Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why homeless advocates say Santa Cruz’s new death records policy hurts closure

Spotted on the Santa Cruz calendar: 2025 City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility Summer Tours

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Wednesday December 24th Patch AM
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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:

  • Why homeless advocates say Santa Cruz’s new death records policy hurts closure
  • Will neighbors get a real say on Santa Cruz’s tallest SoLA project?
  • How a Pacific Grove shark tragedy is shaking Santa Cruz swimmers

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Community Dinner and 9 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Wednesday: A morning shower, then rain, with a high of 63 and low of 53 degrees.
  • Thursday: Strong winds subsiding; rain, temps: high: 59, low: 51.
  • Friday: Rain; breezy in the morning, with a high of 58 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Homeless Union of Santa Cruz memorializes dead at Town Clock (santacruzsentinel.com) — Community members gathered at the Town Clock in Santa Cruz to honor 37 homeless and 66 formerly homeless people who died in 2025, reading names and sharing memories. Organizers criticized Santa Cruz County’s move to anonymize death records, saying it makes it harder for unhoused residents to confirm what happened to loved ones and find closure.
   

2. Community meeting to be held for 90-foot-tall affordable housing development in Santa Cruz (santacruzsentinel.com) — A major 100% affordable, eight-story housing project is proposed for 407 Pacific Ave. in Santa Cruz’s Downtown Plan Expansion Area, with an online community meeting set for Jan. 7, 2026. The 102-unit building would be the tallest in the SoLA neighborhood, relocate current tenants, and may move forward with only ministerial approval if public hearings are eliminated.
   

3. Pacific Grove community mourns missing swimmer after possible shark attack (ksbw.com) — A Central Coast community is grieving after swimmer Erica Fox disappeared in a suspected shark attack at Pacific Grove’s Lovers Point, a tragedy that’s unsettling ocean-lovers across the region, including in Santa Cruz. Local swimmers and officials describe heightened fear, suspended search efforts due to weather, and heartfelt tributes to Fox’s life and love of the water.
   

4. Street Talk: Santa Cruz's Most Memorable Outdoor Moments of 2025 (goodtimes.sc) — Locals share their standout outdoor moments of 2025, from swimming at Cowell’s and volleyball on Main Beach to backpacking Henry Coe and exploring redwoods and Thailand. One resident also recalls joining large “No Kings” rallies and celebrating Blue Wave election wins, summing it up simply: “I love Santa Cruz.”
   

📸 Around Santa Cruz

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Winter in Santa Cruz is my favorite time of year.
    This spot is north of Davenport. "Being And Time", 36 x 48", Oil on canvas, Michelle Jung. (Nextdoor Lighthouse Cowells)
  • One of the best things my friend ever told me was:
    Stop assuming that people are mad at you. Stop attempting to read people's minds. Stop trying to manage the thoughts and emotions of others. Let… (Nextdoor Mid East Side)
  • Live Oak Elementary School District posted a job opening for Substitute Custodian (On-call) in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker 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 got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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