Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why are Santa Cruz overdose deaths finally trending downward?

Also check out El capulin nursery on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 31st Patch AM
Wednesday December 31st Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning to you Santa Cruz! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why are Santa Cruz overdose deaths finally trending downward?
  • What triple-fine rules mean for your New Year’s Eve in Santa Cruz
  • Why Santa Cruz’s Planned Parenthood clinic closed with just one hour’s notice

Also on today's calendar: El capulin nursery and 8 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Wednesday: Occasional rain and drizzle, with a high of 57 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Thursday: Periods of rain, temps: high: 62, low: 56.
  • Friday: Breezy with rain and drizzle, with a high of 59 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fatal overdoses decline for second year in a row in Santa Cruz County (santacruzsentinel.com) — Santa Cruz County is seeing a significant drop in fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses, especially those involving fentanyl, after a 2023 peak. Local health officials, hospitals, and law enforcement describe how Narcan use, targeted enforcement, and treatment partnerships are helping, while also warning about rising cannabis-related illness in teens and ongoing concerns over kratom sales and regulation.
   

2. Santa Cruz police enforce triple fines for New Year's Eve safety (ksbw.com) — If you’re heading out in Santa Cruz tonight, expect triple fines as police step up enforcement citywide for New Year’s Eve safety. Officers will be highly visible downtown while locals celebrate at James Durbin’s annual show at the Inn at Pasatiempo and a free indoor party with DJs, drink specials, and music at Hotel Paradox’s Solaire restaurant and bar.
   

3. After 50 years at Santa Cruz Planned Parenthood clinic, nurse was laid off with 1 hour notice (santacruzlocal.org) — A longtime nurse practitioner who helped start Santa Cruz’s Planned Parenthood clinic in 1976 says she and her coworkers were abruptly laid off this July and given an hour to leave the Pacific Avenue site. The sudden closure left Santa Cruz patients scrambling for care and staff unable to access records or notify people about medications, test results, and referrals.
   

4. California law addresses student literacy concerns (ksbw.com) — New state literacy rules taking effect in 2026 come as Santa Cruz County reports that 56.3% of students are not meeting literacy standards, though scores have improved slightly over the past year. The story compares five-year trends in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties and explains how AB 1454 will change K–8 English language arts materials and guidance statewide.
   

5. A look back on notable stories of 2025 (pajaronian.com) — From storm damage that shortened the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf to leadership changes at the county fairgrounds and major PVUSD layoffs, 2025 brought big shifts for Santa Cruz County residents. This year-in-review also highlights local housing projects, protests over federal policies, new public safety and water infrastructure, and ongoing budget pressures on schools, hospitals and food aid programs.
   

📸 Around Santa Cruz

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Cruz

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★ Featured events ★

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📣 Santa Cruz Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday December 31
  • In-person Tech Help @ Capitola
    Capitola Branch Library , 2005 Wharf Rd , Capitola
    10:00 am
  • Preschool Storytime @ the Garfield Park Branch Library
    Garfield Park Branch Library Garfield Park
    10:30 am
  • Adaptive Fitness - FELTON!! — SPINSC
    SCM Community Fitness , 6500 CA-9 , Felton
    3:00 pm
  • Make & Explore @ Garfield Park
    Garfield Park Branch Library Garfield Park
    3:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Santa Cruz PatchAM possible:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Christmas morning at 3:30am, the top 20' of two of my five poplar trees snapped off due to the 65 mph gusting winds and did some damage.
    Many of you know my pre-1885 Victorian home, as I am an Open Studios artist and I host various events. And the five popular trees are/were 60' tall… (Nextdoor Lighthouse Cowells)
  • I was playing fetch with my dog, I rarely let her off leash, when two coyotes came out of nowhere!
    They were about 15ft away from us. This is just for all the pet owners that let their dogs run around freely. Please be cautious! This happened at… (Nextdoor Wrigley Plant)
  • Pyramid Global Hospitality posted a job opening for Houseperson in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • Radiate Hospitality posted a job opening for Housekeeping Room Attendant 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 heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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