Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which big changes around Santa Cruz made this week’s Aptos Times front page?

Make time for John Rybak + Friends @ Discretion Brewing on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

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Thursday September 17th Patch AM
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Hi there, Santa Cruz! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which big changes around Santa Cruz made this week's Aptos Times front page?
  • How your phone photos could make Santa Cruz roads safer for wildlife
  • Body found off Davenport coast; coroner investigating identity and cause

Also on today's calendar: John Rybak + Friends @ Discretion Brewing and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Clouds breaking for sun, with a high of 73 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Friday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, temps: high: 78, low: 55.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 74 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Aptos Times: September 15, 2026 (tpgonlinedaily.com) — This Aptos Times issue bundles key Santa Cruz County updates, from a delayed RTC parking lot trial and new affordable apartments in Santa Cruz to winter storm preparations and free METRO rides to the county fair. It also highlights Watsonville hospital upgrades, a tentative PVUSD labor deal, a fatal Soquel Drive crash, and other developments affecting daily life around Santa Cruz.
   

2. Residents Invited to Help Make Roads Safer for Wildlife (slvpost.com) — Santa Cruz County residents are being asked to help map dangerous road crossings for wildlife by reporting roadkill and animal-vehicle encounters through the free iNaturalist app. The Safe Passage Santa Cruz project will collect observations through July 2027 to guide future road planning, improve wildlife connectivity, and make travel safer for both drivers and animals.
   

3. Body recovered off Davenport coast after boater reported seeing a body in the ocean (ksbw.com) — Authorities recovered a body off the coast of Davenport on Tuesday after a boater reported seeing a person in the ocean several miles offshore, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. The Coast Guard located the body that afternoon, and the coroner is now working to determine the person's identity and cause of death.
   

4. Santa Cruz County Fair opens: Quilts, piglets and Dahlias — oh my! (pajaronian.com) — The Santa Cruz County Fair is now open through Sunday, offering rides, food, exhibits, and performances that draw many visitors from Santa Cruz and nearby communities. Local ties run deep, from a longtime UCSC-connected juggler to multigenerational food vendors, giving residents plenty of reasons to head out for late-night fair fun this weekend.
   

5. Tessa Jeffries sends Santa Cruz water polo past Valley Christian with OT winner (santacruzsentinel.com) — Santa Cruz High's girls water polo team thrilled home fans as senior co-captain Tessa Jeffries scored the overtime winner in an 8–7 victory over Valley Christian, keeping the Cardinals unbeaten. The roundup also spotlights strong performances by Aptos, Pajaro Valley, Watsonville, Cabrillo, and other nearby schools in flag football, volleyball, cross country, soccer, and water polo, with several upcoming games local fans can attend.
   

📸 Around Santa Cruz

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Cruz

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📣 Santa Cruz Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Sweet Foster Pup, Alan Jackson is a sweet, gentle soul who is officially ready to graduate from his foster home into his permanent family!
    If you are looking for a loyal, well-behaved companion who loves everyone he meets, Jackson is your boy. Why Jackson is the Ultimate Family Dog: … (Nextdoor Beach Area Business Association)
  • Lost our cat Squeak since Saturday.
    She is a mid size tuxedo color female. Last seen near Oxford way close to Woodrow. Please let us know if you see her! (Nextdoor Columbia to Cliff)
  • Live Oak School District posted a job opening for Substitute Custodian (On-call) in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • Pyramid Global Hospitality posted a job opening for Restaurant Sous Chef, Chaminade Resort & Spa - $1,000 SIGN ON BONUS! 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: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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