Tierras Milperas offered farmworkers in its network of seven community gardens a vision of self-government and food sovereignty. But over the past nearly two years, that utopian ideal has devolved into a power struggle between the organization and two Watsonville churches that has raised issues of classism, racism and political ideology.
Beki San Martin
Beki San Martin is currently a graduate student at UC Berkeley’s school of journalism, focusing on narrative writing and investigative journalism. Most recently she reported on economy, business, labor, and transportation for Richmond Confidential, Berkeley’s online newspaper covering Richmond, California and Contra Costa County. This is her first time living in Santa Cruz and she’s grateful to get the opportunity to report a variety of stories in such a vibrant city.
Posted inLatest News
Gophers, grout and FEMA: How a rodent-hole debacle rocked the San Lorenzo River levee
Ahead of a July FEMA deadline to repair the San Lorenzo River levee, the City of Santa Cruz hired contractors to pour grout in holes in the levee made by rodents. River stewards say workers mistakenly poured the grout in holes containing seedlings, destroying 150 native plants and damaging efforts to rehabilitate the area’s biodiversity. The city says it plans to revamp its bidding process for such contracts in the future, moving away from requirements to accept the lowest bidder.
Posted inLatest News
‘We’re in crisis’: Santa Cruz County providers and parents burdened by broken child care system
Lacking infrastructure and investment, child care providers in Santa Cruz County struggle to make ends meet amid a workforce shortage, regulations that govern staffing levels and razor-thin profit margins. A countywide child care shortage and high costs, meanwhile, are affecting local families.
Posted inLookout PM Archive
Lookout PM: Child care crisis, a national award for a young inventor, and a Boulder Creek water lawsuit
Lacking infrastructure and investment, child care providers in Santa Cruz County struggle to make ends meet amid a…
Posted inBusiness & Technology
‘It’s rare to find a pair of Levi 501s in the wild’: Santa Cruz vintage sellers on the world of sourcing
Sourcing vintage is a craft. Santa Cruz vintage sellers discuss what it looks like in practice, and what separates vintage stores from thrift stores.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
New wave of vintage clothing stores helping drive a retail renaissance in downtown Santa Cruz
In the past 12 months, six new vintage stores have opened in Santa Cruz, contributing to a rebound of foot traffic downtown after pandemic lockdowns. Analysts say Santa Cruz’s vintage boom is being driven by younger shoppers and their increasing appetite for unique, environmentally sustainable second-hand clothing over mass-produced new items.
Posted inLatest News
As Santa Cruz plots an electric future, U.S. energy officials tour city with offer of federal funds
Ariel Marshall, a senior official from the U.S. Department of Energy visited Santa Cruz city leaders on Wednesday to learn about progress made on all-electric housing and other developments. Marshall’s message was loud and clear: there’s federal money for more of the city’s climate-friendly projects.
Posted inK-12 Education
For this Watsonville high school grad, a choppy past planted seeds for big dreams
Reyna, a recent graduate of St. Francis High School in Watsonville, will be heading to UC San Diego in September. After 18 years that have included time spent in the foster care system and multiple moves, she says she’s ready for college — and everything after that.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County finds itself on front lines of statewide battle over fast food franchisor liability bill
No on AB 1228, a coalition opposing a California bill that would make fast food franchisors liable for labor violations at their franchise locations, is running a heavy campaign in Santa Cruz. But proponents of the Fast Food Franchisor Responsibility Act say the bill would benefit franchise owners and workers.
Posted inLookout PM Archive
Lookout PM: Rare plant stolen from UCSC, McPherson to not seek reelection, and Newel’s final public event
Earlier this week, a rare and hard-to-replace plant was stolen from the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum’s collection. Nursery…