Atmospheric River Dumps on Santa Cruz
This week we saw the first “atmospheric river” of the year in Santa Cruz, bringing lots of rain and wind and forcing some residents living in the burn scar of the SZU fire to briefly evacuate. The main concern for those evacuating was mudslides and debris flow, and thankfully as I write this I haven’t heard of any serious issues. By Thursday, most evacuations had been downgraded to warnings. But we got lots of rain. The towns in the hills above Santa Cruz got 3-5″ in less than 24 hours. The San Lorenzo river was running high at about 10 feet, picking up 5 feet in less than 10 hours. Thursday night around midnight, a PG&E truck was swept off Valencia School Road in Aptos after a portion of the road washed out. The driver managed to walk away from the scene with minor injuries.
This is What Winning Looks Like
I walked along the river levee between Soquel and Water streets on Thursday during a break in the rain. As I said, the river was running high at about 10 feet (it’s normally about 3 feet on average) but still well short of the “flood level” of 17 feet.
The benchlands area of San Lorenzo park was definitely flooded.
A large tree limb had also snapped off and broken and fallen directly onto an area that had previously been used by illegal campers. It would have crushed and killed anyone under it. All of the current campers are currently located on higher ground above the benchlands, near Dakota street and running all the way down to the county building.
As I looked out at the sad display of idiot compassion and human indignity, I thought to myself “people fought for this?”. For the right to huddle in a cold, wet, tent and be fucking miserable? This is what winning looks like? Who is really winning here? Not the poor folks freezing their asses off in the park. How many of our local social justice warrior grifters are living in the park? None of them are. But they’ll be the first people barking about how they “won” this TEMPORARY restraining order. Instead of fighting for some stupid temporary restraining order, how about our local dopey progressives sue the county to force action. The only one winning here is the county. As usual, they get overlooked as the real source of the problem and they’re gonna enjoy a free ride on this as long as they can get away with it.
Propane Tank Blows Up in Homeless Camper’s Tent
I don’t really have too many details on this story beyond what Jessica reported on Twitter. Anyone who drives by this area knows how utterly fucking ridiculous it has become. People are parking their cars and setting up lean to tents on them down in the gullies on both sides of the bypass road now.
Another Week Another Shooting in Santa Cruz
Last Friday around 3PM, SCPD responded to the area of Hagemann and Soquel Avenues for reports of shots fired with a possible victim down in the street. Police said a man was approached by a group of men in a black Mercedes who fired multiple shots, hitting the victim once in the chest. After arriving on scene, officers began lifesaving efforts on a 34 year old male who was transported to a Bay Area trauma center. Not long after, a Mercedes was seen by a California State Parks Ranger as part of the investigation. Members of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Team stopped the vehicle and detained the suspects. Four juveniles were later booked into Juvenile Hall on charges of attempted murder with a gang enhancement.Police say a firearm was recovered from the vehicle, linking the four occupants to the shooting. The victim has been released in stable condition.
Rewarding Attempted Murder and Mayhem
Monday morning around 3:30AM, Watsonville police responded to the 100 block of West Beach Street where they arrested a 41 year old woman and charged her with assault with a deadly weapon and mayhem. The same woman was arrested less than 6 months ago for ATTEMPTED MURDER. She obviously didn’t learn her lesson here. Her bail now has been increased to $150K.
On Broadway
Monday morning around 11:30AM, SCPD responded to the area of Broadway and Riverside where they arrested a 38 year old male for being a felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, giving false ID to police, drug possession, DUI, possession of stolen property, driving on a suspended license, and a few other things I’m too lazy to list. Last check he’s still in county jail on a $50K bond. He’s been arrested at least a dozen times since 2015.
The Latest Updates on COVID-19 in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County health officials reported seeing a downward trend in COVID-19 cases this week, after an increase following the holidays. The county’s case rate previously was 71 out of 100,000, but it is now at 47, a 30% decrease over 14 days. The County Health Officer said the county had a record 320 new cases in a day ten days ago, but this week they have been seeing an average of 100 to 150 per day. The county is moving from Phase 1a of vaccine distribution to Phase 1b, starting with people aged 75 and older. Almost 85% of COVID-19 related deaths in the county have been among people aged 70 and older. There have been 13,235 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Santa Cruz County, according to the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, with 1,972 active cases. 146 people have died, 376 have been hospitalized, 51 people are currently hospitalized, and 6 are in the ICU. 11,117 people have recovered from the disease. A total of 107,188 people have tested negative. Santa Cruz County is in the purple tier of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, meaning many non-essential indoor business operations are closed. Its adjusted case rate is at 28.3, and it needs to be at 7 or below to move up. It also has a 7.8% positivity rate, and that needs to be at 8% or below to move up.
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9 Responses
As far as I can see at this point, the park is of no benefit to the city. The city should just sign the property over to the county and walk away. They did this years ago with Lighthouse field. They gave it to the state.
I bought a Merida shirt but it’s too small. Can you make some xlt shirts?
The State has always owned Lighthouse Field and It’s Beach. The City entered into an agreement with the County and State that the City would fund and staff it, County throw in funding as well, and State retain ownership. When the financial crisis hit in 2006 the County backed out, City could not fund it on their own, and both threw it back in the States lap. The City was offered a deal for less than 2 mill. to buy it and turned it down. Dumb ass move by us. Arnold tried to sell some CA Parks to raise State funds but found out soon that that was illegal. Oops. The State did have one offer for the property. Donald J. Trump. No sh*t. Golf course by the sea. The kind of thing that gives so called progressives nightmares!
Oh, oh, oh! In a parallel universe, there is a Trump resort at Lighthouse field. Way cool.
In that same parallel universe, the progressives move all the homeless campers to Lighthouse Trump, as a political protest. Then Trump moves them away from here, and we all win.
How is a trump resort at Lighthouse Field cool in any way? Florida has plenty of room for you. I am glad there are enough “liberals” in Santa Cruz still to prevent anything like that from happening. Why do people want to develop Lighthouse Field? It’s fine how it is, a natural space.
Yup Agreed Joe!
The only times I have been there, were to walk a dog. Now, if a natural space is what you want, I can stop baggng the dog poop.
“Local dopey progressives” another cutting edge phrase Ben. Keep up the good writing.
Seriously? I’ve worked for this city for over 2 1/2 decades. .. I don’t blame the city manager…. I dont understand WHY the city of Santa Cruz is trying to help…The attitude of the county Officials is embarrassing.
I can hardly wait to get out of here. Anyone that says that this is normal needs to take a road trip!
t’s a county’s job…. what exactly does Ryan do? Lol
My coworkers have been beaten up …watched these pathetic souls jacking off in front of children and smearing their shit on businesses. Don’t tell me to feel sorry for the repeat offenders.
What the fuck is going on?