Karen Delaney, who has grown the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County into an organization supporting 19 robust programs with 15,000 volunteers and more than 300 nonprofit and agency partners annually, is retiring after a 40-year career.
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 inLatest News
Demonstrators rally against ICE and Hilton Hotels in solidarity with protests in Minneapolis
Anti-ICE protesters targeted a Hilton hotel in Scotts Valley at a Friday action in solidarity with Minneapolis marchers. They wanted the Hilton corporation to know that housing federal immigration-enforcement agents in Minnesota risks losing business elsewhere. Hilton did not respond to a request for comment.
Posted inLatest News
CHP reports 32% decrease in e-bike crashes in Santa Cruz County in 2025
Following a year of outreach and education efforts, the California Highway Patrol counted a 32% decrease in e-bike-related crashes within the agency’s jurisdiction in Santa Cruz County. Crashes dropped to 36 in 2025 after 53, including one fatal crash, in 2024.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
Capitola library to cut ribbon on long-awaited solar and battery storage project
A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for Saturday at the Capitola Branch Library to celebrate a solar and battery storage project years in the making.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz Fire Department transitions to new numbering system for stations
The Santa Cruz Fire Department is now using a two-digit number for its fire stations, switching from four-digit numbers ending in 12, something that had become problematic during large incidents requiring multiple units.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Hardcore punk band Drain plays surprise show at new local tattoo shop
Hidden Sun Tattoo, a new tattoo shop on Water Street in Santa Cruz, drew hundreds of hardcore fans by hosting a $10 pop-up show featuring local punk band Drain to celebrate its opening.
Posted inLatest News
Thinking green: City of Santa Cruz accepting applications for recycling training program
Santa Cruz’s Public Works Department is currently accepting applications for its 2026 Master Recycler Volunteer Training Program, in which participants will gain hands-on experience in waste reduction and recycling.
Posted inEducation
County Office of Education brings computer science nights to Watsonville High, Santa Cruz MAH
Computer Science Education Week Community Nights are open to K-12 students, parents and community members to explore hands-on activities that showcase opportunities within the computer science field.
Posted inEducation
Santa Cruz High music director to march in Rose Parade on New Year’s Day
Christina Latham is among 300 band directors invited to make up a marching band of music teachers from around the country at the Jan. 1 Rose Parade in Pasadena.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
Capitola unveils new interpretive signage for wharf
The City of Capitola has installed informational signage on the Capitola Wharf at viewpoints overlooking the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The signage is one of many new additions to the wharf after powerful northwest swells tore away its middle section in January 2023.