SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV)- On Monday, the City of Santa Cruz announced they got $4 million from the state's Encampment Resolution Program. In a press conference, City officials said the grant they received from the state will be going towards outreach and trying to house to 55 people living in encampments in the Harvey West Park and Coral Street area. "Tt's going to allow us to really focus on a particular area of town with a large encampment and really focus on providing services to the people that are in that encampment and moving them on a pathway towards more stable and secure housing ..read more

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -- UPDATE ON APRIL 23, 2024 AT 5:12 PM- The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office identified a 41-year-old man who died in a stabbing on Friday morning. A spokesperson with the Sheriff's Office identified the victim as 44-year-old Todd Kolibas. The incident occurred on Friday morning when 31-year-old Joseph Young allegedly stabbed and killed Kolibas during a physical altercation. Santa Cruz Police said that Young was arrested on Friday. Young made his first court appearance on Tuesday where he was appointed a public defender. According to the Santa Cruz County S ..read more

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV)- After more than 60 years on the Santa Cruz Wharf, a seafood staple will be demolished within the year. On Tuesday, the City of Santa Cruz confirmed that they will need to demolish the Dolphin Restaurant in order to begin intermittent repairs to the wharf which was damaged in the February 2024 storms. Parks and Recreation of Santa Cruz said the demolish date remains to be determined, but is likely set for this Fall or early Winter. Many frequent visitors are saddened by the news of the closure. “I think it’s sad to lose such a unique restaurant and such a unique l ..read more

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV)- The Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency is sounding the alarm as there has ben shigella outbreak. County health officials have been giving away health kits that have soap, hand sanitizer, Narcan, liquid IV and water to help people safe from the outbreak. According to Santa Cruz County Public Health Services Agency, the confirmed cases as of Monday was 37 now was 41 cases. The risk to the broader community is low and it is typically showing up in North Santa Cruz County amongst the homeless population. The popular "Duck Derby" is going virtual as a res ..read more

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIF. (KION-TV)- The County of Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors will discuss an expansion of funding to support a year-round service-enriched shelter bed system to help reduce homelessness in the county. With voters approving Measure K, the Board will consider a model that will use additional County general fund dollars to sustain a planned expansion of the County’s growing shelter network. The investment would provide funding to help the County and their partners’ efforts to create three low-barrier, service-enriched shelters across the county. Also involved with the topic ..read more

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV)- In the Santa Cruz Mountains you will find 84 acres of protected forest for families to come to and pick out a tree in honor of their past loved one. KION's Briana Mathaw will have more today at 5pm. The post Better Place Forest honors past loved ones appeared first on KION546 ..read more

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Santa Cruz Police confirm an investigation is underway looking into whether officers used excessive force while detaining a suspect this week. Santa Cruz Police Chief Bernie Escalante said a man on an e-bike ran a stop sign and didn't yield to two pedestrians in a cross walk near Bay Street and West Cliff Drive. Chief Escalante said it happened in front of an officer who would later detain the individual and attempt to identify him. The suspect allegedly provided false information and Chief Escalante said the man was ultimately told they would be placed under a ..read more

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV)- Fishing for salmon in California isn't looking too good. For the second time, there are restrictions which is likely to impact fisherman and customers.  Since 2003, H&H market say they pride themselves in providing freshness and quality products. Which include the most popular item, the local king salmon. Yet, with salmon season being put on hold, co- owner from H&H in Santa Cruz points out that it's painful. “It's literally the biggest thing that people want to buy," H&H Fresh Fish co-owner Hans Haveman said. "When we have the local ..read more

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (Bay City News Service)- The Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday decided not to go through with adopting an emergency moratorium on new cannabis businesses. The decision comes amid the threat of a lawsuit alleging collusion, Brown Act violations and a targeted attack on one marijuana dispensary, namely The Hook Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Planning Commission in early March approved an Administrative Use Permit application from The Hook to establish a retail dispensary at 1129 Mission St., formerly Emily's Bakery. Santa Cruz City Schools Superintendent Kris Munro—along with se ..read more

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON MARCH 12 AT 2:38 P.M.- Santa Cruz Police have arrested a 42-year-old man who allegedly started a fire near a cross of a Santa Cruz church last Friday. Investigators said identified the suspect as 42-year-old Don Marc Allen Louis who was arrested on Tuesday afternoon. Police said that Louis was spotted near the train tracks near Coral Street where he was later arrested. Santa Cruz Police said their Homeless Response Team used surveillance footage and were able identify Louis as the primary suspect from a prior enforcement encounter. Louis allegedly start ..read more