Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What will change as Jose Garcia steps in as interim chief?

Happening soon: Santa Cruz Film Festival on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

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Hello Santa Cruz! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What will change as Jose Garcia steps in as interim chief?
  • How could the Seabright mega-project reshape Soquel Avenue and local shops?
  • Rescue at Panther Beach highlights hidden dangers along our coastline.

Also on today's calendar: Santa Cruz Film Festival and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Partly sunny and warmer, with a high of 89 and low of 60 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 88, low: 59.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 84 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Santa Cruz appoints 25-year veteran Jose Garcia as interim police chief (lookout.co) — Santa Cruz residents will see a leadership change at the police department as longtime deputy chief Jose Garcia becomes interim chief on Oct. 31, succeeding retiring Chief Bernie Escalante. Garcia, a 25-year department veteran, has led neighborhood policing and crisis-response reforms, and the city plans community listening sessions soon as it considers a permanent chief.
   

2. Backlash against proposed Seabright housing continues (santacruzsentinel.com) — A large affordable housing proposal at 1214 Soquel Avenue in Seabright is drawing intense pushback from Santa Cruz residents, with more than 50 people recently marching from City Hall to the developer's downtown office. Workbench and the city say the project is still early and are collecting survey feedback through Oct. 6, while neighbors worry about traffic, building scale, and impacts on existing local businesses.
   

3. 2 people rescued after falling off rocks at Santa Cruz County beach (mercurynews.com) — Emergency crews from Santa Cruz Fire and California State Parks rescued two anglers who fell from rocks into the ocean at Panther Beach near Davenport, then airlifted them for hospital care. Though the visitors weren't county residents, officials are using the incident to remind Santa Cruz beachgoers about fast-changing waves, dangerous rocks, and the importance of keeping a safe distance from the water's edge.
   

4. Pumpkin patch season returns across the Central Coast with spots in every county (ksbw.com) — If you're ready for pumpkins close to home, Santa Cruz County patches like The Great Pumpkin Patch on Soquel Drive and Rodoni Farms on Coast Road are open daily through Oct. 31. Corralitos Hills Farm adds a smaller, weekend option, while nearby counties offer bigger attractions if you're up for a short fall drive.
   

5. Strawberries remain on top in Santa Cruz County crop report for 2025 (santacruzsentinel.com) — Santa Cruz County's 2025 crop report shows local agriculture growing to $762.9 million in production value, with strawberries again leading at nearly $279 million. Berries dominate the farm economy while some vegetable and nursery crops decline, organic operations increase, and livestock values rise, offering residents a snapshot of how local fields and farm jobs are shifting.
   

📸 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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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

  • FOUND!
    Thank you to the community and the sherrifs office for the continued search efforts. Byron was located and found safe. He walked all the way to… (Nextdoor Pleasure Point)
  • Open Studios starts this weekend...
    my studio # 115 will be open Oct 3 & 4 and 17 & 18, 11am - 5pm. This painting of oaks at Moore Creek Preserve is in the preview exhibit at m.k… (Nextdoor Live Oak Chateau)
  • Greystar posted a job opening for Leasing Professional - Delaware (Student Living) in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • Dignity Health posted a job opening for Custodian 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: "What has a cap but no head?" — A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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