Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Mountain Lion Tracks Found Near Bay Area Beach — CalFire Warns Residents To Stay Alert

Happening soon: Guided Journey & Sound Bath on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

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Sunday January 11th Patch AM
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Hello Santa Cruz! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Mountain lion tracks and sightings put Santa Cruz Coast neighbors on alert
  • Think you can name the 2026 Santa Cruz County Fair? Prove it.
  • Why Scotts Valley neighbors now take every tornado alert seriously

Also on today's calendar: Guided Journey & Sound Bath and 8 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I am on a seafood diet. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high of 67 and low of 41 degrees.
  • Monday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 65, low: 45.
  • Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 68 and low of 45 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Mountain Lion Tracks Found Near Bay Area Beach — CalFire Warns Residents To Stay Alert (patch.com) — Santa Cruz and North Coast residents are being urged to stay alert after large mountain lion tracks were found near paths by Davenport and Bonny Doon Beach, with another lion sighting reported in Watsonville. Cal Fire and local police are advising people to keep pets indoors at night, closely watch children outside, and know how to respond safely if they encounter a mountain lion.
   

2. 2026 Fair Theme Contest Underway (tpgonlinedaily.com) — Your words could headline the 2026 Santa Cruz County Fair if you enter this year’s fair theme contest by January 13 at 5 p.m. Organizers want catchy, patriotic ideas that capture Santa Cruz County’s spirit, with the winning phrase featured on all fair materials and rewarded with free tickets and parking.
   

3. Scotts Valley residents more alert to tornado warnings after past storm (ksbw.com) — Scotts Valley residents in Santa Cruz County are paying closer attention to tornado alerts after an EF-1 tornado unexpectedly hit a local parking lot in December 2024. County officials say forecasting tornadoes here is difficult, but residents report more alerts during recent winter storms and say they now welcome warnings, even for rare events, as climate change brings more dramatic weather.
   

4. New details emerge: Tommy Lee Jones' daughter faced criminal charges before sudden death in swanky hotel (silive.com) — Court records show Victoria Jones, daughter of actor Tommy Lee Jones, was arrested in Santa Cruz in May 2025 on misdemeanor charges months before her death in a San Francisco hotel. Investigators still believe a drug overdose is likely but are examining how she ended up on the 14th floor as questions remain about her final hours.
   

📸 Around Santa Cruz

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • SCAM - posted on doors of the Morrissey neighborhood today.
    Without scanning the QR code, I looked this up and it’s not official. Most likely: - A solar or battery sales company - Using fear-based messaging… (Nextdoor East Morrissey)
  • Hi All, I’m thinking about adopting a retired Greyhound.
    I work in San Jose three days/week and would like to hire a dog walker. Any recommendations? Thank you! (Nextdoor East Morrissey)
  • CommonSpirit Health posted a job opening for Department Services Coordinator II in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • Santa Cruz City School District posted a job opening for School Administrative Assistant III - Student Services - 40 hrs - Harbor 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 see food and I eat it.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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