Storms, both weather and economic, defined this year in Santa Cruz. Locals did what they could to stifle and recover from both.
JANUARY
TERMINAL CONDITION
The year started off with a literal bang, as the battery energy storage system (BESS) facility in Moss Landing caught fire. The chemistry of the lithium-ion batteries meant that water from firefighters’ hoses only fueled the blaze, which burned for days, emitting a black plume of toxic smoke and tons of toxins into soil and water.
The incident spurred reactions from local and state lawmakers hoping to rein in the BESS industry.
FAIR PLAY
After firing previous manager Dave Kegebein—and after a manager before him departed under mysterious circumstances—the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds announced that manager Zeke Fraser had resigned after less than two years. Later in 2025, the governing board hired Dori Rose Inda, who has extensive experience managing nonprofits. Based on the success of last year’s fair, we assume her time is going well.
PIER PRESSURE
On Dec. 23, a storm damaged the end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, forcing its closure. This was evidenced spectacularly when a public bathroom broke free and washed up on a nearby beach. The wharf reopened less than a week later, 150 feet shorter and minus the Dolphin restaurant, which was under repair at the time and is gone.
TRUMP CARD
Santa Cruz County officials began to prepare in earnest for President Trump’s hard-line immigration policies, with many undocumented residents and nonprofits predicting a severe impact on the local workforce, the economy and the families that live here. Since that time, those fears have played out, with an estimated 65,000 in ICE custody as of Nov. 16. Many protests and demonstrations have followed throughout the U.S.
BYE BRUCE
We said goodbye to former Santa Cruz County Supervisor Bruce McPherson, who retired from the board after a 25-year career in politics the month before.
LEAVE THOSE TEACHERS ALONE
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees made $5 million in cuts, knowing that the financial picture would worsen as enrollment declined and federal funding slowed. Indeed, the board is back to the chopping block, with roughly 150 positions at risk of layoff.
FEBRUARY
LAYOFFS REJECTED
The PVUSD Board of Trustees considered—and largely rejected—roughly 100 layoffs district staff said were meant to ease upcoming budget troubles. But wait, there’s more. The layoffs kicked in by the end of the year to much protest.
BID BARRED
A man who committed one of the most gruesome crimes we’ve ever heard lost a bid for parole. Adrian Gonzalez lured 8-year-old Madyson “Maddy” Middleton into his apartment in the Tannery in Santa Cruz, then raped and killed her before dumping her body in a recycling bin.
MARCH
DUAL RALLIES
With our communities cleaved to pieces by national politics, it’s more important than ever to reach out to all sides of the issue. We went to an invitation-only viewing party where Trump supporters gathered to watch the president give a speech. While reporters were not welcome inside, we managed to convince an organizer to talk to us. We also spoke to protestors outside.
LOUNGING AROUND
Californians approved recreational pot in 2016. The county supervisors took the next logical step by approving smoking lounges à la Netherlands. In concept, anyway. The red tape required in the actual creation of one means that we’re years away from people lighting up indoors, county officials say.
VILLAGE PEOPLE
A village of 34 tiny homes for unhoused people in the parking lot of a Watsonville church continued to take shape, to the chagrin of neighbors. The project, which opened in September, is intended to help clear the Pajaro River Levee of unsanctioned encampments in advance of a project to rebuild it.
THE CUPBOARD IS BARE
Second Harvest Food Bank, which helps fill the pantries of thousands of county residents who need the help, began to sound the alarm of impending budget cuts and increased need that could impact the nonprofit’s ability to provide its services.
SMOKE ’EM IF YOU GOT ’EM
Remember when you needed a doctor’s note to buy weed? Later you could buy it and take it home to smoke. In March, the county has approved making dispensaries into social sites, like bars, where you can smoke inside the lounge, talk to friends and get an education on cannabis. They are still refining the rules, such as who is responsible if a patron gets in a car accident after smoking, but to the chagrin of alcohol lobbies, we can expect the opening of cannabis lounges.
SLUGFEST
Why aren’t we the slug capital of the world? Not only do we have the only university that uses the bright yellow banana slug as its mascot and the psychedelic mollusks populate our forests, but the longest-running band in Santa Cruz is named for them: the Banana Slug String Band, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this month. In a field filled with the starving musicians, the Slugs found a way to afford trips to Hawaii: they play educational, environmental songs for kids in schools. Check out our cover story on the band right here.
YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN
After a seven-year hiatus, former owners Adam Bergeron and wife Jaimi Holker repurchased The Crêpe Place, a restaurant and independent music center in Midtown that features bands inside and outside in the exotic gardens. Adam explains that he and Jaimi came back because they missed it from the moment they sold it to Chuck Platt on Jan. 26, 2018. They feel magic in the Crêpe Place. “It’s one of those kinds of places that is either special to you or not. A lot of people find it special, and we’re two of them.”
CUTS TO THE NEEDY
Two months into the new federal administration, nonprofits began feeling the effects of what short-lived Trump crony Elon Musk called DOGE, a program that was supposed to help balance the budget but ended up costing more than it saved. Locally, a program that helps the hungry was suffering. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz is facing major problems serving its clientele after getting hit with cuts by the Trump Administration, according to CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez.
“We actually got four cancellations in one week that amounted to over $250,000 of food that didn’t come in,” she said. “It was milk, it was pork chops, it was cheese. It’s basic, essential nutrients that our community needs.” The food bank was not prepared for these cancellations and its budget didn’t account for such a profound loss of food.
Second Harvest helps feed 65,000 people each month, according to its website, including children, seniors, veterans, homeless and working poor people, whose jobs don’t pay enough to support their families.
BREAKING UP WITH AMAZON
They are everywhere, those boxes with the smile on them that put a frown on the faces of local business owners. Amazon, the company that allowed its founder to build rockets and a yacht so big a bridge had to be removed to get it out of the shipping yard, is sadly ubiquitous. But our writer, Joan Hammel, took a stand and broke up with the company and shopped only in our county. Could it be done? Was it easy? Check out her cover story for the answers.
SAFETY FIRST
How sad is it that women have to worry about leaving their drinks behind when they use a bar restroom, for fear that someone will drug them? It’s not a theoretical fear. It’s been happening. Luckily, bars and legislators have taken preventive measures. Santa Cruz is at the forefront of making bars safer by offering patrons a new type of coaster that can quickly detect if your cocktail has been spiked. Simply smear a few droplets of your drink on the testing area of the coaster and it can tell if ketamine or GHB, often referred to as “date rape drugs,” are present.
APRIL
EARTH DAY RETURNS WITH PUNCH
Downtown Santa Cruz spilled onto Pacific Avenue on April 19 as Earth Day 2025 roared back with a full lineup of sustainability fervor and community spirit. The annual celebration, anchored by live music from SambaDá, a zero-waste fashion showcase by FashionTeens, vendor booths and free face painting, drew families, activists, and eco-curious locals alike. The event’s return marked a reinvigoration of environmental advocacy after years of pandemic disruption, spotlighting climate action and green living amid county efforts to energize recycling and public participation in sustainability. Good Times chronicled the bustle along Abbott Square Market as activists, artists, and small businesses converged to celebrate the planet and push for tangible change.
HIDDEN BEACH PARK GETS NEW RESTROOMS
Santa Cruz County marked the ribbon-cutting for the new restroom facilities at Hidden Beach County Park near the end of April. The project, years in planning and community discussion, aimed to upgrade aging infrastructure at one of the county’s most beloved coastal access points. Community leaders and park advocates lauded the improvements as a small but meaningful step toward accommodating rising park usage. The new facility reflects broader efforts by local officials to balance environmental stewardship with increased recreational demand, recognizing the importance of inclusive public spaces. The celebration brought out families and volunteers who have long championed better amenities in Santa Cruz’s treasured outdoor spaces.
BRIDGE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
Ground formally broke in early April on a new bridge housing building intended to serve people experiencing homelessness across central Santa Cruz County. The project, a collaboration between county housing agencies and nonprofit partners, aims to blend temporary shelter with case management, employment support and pathways to stable housing. Local advocates see the facility as a humane intervention in a crisis that has taxed county resources and civic patience for years. Critics, meanwhile, pushed for more transparency in siting and long-term operational funding. Still, the start of construction represented a significant milestone in Santa Cruz County’s slow pivot toward scalable solutions to homelessness.
COUNTY BUDGET PASSES WITH CONTROVERSY
April closed with the release of Santa Cruz County’s $1.23 billion 2025-26 proposed budget, a trove of figures that set the stage for summer fiscal debates. The budget outlined funding for core services—from public health and parks to permitting and infrastructure upgrades—and shined a spotlight on rising costs amid inflationary pressures. Public comment sessions drew stakeholders concerned about housing, environmental programs and public safety. In the shadow of statewide economic uncertainty, county supervisors urged constituents to engage in the process, framing the budget as a blueprint for resilience, equity and community care in the year ahead.
MAY
WATER CONTAMINATION AT FARMWORKER HOUSING SPURS FIXES
In a story that galvanized the Pajaro Valley community, residents of farmworker housing reported unacceptable levels of contaminants in tap water early in May. The outcry prompted immediate county and state responses, including infrastructure assessments and expedited remediation plans. Local advocates said the episode highlighted persistent environmental injustices in unincorporated areas where essential services lag. County officials responded with a commitment to prioritize upgrades and promised more rigorous testing regimes. The incident sparked spirited debate in Watsonville City Council meetings and community forums, with residents demanding transparency and long-term solutions for safe drinking water.
CARMAGEDDON AS HIGHWAY 1 RESEMBLES LOS ANGELES FREEWAYS
Chaos on Highway 1 in Capitola and Live Oak became a defining theme of May as closures and lane shifts for maintenance snarled morning commutes. Parents, workers and cyclists inundated city hotlines with complaints as delays stretched for miles. Local commentary in Good Times captured the fraught blend of practical frustration and deep concern about infrastructural neglect in one of the county’s busiest corridors. Road work along the beach at the Murray Street Bridge and lane closures on Highway 1 made for an ugly mess.
BABY BURNING MAN
For those who can’t get enough of the late summer Burning Man Festival, locals started unSCRUZ, an art and camping gathering in Hollister, filled with Santa Cruzans. The May 1-3 event is described by organizers as “a radically inclusive regional burning man event.” This year’s unSCruz—which spread out over the San Benito County fairgrounds, indoors and outdoors, in a wide spectrum of venues—includes a sound rooms, open art sessions, creative kitchens, acrobatics, experimental lighted and flame-breathing vehicles, games, bizarre architectural constructs, music, dance, unique campers and tents all under the umbrella of non-judgmental acceptance.
HOW DO YOU WANT THE CRUZ TO LOOK?
Santa Cruz County launched a series of public workshops and surveys in May to shape the Measure Q Vision Plan—a long-range blueprint for land use, housing, and economic development. County planners emphasized community input as critical to balancing growth with environmental protections, particularly in unincorporated areas facing housing crunches and climate threats. Sessions drew a broad cross-section of perspectives, from homeowners wary of density to advocates pressing for equitable access to affordable housing. The initiative underscored the county’s attempt to craft policy through engagement rather than top-down decisions.
OUT OF THE CLOSET AND INTO THE STREETS
Santa Cruz celebrated the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations biggly with three days of parties, dances, music, art and a giant parade. Since 1975, Santa Cruz Pride has convened an annual event, parade or festival that brings nearly 5,000 people to downtown Santa Cruz. The 50th anniversary of Santa Cruz Pride is a milestone in history for the visibility and celebration of a vibrant LGBTQ+ community unlike any across the country. It is a time to celebrate all people and allies across the county.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING CELEBRATION
May’s designation as Affordable Housing Month was marked by a cascade of events, including ribbon cuttings, informational webinars and community celebrations. Four new condominium units became available through Measure J, part of ongoing efforts to add supply in a market that has squeezed working families for years. Nonprofit partners, housing advocates and county officials touted the progress while acknowledging that incremental gains fall short of demand. The month’s festivities showcased success stories, creative financing tools and cross-sector collaborations aimed at expanding access to stable, affordable homes throughout Santa Cruz County.
JUNE
CHILDCARE LOAN PROGRAM OPENS
June also saw the launch of a forgivable loan program aimed at childcare providers, a rare win for working families and small business owners juggling high costs. The Child Care Developer Fee Loan Program opened applications for eligible providers seeking capital to expand or launch new facilities. County officials and advocates hailed the move as a practical investment in early childhood education and economic mobility. Parents who have long pressed for affordable, accessible care welcomed the initiative, though many underscored that supply still lags far behind need.
HOW HIGH WILL THE SEA RISE?
Amid ongoing climate anxieties, Santa Cruz County kicked off a sea-level rise vulnerability assessment survey aimed at charting future coastal resilience strategies. The initiative invited residents and stakeholders to weigh in on priorities for shoreline protection, infrastructure adaptation and community preparedness. The project emerged as part of a broader suite of environmental planning actions intended to position the county for decades of shifting coastal dynamics. Early responses suggested strong interest in collective problem-solving, though debates simmered over costs, equity, and the balance between human use and ecological preservation.
JULY
CRACKING DOWN ON ILLEGAL DUMPING
July brought the first full month under Santa Cruz County’s new illegal dumping penalty regime—a cultural pivot with teeth. With fines now in the thousands and cameras installed at frequent dumping sites, the county documented early compliance improvements and several misdemeanor referrals. Enforcement crews teamed with community volunteers to clear notorious hotspots, from rural side roads to forgotten lots. Environmental advocates crowed that the banished era of casual dumping may finally be nearing its end, while civil liberties critics cautioned about surveillance scope and equity. Regardless, public streets and hillsides looked noticeably cleaner as summer peaked.
HOMELESSNESS DOWN
The annual Point-in-Time Count of people experiencing homelessness, released in early August but grounded in July fieldwork, suggested modest progress in shelter placement and outreach engagement. County outreach teams, nonprofits and volunteers logged hundreds of interviews and service referrals during the chilly early morning count, finding small dips in unsheltered numbers compared with prior years. Leaders attributed the shift to coordinated job training, housing subsidies and bridge housing expansions. Still, advocates stressed that progress was fragile and that housing supply, rent pressures and mental health resources remain critical pressure points.
TERRIBLE COUNTY FOR WALKING, BIKINGMid-July saw the Santa Cruz County Community Traffic Safety Coalition release a comprehensive crash report highlighting trends over the past decade. The data detailed persistent hotspots for collisions, vulnerable road user injuries, and disproportionate impacts on lower-income neighborhoods. Public officials and activists seized the report as a call to reimagine street design, prioritize safe crossings and expand education campaigns. Some residents pushed back on enforcement-centric proposals, urging instead for infrastructure redesigns like protected bike lanes and traffic calming measures. The summer debate fused data with grassroots demands, shaping conversations heading into the fall legislative cycle.
GREEN VALLEY ART CELEBRATED
Local culture punctuated the summer when a new public art installation along Green Valley Road drew community praise. The work, funded through local arts grants and neighborhood partnerships, transformed a stretch of thoroughfare into a vibrant corridor celebrating community heritage. Residents brought picnics, cameras and kids to the launch party, blending visual delight with a reaffirmed sense of place. The installation became a social media favorite and a touchstone for broader conversations about investing in shared public aesthetics amid civic priorities like housing and climate resilience.
AUGUST
COTONI-COAST DAIRIES TRAIL OPENS TO PRAISE
August delivered long-awaited access to new trails at the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument, expanding opportunities for hiking, biking and nature connection on protected landscapes. The first wave of trails offered sweeping coastal views and interpretive signage, and outdoor groups called the opening a milestone for recreation and conservation alike. Local outfitters reported brisk weekend traffic, and park stewards reminded visitors to respect sensitive habitats. The rollout anchored broader conversations about access versus preservation in one of Santa Cruz County’s ecological crown jewels.
GREEN VALLEY ROAD MULTI-USE TRAIL OPENS
Santa Cruz County cut the ribbon in August on the new Green Valley Road multi-use trail, a connective spine for walkers, cyclists and commuters linking rural and urban pockets. Elected officials and community members lauded the project as a victory for sustainable transport and healthier lifestyles. The trail quickly drew daily users, from dog walkers to road warriors seeking scenic shortcut alternatives. Still, adjacent traffic and safety concerns sparked a side conversation about the need for complementary lighting and crossings to ensure year-round usability.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL REFORMS PASSCounty supervisors in August gave tentative approval to updated short-term rental reforms intended to balance tourism demand with neighborhood livability. The measures, which refined permit processes and introduced new compliance requirements, aimed to reduce disruptive party rentals and preserve housing stock. Local hosts reacted with mixed reviews—some welcoming clearer rules, others warning about potential reductions in supplemental income. Community groups framed the changes as long-overdue tools for protecting residential character in year-round neighborhoods.
ANNUAL PARKS & REC DOG POOL PARTY RETURNSSummer’s tail end saw the tail-wagging return of the annual Parks & Rex Dog Pool Party, an over-the-top celebration of community and canine culture. Families packed the pool deck with pups in bow ties, bandanas and blow-ups, sharing laughs and local brewery sips. The event underscored a lighter side of county life: spirited, quirky and deeply communal. Good Times spotlighted the splash-filled afternoon as a quintessential Santa Cruz moment, blending absurdity with heartfelt neighborliness under the August sun.
SEPTEMBER
WEEK WITHOUT DRIVING PROMOTES TRANSIT AND TRAILS
In late September, Santa Cruz County launched its first “Week Without Driving,” urging residents to ditch cars in favor of transit, biking and walking. The initiative offered free transit passes, pop-up bike repair stations, and a calendar of events promoting alternative mobility. Coverage in The Pajaronian and county outlets highlighted packed bike lanes, commuters rediscovering walking routes, and spirited debate about long-term sustainable transport investment. Supporters touted the effort as practical climate action; detractors cited lingering gaps in infrastructure that still make car alternatives challenging for some residents.
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO SHAPED SANTA CRUZ?
For our 50th anniversary, Good Times looked at 50 people who helped make our county what it is today. Did we get them all? Who did we miss? Who do you think should be there? Should we do another one next year with 51 people? Drop us a line.
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN RELEASEDA draft of Santa Cruz County’s updated Hazard Mitigation Plan was released for public review in September, outlining strategies for preparing for wildfires, floods, earthquakes and sea-level rise. The plan drew from community input, scientific assessments and emergency management insights. While some residents worried about property impacts and insurance costs, many praised the transparent, data-driven approach. Workshops and comment periods through October aim to refine the draft before final adoption. Advocates see the plan as a crucial roadmap in an era of increasing climate extremes.
BOARD MOVES TO BAN RECREATIONAL NITROUS SALES
In a quirky but serious policy move, county supervisors voted in late September to push toward banning recreational nitrous oxide sales—a response to spikes in youth misuse labeled a public health concern. Supporters argued the ban would remove easy access to potentially harmful substances, while small business owners and civil liberties proponents raised questions about enforcement. The debate blended public safety rhetoric with local culture—and sparked late-night barroom discussions across Santa Cruz’s eclectic blocks.
OCTOBER
LIGHTS, CAMERAS, IT’S BACK
Huge news for Santa Cruz film buffs: the Santa Cruz film festival is back with 90 films in six venues and it inspired our weirdest cover of the year. After many of the films, visiting filmmakers, directors and producers participated in Q&A sessions with the audiences. Let’s hope it’s back again next year. It really put us on the film map, along with the great Watsonville Film Festival.
WHAT THE CLUCK?
Santa Cruz County has been home to so many movies, some among the best and some dismal. So what will come of the film called Poutrygeist2 being shot in town this month? Reporter Mat Weir went undercover and got to work on the film to give us an insider’s view of the film that takes its place along with Us, The Tripper and—of course—The Lost Boys. “For those of us who are new to the Troma world, it was a bloody, gore-filled, offensive dream come true. Even if it meant flying out halfway across the country,” Weir writes.
PINBALL WIZARDS
Sure, we know there are plenty of arcade games at the Boardwalk, but I bet you didn’t know there’s a new pinball palace in Soquel. It’s quite amazing. Called Nine and Three Quarters (bonus points if you know where the name comes from), it’s a two-story building tucked away in a warehouse near the Honda dealership and the dispensary on Soquel Drive. You have to really look for it. But once you get there, you can play all the machines you want for $10 an hour or you can buy a membership to play with no limits. Owner Dean Roblee brings in some really cool contemporary games and is in the process of building his own West Coast-style machines. For those of us who complain there’s not enough to do for teens here, well, this one is a homerun.
NOVEMBER
THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE WAS BUILT IN LESS TIME
Businesses along the waterfront and near the Murray Street Bridge are suffering while it’s taking three years to retrofit the roadway. Before the work, the coastal route was packed with cars and local businesses were full. Owners asked the city council to build a bike and pedestrian passage along the adjacent railroad bridge, but the city said it couldn’t be done because Progressive Railroad had the rights to the tracks.
BIG BROTHER?
Local police agencies have been using license plate readers—cameras that take pictures of your car’s plates—to help solve crimes. But local agencies have found out that the information has been going out nationwide, possibly for use in efforts to track immigrants. A group called Get the Flock Out (the company that makes the readers is called Flock) has asked local cities to stop sharing the information and to better monitor who has access to it.
“I think that the federal government used 9/11 to strip away a substantial amount of our freedoms and rights with the so-called Patriot Act,” said Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley. “I’m not over that.”
DECEMBER
TOXIC PLUME
While people complained that they were getting sick from the smoke from the Moss Landing lithium-ion battery fire last January and officials downplayed the effects of a fire they couldn’t put out, a San Jose State study showed the effects were worse than declared. Tons of toxic metals ended up in some of the most fertile fields in the country. Meanwhile, local officials are debating building another battery plant in Watsonville and the state is leaning toward building many more of them.
TRAIL OVER TRACKS
After years and years of study and debate and millions of dollars spent on consultants, the county’s Regional Transportation Commission finally realized we couldn’t afford a $4.5 billion train and voted to make a more affordable bike and walking path from Santa Cruz to Aptos.
OPEN HEARTS AND POCKETS
The Los Angeles Times listed Santa Cruz in its top 10 counties nationwide per capita for donating to nonprofits. The county was eighth on a list that included Los Angeles; Marin; Hampshire, Mass; Buncombe, N.C.; Kings, N.Y.; Ulster, N.Y.; Chittenden, Vt.; Ventura; and Santa Barbara. The list was researched by GoFundMe.
RUM DUM DUM
Who knew you could find 650 kinds of rum in one place on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf? Stop by Makai restaurant, the one with the tiki theme, and you can get a college course on the intricacies of the pirates’ favorite libation, which is made worldwide. Owner Peter Drobac travels the world finding fascinating versions of a beverage that is too often underrated and buried beneath eggnog or pineapple.
