Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a Santa Cruz teacher ended up flirting with Khloé Kardashian

And on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar - Breathing Into Wholeness: Awakening the Inner Light

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Monday December 15th Patch AM
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Hey hey Santa Cruz! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Santa Cruz teacher ended up flirting with Khloé Kardashian
  • How a Highway 17 crash near Vine Hill turned deadly Sunday
  • Which Santa Cruz rental leader just earned national industry recognition?

Also on today's calendar: Breathing Into Wholeness: Awakening the Inner Light and 7 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 63 and low of 46 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 67, low: 52.
  • Wednesday: Low clouds may break, with a high of 66 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Khloe Kardashian Shoots Her Shot With Hot Teacher on Instagram (popstaronline.com) — A Santa Cruz high school teacher suddenly found himself internet-famous after a playful Instagram exchange with Khloé Kardashian, who commented on his viral classroom video. The clip highlights his life in Santa Cruz, his teaching career, and his sports coaching, while fans watch to see whether his lighthearted invitation to a staff holiday party leads to anything more.
   

2. Man dies after truck hits tree in Santa Cruz County (ksbw.com) — A 49-year-old San Jose man died Sunday morning after his Toyota Tacoma left southbound Highway 17 in Santa Cruz County near Vine Hill Road, hit a tree, and then the center median. The crash, which left the truck in the northbound fast lane, is under investigation as CHP works to determine whether alcohol, drugs, or another factor was involved.
   

3. Industry News for December 13, 2025 (catersource.com) — One of this year’s American Rental Association leadership awards goes to Meghann Lovlien of A Tool Shed Inc. in Santa Cruz, highlighting local representation in a national industry spotlight. The piece surveys multiple honorees across North America for their contributions to the equipment and event rental field, from advocacy and safety innovation to workforce development and leadership.
   

4. Residents near Moss Landing fire provide samples to measure health impact (santacruzsentinel.com) — After the Moss Landing battery fire, residents donated hair samples to study possible heavy metal exposure, and a UC Santa Cruz toxicology professor is leading part of the analysis. His lab will test for manganese levels in hair to build long-term data, though they can’t yet link results to specific health problems, leaving nearby communities still searching for clear answers.
   

📸 Around Santa Cruz

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Cruz

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
    Kona was LOST on December 7, 2025 in Capitola, CA 95010 near Near Wharf Road Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor Live Oak)
  • I’m happy to share with you that eight boys who were out caroling showed up at our front door this evening, dressed in Christmas sweaters and they all sang Jingle Bells.
    They were nice and respectful and really sweet. A refreshing contrast to the other visits we’ve had by young men lately, and I’m all for it. I don’t… (Nextdoor Garfield Park Circles)
  • Joby Aviation Inc. posted a job opening for CNC Prototype Machinist - Experienced in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • Santa Cruz City Schools posted a job opening for Girls Wrestling Coach - Soquel High School 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 either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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