Tag: Community Matters

– Guest Freddy Menge: Growing Tree Fruit in Santa Cruz County…What’s in the Future? KSCO 2 pm, July 17

See https://lookout.co/as-martinellis-cancels-contracts-watsonville-apple-farmers-lose-their-biggest-buyer-and-a-way-of-life/story

From Becky Steinbruner, Community Matters
July 17, 2026

http://shows.zbsradio.com/20260717/404e7a78316823e.mp3

Today’s Guest on “Community Matters” (2pm-3pm Pacific Time) on KSCO Radio is Mr. Freddy Menge, a well-known local fruit farmer who, with his partner Ellen Baker, have been growing a wide array of apples and other tree fruits, and operate Epicenter Farm.   https://santacruzfarmersmarket.org/vendors/epicenter/

Freddy and Ellen have for years organized an Annual Apple Tasting event for the public to explore and enjoy tasting about 100 varieties of apples.  they also are active in the local chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers. 

The overall agricultural sector in the county is valued at approximately $1.6 billion, with apples being one of the keynote crops. 

However, with the recent news of Martinelli not renewing contracts with apple farmers in the Pajaro Valley, what will the future hold for Santa Cruz County farmers?

Listen in on your radio AM 1080 or to the live stream from http://www.ksco.com/
Calls from the audience will be at Freddy’s discretion as the Guest.

– May 8: Community Matters KSCO discusses battery energy storage (BESS)

From Becky Steinbruner
Community Matters, KSCO

Listen in today, 2pm-3pm, on KSCO Radio (AM 1080) to “Community Matters”, where the conversation continues regarding the battery energy storage system (BESS) issues.  

What is happening with the 90 Minto Road project in Watsonville that would require massive excavation in areas adjacent to College Lake known to be sensitive archaeological areas amidst farmland and densely-populated working class neighborhoods?

What does it mean now that the developer is abandoning local permitting in favor of California Energy Commission permitting?  

What do we know about actions of other jurisdictions also examining new rules to allow large BESS facilities in their areas?

Tentative Guest will be Planning Dept. staff from the City of Vacaville, where the City Council enacted a new BESS Ordinance allowing only non-flammable battery technology to be used.  

Join the conversation!  Call 831-479-1080

Listen in on the radio or via the App:https://ksco.com/listen/

Please share this information.

Also…NEW on KSCO on Fridays, 6pm-7pm….Bratton Online Contributors go live on the air as a weekly program!  Listen in and join the conversation!
https://brattononline.com/

– April 17 radio interview: Update on Vistra Moss Landing battery fire with Ed Mitchell, Never Again Moss Landing

From Community Matters Host Becky Steinbruner:

“Community Matters” is returning to the air waves with an inaugural program  Friday, April 17 on KSCO Radio AM 1080 2pm-3pm.  

My honored Guest will be Mr. Ed Mitchell, Lead Investigator for Never Again Moss Landing, discussing the recent news that Vistra is decommissioning the Moss 100 Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility in Moss Landing.  We will also talk about the latest news in the remediation  work at the Moss 300 BESS Fire  disaster site. https://neveragainmosslanding.org/

What IS going on in Moss Landing at the largest BESS facility in the world?

Call in and join the conversation.  831-479-1080.

Listen in on your AM radio  at 1080 or via the live stream app: https://ksco.com/listen/