLA, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UC Riverside, San Diego State University, and San Jose State University.

Isaiah Ackerman: 1,000 Career Points

Medina, Trustee Area III, Carol Turley, Trustee Area II, and Jessica Carrasco, Trustee Area VI, took their oath of office. Then the board chose a new president, Olivia Flores and vice president/clerk Dr. Misty Navarro. Flores, a graduate of Watsonville High with a degree in architecture, was elected in 2022 on a platform of “Safety, Education and employing well-paid certificated teachers in every classroom.” She has three children and owns a design and construction business with her husband. Navarro is an Aptos parent and an emergency medicine physician who has worked for Salinas Valley Health for the past 16 years. FEBRUARY

Olivia Flores Voted President of PVUSD Board

he seven-member Pajaro Valley Unified School District board has three members following the November election and new leaders. In December, newly elected trustees: Gabriel

PVUSD: $5 Million Cuts Include Mental Health Staff

n a meeting that had high school students staying up til 10 p.m., the Pajaro Valley Unified School District trustees voted to cut more than $5 million from the budget, including mental health clinicians students said are needed.

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The cuts come as the district is expected to lose $10 million next year due to declining enrollment and the state is not renewing grants provided during the Covid-19 pandemic to help students with issues related to online instruction. The cuts were clearly painful for all involved, notably newly seated trustee Gabriel Medina, a film producer who voted no.

Cabrillo College President to Retire

fter more than seven years of service to Cabrillo College, including landing funds to build the first oncampus student housing, President-Superintendent Matt Wetstein will retire Dec. 31. “Cabrillo College is a special place in a vibrant region,” said Wetstein. “The faculty and staff at Cabrillo are amazing and have built a caring culture for our students. I have thoroughly enjoyed the time that I have served as its leader … I will always cherish the friendships I have made at Cabrillo and in the Santa Cruz County community.” Wetstein leaves a 29-year career in public higher education and plans to move to Stockton where he and his wife Cindy have a home — and spend time traveling.

PVUSD Administrators Win Regional Awards

our Pajaro Valley Unified School District administrators have been honored as regional Administrators of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators. This prestigious recognition highlights their exceptional leadership and contributions to educational excellence. The honorees are: Heather Bailey, Elementary Principal of the Year; Rich Arellano, Business Services Administrator of the Year; Lisa Sandoval, Central Office Administrator of the Year; and Claudia Monjaras, Curriculum & Instruction Administrator of the Year. MARCH

New Principals at Valencia & Renaissance

atrick Lynch is the new principal of Valencia Elementary in Aptos, starting in July. Currently he is the academic coordinator for both Rio Del Mar Elementary and Calabasas Elementary. “Year in Review” page 10

COMMUNITY NEWS

Storm Pounds County During Holiday

n atmospheric river dumped several inches of rain on Santa Cruz County during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and wind gusts reportedly in excess of 90 mph flipped boats in the Santa Cruz Harbor and toppled trees into power lines in the Santa Cruz Mountains. A tornado warning was even briefly issued on Christmas Day. More than 11,000 people were left without power. Outages were especially significant in the mountains around Brookdale, Ben Lomond, and around Bonny Doon. In the areas around Nisene Marks State Park there were also significant outages. The storm was part of a larger weather event that flooded areas throughout the state, especially in the south. Daily rainfall records were set Christmas Eve in Oxnard (3.33 inches), Santa Barbara (3.31 inches) and Woodland Hills (3.96) inches. The rainfall was not as drastic in Northern California, but PG&E reported more than 40,000 customers without power on Christmas Day. On Dec. 26, most still did not have power. n

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YEAR IN REVIEW MAY

“Year in Review” from page 8 Lynch started his education career in 2012 as a paraprofessional in a special education program. He became an elementary school teacher in 2015 and he also has experience teaching 7th grade. Joe Smith has been selected as the permanent principal for Renaissance High School after working as interim principal this school year. He has spent most of his career at Aptos High School, joining the staff in 1996 as an academic learning coordinator, then social studies teacher and assistant principal. He has coached the basketball teams at Aptos High, both the boys and girls and won several league championships. APRIL

Mar Vista Elementary Expands to Grade 8

ith 80% voting in favor, Mar Vista Elementary School will become a

Aptos High School Boys Golf Team Finishes Season 7-3

ptos High School boys golf team finished the regular season with a 7-3 record. “We had our final match, Senior Night and our Golf Awards Banquet all yesterday afternoon evening,” reported head coach Paul Zech. The team bid farewell to nine seniors.

PVUSD Board of Education Appoints Measure M Bond Committee

transitional kindergarten through eighthgrade (TK-8) school in 2025-26. The Pajaro Valley Unified School District made the announcement March 26. PVUSD conducted town hall meetings, informational sessions, surveys, and engaged with parents, educators, and community members to make sure families had all necessary information to make an informed decision.

Aptos High Debate Team Heads to State

The Aptos High School Migrant Education Debate Team earned first place at the regional tournament March 14 in Salinas and will advance to the state competition May 2–4 in Monterey. The regional tournament brought together teams from across the area, all showcasing their public speaking skills, critical thinking, and teamwork. The Aptos High team impressed judges with their persuasive arguments, poise, and collaborative approach.

Central Fire Chief Jason Nee to Retire

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entral Fire Chief Jason Nee, 50, will retire this year. He joined Central Fire in 1999. He lives in Santa Cruz with his wife of 22 years and has two children, a son in college and a daughter who is a high school senior. He also has a chocolate lab named Coco.

Aptos High: Dr. AHS Out

lison Hanks-Sloan, principal of Aptos High School for almost three years, is being reassigned, and parents and teachers are not happy about it. In a petition on Change.org, parents say, “Dr AHS has led the school with grace, passion and strength. She’s been an unwavering support for all who come in contact with her. This would be a devastating loss for the Aptos High Community.” So far, 600 people have signed the petition. They are asking Dr. Heather Contreras, superintendent of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District since May, to reverse her decision.

ajaro Valley Unified School District announced the formation of the Citizens’ Oversight Committee (COC) for the Measure M Bond. The committee will play a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability in the expenditure of funds from the voterapproved $315 million Measure M facilities bond. The committee represents a broad range of stakeholder groups, as required under California Education Cod. They are Lourdes H. Barraza, Bill Beecher, Colleen Bugayong, Jessica Clements, Adriana Mata, Maria Meade, Murry Schekman, and Luz Sotelo. JUNE

Jondi Gumz Bids Farewell

or the past five years, it has been the delight of my life to be editor of Aptos Times, Capitola-Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, curating a collection of news and information your community cares about, building up the Coastal Health & Wellness magazine and working for a rare local owner, Patrice Edwards. However, I feel I must step back to focus on my own health. I’ve been living with breast cancer since 2018, disappointed that two nodules returned despite the lumpectomy that year. In March, the respiratory virus RSV knocked me for a loop, left me with coughing fits for which I’ve tried every remedy, in vain. At this point, I’m looking for joy and those grandkids are just what I need. So, if you don’t see my name, this is the explanation. Au revoir, until we meet again.

Author, Activist John Robbins Dies at 77

SOQUEL — John Robbins, a bestselling author and activist who relinquished the Baskin-Robbins fortune to become a leading voice for food consciousness and sustainability, died June 11 at his home in Soquel. He was 77. Robbins is best known for his 1987 book “Diet for a New America,” which revealed connections among diet, animal welfare, human health and the environment. “Year in Review” page 12

COMMUNITY NEWS

Aptos Nonprofit Funds 600 New Coats for Kids R esurrection Church Knights of Columbus Council #9580 in Aptos has raised funds for its Coats for Kids program for the tenth year, providing nearly 600 new winter jackets to children and families in need, according to a news release. Nearly 500 jackets will be distributed to families in Pajaro through the nonprofit Casa de la Cultura Center, led by Sister Rosa Delores Rodriguez. Another 100 jackets are being sent to All About Children’s foster program in Oroville. The council also hopes to deliver additional coats to Jacob’s Heart in Watsonville.

The effort was supported by donations from the parish community, anonymous donors and the work of council members. Columbia-brand Sportswear provided children’s jackets at a discounted cost, allowing the group to expand the reach of its fundraising. A drive-thru distribution in Pajaro is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Marinovich Cold Storage facility, 303A Salinas Road. Knights from councils in Aptos and Watsonville will assist with distributing jackets, food and gifts. n

Opening of Dungeness Crab Season Delayed

MONTEREY — California’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery on the central coast will open Jan. 5, with a 40% gear reduction to reduce the risk of whale entanglements, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced in late December. Recreational crabbing will open statewide the same day, while the northern coast will remain closed to commercial crabbing until at least Jan. 15. Four humpback whales were confirmed entangled in California Dungeness crab gear in 2025, with five additional humpbacks entangled in unknown gear that may have been Dungeness gear from California. About 75% of whale entanglements are fatal. NOAA Fisheries reported 95 large whale entanglements in U.S. waters in 2024. CDFW said it delayed the commercial season to allow more time for whales to migrate to calving grounds off Mexico

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YEAR IN REVIEW “Year in Review” from page 10

Published in 1987, it sold more than a million copies and helped ignite the modern plant-based movement. But to those in Santa Cruz County, Robbins was also a neighbor who lived quietly in Soquel as an embodiment of the principles he wrote about. The Robbins family issued a statement asking for privacy and understanding

CEO Palacios Announces Retirement Plans

anta Cruz County’s Executive Officer Carlos Palacios announced June 19 that he will be retiring in December. The County Board of Supervisors announced the decision by Palacios, who has served for nearly 10 years as the county’s top executive and more than three decades in local government leadership. Palacios was the first first Latino CEO in county history. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Santa Cruz County,” Palacios said. “I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made together — from responding to crises to building a stronger, healthier, and more equitable community. None of it would

have been possible without the tireless work of county staff, the partnership of community organizations, and the leadership of the Board of Supervisors. I look forward to supporting a smooth transition and seeing what the future holds for this remarkable county.” Palacios was appointed in 2017 after 20 years as city manager of Watsonville, where he began his career in local government in 1992, was promoted to city manager in 1996 and led the city through some challenging times, growth and controversy.

Larry Jacobs & Sandra Belin Named 2025 ‘Farmer of the Year’

o-Owners of Jacobs Farm del Cabo honored at Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau 108th Annual Meeting/Dinner Larry Jacobs & Sandra Belin, co-owners

of Jacobs Farm del Cabo, were selected as the 2025 “Farmer of the Year” by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau. The award is presented annually to the farmer or farmers who have contributed beyond their normal farming duties to help the community. “Larry Jacobs and Sandra Belin are deeply committed to growing organic food and protecting our land and soils to assure that there continues to be a place to plant and grow healthy flavorful food in the future,” the Farm Bureau stated in a press release announcing the award. Jacobs and Belin co-founded Jacobs Farm in 1980, a northern California organic farming operation specializing in culinary herbs. Currently they farm in three counties: San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara, growing culinary herbs, tomatoes and pumpkins.

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MOSS LANDING — Monterey County Sheriff’s Office detectives announced the arrest of Joshua Timothy Holdsclaw, 29, for voluntary manslaughter after he reportedly got into an altercation with Aptos resident Trenton Paul Black and Black died. According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, On June 11th, 2025, shortly before 9 a.m., Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputies and California State Parks Officers were notified of an incident in which two boats had collided in the Moss Landing Harbor. Witnesses reported seeing one boat operator climbing onto the other’s boat and a fight ensued. At one point, one subject was reported to have fallen into the water while the other assaulted him with a stick. Witnesses reported one of the involved parties, identified later as Joshua Timothy Holtzclaw, had exited the water with his boat. He was detained by deputies for questioning. Detectives were able to conduct interviews with Holtzclaw and multiple witnesses, and it was determined that the two boats had collided, Black boarded Holtzclaw’s boat and the were fighting when Black fell into the water. Witnesses stated it appeared Holtzclaw began striking Black with a stick. Black remained in the water and Holtzclaw left the area. A passing vessel attempted to rescue Black by tossing a life preserver, but they were unsuccessful.

Grand Jury Urges Changes to Building Permit Process

he Santa Cruz County Grand Jury is urging the Board of Supervisors to modify the rules for building permits, consider reducing fees, streamline the process, and hire an ombudsman to help the public navigate the system. The building permit process in Santa Cruz County has long been a source of frustration for residents and was previously examined by county grand juries in 2002–03 and 2012–13. Building permits were also reviewed in the 2023–24 CZU fire rebuild report. A building project may involve a few regulations or many—such as soils reports, fire road access, water diversion, or environmental habitat considerations. The Grand Jury interviewed architects, civil engineers and contractors who have worked extensively in Santa Cruz County and elsewhere. It also spoke with homeowner applicants and county staff involved in permitting. The focus was on the “complexity, costs and extended time frames associated with the permitting process,” according to the report.

Grand Jury Targets Human Trafficking

uman trafficking goes largely unrecognized and unreported in Santa Cruz County, according to the final report to be released by the 2025 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury. The report concluded that a lack of training for adults and education programs for youth is the main culprit, along with poor coordination between agencies that could address the problem. To address it, the Grand Jury mad 10 recommendations, including forming a countywide trafficking coalition, coordinating with neighboring counties, creating a hotline number to report suspected incidences, and regulating massage parlors better. The Grand Jury interviewed both victims and frontline workers who help those victims. Human trafficking is a growing problem, the report notes. According to the United Nations, women and girls make up 71 percent of victims worldwide. The World Cup events scheduled for 2026 in Santa Clara County are bound to have a significant impact here in Santa Cruz County. The development of a year-round event center in Santa Cruz will also likely have an impact, according to the Grand Jury. Undocumented workers can also be victims of human trafficking. Many have little education and complaining about abuse brings attention from law enforcement.

Mental Health, Substance Abuse Programs in Grand Jury’s Final Report

he final 2024-25 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury’s final report recommends increased county funding to treat behavioral health and substance abuse issues, and more coordination between programs that address these issues — including financially. “Year in Review” page 15

COMMUNITY NEWS

PVUSD Board Votes For Job Cuts Again

Trustees Affirm Decision in Special Meeting

WATSONVILLE — The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees voted again to lay off dozens of teachers and other staff during a special meeting held Dec. 22. The vote was just 11 days after passing the same cuts at a contentious board meeting that ended with the public being cleared from the room. The Dec. 22 meeting went smoother, though the cuts were no less unpopular. Fifteen counselor positions, 40 elementary and middle school teachers, and 13 other positions that included a theater arts teacher, film teacher, choir instructor and music teacher were cut from the budget, equivalent to 81 full-time positions. The cuts were deemed necessary to address the district’s steadily increasing budget deficit, which is primarily due to the district’s falling enrollment. The deficit for 2025-26 is projected at $10.4 million, before rising to $15.5 million in 2026-27 and nearly $18 million the year after that. At that point, the district will have spent its reserve and be forced into receivership, losing control over local decisions while at the same time being forced to pay for auditors and additional administration. “Our district was already facing a budget crisis in 2018. When COVID hit, temporary funds stabilized our finances and likely prevented state intervention,” Trustee Olivia Flores explained to the audience attending the meeting. “Unfortunately, the district did not use those additional funds to correct longstanding budget issues. Instead, we added positions funded by one-time monies. … We are now dealing with the consequences of those decisions, alongside declining enrollment. If we continue spending more than we bring in, we will only deepen the financial hole.” The meeting was not livestreamed or recorded. Some in the audience decried that it was a violation of the Brown Act to do so, as previous meetings had always been streamed and recorded, which they argued made it a policy that cannot be changed without proper notice. If the intent was to keep the meeting off the internet, it failed, as numerous people then made their own recordings and posted them online. Most of the board members wanted to explain their votes to make the cuts, which they admitted were difficult to do. Trustee Jessica Carrasco said it was a terrible decision to have to make, but was necessary. “I honor our youth, and I need you to

Fifteen counselor positions, 40 elementary and middle school teachers, and 13 other positions that included a theater arts teacher, film teacher, choir instructor and music teacher were cut from the budget, equivalent to 81 full-time positions. believe me that I am not here to deceive the very community that raised me,” Carrasco said. She said she grew up playing soccer, and not everyone on the team had to like each other, but they needed to work toward the same goal. “That’s what I’m asking here,” she said. “The students are watching, and they deserve this example.” Trustee Gabriel Medina followed Carrasco by lecturing his fellow trustees. “I don’t think many of you understand how important the arts are,” Medina said. “You probably see it as a hobby. Most of us see it as a living. We see it as a way to express ourselves, a way to understand ourselves as a people.” He then specifically attacked Carrasco. “When you tell somebody you’re going to do one thing and your vote does another, that says something about you,” Medina said. Medina seemed to bring his fellow trustee to tears later in the meeting when he appeared to accuse her of “cosplaying” her Latino heritage. Medina finished with a dark tone. “Removing resources is a form of violence,” he said. “And you have no remorse for your decision.” Public comment ensued and was almost unanimously against the cuts. “I think this decision is a little hasty,” said a parent of an Aptos High student. “The approach could be counterproductive. If the services go down, you’ll have lower enrollment.” After he spoke, Medina interrupted public comment to ask Superintendent Heather Contreras if the state budget had been released. Medina has often decried that the cuts are being made before the budget has been released and before it is even known if they will be needed.

“PVUSD Cuts” page 16

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / January 1st 2026 / 13

COMMUNITY NEWS

Farm Animals Returning to the County Fair

California Lifts Ban on Poultry, Dairy Cattle Exhibitions, Clearing Way for Their Return

alifornia officials have lifted a statewide ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at fairs and shows, a move that will allow the Santa Cruz County Fair to bring back animal exhibits that were absent last year because of disease concerns. “We are thrilled to have poultry and the dairy cows back with the amazing youth that care for them and show them at the 2026 Fair,” said Dori Rose Inda, CEO/Fair manager Santa Cruz County Fair in a text message. The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced that the restriction, imposed due to the spread of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, had been lifted in late December following months of surveillance and review of infection trends in poultry and dairy cattle. The ban prevented poultry and dairy cattle from being shown at fairs across the state, including the Santa Cruz County Fair, which was unable to host those animals during its most recent run. The absence affected traditional livestock displays and educational opportunities that are a core part of county fairs and youth agricultural programs. State officials said the decision followed improved understanding of how the virus spreads, declining risk levels, and the implementation of enhanced mitigation measures. CDFA said it consulted with epidemiologists and animal health partners at both the state and federal levels before lifting the ban. While exhibitions may resume, the department urged fairgrounds, organizers and exhibitors to maintain heightened biosecurity practices. Animals showing signs of illness should not be transported or exhibited, and veterinarians should be contacted promptly if disease is suspected. CDFA emphasized that protecting animal health and public health remains a priority

while also supporting agricultural traditions, youth programs and educational exhibits that depend on livestock participation.

14 / January 1st 2026 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

The department said it will continue monitoring H5N1 activity statewide and will work with fair organizers and animal owners to ensure safeguards remain in place.

Additional guidance for exhibitions will be posted on the CDFA website. n Suspected cases of H5N1 in poultry or cattle should be reported to the CDFA Sick Bird Hotline at 866-922-2473.

YEAR IN REVIEW Aptos Celebrates Fourth of July with the 64th Annual World’s Shortest Parade

“Year in Review” from page 12 According to the Grand Jury, in the past five years, two state-mandated reports have recommended the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency do a better job of identifying and managing patients with behavioral health and substance abuse issues. These patients, termed high-cost beneficiaries, are about 15 percent of the client base in Santa Cruz County and account for 55 percent of claimed services. High-cost beneficiaries present a complex challenge for Santa Cruz County. In California counties, on average, HCBs account for 4.5 percent of patients and 34 percent of claimed services. Many HCBs have healthcare through Medical, and the county is financially responsible for any costs in excess of Medi-Cal payments for clients with severe behavioral health and/or substance use disorders. As a result, HSA’s 2023-2024 budget required an additional funding of $18.6 million from the county’s general fund. JULY

Watsonville Council Codifies Right to Assemble

atsonville’s City Council codified residents’ right to protest on city property without a permit at the July 8 City Council meeting. The council amended the city’s municipal code relating to parades and events on city property, the purpose being “to protect the First Amendment rights of Watsonville residents to peaceably assemble and/or protest in the city’s public places and to establish the lest restrictive and reasonable time, place and manner regulation of these activities.” While the code appears to be no less restrictive regarding parades or events, protests are mostly exempted from the permitting process. For “expressive events” and

“spontaneous events,” the city only asks for four hours notice, if possible, and requires pedestrian and traffic laws to be obeyed; Traffic can’t be obstructed. Protests are also prohibited if the property has already been rented for another purpose.

Santa Cruz County Fair Hires New CEO

WATSONVILLE — The 14th District Agricultural Association/Santa Cruz County Fair Board of Directors is proud to announce the hiring of Dori Rose Inda as its new Chief Executive Officer/Fair Manager. Inda brings over two decades of leadership experience in nonprofit and community-based organizations. Most recently, she served as

the CEO of Salud Para La Gente, a health center serving Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Prior to that, she was the founder and executive director of the Watsonville Law Center, which expanded access to legal services for underserved residents in the Pajaro Valley. She has also worked as a social worker supporting homeless individuals and foster families. “Dori’s commitment to our community and her track record of strong, effective leadership made her the clear choice to lead the fair into its next chapter,” said Rachel Wells, president of the fairground’s Board of Directors. The new fair manager has lived in Watsonville since 1993. She holds a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law.

he World’s Shortest Parade kicked off the July 4 holiday in Aptos and the party continued at Aptos Village Park with live music from the Joint Chiefs and lots of other fun. The parade’s grand marshall were ask of Santa Cruz County’s firefighters. Since 2021, Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County has faithfully served the communities of Aptos, Capitola, La Selva Beach, Live Oak, Rio Del Mar, and Soquel. Santa Cruz County Fire Department includes stations in Big Creek, Corralitos, Davenport, and McDermott. In the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley areas, there are multiple fire protection districts. The primary fire departments serving these areas include the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District and the Ben Lomond Fire Protection District. Additionally, the Zayante Fire Protection District and the Felton Fire Protection District also serve portions of the San Lorenzo Valley. This year’s winners are: Best of Theme: Art Factory Band: Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz Old Time Favorite: Agricultural History Project Tractors Children’s Group: Studio E Crowd Pleaser: Santa in July — by Lint Cabinetry Best Float: Pajarosa Best Individual: Mr. Gallegos Animals: Corralitos 4-H Most Patriotic: K & D Landscaping

County Unemployment Rate Rises

abor statistics released in mid-July show a slight rise in unemployment in Santa Cruz County to 6 percent, with less people working in farms, manufacturing, trades and transportation, and even financial activities. “Year in Review” page 18

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Pajaro Valley Unified School District teachers and other employees protested in front of the Watsonville Public Library over planned cuts to staff. “PVUSD Cuts” from page 13 Contreras replied that although the budget had not been released, a preliminary budget had been sent to school districts in November so they would know what to expect. “And was that budget released in any of the board documents?” Medina asked. “Yes. You did receive that,” she replied. “OK. Cool,” Medina said. Medina made several motions during the course of the meeting to adjourn it before any decision was made. When he discovered that the district’s interpreter would not be at the meeting, he questioned whether it could move forward under the Brown Act, but was told that Alejandro Chavez, the district’s public information officer, was in attendance and could interpret. It appeared to anger him. After public comment ended, Flores made a motion to approve the cuts. Before it could get a second, Medina interrupted and made what he called an amendment to the motion to include Chavez in the budget cuts as well. He then began ridiculing Trustee Misty Navarro after she questioned his violation of Robert’s Rules of Order and the Brown Act. “What is a substitute motion?” Medina asked. The attorney for PVUSD explained it to him from the audience, as well as why eliminating a position that had not even been considered and was not on the agenda was improper. “Can you tell me what that code section is?” Medina asked. The attorney’s explanation could not be fully heard by this reporter, but Government Code Section 54954.2(a)(2) of the Ralph M. Brown Act is the provision that prohibits action or discussion on nonagendized items, such as voting on the termination of an employee whose position was not listed on the agenda. The statute states that “no action or discussion shall be undertaken on any item not appearing on the posted agenda.” The

motion also defied Robert’s Rules of Order, as Flores’ motion, which she made first, had not yet been considered. “I’m a little confused,” Medina responded to the attorney. “We’re not required to follow Robert’s Rules of Order?” “No,” the attorney responded, adding that it was largely at the discretion of Trustee Turley, the board’s chair, whether a substitute motion could be considered before an original motion was voted on. Unable to get the revenge he sought against the public information officer, Medina then changed his motion to delay the vote on cuts until January. It failed to get a second. Medina then declared that revenge would come through the next election, in which the board members who voted for the cuts, along with the superintendent, would all be replaced. He then spoke to the audience in Spanish, telling them that the other trustees lived in nice homes, drove fancy cars, had plenty of money and did not care about students. Before the final vote, Turley made an impassioned speech. “Districts throughout the state are dealing with what we’re doing. Oakland is on the precipice of going into receivership again because it decided to budget on the hope that enrollment will rise,” she said. “We should all, those who care about students, be locking arms and going to the state demanding they support public education.” She then pointed out that the state expects school districts to feed students, provide health and mental health services, and address housing needs for teachers and homeless students, and is now even expecting school districts to help house fire and police personnel. “They want to keep putting all this on the backs of public education without providing the appropriate funding to do that. We should all be calling our state representatives. We’re all in the same fight,” she said. The vote was in favor, 4-2-1, with Daniel Dodge Jr. and Medina voting against the job cuts, and Trustee Joy Flynn absent. n

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YEAR IN REVIEW “Year in Review” from page 15 California’s overall unemployment rate is 5.7 percent. The county’s unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in May and 5.5 percent last June. Santa Cruz County’s unemployment rate peaks every year around January, when it exceeds 7 percent due to less jobs in agricultural sectors. Historically, during the months of April through August, it will be at its lowest. During the summer of 2023, unemployment dipped well below 5 percent. Last summer, unemployment never rose much above 5.5 percent. The rate fellow below 5 percent in May, but has already started to climb in June.

Blaze at Sushi Garden

CAPITOLA — Firefighters from the cities of Santa Cruz and Watsonville, as well as the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District and the Ben Lomond Fire Protection District all responded to a fire that engulfed the Sushi Garden at 820 Bay Ave. According to a press release from the Central Fire District, the fire was first reported at 3 a.m. When fire crews arrived, they found the restaurant already engulfed in flame, both inside and out. Immediately, a call went out for a second alarm, requesting more units based on the size and complexity of the fire. Both the first and second floors burned. After the fire was out, firefighters reported no injuries and the building unoccupied. Members of the Capitola Police, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department and Pacific Gas & Electric also responded to the fire.

Soquel Man Killed in E-bike Accident

WATSONVILLE — A 78-year-old man from Soquel died in a bicycle crash on July 9. The identity had not been released to the public by press time. At approximately 1:32 p.m., CHP officers responded to a crash on Manfre Road east of Larkin Valley Road. The victim was operating a silver Specialized Level 3 Ebike eastbound on Manfre Road at an undetermined speed. For reasons still under investigation, the cyclist went off the road and crashed into a dirt embankment south of Manfre Road. The cyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel. The cause of the collision is still under investigation. It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs

were factors in this crash. A Specialized Level 3 Ebike has an advertised top speed of 20 mph.

Compromise Doesn’t Settle Much in Rail Trail Dispute

he fight over a land encroachment by Castle Mobile Estates and Blue & Gold Star Mobile Home parks and the Regional Transportation Commission continues, but in July the two sides agreed to allow the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission to survey the mobile home lots that apparently encroach on the Coastal Rail Project. The announcement was made in a statement on July 19 from the residents of the mobile home parks. “After extensive conversations among Capitola City Councilman Gerry Jensen, and housing advocate Cami Corvin, resident of Castle Mobile Estates, many of the residents have made the collective decision to allow the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) limited access to the property for surveying purposes,” the statement reads. “Many of our residents, including those who would face serious financial hardship, deserve to have their potential burdens fully understood and documented should the RTC move forward.” Corvin, who is mentioned in the statement, has been leading the fight against the county. The struggle stems from the fact that quite a few of the mobile homeowners’ property lines encroach onto the Regional Transportation Commission’s property where the RTC is building Segments 10 and 11 (from 17th Avenue to State Park Drive) of the Monterey Bay Scenic Trail alongside the railroad tracks.

Body Found in Lake Believed to be Missing Teen

WATSONVILLE — The search for missing 15-year-old Nicholas MaganaZamora has ended in tragedy with an announcement that the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office found a body in College Lake on July 27 and believe it is him. “While official identification is pending, preliminary indications lead investigators to believe the decedent is the missing juvenile,” said a press release from the sheriff-coroner on July 29. The teen was reported missing on July 24. He was described as an “at-risk juvenile. As the search continued, authorities found his phone, bike, shoes and footprints near the lake shore. His body was found days later. No foul play is suspected. “The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family of the decedent during this heartbreaking time. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the community for its support and cooperation throughout the search,” a press stated. Members of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team were aided by nearly a dozen other agencies, and many local volunteers in the search effort.

YEAR IN REVIEW

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Aptos Little League All Stars’ Season Ends at NorCal

PETALUMA — After two-straight win-or-go-home victories, The Aptos Little League 12 All Stars’ attempt to reach the Little League World Series ended with a 6-3 loss to Maidu Majors in the Eliminationbracket final of the NorCal Tournament. Maidu handed Aptos both its losses, defeating them 4-3 in game two before sending them home after the second loss. Aptos opened the NorCal Tournament with a 9-0 win over Los Banos. Pitchers Kiran Yager, Miles Lee, and Beau Pieracci combined for the shutout. Kiran dominated the first three innings before giving way to Miles and then Beau closed it out.

Rail-to-Trail Plan Mostly Derided at Meeting

he Regional Transportation Commission seemed mostly unsatisfied with the latest draft concept report on the rail and trail project, with members voting to have the draft come back to them in December, and, they hope, less expensive. The draft, properly titled “Milestone 4,” includes both a draft project concept report and a financial analysis. The top concern was cost. The project would cost nearly $4.5 billion. And how much would a trip on the train cost, and how much would the public have to pay in taxes to keep the trains running? A lot. A one-way ride would likely be $10, possibly more. How much the train will cost taxpayers can only be guessed. Federal and state funding would be available, but how much is unknown. According to the study, if residents needed to pay half the project’s cost, a 2.25 percent sales tax would be necessary. If grants could cover as much as 80 percent, a 1.5 percent tax would pay for it. Either way, it would raise the total sales tax to more than 11 percent and as high as 12.5 percent for most

of the county. There would also have to be significant use of the train. It would hold about 230 people and would need to be filled more than 13 times a day to meet even the low end of the projected ridership need. Commissioner and District 2 Supervisor Kimberly DeSerpa was critical. “Ten dollars a ride, times two, that’s $20 a day,” she said. “It’s just not affordable for people. The other thing I’m concerned about is that people who live in rural areas will get virtually no benefit. The costs are staggering and I don’t think they make sense.”

Cabrillo Stage’s Sweeney Todd, a Powerful Hit!

he opening night of Cabrillo Stage’s “Sweeney Todd” finished with a thunderous standing ovation from a packed house after a masterful performance by Adam J. Saucedo in the lead role. From the moment he bursts onto the stage, you know you are in for a treat. His partner in crime, Mrs. Lovett, is played to perfection by Angela Jeffries. The vocal prowess, comedic timing and emotional depth of these two make for stunningly entertaining theatre. The opening night’s packed house agreed, delivering a thunderous standing ovation.

Historic Treasure Could Be Lost

It will be remembered by many in the community as a lost treasure, nearly reclaimed and momentarily grasped until it slipped away and now might be forever lost. The Redman-Hirahara House’s historic designation is being removed and the home likely razed. What remains of the home on Lee Road off Highway has been on cribbing for more than a decade, at one point waiting for the next step towards restoration, but eventually, it looked like it was just waiting to fall over. “Year in Review” page 20

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On Aug. 5, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved removing the Redman-Hirahara House from the county’s Historic Resource Inventory. The decision, according to a press release, considered the house’s significant deterioration, failed restoration attempts, and the changing neighborhood due to nearby commercial development. The next steps will be to coordinate with a professional historian to document the site for archival preservation, funded by the property owner; offer the structure to the public for salvage or relocation; and begin the process of removing the home from state and national historic registries. “It felt pretty inevitable, but it’s still sad. It’s a shame,” said Stephen Pederson, a former board member of the RedmanHirahara Foundation, the local group that almost saved the house. The farm home, built in 1897 for James Redman by famous architect William Weeks, was owned by the Hirahara family when Pearl Harbor was bombed. President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 forcibly removed Japanese-Americans from their homes and imprisoned them in camps, which included the Hirahara family. Fortunately, the Watsonville community continued to pay the taxes on the home and take care of it so that the family was able to move back in when the war was over. It was also discovered by the Redman-Hirahara Foundation that the barn, which has since completely fallen down, had once been a dormitory to house other Japanese-Americans who had no place to live after the war.

Affordable Housing Project Opens

WATSONVILLE — Aug. 12 marked the official opening of Sparrow Terrace in Watsonville, a brand-new housing complex that will feature 72 affordable apartments for lowincome families, farmworkers and formerly homeless people. The estimated cost of the development was $56 million. It was developed by the MidPen Housing Corporation, said Senior Associate Project Manager Carlos Lurado. The project was paid for by a total of eight funders, which range from the city of

Watsonville, the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz, and even international-banking leviathan Wells Fargo. Sparrow Terrace offers a total of 72 lowincome apartments, with 41 of the homes designated for farmworkers and formerly homeless people.

Santa Cruz Homelessness Drops Countywide

he 2025 homeless Point-in-Time count reveals a mixed but hopeful picture for Santa Cruz County, as overall homelessness dropped 20% from last year to the lowest total since the count began. The total number of people experiencing homelessness fell from 1,850 in 2024 to 1,473 in 2025, according to the Housing for Health Partnership, which coordinates the annual effort. However, while the countywide numbers show progress, the count also highlights stark disparities among cities. The city of Santa Cruz saw a 31% increase, rising from 659 people counted in 2024 to 862 this year. Nearby Capitola saw a 42% increase, from 50 to 71 individuals. In contrast, other jurisdictions reported steep declines: the city of Watsonville’s homeless population dropped by half, from 673 to 335, while Scotts Valley’s count plummeted 84%, falling from 44 to just 7. “These mixed trends highlight the complex nature of homelessness in our region,” said Robert Ratner, director of the Housing for Health Partnership. “While we are encouraged by the countywide reduction and significant progress in places like Watsonville and Scotts Valley, the sharp increases in Santa Cruz and Capitola are deeply concerning and underscore the urgent need for targeted, localized interventions.” SEPTEMBER

Lawsuit Filed to Save Redman-Hirahara House

ptos resident and local activist Becky Steinbruner has filed suit against Santa Cruz County, the Board of Supervisors, the city of Watsonville, and Elite Developments in an effort to save the historic RedmanHirahara House from demolition. “Year in Review” page 22

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YEAR IN REVIEW “Year in Review” from page 20 On Aug. 5, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved removing the historic home on Lee Road, located off Highway 1, from the county’s Historic Resource Inventory and began a process to delist it from the National Register of Historic Places, paving the way for eventual demolition. According to a county press release, the decision considered the house’s significant deterioration, failed restoration attempts, and a changing neighborhood due to nearby commercial development. Next steps include coordinating with a professional historian to document the site for archival preservation, funded by the property owner; offering the structure to the public for salvage or relocation; and beginning the process of removing the home from state and national historic registries. Steinbruner’s suit, originally filed in Santa Cruz County Superior Court on Sept. 4, seeks a restraining order to halt all of that. It lists seven causes of action describing how the county failed to conduct a proper archaeological analysis of the property, a structural evaluation of the house, a professional analysis of the cost of restoring it, and an environmental review of the dangers of demolishing it. For instance, according to the suit, the county failed to include potential impacts

of asbestos if the house is demolished in its environmental review.

Local Journalist, Jondi Gumz, Dies

ocal journalist and Scotts Valley resident Jolande Gumz died in her sleep at home on Sept. 11 after a long battl e with cancer. She was 72. Jondi was an editor and reporter at the Santa Cruz Sentinel for 27 years and at the Times Publishing Group for the last five years. Her beats included education, business, local government and community news. She served for four years on the Scotts Valley Unified School District Board and was active in the high school Parent Club. Born Sept. 2, 1953, in Madison, Wis., she was the daughter of Marcus and Norma Gumz. Her first love was always reporting. She enjoyed talking to people and telling their stories. Her work won numerous national, regional and local awards and citations, including a Casey Medal for her series on changes in bilingual education. She endowed a college scholarship at her alma mater, Baraboo High School, for students pursuing writing careers. She retired from the Sentinel in 2019 and spent a year deciding that retirement was boring. She went back to work for the Times Publishing Group, which covers community news in Aptos, Capitola, Soquel and Scotts Valley.

Burglaries On The Rise, Residents Warned

he Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents throughout the county, particularly in the Aptos area, about a recent increase in residential burglaries. According to the sheriff’s office, multiple homes have recently been targeted during the early morning hours while residents were inside asleep. “Our detectives are actively following up on leads, and our patrol deputies are aggressively patrolling the affected neighborhoods,” says a social media post from the sheriff’s office. “We are asking for the community’s help in staying alert and taking extra precautions to deter criminal activity.”

Aptos High Girls Volleyball Sweeps Monte Vista Christian

ptos High School’s varsity volleyball team defeated Monte Vista Christian in

22 / January 1st 2026 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

four sets, 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-22), in their first away match of the season on Sept. 3. Freshman opposite Ellie Hardesty recorded three kills and three blocks on six attempts, hitting .500. Sophomore outside hitter Sienna Fozzati contributed six aces and five kills on 17 attempts, hitting .230. Junior outside hitter Ella Dueck added 10 kills, two aces, and six digs. The victory follows a home loss to Homestead on Aug. 28 when Aptos fell 0-3 (22-25, 16-25, 17-25). In that match, Dueck led the team with 13 kills.

Public Shown Plan for Beaches as Sea Rises

eawalls, raised boardwalks, dune restoration and other measures will be needed to protect local beaches from sea-level rise caused by climate change, according to a new study. The findings were presented Thursday by California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. The California Department of Parks and Recreation evaluated a range of approaches for Santa Cruz County beaches, including fortifying existing facilities, relocating vulnerable infrastructure and hybrid strategies combining natural and engineered solutions. The problems facing the beaches include cliff erosion, shoreline retreat, tidal inundation, wave overtopping, and temporary beach loss from storms. In order to mitigate this, solutions ranged from habitat restoration to the relocation and even removal of some infrastructure.

County Wins Appeal on 37-Foot Walk

ublic access to Rio Del Mar Beach has prevailed. A decision handed down Sept. 25 by the 6th District Court of Appeals gives Santa Cruz County a right-of-way easement through what’s known as the 37-foot walk. Originally 37 feet wide, the 786-foot long walkway runs along the seaward side of a block of homes from 202-300 Beach Drive. It has narrowed due to erosion and the creation of a seawall. The county has long maintained that the path is essential for safe access to the beach from the nearby parking lot, but it runs behind the homes and the homeowners use the area as patio space.

Watsonville Reviews Safety of Freedom Boulevard

atsonville has begun the process of making Freedom Boulevard safer for everybody, motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. The city is currently surveying residents about proposed safety changes to the thoroughfare that runs from the heart of the city, out past the airport and into the agricultural fields of Corralitos. The effort is part of the city’s Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries to zero by 2030 through safer street design. Watsonville was granted $390,000 from Caltrans to study the city’s most dangerous corridors. After a review, the city decided to focus on Freedom Boulevard. There were 109 collisions on Freedom Boulevard from 2019 to 2023, nine of which resulted in severe injury or death. About 25 percent involved either a bicyclist or a pedestrian. The primary factors were right-of-way violations, unsafe speeds, driving under the influence and improper turning. A previous study in 2018, analyzing data from 2011 to 2017, counted 320 injury collisions at the intersections of Airport Boulevard and Freedom Boulevard, and Freedom Boulevard and Green Valley Road. Erika Vazquez of the Watsonville Police Department said there are several factors that contribute to the high rate of accidents on Freedom, with speed topping the list. “Ultimately, roadway safety depends on all of us, drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.”

Youth Mental Health Center to Celebrate Opening

new resource for youth mental health care is opening in Santa Cruz County, with the Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health set to celebrate the grand opening of its Soquel treatment center Sept. 25. The event, scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. at 4630 Soquel Drive, Suite 10, will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a wine and cheese reception, tours of the facility, and youth speakers sharing their experiences. The center is designed to expand access to evidence-based mental health care for children, teens and young adults. CCAMH, a nonprofit organization with locations in Soquel and San Luis Obispo, offers therapy both in person and through telehealth. Its services include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, exposure and response prevention, and family-based treatment. In addition to the treatment center, the nonprofit operates specialized programs, including a parent center with support groups, a teen center that fosters peer-to-peer engagement, and a First Gen center tailored to first-generation youth. “Year in Review” page 24

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Rushed Layoffs and Silenced Voices at PVUSD

By The Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers

he Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Dec. 11 School Board meeting was truly dysfunctional and represents an extreme deviation from sound governance based on community input. The state of California gives school districts until March 15 to issue initial layoff notices. According to the California Federation of Teachers, voting for layoffs in December, rather than immediately in advance of the March deadline, is unprecedented in California. With the governor weeks away from presenting the state budget, the move unnecessarily hurts students and teachers before a complete financial picture is available. One of the most frustrating aspects of how this meeting unfolded is that it was all preventable. The agenda for that meeting was intentionally overloaded and the board spent close to three hours doing its board reorganization, which previously was its own special meeting. PVFT members sent hundreds of e-mails to the board asking it to postpone the vote on layoffs until January or February. Unfortunately, these emails were ignored. When the PVFT learned that the

overflow room was not going to be available, we reached out directly to Superintendent Heather Contreras to ask for the layoff vote to be postponed or for the meeting to be moved to the Mello Center. According to Dr. Contreras, “the board did not choose the Mello because the acoustics and the technology were very poor.” Odd that the Mello Center has adequate acoustics and technology to host all of the amazing student performances we have each year, but is not sufficient for a board meeting. From the beginning of this meeting, there was a police officer standing outside of the doors to the City Council Chambers refusing to let people enter the room. Some of these individuals had submitted to speak to items such as the approval of the agenda, but were denied entry. Carol Turley’s performance as board president was highly disturbing. The PVFT worked hard to get her elected and she turned her back on our members and our students. Beyond the District failing to move the meeting from the Mello Center and intentionally denying community members the opportunity to speak, Carol also interrupted public speakers (and board trustees), limited

opportunities for public input, and ran the meeting with an iron fist. We need trustees who will listen to the community and listen to facts. It is highly problematic to have trustees who view their job as to “support the superintendent,” especially when this district is not providing the community with the entire picture. We know how to read a school budget. We know the historical trends of this district. We know our students, and yet this district disregards our knowledge and experience. Clearing the board room and proceeding without any public input should be the absolute last resort and only be taken when control of the board room truly cannot be regained, especially in an important vote for layoffs. In this instance, a member of the community shouted out “there’s blood on your hands,” a trustee perceived that a threat was made, so Carol announced that the room would be cleared and a 5-minute recess would take place. The board should have had the police officers present conduct a threat assessment, and seeing as no threat was made, speakers should have been readmitted and allowed to speak.

We thank Trustee Dodge for voting no on these layoffs and Trustee Medina for walking out on the vote. The PVFT applauds the community, our union siblings, and our members for showing up in force to rally before the board meeting. It was truly inspiring to see 200+ individuals, taking up all four corners of the intersection to demand that the district put students first. The rally was filled with so much love and positivity. This rally illustrated that the community is opposed to these cuts, and wants to see the district collaborate with its labor partners to find a better way to “balance our budget.” This is only the beginning and the PVFT is going to keep fighting. We are going to pursue legal avenues to challenge the legitimacy of the decisions made during this meeting, and we demand that the board reconsider these layoffs to allow the public the opportunity to provide the input that we were denied by President Turley’s oppressive tactics. We implore our members to keep fighting alongside each other in solidarity, because we have some big plans for 2026, and we all need to be fighting for our students. n

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YEAR IN REVIEW “Year in Review” from page 22

BESS Developer May Push Ahead Before County OK

he county’s timeline to draft an ordinance regulating Battery Energy Storage System facilities and the developer’s timeline for the proposed BESS site at 90 Minto Road are out of sync. As a result, the county might miss its chance to have a say on the controversial project. New Leaf Energy is proposing to develop a 200-megawatt battery energy storage project just outside of Watsonville that would connect to the PG&E substation on Minto Road. The land, about 14 acres, is currently an apple orchard that struggles because of the hard clay soil underneath. The project is controversial, especially since a BESS plant in Moss Landing operated by Vistra Energy caught fire in January. It contained about 100,000 lithium-ion battery modules and the fire burned for parts of three days, with a flare-up a month later. More than 1,200 people had to evacuate as the fire spread heavy metals throughout the area.

Santa Cruz County Fair Deemed A Success

he Santa Cruz County Fair’s attendance numbers were down about 10% from the previous year, but organizers are considering the event a big success.

“We had a tremendous run for all five days,” said Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Marketing Manager Ron Haedicke. “It was a little slow Wednesday and Thursday, but Friday we were packed, Saturday we were packed, and we had a pretty good Sunday. So it was a fantastic run.” Haedicke credited the volunteers and the staff. “They outdid themselves,” he said. Despite the lower attendance numbers, Haedicke said that vendors reported great sales, and the Junior Livestock Auction might have set a record, exceeding $666,00 in sales, not including another $19,123 for the Heritage Hog.

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Drone Company Conference and Demonstration Event Returns to Seascape

kydio, a San Mateo-based aerial drone system designer and manufacturer, returned to Seascape Beach Resort and Seascape County Park in September for its third annual product demonstration event. Dubbed Ascend ’25, this is the second consecutive year Skydio has held its late summer event at Seascape. In addition to this year’s conference held on Sept. 17 and 18, Skydio hosted a “community day” on Sept. 16 at Seascape County Park. Billed as a public outreach event, Skydio staff provided information about how their drones work and how they’re used, answered questions and provided the public a demonstration of the firm’s latest vehicles. With the help of free donuts and coffee drinks, the event attracted dozens of neighbors and onlookers. Santa Cruz SPCA also joined in with a canine adoption event. Skydio focuses on specialized drone applications and systems such as drone as first responder (DFR) for police and fire support services, public safety, utility and infrastructure inspection, national security/ military and similar professional and governmental uses. Their systems use unique robotic docking stations that house and futuristically “hatch” the drones remotely. These are not your average recreational drones, and they are not currently available for sale to the general public. Based on the level of activity and number of people in attendance it appears to have been another successful event for Skydio, Seascape Beach Resort and the local economy.

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County Wins Appeal on 37-Foot Walk at Rio Del Mar Beach

beach from the nearby parking lot, but it runs behind the homes and the homeowners use the area as patio space. The dispute over who owns the land and whether the public has access has been in court for many years. A Santa Cruz County Superior Court decision in February 2024 ruled that the county had no title or interest in the strip. The judgement also stipulated damages of $3.7 million and granted homeowners permission to build temporary fencing to block public access to the walkway. The 6th District Appeals Court reversed that decision, granting the homeowners title to the land, but subject to the county’s right-ofway easement. Eric Miller, a spokesperson for plaintiffs’ attorneys Nossaman LLP, said the firm is discussing whether to now appeal the decision to the California Supreme Court. County Counsel Jason Heath had no comment. The lead plaintiff, Christopher Weseloh, did not return a call seeking comment. The decision in the case, Christopher J. Weseloh et al., v. County of Santa Cruz, retells the long history of the dispute, which starts with the 1928 subdivision map recorded by the original developer. It included an offer to dedicate the 37-foot walk to the county for streets and highways. The county never chose to do so.

EPA Oversees Extensive Battery Removal at Moss Landing After 2025 Fire

MOSS LANDING — Workers have begun removing lithium-ion batteries from the Moss Landing 300 building at Vistra Corp.’s power plant, starting an extensive cleanup months after a fire damaged more than half of the facility’s energy storage system. The fire occurred Jan. 16, 2025, at the 300-megawatt energy storage system, which contained roughly 100,000 lithium-ion batteries. Officials estimate that about 55% of the batteries were damaged in the blaze. Local agencies immediately requested air monitoring, prompting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to deploy personnel to the site from Jan. 17-20. The State of California subsequently requested that the EPA oversee the battery removal process. “Year in Review” page 26

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Sixty-Five Years On, Soquel Creek Water District Continues to Look Ahead

s I begin this year’s term as President of the District’s Board of Directors, I want to thank our community for recognizing the vital importance of water and for supporting our shared efforts to protect the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin—our sole source of clean, fresh water. You continue to achieve one of the highest water conservation rates in the state, and your support for the District has always been remarkable. We share a long and important history together! In fact, as Soquel Creek Water District turns 65 this year, I thought we should look at that history, and see how far we have come. What began as a small district with a primary mission of providing flood control, transitioned to a water provider and manager of the local water supply. This included consolidating smaller water providers, developing and improving infrastructure, and groundwater monitoring to protect local aquifers, safeguarding future drinking water quality and availability. Those efforts laid the foundation for both the District’s growth and its ability to meet our community’s expanding need for a reliable supply of highquality water. They’re an example of our district’s consistent focus on the future. That kind of forward-thinking has continued to be one of our strengths. As the District came to more clearly understand the serious risks of an overdrafted basin and seawater intrusion, we greatly intensified conservation efforts within our community - while also pursuing long-term solutions to this critical challenge. Our foresight in adopting this dual-track strategy made history in 2025: last month Pure Water Soquel began replenishing our groundwater basin with purified water, helping to create a protective barrier against seawater contamination, and expanding our supply of fresh water. This is clearly our most significant accomplishment of 2025, even though it’s been over a decade in the works. In fact, before Pure Water Soquel took center stage we spent additional years carefully exploring a range of options to strengthen our water supply and protect the groundwater basin. For a small agency like ours, achieving this milestone is nothing short of extraordinary, and our entire community can share in the pride of bringing Pure Water Soquel to life—a true testament to what we can accomplish together.

By Dr. Tom LaHue, President, Soquel Creek Water District Board of Directors

Our community’s water future is bright. You can be confident that we are committed to the highest level of monitoring to ensure the system is functioning as it should and that all checks and balances are in place. We give the utmost care to operating and maintaining the Pure Water Soquel system, updating groundwater models, and tracking how the basin responds to replenishment. That level of care applies to our entire water system. As we begin 2026, we will continue to reliably provide high-quality water every day to our community – over one billion gallons annually– and carry out our essential functions including pipeline main replacements, infrastructure maintenance, water quality testing, customer service, public communications, and more. In keeping with the District’s forwardlooking approach, we also want to help work toward a long-term sustainable water supply for our entire region. We can collaborate with other water agencies by facilitating and supporting efforts that will ensure reliable, safe, resilient water supplies for not only our customers, but among partner agencies and neighboring communities as well. I believe that through 2026 and beyond, this regional perspective is going to be increasingly important. The lessons we’ve learned in developing and implementing Pure Water Soquel are already being shared with other agencies as they move ahead with their own efforts toward water sustainability. The District is fortunate to have a very talented group of people working on both daily water supply delivery, and longer-term water sustainability efforts. This experience and knowledge could be helpful to other agencies as well. As a member of the Santa Cruz MidCounty Groundwater Agency (MGA), the District plays a key role in supporting their mission to ensure a safe and reliable groundwater supply is available for everyone who relies on water from the Basin, now and in the future. Pure Water Soquel is the cornerstone of the MGA’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan, which requires the MGA to submit annual reports through 2040 on our efforts to achieve basin sustainability. With Pure Water Soquel now in operation, we are on our way to reaching that vital goal. The long-term future of water supply is impossible to predict with certainty. However, it’s clear that within the next couple of decades California will see many

more advanced water purification plants providing water reliability for a great portion of the population. When that time comes, we can look back on the District’s history of these years with great pride, knowing that our small district was a successful early adopter of water purification and reuse, and a harbinger of what was to come. It’s my honor and privilege to serve as your Board President this year, joining with

all of you to usher in a new age of water supply reliability. n ••• Dr. LaHue has been on the Soquel Creek Water District Board of Directors since 2003, and has served multiple times as President and Vice President. He is a resident of Aptos and works as a veterinary surgeon in Capitola. Dr. LaHue was formerly an environmental science teacher at Aptos High School, and served for six years on the Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Year-in-Review

35. Ginger cookie 65. German submarine ACROSS 37. Master of his castle destroyer 1. W.E.B Du Bois’ org. 39. Use a razor 66. *2025 Ryder Cup loser 6. Rascal 40. British slang for donkey 68. Manuscript sheet 9. Ho-hum 41. Arch and ball locations 69. Brazilian coins 13. “Pomp and Circum43. Winglike 70. Roll-your-own one, for stance” composer 44. March celebrants short 14. Tropical constrictor 46. *Arthur Sze, 2025 ____ 71. To the left, on a boat 15. Forgo Laureate 72. Orpheus’ instrument 16. Tequila source 47. Dam-like structure 73. Geological time period 17. + or - atom 48. *BeyoncÈ’s “Cowboy 74. They are cut by Federal 18. Reason by deduction ____,” 2025 Grammy Reserve 19. *Trade war “weapon,” winner pl. DOWN 21. *2025 MLB World Series 50. King Kong and Curious George, e.g. 1. At room temperature, winners 52. Like a fox bar order 23. ____-tzu 53. What Pinocchio did 2. Algae, sing. 24. C&H crop 55. *Florida Panthers 3. Petri dish filler 25. Dunce won this org.’s ‘25 4. Raise trivial objections 28. Western necktie championship 5. Ready to be assembled 30. Catch in a snare 57. *”Wicked: ____ ____” 6. Avian wader 61. *Late environmentalist 7. Farm sound and chimpanzee 8. China’s goodwill “____ expert diplomacy”

9. Collision, onomatopoei- 42. Shorthand typist, for cally speaking short 10. *Taylor Swift’s “The 45. Serfs ____ of a Showgirl” 49. 2016 Olympics host, for 11. Affirm solemnly short 12. Third-person possessive 51. Ram’s horn at a pronoun synagogue 15. Makes broader 54. Draw a conclusion 20. Why do they fall in love? 56. Parkinson’s disease 22. *Aryna Sabalenka’s drug seed 57. Roll up 24. Auto contents 58. Heed 25. Pertaining to osmium 59. Lion sound 26. *2025 Academy Awards 60. Dorothy’s last name Best Picture winner 61. *Lady of “The Mayhem 27. Faquir, alt.spelling Ball” 29. Pilot’s stunt 62. Tons (2 words) 31. Spring event 63. Lira, pl. 32. Pneumonia symptom, pl. 64. Land parcels 33. Be of use 67. *Gary Oldman received 34. *Blue Origin’s 2025 this honorific in 2025 singing passenger 36. Boll weevil, e.g. © Statepoint Media 38. *____Seek

Answers on 31 »

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New Year, 2026 – A Prayer for Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All Esoteric Astrology • January 2026 • By Risa D’Angeles

his year begins with Capricorn Sun and a Gemini moon — the magical unicorn and the two brothers, hand in hand. The new year will bring new life to humanity, as the outer planets shift and change signs and elements — from water and earth to fire and air. Life once again asserting itself over material forces of the past. And in humanity’s life, hope arising from apparent darkness, disharmony, conflicts and chaos. There is a call for harmony in the hearts of humanity. A dynamic shift will be occurring in 2026. Whatever has been controlled or blocked will be loosened in the coming year. There will be very fast changes and movements, not one dynamic force, but multiple forces swinging into new areas of experiences. Truth being revealed. We will move from a standstill to the speed of light. In this movement, all the ideological hindrances and limitations will weaken. There will be more pragmatic approaches, appraisals, talks on economic growth and security — ideologies giving way to pragmatism. Although there may be some resistance, new expressions and new partnerships will align and shape a multi-response approach. The sense of an Aquarian atmosphere and equilibrium, an increase in autonomy will begin with all the countries of the world. Everyone will be

ARIES

The time has come to ponder upon all abilities and gifts held within. Eventually they must be offered, like the Magi, to humanity and you must begin to work in groups where men and women of goodwill work. These groups understand the importance of right human relations (esoteric words). Outline your abilities, then create a structure and form on how you can serve with these gifts. This is the future. In the coming year, family and an inner spirituality will be most important to cultivate.

TAURUS

New goals may begin to occur to you that will assist in giving your life the change it needs. Either a world trip or, if that’s a burden, it will be deep study of a philosophy that defines your past, present and future. If that’s too heady, you may discover and pursue art history, forms and new music. And if you’re tone deaf, you may discover new foods. Whatever you do, truth is your keynote and you will, later, “love more.” In the coming year, communication and group interactions (teachings) will be most important to cultivate.

GEMINI

Your nature and being in the world changes and you realize you’re becoming more determined and courageous. Simultaneously you also feel more emotional, and although you want to, sharing is difficult. This creates a challenge within that must be overcome. How to express yourself so you’re understood and while finding it difficult to speak clearly. For the next year, think of yourself as a Taurus/Capricorn. Cultivate a recognition of values, tend to resources and step out into the world offering your gifts.

CANCER

It’s been good to be alone and solitary but now you seek more companionship, friendships and want to be emotionally closer to others. What is most important is to understand what love is. It’s not an emotion. It’s hard to cultivate. Love is a force. It’s a Light. It’s intelligence, pure reason and it’s magnetic. It emerges, like peace, from intentions and radiations of Goodwill, which create Right Relations. This is an esoteric formula. Remember it. In the new year, focus on your self-identity and consider a pilgrimage and cultural travel.

Daily & Weekly Updates

asked to form partnerships, allies, each playing their distinctive role. These are simplistic words. But they are outlines that will be filled in over time. We will witness shifts in the full daylight of time. Fast upheavals, dismantlement, swings to logic, realism, rationality, simplicity and common sense. — the 6th Ray of false idealism moving out, dissolving, giving place to the 7th Ray of Law & Order. We will see the appearance of the coming new life wave of humanity. We ponder and contemplate upon these ideas, thoughts and words as as the new year unfolds, the year of the fire horse, following the quiet wood snake. The challenges will be finding one’s place, one’s meaning, one’s purpose, one’s true identity, one’s creativity, one’s freedom, one’s people and one’s community. It is time now. And so, a prayer for the coming new year for humanity. “Let the Forces of Light bring illumination to mankind. Let the Spirit of Peace be spread abroad. May men of goodwill everywhere meet in a spirit of cooperation. May forgiveness on the part of all men be the keynote at this time. Let power attend the efforts of the Great Ones. So let it be, and help us to know and do our part.” (Ext. Hierarchy, A, Bailey) n

LEO

Cancer’s horoscope applies to you, too, for you are the purveyor of love. On the other hand…we must look at your daily work, schedules and health (which could use a bit more love, too). You wish to be free yet you face so many responsibilities. You have all these goals but not much energy to accomplish them. What is the message? That your good health must be the foremost goal you undertake. How can you do this? In the new year, develop your inner spiritual self, go on retreat, seek solitude and seclusion. Study the mysteries.

VIRGO

You could be challenged by someone to change plans but decide that is not the right decision. At first you decide to communicate as kindly as possible. If this doesn’t work, you continue on and realize that a shift is indeed needed. A new vibration and new thoughts begin to occur. especially in the spring. Make time each day to stand in the Sun to absorb its warmth, love, and intelligence. Kindness is at the heart of all that matters. Tend carefully to relationships and interactions, study Masonry and the history of spiritual communities.

LIBRA

Communication and family may well be most important in the new year. Simultaneously, a deep spiritual awareness will develop slowly yet surely. You may find yourself unexpectedly in the presence of the Divine Mother. Allow your real mother and the Divine Mother to become one and the same. Family matters are most important. Who do you see as your family? Tend to them with care and loving kindness. You know how to do this. Bring to your profession a sense of nourishment and nurturance. And choose carefully all things concerning your health and well-being.

SCORPIO

Try not to let large philosophical or political issues become personal. Allow your intelligence to gather many different thoughts, ideals and ideas. You are to gather and then disperse information just like a Gemini. Local travel is good for you. Don’t remain at home behind drawn curtains, closed doors or windows. You need to enjoy the outdoors more. Nature is God’s body. It’s calling you to attention, to health and healing, to come and play awhile. It’s your year to be creative, to open the doors of imagination and recognition that you are a very creative being. A traveler, too.

•••

SAGITTARIUS

Finances, big and small, past and present come more and more into focus. Tend to them but don’t worry about them, and this is important to realize. All your commitments to making more money, all those jobs seeking ways to build a financial future are good up to a point. Exhaustion can take over your pursuit of financial happiness. Professionals can help. Imagine that things will be good in the money department. I’ll remind you again to tithe. Prepare to share more with others, offering all your resources and talents and gifts. See everyone as your family.

CAPRICORN

You have the ability to inspire others to love more by the way you unconditionally love them. When people spend time with you, a calm inner sense of purpose and revelation radiates from you to them. This is the secret of the heart of Capricorn. It is also Jupiter in Cancer, your opposite sign. Goodwill emanates from you and it helps others to become kinder, gentler and better humans. Knowing this about your state of grace actually activates it. Understanding communication is vital in the new year to strengthen as well as soothe those who are anxious. You see the need and respond to the need.

AQUARIUS

The past will be very present in your life, as you gather it all up and offer it to the future. This is good for it allows for a reassessment and a redoing of all things undone or not done quite well enough. It’s possible a parent will appear, or a religious discipline will be either remembered or taken up again. These have the purpose of reactivating feelings which can then be sorted out. It’s like a house cleaning process using green, ecological cleaning products that balance your emotional self. Focus carefully on resources. Be kind. All those around you (friends) are your actual resources. Eat carefully this coming year.

PISCES

Work has been from dawn ‘til dusk, an endless array of tasks, errands and deep creative work. It’s good. It’s exhausting. It’s calling humanity, calling the new world culture forward, the new world order. Can you hear nature calling? You need nature to walk in the wild, in the sun, on the grass, in the trees each day. Begin to work on future goals, what you want and need? You will learn how to direct thought power to achieve those goals. But they must be named first. Be one-pointed. In the meantime, find play, comfort, children, games, laughter, parties and pleasure. Rest in these for a year or more. You are to learn to have fun.

@risagoodwill • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com

26 / January 1st 2026 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

YEAR IN REVIEW “Year in Review” from page 24 Under a July agreement between Vistra and the EPA, the company is responsible for removing damaged batteries under federal and state oversight. The initial phase focuses on “intact” batteries, those with no damage or only minor fire damage, which will be deenergized and, where possible, returned to the local electrical grid. Simultaneously, crews are stabilizing and partially demolishing sections of the building to safely access the remaining batteries. OCTOBER

Marc Monte Says Foundation Will Last Beyond Him

he 31st Monte Foundation Fireworks Extravaganza will light up the skies on Sunday, Oct. 12. Marc Monte, president and CEO of Deluxe Foods in Aptos, not only started the local tradition and continues to make it happen, but he’s also guaranteed its future far beyond his lifetime. “It’s going to survive. My whole estate is going to the Monte Foundation. When I’m gone, the projects that are going to be done in the Monte Foundation’s name are going to be huge. When I’m dead, it’s going to take on a whole life of its own.” Monte is just 61 and plans many more happy years ahead, but he is happy to know that what he has built will not just fade away. By leaving his life’s wealth to his charity, he secures the future of the fireworks show, the McGregor Pump Track and Skateboard Park in Capitola, the Monte Fields at the Aptos Polo Grounds, the Polo Grounds Bike Park and more. “I like to do projects that help kids in the community,” he said.

Thousands Attend No Kings Rallies

rganizers estimated that more than 15,000 people attended the Oct. 18 No Kings Rally in Santa Cruz, and another 2,000-plus at the event in Watsonville. Both were part of what was probably the largest nationwide demonstration in American history as more than 2,700 events were held across the country with more than 7 million people attending. Ross Levoy of Santa Cruz stood on a grassy slope listening to people speak at the beginning of the Santa Cruz rally before protesters would march from San Lorenzo Park to the county building and back. The park was packed with people and Levoy said the crowd was about 20 to 30% larger than the last No Kings event he attended in June. “Believe it or not, this is my first time I’ve ever protested anything,” said the retiree who has lived in Santa Cruz for 43 years. “You can’t hide your head in the sand anymore.” Mary Lynne Connor of Aptos was standing not far away, holding a protest

YEAR IN REVIEW sign. Connor is retired after a 42-year career in teaching and now volunteers for a variety of causes, including feeding homeless at the St. Francis Soup Kitchen. She said she can’t stand to see the suffering as programs are cut. “It’s very scary,” she said. “People are being pushed to the side.” Connor’s sign, which read “I Have A Dream” with a comical image of President Trump in handcuffs being led to prison, garnered a lot of compliments from the crowd. “That’s the best sign I’ve seen all day!” A fellow protestor exclaimed while walking by, wearing a T-shirt that said “I am Aunt Tifa.”

march to raise awareness of the link between veterans and suicide. The 81-year-old served in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1967. “People ask me what was the worst part about Vietnam. I tell them it was coming home,” he said. “We weren’t very popular. We didn’t talk about it. People didn’t like us.” Thankfully, Gray said, those attitudes have mostly changed. “I think people now realize that you don’t have to like the war, but you don’t take it out on the warrior.” A moment of silence was held at the War Memorial outside the Vets Hall afterward. Gray’s march was the first event of the day, with veterans and their supporters lining up at 8:30 a.m. to begin the march.

Driver Dies as Van Plunges Off Wharf

ob Allen, of Aptos, was warming up with the Pu Pu O Hawai›i Outrigger Club before the group’s weekly practice Sunday morning, Oct. 26, when tragedy occurred. A white minivan plunged off the Santa Cruz Wharf and quickly sank, taking the driver’s life. At about 9:44 a.m., according to the Santa Cruz Fire Department, a report of a vehicle driving off the wharf came in. Santa Cruz Fire, Central Fire, Scotts Valley Fire, the Santa Cruz Police Department and State Parks personnel all responded to the scene, recovered the driver, William Westerman, a 65-year-old resident of Scotts Valley, but he never regained consciousness and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. More than a dozen divers searched in the murky water for more than hour looking for any other victims, but found none. Allen and his canoe crew, led by Emerson Sanderson, were able to save the victim’s dog. Allen said he tried to rescue the driver, but could not. He and his crew were in one canoe with another club canoe just behind. They were warming up in the harbor, stretching and getting ready for practice, when he heard a huge crashing noise. About 150 yards away, a white van was on top of the water. Allen said it had landed on its roof and the windshield appeared to have been “blown out” by the impact. “The vehicle was perched on top of the water for maybe eight seconds or less. It was amazing how quickly it sank,” he said. “As soon as it hit we all started paddling over to it.”

Manuel Bersamin, Community Servant, Dies at 67

anuel Bersamin, the first Filipino American to serve on the Watsonville City Council and a member of the Cabrillo College Governing Board, has died. He was 67. “Cabrillo College is deeply saddened to announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Trustee Manuel Bersamin,” Cabrillo College said in a news release. “During his tenure, Trustee Bersamin was a passionate advocate for Cabrillo students — especially first-generation students and adult learners — a steadfast supporter of Cabrillo’s faculty and staff, and a true believer in the power of community college education.” Bersamin served on the Watsonville City Council from 2003 to 2011, including one year as mayor. He was appointed in 2024 to fill a

County Lowers Tax for Cannabis Lounges

vacancy on the Cabrillo College Governing Board left by the resignation of Trustee Martha Victoria Vega. “Manuel cared deeply about the role and mission of California community colleges and had the unique ability to help students pursue their dreams,” said Christina Cuevas, president of the Cabrillo Board of Trustees. “He was proud to serve on the Cabrillo board and represented his district with passion and a clear eye for what is right. We will miss his presence on the board.”

PG&E Answers to Customers on Local Power Outages

epresentatives from Pacific Gas and Electric said that repairs and improvements will prevent the cascade of power outages that parts of Santa Cruz County have experienced the past several months. Approximately 75 people filled a conference room at Seascape Beach Resort on Oct. 24 to hear from PG&E representatives about ongoing and increasingly common power outages. Frustrated residents from Seascape, La Selva Beach Rio del Mar, Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley and adjacent neighborhoods have complained of unreliable electric service for years, with outages becoming more frequent this past summer. Jeremy Howard, Regional Senior Manager for PG&E’s South and Central Coast Region, addressed the crowd and provided an overview of the recent outages in the town-hall style setting. The meeting was organized at the behest of Santa Cruz County District 2 Supervisor Kim De Serpa, after her office received an increasing number of calls from constituents for explanation and action. While the area has experienced abnormally frequent outages for years, the problem was exacerbated in June when the substation at Rob Roy Junction near Aptos High School experienced equipment problems and had to be taken offline. In response PG&E had to run power to portions of Aptos and the coast from the Green Valley substation in Watsonville — a route adding several additional miles. “Everything was working as designed,”

said Howard. “But was it great service? No. We know that.” NOVEMBER

Parades, Ceremonies Honor Local Veterans

uzz Gray was out early on Veterans Day, preparing to walk from Natural Bridges State Beach to the Britannia Arms in Capitola. Gray started the organization Journey for Change nine years ago and every year leads a

anta Cruz County supervisors approved changes to the county’s cannabis tax code at their Nov. 18 board meeting that clear the way for cannabis consumption lounges and exempts non-cannabis goods from the county’s cannabis business tax. The Board of Supervisors adopted the amendments to Santa Cruz County Code Chapter 4.06 after more than a year of discussion, community meetings and ordinance revisions led by the county’s Cannabis Licensing Office. “Year in Review” page 30

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR ONGOING EVENTS Mondays BRIDGE CLUB 10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003 The Aptos Branch Library hosts Bridge Club sessions on Mondays (except holidays). Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.

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speakers, vendors, food and hands-on activities exploring the region’s diverse mushrooms, displayed in a recreated woodland habitat. Admission is $10–$15. For more information, contact the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz at hotline@ffsc.us or visit ffsc.us.

First Saturdays community for a delightful Sunday morning breakfast every second Sunday, this month on June 8. CAPITOLA BEACH CLEANUP Saturday January 10 Indulge in a delicious array of scrambled eggs, sausage, 9-10 a.m., Esplanade Park BEACH CLEANUP AT SUNNY COVE hash browns, pancakes, coffee, tea or cocoa. Help preserve and maintain the coastal beauty of 9 a.m.–11 a.m., Sunny Cove Beach, Johans Beach Dr., Santa Donation: Adults, $12; children, $6 Capitola. Join a beach cleanup every month at Esplanade Cruz Inside seating is available, and To-Go orders are welcomed. Park. Join Save Our Shores for a volunteer beach cleanup at Keep Capitola Salty is a grassroots movement dedicated For information, visit www.marketstreetseniorcenter.org or call Sunny Cove Beach. (831) 423-6640. to responsible efforts helping to maintain and preserve Registration is required, and all cleanup supplies are the environment, scenic beauty and coastal recreational provided. Volunteers should wear closed-toed shoes, dress activities of Capitola. DATED EVENTS in layers, and bring a reusable water bottle. This movement is always looking for volunteers. Email Parking is limited and there are no restrooms on site. OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS Sunday January 4 KeepCapitolaSalty@gmail.com. More information and registration are available at saveourshores. 7 p.m., Congregational Church Preschool Meeting Room, 4951 DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS FOR ADULTS org. Soquel Ave., Soquel Second Saturdays 1–5 p.m., Downtown Branch Library, Santa Cruz — Offsite Overeaters Anonymous welcomes any type of eating HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT DISPLAY Step into the world of Dungeons & Dragons for an afternoon DUO QUARTET AT CAFÉ KUUMBWA disorder or problems with food. of collaborative storytelling at the Downtown Branch. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Watsonville Municipal Airport, 100 Aviation 7 p.m., Café Kuumbwa, 131 Center St., Santa Cruz No dues, fees or weigh-ins. Open to beginners and experienced players alike, Way Four acclaimed musicians — Nina Gerber, Chris Webster, Meetings take place at Congregational Church in the friendly game masters provide dice, characters and Watsonville Municipal Airport hosts a Historical Aircraft Pam Delgarno & Jeri Jones — join forces as Duo preschool meeting room. guidance. Display every second Saturday. Admission is free. Quartet, blending three-part harmonies, dual lead guitars, All are welcome. This program is for adults 18 and older. Overeaters Anonymous (OA) has meetings daily both in-person Saturdays and Sundays For details, visit https://santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/14320622. percussion, and multi-instrumental textures. The evening features original songs, well-loved covers, and on-line in Santa Cruz County at santacruzoa.org ELKHORN SLOUGH: FREE TOUR OF THE PRESERVE plus solo and duo moments. 10 a.m. | 11 a.m., Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Friday January 9 Tuesdays Doors open at 6:15 p.m., all ages welcome. Watsonville GET YOUR ENERGY BACK! HOW TO BOOST ENERGY, FEEL BINGO AT MCSC Tickets are $30 general admission and $40 Gold Circle. GREAT & HAVE UNSTOPPABLE HEALTH More information and tickets are available online. 1-3 p.m., Mid County Senior Center, 829 Bay Avenue, Capitola Docent-led tours offer visitors a guided introduction to Elkhorn Slough’s remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and 1:30–2:30 p.m., Aptos Branch Library’s Betty Leonard Com(behind the Party Store) tidal wetlands. munity Room, 7695 Soquel Drive THE EARTH TONES Hot Dogs, Chili and Each walk is tailored to participants’ interests Learn how to boost your energy, improve health, and snacks available for 6 p.m., Shanty Shack Brewing, 138 Fern St., Santa Cruz and abilities, creating an engaging, educational feel your best in this free class with licensed nutritionist purchase courtesy of Santa Cruz band The Earth Tones bring sweet harmonies and experience. Rebecca Hazelton. our Snack Shack. A soulful rhythms inspired by 1960s-era Jamaican music. Space is limited, and tours are first-come, firstDiscover the main causes of low energy, three powerful lot of fun for all and a Featuring drums, bass, keys, vocals, and tenor sax, the served. keys to increase vitality, and practical tools to support possible big win! group blends decades of shared musical experience into Door opens at 12:15 Guests can sign up at the Visitor Center front desk or call ahead overall wellness. an upbeat, danceable sound. Bring your dancing shoes. the same morning at (831) 728-2822 for availability. This program is for adults 18 and older. p.m. More information is available online. For details, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events. Second Sundays TUESDAY NIGHT SALSA SOCIAL Sunday January 11 SUNDAY MORNING BREAKFAST FUNGUS FAIR 7 – 10 p.m., Abbott Square Market, 725 Front St., Santa Cruz 8:30-11 a.m., Market Street Senior Center, 222 Market Street, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center ITALIAN HISTORY LECTURE Join a midweek salsa social at Abbott Square Market 6:30–8 p.m., Cabrillo College, Aptos Campus, VAPA Forum, Santa Cruz St., Santa Cruz with salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata. The Market Street Senior Center warmly invites the The Santa Cruz Fungus Fair offers three days of exhibits, Room 1001, 6500 Soquel Dr. Free and open to all skill levels—just bring energy and Join Kathleen Gonzalez, author of **A Beautiful Woman in dancing shoes. Venice**, for an engaging talk on the history of women in More information: www.abbottsquaremarket.com Venice. WEEKLY FARMERS’ MARKETS Learn about Venetian women—from writers and Thursdays WEDNESDAYS painters to courtesans and composers—and their place SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ — 1 – 5 PM, Cedar St. & Church St. in history. 7:15-9:15 p.m., Peace United Church 900 High St, Santa Cruz. A bustling market featuring certified organic produce, artisanal Sponsored by Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz. Beginners welcome, partners not required. foods, seafood, baked goods, flowers, and prepared foods. EBT/SNAP No tickets required; seating is limited. Cash donations $10 each. First class free. Come dance! accepted, and Market Match doubles purchases (up to $10). Free entry; welcome at the door. metered and garage parking available — free after 6 PM. Live local More info: https://bit.ly/Dante-January2026 HAPPY HOUR music and street closures add vibrant atmosphere. Full vendor list and 5-7 p.m., California Coffee, 9105 Soquel Drive, Aptos updates at santacruzfarmersmarket.org. Monday January 12 California Coffee in Redwood Village hosts an open mic FRIDAYS HOUSING MATTERS EMPLOYMENT NAVIGATION happy hour every week. WATSONVILLE (Certified) — 3 – 7 PM, Peck St & Main St. 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Downtown Branch Library, Life Literacies Allyear market offering Watsonville-grown produce, seafood, dairy, flowers, hot foods, artisan goods. Free entry; Third Thursdays Center, Santa Cruz metered parking available. EBT/SNAP + Market Match. Vendor news via local AARP events. SIP AND STROLL CalFresh recipients can get help finding employment with SATURDAYS guidance from the Housing Matters Employment Navigator. 6-9 p.m. (check-in 5 p.m.), Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion WESTSIDE SANTA CRUZ — 9 AM – 1 PM, Mission St Ext & Western Dr. This program is designed to support adults in exploring Court, Aptos Yearround market offering 100% certified-organic produce, seafood, meats, flowers, prepared meals, espresso job opportunities and accessing resources. Come to the Seacliff Inn: Tapestry Collection by Hilton, for bar, and artisan goods. Free parking on site. EBT/SNAP + Market Match. Often hosts pop-up breakfast events. For details, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events. a Sip & Stroll event where local artists to show and sell Perfect for starting your weekend with fresh food and community energy. Full details at santacruzfarmersmarket.org. their works. APTOS (at Cabrillo College) — 8 AM – Noon, 6500 Soquel Drive APTOS LITTLE LEAGUE UPPER Wines are 30% off, and the featured winery will offer Celebrated coastal market with over 90 vendors selling produce, sustainable seafood, artisan breads, honey, tastings of three varietals for $10 per person. meats, flowers, and hot food. EBT/WIC accepted. Free/year-round weekend oasis for local flavors and crafts. Hosted DIVISION REGISTRATION DEADLINE Details of this and more Sevy’s events at www.sevysbarand 11:59 p.m., Online Registration at aptoslittleleague.org by MontereyBayFarmers. kitchen.com/events This is the final day to register players for Aptos Little SUNDAYS League’s Spring 2026 season in the upper divisions, LIVE OAK/EASTSIDE — 9 AM – 1 PM, 15th & East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz Fridays (except First Friday of the Month) including AAA and Majors. Vibrant seaside Sunday market featuring organic produce, fresh seafood, hot food stands (Mexican, crepes, LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY BRIDGE GROUP The season includes ongoing field renovations and brunch), pastries, coffee, flowers. Free parking, EBT/SNAP, Market Match, and monthly family-oriented events. spring play beginning in mid-February. Registration closes 10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. WATSONVILLE FAIRGROUNDS — 9 AM – 4 PM, 2601 E Lake Ave, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds at 11:59 p.m.. Come for bridge from 10:30 to noon at the La Selva Year-round market with wide selection of local produce, meats, seafood, crafts, and prepared foods. EBT/SNAP Visit https://www.aptosll.org for division details, player evaluaBeach library. accepted. Parking onsite. Great for combining a market visit with other Fairgrounds activities. tions, and season updates. Call La Selva Library to reserve your seat: 831-427-7710.

28 / January 1st 2026 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Tuesday January 13

California, Heartache Tonight, and Desperado, performed 100% live. Take it to the Limit captures the harmony, energy, and spirit of an authentic Eagles performance. Tickets range from $59 to $68. More information and ticket options are available online.

CAPITOLA SOROPTIMIST CLUB MEETING 4 p.m., United Way of Santa Cruz County, 4450 Capitola Road, Suite 106, Capitola Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea holds its club meeting, free and open to the public. Members will learn the 2026 Live Your Dream (LYD) winners and begin planning the March awards ceremony. The LYD award supports women pursuing undergraduate or technical training who are heads of households. Visit https://www.best4women.org for more information.

Friday January 30 Saturday January 31 JACKIE GREENE Doors 8 p.m., Show 9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz Moe’s Alley presents Jackie Greene for two nights straight. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. This is a 21+ event. More information and tickets are available at moesalley.com or ticketweb.com.

Wednesday January 14 MEET THE AUTHOR: TERRA SUMMERS 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Porter Memorial Library, 305 Porter St., Aptos Join Terra Summers for the 2026 Meet the Author series as she shares her new book Simply Poetry and Art, featuring paintings paired with haiku and standalone poems. She will also play a bit on her guitar. Programs are free, open to the public, and coffee is provided by The Ugly Mug. More information: portermemoriallibrary.org.

Saturday January 31

COMEDIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: LIVE COMEDY SPECIAL RECORDING Thursday January 15

7:30 – 9 p.m., Woodhouse Blending & Brewing, 119 Madrone St., Santa Cruz Join the Comedians with Disabilities Act for a free live comedy special recording as the long-running troupe launches its 2026 tour and documentary project. Enjoy performances from multiple acclaimed comedians representing diverse disability perspectives. Admission is free. More information and registration: Eventbrite or comedianswithdisabilitiesact.com.

ROGUE ROOSTERS 8 p.m., Crow’s Nest, 2218 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz Rogue Roosters bring classic rock, blues, and Motown favorites to the Crow’s Nest for an energetic evening of live music and dancing. The band delivers familiar hits with a lively, crowdpleasing sound. a Saturday show at the Peace United Church of Christ in exciting new territory, the band delivers a lively night of A $6 cover charge applies. Santa Cruz and on Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church rhythm-driven music. More information is available on the Rogue Roosters Facebook of Monterey. A $7 cover charge applies. page. Guest conductor and Salinas native Alan Truong will lead More information is available at thejointchiefsband.com. the ensemble in an exciting program of music by George Enescu, Jean Francaix, and Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari. Friday January 16 Friday January 23 Tickets are available at the doors or from www.espressorch.org. Saturday January 24 MOE’S ALLEY PRESENTS: THE SAM CHASE & THE

SANTA CRUZ BAROQUE FESTIVAL: MUSICAL STORIES OF BRASS AND ORGAN 4 p.m., Calvary Episcopal Church, 532 Center St, Santa Cruz, CA Kicking off the 53rd year of the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival, this fundraiser combines music and storytelling to explore the early Baroque era. Organist Jörg Reddin joins the Santa Cruz Brass Quintet performing works by Gabrieli, Scheidt, Charpentier, and Bonelli. Part of the Essentially Baroque season. For details, visit santacruzbaroque.org.

BENEATH THE WAVES: MEET THE ROBOTICS MAKERS EXPLORING OUR COAST 1–2:30 p.m., Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton Learn how remotely operated vehicles are designed and used to explore the ocean with Knute Brekke of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. The program includes a student-led underwater robotics UNTRADITIONAL WITH SPECIAL GUESTS DIGGIN’ TRAILS (((FOLKYEAH!))) PRESENTS: AJ LEE & BLUE SUMMIT demonstration and a Q&A session. Thursday January 22 Doors 8 p.m., Show 9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Doors 8 p.m., Show 9 p.m., Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Doors open at 12:30 p.m. JANUARY LUNCHEON WITH NICOLE COBURN Santa Cruz Santa Cruz For details and registration, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events. San Francisco’s The Sam Chase & The Untraditional blend 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Dr., Aptos Santa Cruz-based AJ Lee & Blue Summit bring awardrock ’n’ roll and folk with a punk rock edge, led by the Join newly appointed Santa Cruz County C.E.O. Nicole Coburn winning energy, technical mastery, and charm to the Tuesday February 3 storytelling voice of Sam Chase. for a community luncheon to hear county updates and network national roots music scene. SAY SHE SHE WITH SPECIAL GUEST KATZÙ OSO Enjoy boot-stomping music and unforgettable lyrics. with local business leaders and community members. The band combines youthful festival energy with Doors 7 p.m., Show 8 p.m., Moe’s Alley, Santa Cruz Special guests Diggin’ Trails open the show. Tickets are $35 for members, $40 for nonmembers. seasoned musical confidence. This ticket covers both NYC punk-chic, discodelic band Say She She delivers Ages 21+. Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 day of show. RSVP at 831-600-1467. nights of performances. powerful three-part harmonies and irresistible grooves that Visit https://moesalley.com for more information. More information: aptoschamber.com. Ages 21+. Tickets: $45 in advance, $50 day of show. combine music, rebellion, and empowerment. Visit https://moesalley.com/calendar/ for more information. Fronted by Nya Gazelle Brown, Sabrina Cunningham, and OUR COMMUNITY READS: BOOK DISCUSSION REDWOOD EXPRESS Piya Malik, the band inspires movement, thought, and strength. 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Discretion Brewing, 2703 41st Ave, Ste 11 a.m.–1 p.m., The Loft Coffee Shop, 2701 Cabrillo College Tuesday January 27 Ages 21+. Drive, Aptos A, Soquel FILM: UNDERWATER DREAMS Tickets: $30 in advance, $35 day of show. Redwood Express, an Americana roots rock band featuring Kick off the 2026 Our Community Reads season by joining 6:30 p.m., Capitola Branch Library, Ow Community Room, 2005 fellow readers for an in-depth discussion of this year’s members of The China Cats, Rosebud, and Grandpa’s Wharf Road, Capitola Thursday February 5 selected book and its major themes. Chili, performs live at Discretion Brewing. Watch this inspiring documentary about four teenage The conversation will be facilitated by Casey Coonerty Enjoy an evening of soulful guitar, vocals, and lively boys, all sons of undocumented immigrants, who build an FRESH START: EMPOWERING IMMIGRANTS WITH SKILLS Protti, owner of Bookshop Santa Cruz. Sandwiches are rhythms. underwater robot from spare parts and defeat engineering AND KNOWLEDGE FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE IN THE U.S. More information about the band and event is available at https:// provided. 6:30 p.m., Aptos Branch Library’s Betty Leonard Community powerhouse MIT. For details and registration, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events. www.discretionbrewing.com/events. The film runs 1 hour, 25 minutes. Popcorn will be served. Room, 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos Hear a panel discussion on the immigration process, legal For details and registration, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events. Friday January 23 Saturday January 17 services for immigrants and current challenges facing immigrant communities. WATSONVILLE DUBZ BINGO NIGHT ESPRESSIVO CONCERT Friday January 30 Panelists from Community Action Board, Senderos and 4 p.m., Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High St, Santa Cruz 6–9 p.m., Straw Hat Pizza, 2026 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville THE LITTLE BIG BAND Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey will share insights The Watsonville Dubz 12U travel baseball team hosts Santa Cruz’s “small, intense orchestra,” Espressivo, 8 p.m., Crow’s Nest, 2218 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz and answer audience questions. Bingo Night, featuring prizes and pizza. Five games are performs under guest conductor Alan Truong. The Little Big Band brings swing-era music to the Crow’s This is a hybrid event. $10. The program features music by George Enescu, Jean Nest, delivering big band arrangements and classic tunes For details and registration, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events. Proceeds support the team’s travel and tournament Françaix, and Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari. perfect for dancing or enjoying live jazz. costs as they prepare to compete in Cooperstown, NY in Tickets available at the door or at www.espressorch.org. The evening captures the energy and elegance of the Friday February 6 2026. swing era. Sponsored by Straw Hat Pizza and Universal Janitorial. Saturday January 17 BEATS ANTIQUE A $7 cover charge applies. For details, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/events. Sunday January 18 Doors 7 p.m., Show 8 p.m., Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz More information is available on the band’s Facebook page. Beats Antique, a U.S.-based experimental world fusion and ESPRESSIVO CHURCH CONCERTS THE JOINT CHIEFS electronic music group, blends diverse genres with live TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT – THE MUSIC & LEGACY OF THE 4 p.m., Sat: Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High St, Santa 8 p.m., Crow’s Nest, 2218 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz performances featuring heavy percussion, samples, Tribal EAGLES Cruz | Sun: First Presbyterian Church, 501 El Dorado St, The Joint Chiefs bring a high-energy mix of funk, jazz, and 7:30 p.m.–10 p.m., Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1205 Fusion dance, and performance art. Monterey classic R&B to the Crow’s Nest dance floor. All ages are welcome. Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz Espressivo — Santa Cruz’s “small, intense orchestra” Known for taking familiar grooves and pushing them into Relive all the timeless Eagles hits, including Hotel Fully standing, general admission. Tickets: $45.95. n — will perform on both sides of the Monterey Bay, first

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / January 1st 2026 / 29

YEAR IN REVIEW “Year in Review” from page 27

Under the newly approved tax changes, the county will exempt “ancillary goods” from being taxed extra at cannabis dispensaries. That means items such as pipes or rolling papers will be taxed at the normal 9.5% rate. The bigger change is that cannabis lounges will be treated as a separate business type with a tax rate of just 1 percent. County staff said the changes are not expected to significantly affect tax revenue. Non-cannabis goods account for less than 2 percent of sales at existing retailers, and cannabis lounge sales are not projected to meaningfully alter total cannabis business tax collections.

anta Cruz County supervisors on Dec. 9 voted to accept a portion of Aptos Creek Road into the County Maintained Road System, giving the county long-term responsibility for the newly constructed segment. The action fulfills a commitment made as part of the Aptos Village Project, which required the county to take over the stretch of roadway between Soquel Drive and 190 feet north of Aptos Village Way. The right of way for the segment was acquired in 2011. According to county records, county staff determined the road, whichserves as the primary entrance to the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park as well as an access point to the Aptos Village development, has been improved to an acceptable standard.

Capitola-Aptos Rotary Club Marks 60 Years

he Capitola-Aptos Rotary Club is celebrating 60 years of community service this month, marking decades of support for local students, nonprofits and international humanitarian projects. Founded in 1965, the club has counted more than 250 members over the years, all committed to Rotary International’s mission of “Service Above Self.” Through fundraisers like its annual Kentucky Derby Party and operating the beer and wine booth at Aptos’ Fourth of July celebration, the club has raised more than $1 million to support its work locally and abroad.

Foul Play Suspected in Case of Missing Utah Woman — Later Found Safe

35-year-old woman visiting Santa Cruz County for the first time is missing and authorities suspect foul play may be involved. Danielle Staley was last seen around 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 near Rio Del Mar Beach. She is 5’6”, weighs about 120 pounds and has blond hair. She was last seen wearing a dark, hooded sweatshirt and leopard-print leggings. ••• ew details have been released, but Staley is safe. It was the 35-year-old woman’s first-time visiting Santa Cruz County. Her boyfriend Alex Nunez said he had left to sleep in their van while she stayed on the beach with friends. In the morning, he woke up alone and went back down to the beach, only to find her cellphone and purse. West said the couple had been in Santa Cruz County for about a week before Staley disappeared. Her disappearance made national headlines and sparked a massive

County Now Responsible for Portion of Aptos Creek Road

search locally. Her family members came to Santa Cruz County looking for her.

Rancho Del Mar’s US Bank Robbed

uthorities are still searching for five men who wore ski masks and construction clothing while robbing US Bank in Rancho Del Mar shopping center on the afternoon of Nov. 5. Around 4 p.m., deputies received a call that five men had robbed US Bank, with several having handguns and knives. The robbers escaped south on Soquel Drive in a newer model red Honda CRV. Nobody was injured during the incident. Sergeant Zach West of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, said the masks were able to hide the suspects’ facial features. At least two were armed with handguns and another had a knife.

Aptos Volleyball Caps Season With Deep Playoff Run

he Aptos High girls volleyball team closed out its most successful season in five years, reaching the Central Coast Section Division III quarterfinals and earning its first 20-win season since 2019. The No. 7-seeded Mariners finished 20-13 overall after falling to Archbishop Riordan High School of San Francisco, the No. 2 seed, in straight sets, 25-14, 25-10, 25-15, on Nov. 4. Junior outside hitter Ella Dueck led Aptos with seven kills, six digs, one ace and one block. Sophomore middle blocker Caitlin Lavelle added a kill and two blocks, while freshman setter Cana Taylor finished with four assists and two digs.

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DECEMBER

No Charges in Aptos Man’s Killing

SALINAS — No charges will be filed against Joshua Holtzclaw of Aromas in the death of Aptos man Trenton Black, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced today. Black died during a confrontation with Holtzclaw at Moss Landing Harbor nearly six months ago. Chief Assistant District Attorney Berkley Brannon said investigators spent a lot of time and effort on the case, but Holtzclaw was defending himself from Black, so charges are not appropriate. “When somebody dies like this, we want to very much file charges if we can,” he said. “But it was clearly a situation where Mr. Holtzclaw acted in self-defense.”

Rebele Family Shelter Celebrates 20 Years of Helping Families in Santa Cruz

ousing Matters is celebrating 20 years of providing safe shelter and supportive services to families experiencing homelessness through the Rebele Family Shelter. Since opening in 2005, the shelter has offered a refuge for families in crisis and a pathway toward long-term stability. The Rebele Family Shelter, named for Rowland and Pat Rebele, was made possible by a group of compassionate community members who envisioned a safe and supportive environment for families with children. Located at the corner of Highways 1 and 9 in Santa Cruz, the shelter has become a community resource for families facing homelessness.

Francisco ‘Paco’ Estrada Appointed Area V Trustee

t its December meeting, Cabrillo’s Board of Trustees voted 4-2 to provisionally appoint Francisco ‘Paco’ Estrada to the Board seat representing Area V. Trustee Area V includes the city of Watsonville and the southern portion of Freedom. Estrada will fill the seat that was vacated by the untimely death of Manuel Bersamin, who was provisionally appointed in September 2024 and was elected to the Board in November 2024. Estrada was sworn in by Watsonville Mayor Maria Orozco, and will fill the position until the next regular election of the Board of Trustees in November 2026.

Murder Suspect Arrested

anta Cruz County Sheriff’s detectives arrested 63-year-old Colin Sean Tisdale on Dec. 5 for the 2012 shooting death of Jeffrey Stephensen Smith. On August 16, 2012, at approximately 3 a.m., the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and medical personnel were dispatched to a residence on Nicasio Way in Soquel for a report of a male suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite immediate medical efforts, he died at the scene shortly after deputies arrived. Sgt. Zack West of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said there wasn’t a big break that led to the arrest, but it was the culmination of a 13-year investigation, with all the pieces finally coming together to point to the perpetrator. Tisdale, who West said was a suspect from the start, was already incarcerated on a separate charge when his arrest warrant for the murder of Stephensen Smith was issued. “There wasn’t a big break or one piece of evidence that tipped the scales,” West said. n

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Colorful Berries Brighten Wintry Gardens By Tony Tomeo

prolific, but with more subdued color and stature. Toyon is a related native species that performs well in unrefined landscapes. English hawthorn produces similar colorful berries, but develops into a small and gnarled deciduous tree. Unfortunately, none of these colorful berries are notably edible. In fact, some are mildly toxic. •••

crossword on 25 »

Puppy Love

oung Jasper (A327203), estimated to be 10-12 months old, came to us as a stray in the Watsonville area, with fly-bitten ears, a slight limp, and a bit on the thin and untidy side … So he seems to have had a bit of a rough time in his young life. He has been gentle, quiet, and undemanding here at the shelter, seemingly just happy to have a warm, safe place to sleep, regular meals, and positive, caring interactions with our wonderful staff and volunteers. He’s a bit nervous about having his paws handled, and when he’s worried about something he can get a little mouthy, which is a common behavior in adolescent dogs. He can be a bit goofy in play, he loves to play fetch, and so far he’s shown friendly, curious interest in, and has been playful with, other dogs. Jasper is both treat- and attention-motivated and he LOVES positive reinforcement training. With continued positive guidance and training, and a safe, secure home, Jasper has the potential to be a loyal and fun companion, and he’s sure to appreciate any comforts provided to him! We will be closed on New Years’ Day, but otherwise, we’re here and we’d love to see you! n ••• The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is full of adoptable animals. Fostering animals is an awesome way to improve a Shelter animal’s life and fill your home with love and fun! If you are interested in fostering any kind of animal please email jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us. You can also Follow SCCAS on Instagram and/or Facebook to stay up-to-date on shelter news and where to find adoptable pets around town at breweries, stores and events. All adoptions are first come, first served. ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 • Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Arrive before 4 p.m. for “meet and greet”) 580 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, 95076 • Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. – noon; 1–5 p.m. (Closed Sun/Mon) Website: www.scanimalshelter.org SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

Bright red attracts hungry overwintering birds. t is no coincidence that so many colorful berries ripen in autumn as migratory birds migrate south for winter. Such colorful berries are intended for both migratory and overwintering birds. Rodents and other wildlife are welcome to take what they want as well. Most colorful berries are bright red, to get the attention of birds and wildlife. They are a convenient “grab and go” size, and abundant. Plants who produce colorful berries are pleased to provide in exchange for the dispersion of their seed. It is an ingenious system. Everyone involved does what they do best. Plants produce their colorful berries to exploit wildlife. Wildlife exploits the berries. Seed within the berries survives digestion, and gets deposited elsewhere. Most types of berry seed germinate best after digestion. Colorful berries are popular in home gardens either to attract birds, or because they are delightfully colorful for autumn and winter. Of course, many that should remain colorful attract birds instead. Fortunately, birds are good sports, and often leave colorful berries long enough to blet (age). Then, polite birds consume the berries before they get messy, and ideally take their mess elsewhere. Various hollies are famous for their colorful berries. However, not many hollies reliably produce many berries here. Because they are dioecious (of separate genders), commonly available female plants are fruitless without rare male pollinators. Fortunately, modern hollies are becoming available in conjunction with pollinators. Otherwise, the best colorful berries are of the Rosaceae family. Firethorn is the most profuse and most familiar of the colorful berries through autumn and winter. A few species and cultivars of Cotoneaster can be almost as

Firethorn

he most abundant bright red berries of autumn are those of firethorn, **Pyracantha coccinea**. They resemble English hawthorn, cotoneaster and toyon berries, but are shinier and more abundant. Their weight causes their limbs to sag. Most are either rich deep red, or brighter slightly orangy red. Orange berries are uncommon locally. Cultivars with yellow berries are less vigorous and rare. Berry production may seem to be more variable than it actually is. Healthy plants typically produce a profusion of berries. They only seem to be more profuse if they ripen late, after migratory birds fly south. Such birds are voracious with early berries. Overwintering birds are less numerous, and consume berries slower. Regardless, few berries last long enough to deteriorate and get messy. Firethorn is thorny enough to function as an impenetrable hedge. However, it is unpleasant to prune with all those thorns. Also, pruning without removing the stems that bloom and produce berries takes effort. Upright cultivars can get higher than downstairs eaves. Some cultivars get only a few feet tall as they sprawl over the ground. Even without berries, the evergreen foliage is appealing. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

Overwintering birds can not miss firethorn.

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