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🌱 Patch AM: How detectives traced a Beach Flats Park shooting to two suspects

Happening soon: Tropa Magica: Run Club Winter Ball 2025 on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

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Good morning Santa Cruz! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How detectives traced a Beach Flats Park shooting to two suspects
  • Why monarchs are swarming Santa Cruz’s beaches this winter
  • How many Central Coast police shootings since Sgt. Gutzwiller’s killing?

Also on today's calendar: Sound Bath: Journey to the Center of the Heart and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 64 and low of 48 degrees.
  • Friday: Cloudy, temps: high: 64, low: 54.
  • Saturday: Chance of a little p.m. rain, with a high of 62 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 2 arrested in Santa Cruz Beach Flats Park shooting investigation (ksbw.com) — Santa Cruz police have arrested two young men in connection with an October shooting near Beach Flats Park, using surveillance video, physical evidence, and license plate reader technology to identify them. The suspects were taken into custody in Alameda County and booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on charges of grossly negligent firearm discharge, though no shooting victims have come forward.
   

2. Monarch butterflies cluster together at Natural Bridges State Beach (santacruzsentinel.com) — Monarch butterflies are clustering now at Natural Bridges, Lighthouse Field, and Moran Lake, making Santa Cruz a key winter home for the struggling western population. Local and statewide scientists are tagging butterflies here to track their movements and better protect critical overwintering habitat along the California coast.
   

3. Central Coast saw 21 law enforcement shootings since 2020; 8 civilians, 2 officers killed (ksbw.com) — A new analysis shows at least 21 police shootings on the Central Coast since 2020, including the ambush killing of Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller in Ben Lomond. Eight civilians and two officers have died, and one Monterey County case remains under state investigation, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of regional law enforcement use of force.
   

4. Covered California warns premium hikes as ACA subsidies near expiration (ksbw.com) — Health officials warn that 35,000 Covered California enrollees across Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties could see steep premium hikes if federal ACA subsidies expire soon. About 24,000 local residents depend on those subsidies, while Rep. Jimmy Panetta pushes in Congress for a three-year extension before the credits run out.
   

5. 10 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in America (edhat.com) — Santa Cruz gets a flattering spotlight as one of America’s most beautiful coastal towns, praised for its surf culture, Beach Boardwalk, state parks, and laid-back vibe. The list compares Santa Cruz with other scenic seaside destinations, underscoring the city’s mix of natural beauty, wine, food, and university-driven creativity.
   

📸 Around Santa Cruz

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Melody, a dog who went missing in Santa Cruz County, CA, has been safely reunited with their family after 2 hours, 48 minutes. Message from Owner: … (Nextdoor Live Oak)
  • I went to Costco yesterday and there was a taco truck (House of Taco) parked on the street right outside of the parking lot.
    I gave it a try and ordered 3 tacos. They are street size so a little smaller than others but they were amazing and their prices were good too. I… (Nextdoor Santa Cruz Gardens)
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for Parts Specialist-1 in Santa Cruz. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Cruz here.

Ok Santa Cruz! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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