Criminal proceedings against Robert David Worel, the man charged in last month’s fatal stabbing at the clocktower plaza in downtown Santa Cruz, were suspended Monday after a judge ruled that Worel is mentally incompetent to stand trial.
Cecilia Schutz
Cecilia Schutz is a fourth-year anthropology and Spanish studies student at UC Santa Cruz. Originally from Portland, Oregon, she developed an interest in local news and community engagement over the course of her time in Santa Cruz. In 2024, she joined UCSC’s student-run newspaper, City on a Hill Press, as a photographer. She later assumed the role as photo editor before joining the reporting desk, covering various topics ranging from campus protests to cultural events. She currently works as the opinion editor at the student-run paper, helping to streamline editorial content and story pitches. She has a fondness for coastal cities and is eager to explore the various sides of Santa Cruz county as an intern at Lookout.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Feathering the nest: Clay Hausmann returns with his one-man comedy show
Clay Hausmann, a local comedian, is taking the stage once again to perform his comedy routine, “Empty Nest and All the Rest,” focusing on parents whose kids are growing up and soaring off into adulthood.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz chapter of Singing Resistance unites ‘No Kings’ rally in song
A new grassroots movement called the Singing Resistance emerged Saturday at Santa Cruz’s third “No Kings” rally. It’s part of a national trend, spawned from protests in Minneapolis.
Posted inLatest News
At least two people stabbed at clocktower plaza in downtown Santa Cruz
At least two people were stabbed in an intense altercation Saturday in downtown Santa Cruz. In a statement, the police department said two people were transported to the hospital, and one man was taken into custody. There was no information immediately available about the severity of injuries.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Supervisors to establish youth commission to remedy lack of representation in Santa Cruz County government
In an effort to bridge gaps in youth representation among government boards and committees in Santa Cruz County, the board of supervisors will adopt an ordinance next week establishing a youth commission to advise the board.
Posted inLatest News
Bird flu outbreak at Año Nuevo State Park has spread from elephant seals to a sea otter and a sea lion
The H5N1 bird flu outbreak in California elephant seals has spread to other marine mammals, including a sea otter and sea lion. But wildlife officials are hopeful the outbreak will remain contained.
Posted inLatest News
Debbie Friedman brings story of California’s first women lifeguards to life in new memoir
In “Guarded: Women, Water, and Saving Lives,” Debbie Friedman tells the unknown history of California’s first women lifeguards. The Rio Del Mar resident weaves her own story with those of other women in the field to show what it was like to be a pioneer in a male-dominated profession.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
The ‘Pop Tarts’ sew a new kind of protest across Santa Cruz County
A group of like-minded ladies in a quilting guild found new purpose for their sewing skills. Calling themselves the “Pop Tarts,” they pour their crafting into protesting the Trump administration on Santa Cruz County highway overpasses and at larger gatherings.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
HMPV pathogen detected in Santa Cruz
Human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, has been detected in City of Santa Cruz wastewater. HMPV is related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), produces similar respiratory symptoms to the flu or common cold, and is spread through contaminated surfaces, the air and person-to-person contact.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Survey of who serves on government commissions shows areas for improvement to reflect Santa Cruz County demographics
A demographic survey of the people who serve on government boards and committees in Santa Cruz County found gaps in representation among Latine residents, renters, South County residents and young adults — all of whom make up a greater portion of the population than are represented in these appointed, volunteer positions.
