Jennifer Squires has lived in Santa Cruz County for more than seven years. An Oregon native, she studied journalism, Spanish and ethics at Southern Oregon University. She's worked for several small, community newspapers and also was editor of the SOU weekly newspaper for two years. Most recently, she was the crime reporter at the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Along the way, she's won awards for reporting on schools, wildfires and a grisly tale about the beheading of an Abraham Lincoln statue in a city park.
My Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
I am my father's daughter and, therefore, a registered Democrat. But I respect a wide range of views and hope that our elected leaders can find a balance between what's best for personal liberty, living-wage jobs and environmental sustainability.
Religion
I was baptized in an Episcopal church before I could walk but don't consider myself religious.
The countywide unemployment rate in February was the best it's been for the month in the past three years, and better than the statewide average.
The countywide unemployment rate in February was the best it's been for that month in the past three years.
The countywide unemployment rate in February was the best it's been for that month in the past three years.
The countywide unemployment rate in February was the best it's been for that month in the past three years.
The countywide unemployment rate in February was the best it's been for that month in the past three years.
Patch is collecting information about summer camps in Northern California for a summer camp guide for 2013. This is your chance to tell us about the camp your group, faith-community or organization is operating.
Patch is collecting information about summer camps in Northern California for a summer camp guide for 2013. This is your chance to tell us about the camp your group, faith-community or organization is operating.
Patch is collecting information about summer camps in Northern California for a summer camp guide for 2013. This is your chance to tell us about the camp your group, faith-community or organization is operating.
Patch is collecting information about summer camps in Northern California for a summer camp guide for 2013. This is your chance to tell us about the camp your group, faith-community or organization is operating.
Patch is collecting information about summer camps in Northern California for a summer camp guide for 2013. This is your chance to tell us about the camp your group, faith-community or organization is operating.
Patch is collecting information about summer camps in Northern California for a summer camp guide for 2013. This is your chance to tell us about the camp your group, faith-community or organization is operating.
Joshua Metoxen, who had been linked to bank robberies in Novato, Strawberry and several other Bay Area cities, was arrested along with an accomplice Thursday afternoon.
The old Wonder-Hostess Bakery Outlet store on Airport Boulevard has been vacant for months.
Marin County collected hundreds of guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition during a gun buyback program in January.
Dozens of people have been killed by firearms in the San Francisco Bay Area, including one person murdered in Burlingame in January.
To commemorate 100 days since the Newtown school shooting, Moms Demand Action For Gunsense is planning a march in downtown Palo Alto.
Dozens of people have been killed by firearms in the San Francisco Bay Area, including one person murdered in Burlingame in January.
Dozens of people have been killed by firearms in the San Francisco Bay Area, including one person murdered in Marin City in January.
Dozens of people have been killed by firearms in the San Francisco Bay Area, including three men murdered in Forestville last month.
Dozens of people have been killed by firearms in the San Francisco Bay Area.