Fire Cleanup Contractor Disappears + COVID Jail Outbreak Latest

Welcome back, Santa Cruz! Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note. Here's everything happening today in town.

First, today's weather:

A little morning rain; cloudy. High: 65 Low: 48.

Here are the top stories in and around Santa Cruz today:

1. Wildfire Cleanup Contractor Vanishes (Good Times Weekly)
2. Scotts Valley man accused of kidnapping, imprisonment and sex with a minor arrested: SCPD (KSBW The Central Coast)
3. Santa Cruz Will Star In Super Bowl LVI Ad (Santa Cruz Patch)
4. CVS Closing 900 Stores; Impact On Santa Cruz Co. Unclear (Santa Cruz Patch)
5. 20 inmates, 1 staff member test positive in Santa Cruz jail COVID-19 outbreak (KSBW The Central Coast)
6. Santa Cruz County health agencies roll out $8M in new grant programs (Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Today's Santa Cruz Daily is brought to you by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Santa Cruz!

Today in Santa Cruz:

• PeaceBuilders Assembly/Pizza Day - Happy Valley Elementary School District (12:00 AM)
• Coastal Birding Walk - Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park (9:00 AM)
• Coastal Birding Walk (9:00 AM)
• Concrete Ship History Walk (11:00 AM)
• Street Smarts Be Safe Be Seen! - Santa Cruz City (4:30 PM)
• Fortunate Youth Performing in Santa Cruz w/ Artikal Sound System (9:00 PM)

Santa Cruz Patch Notebook

• Santa Cruz Warriors: "#SeaDubs started strong but couldn't close out. Rematch on Friday. 🏀 vs. Salt Lake City Stars 🗓️ Nov. 19 🕕 6PM PT 📺 NBC Sports Bay Area / California" (Facebook)
• Santa Cruz SPCA: "❤💚 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS CHALLENGE 💚❤ Not every dog will be everyone's cup of tea. And not every person will be every dog's cup of tea. But we know one thing for sure....there's got to be someone out there whose perfect cup of tea is a..." (Facebook)
• Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks: "Fourth graders and their families in California are now eligible for The Adventure Pass! 🙌 The Adventure Pass waives day-use entry fees for 4th graders at Seacliff State Beach and 18 other state parks in California! Learn more and apply..." (Facebook)
• Santa Cruz City Government: "Santa Cruz’s murals scene has taken a giant leap forward, where Santa Cruz might now rank among one of the best cities for murals on the West Coast. Arts Commissioner Bridget Lyons wrote a guest article describing the incredible festival..." (Facebook)
• Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries: "It's that time of the year again! Envirotokens voting will take place Nov 29 - Dec 19 in all New Leaf store locations, and we're on the ballot! Please visit your nearest New Leaf Community Markets and vote for Friends of Santa Cruz Publi..." (Facebook)
• Santa Cruz County Parks Department: "Hidden Beach Playground Ribbon Cutting is Monday, November 22 at 11AM, 660 Cliff Dr., Aptos. The playground renovation was made possible by the County of Santa Cruz, County Parks Friends, and many generous community donations, the projec..." (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Add your business here

Events:

• Gratitude Ceremony ~ Native Flute Meditation and Drum Journey on ZOOM (November 19)
• Local Chef Delivers EVERYTHING but the Turkey! (November 20)
• Fun filled Bunny Adoption event planned for this Sunday in Soquel at Pet Pals (November 21)
• Taxes In Retirement Webinar (December 1)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around! If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Courtney Teague

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Santa Cruz Daily? Contact me at courtney.teague@patch.com.