Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a random Capitola Mall attack became a high‑stakes court case

Also check out Wednesday Night Trivia @6:30 PM on the Capitola Patch calendar

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Friday August 21st Patch AM
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Greetings Capitola! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a random Capitola Mall attack became a high‑stakes court case
  • Is Capitola ready for a Super El Niño winter and coastal flooding?

Also on today's calendar: Dahlia Show.

Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Low clouds, then some sun, with a high of 74 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Saturday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, temps: high: 75, low: 56.
  • Sunday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 72 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Teen pleads not guilty in Capitola Mall fatal stabbing of grandmother (amedpost.com) — A 19-year-old has pleaded not guilty in the fatal July stabbing of Capitola artist and grandmother Rachell Summers outside Capitola Mall, a case that has shaken many locals. Prosecutors say he remains jailed without bail while friends and family raise money for her infant grandson's future education. The court is expected to set a preliminary hearing date in October.
   

• Preparing for the 2026 Super El Niño (slvpost.com) — Capitola's coastal neighborhoods are being warned to brace for possible flooding and storm surge this winter as a potentially historic El Niño strengthens, raising sea levels and intensifying storms along the Central Coast. Experts say overlapping high tides, pressure changes, and back‑to‑back systems could temporarily push water several feet above normal in low‑lying areas. Residents are urged now to register for alerts, assess properties, and prepare emergency plans before heavy rains arrive.
   

📸 Around Capitola

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Capitola

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Capitola Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Saturday August 22
  • Back to School BBQ
    Ocean Alternative Education Center Live Oak Elementary School, 1916 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95
    11:00 am
  • Role-playing Games at the Library →
    Freedom Branch Library, 2021 Freedom Blvd, Freedom
    12:00 pm
  • Harvest Dinner at Rosscienda Vineyard →
    Rosscienda Vineyard, 1172 Redwood Heights Rd, Aptos
    5:00 pm
    • Sunday August 23
  • Dallas Burrow →
    El Vaquero Winery Tasting Room, 2901 Freedom Blvd, Corralitos
    5:00 pm
    • Tuesday August 25
  • CANCELED - SVUSD Board of Trustees Meeting
    Scotts Valley Unified Scotts Valley, CA 95066
  • Felton Music Hall & (((FolkYeah)) presents... La Luz →
    Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton
    7:00 pm
    • Wednesday August 26
  • SPOT Nature Day - Henry Cowell Park
    Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz, CA 95062
  • Fall Picture Day
    San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School Felton, CA 95018
    8:20 am
  • SVEF Public Meeting
    Scotts Valley Unified Vine Hill Elementary School, Room 16, 151 Vine Hill Road, Scott
    7:00 pm

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

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My son was on his way to work and was hit by a car riding his bicycle on Soquel today close to the fire department across the street from the post office & play it again sports.
    He said the driver was a woman driving a black suv. He was in the bike lane and she hit him turning into a driveway. My son has autism he was in… (Nextdoor Cliffwood Heights)
  • Looking for a caregiver for a 76 y/o woman in Watsonville.
    This WOULD NOT be an IHSS POSTION. This client has maxed out IHSS hours but has additional hours through a program called 24 Hr Homecare. It takes… (Nextdoor Capitola Beach)
  • Soquel Union Elementary School District posted a job opening for Band Teacher .50 FTE- New Brighton Middle School (26/27 School Year) in Capitola. Apply here.
  • New Leaf Community Markets posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Capitola. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Capitola here.

🗞 Nearby News

Soquel

Aptos

  • High school football 2026 preview: Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division (modbee.com)

Santa Cruz

  • Santa Cruz middle schools introduce e-bike parking permits with safety training (ksbw.com)

Ok Capitola! 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: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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