Santa Cruz joined San Jose, San Francisco, and other cities in the Bay Area yesterday when the council endorsed a ban on single-use plastic bags and a fee on paper bags. Plastic bags, which do not decompose, are a major source of litter, filling coastal areas and rivers before they make their way to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. In the Bay Area alone, people use an estimated 3.8 billion bags every year. On average, they end up in the trash just 12 minutes after people get them.
Replacing Santa Cruz City Manager Dick Wilson
In a city where constant change is the only guarantee, Santa Cruzans have been able to count on one thing for the last 28 years: that City Manager Dick Wilson would show up to work every day, a steady hand at the tiller keeping the city on course. During his tenure, the tall, soft-spoken Wilson answered to more than a dozen city councils, steering city staff through an earthquake, an expanding university and more budget crises than just the most recent one. When Wilson retires in July, he’ll be leaving the Santa Cruz City Council with what Mayor Mike Rotkin calls “the most important decision the council will make in its tenure.
Israel Deserves A Break
Nazi propaganda films were made to convince the world that Germany was a peace-loving nation that was forced to attack Poland. With the creation of the web and the access to 24-hour “news,” it is so much easier to spread lies and half-truths.
Orange Is the Happiest Color Of Rivers?
“Orange is the happiest color,” Frank Sinatra famously said. He obviously didn’t see Soquel Creek last week, when it started to emit a warm orange glow. State Fish and Game officials are still trying to discover the source of discolored water.
Hands-free Law Could Be Extended to Cyclists
Cyclists talking or texting on their cell phones could soon face the same penalties as drivers if State Representative Joe Simitian has his way. The author of California’s hands-free law believes that cyclists “should have the same rights, laws and responsibilities” as drivers when it comes to following the rules of the road.
15-Year-Old Arrested in Santa Cruz Stabbing
A 15-year-old boy was arrested in a stabbing that took place on Encinal Street yesterday. Police are still investigating what happened, though they say that the boy and his victim, a 31-year-old man, were involved in a physical argument before the boy stabbed him.
John Laird’s Run for Senate Office in Doubt
After Sen. Maldonado failed to be confirmed as lieutenant governor two weeks ago, Laird’s plans to run for his seat are up in the air.
Teen Center Fighting to Survive
Money is running out on the Teen Center, and unless it can raise $75,000, it may have to close its doors for good.
UCSC Students to Admin: Non, Nyet, Nein!
Foreign language students at UCSC and the faculty who teach them are up in arms over a decision by the school to cut back on foreign language instruction.
In The Elephant’s Flight Path
An Eastside mockingbird, sailing lessons at the harbor and other scenes from a past life in Santa Cruz as recalled by former Metro Santa Cruz editor Tai Moses in her blog, www.Aerophant.com.
