No one could prepare volunteer fire captain Renee Fenker for what it would be like defending the San Lorenzo Valley area she grew up in — or being unable to defend her family’s longtime house from the CZU fire flames: “We need to remember that a lot of our community is still healing.”
Grace Stetson
Posted inCoast Life
Unsung Santa Cruz: How he became a go-to resource for Santa Cruz’s unhoused population at Vets Hall
Hector Borjas had “zero experience” with the homeless population when he began as a supervisor at the Santa Cruz Veterans Hall in August 2020. Yet over the course of a year at the emergency shelter, the 30-year-old UCSC graduate found commonalities with the residents from his own childhood, and was able to connect with residents for guidance and assistance.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Jorge Zamora selected to serve as Watsonville’s new police chief
The longtime Watsonville officer — who has served over 25 years with the department — will replace recently retired Police Chief David Honda. Jorge Zamora’s badge-pinning ceremony will take place on Jan. 10.
Posted inCoast Life
Assessing the impacts of Monday’s storm, prepping for more next week
Monday’s storm affected Santa Cruz residents in different ways, with aftershocks still being felt. Lookout checked in with various factions across the county to understand the impact and see how they were preparing for inclement weather forecast for next week — likely heaviest Monday and Tuesday.
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz reverses course, votes to move forward on first SB 35 development with 831 Water Street
The decision, a reverse of the council’s original Oct. 12 vote, helped the city avoid what could have been costly litigation from the developer or others. The project is also the first in the city of Santa Cruz under SB 35 guidelines meant to streamline developments that provide affordable housing units.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Greenway submits signatures for proposed initiative on use of rail line
The proposal, which still must have its signatures verified before qualifying for the June 2022 ballot, would potentially force county leaders to use the Santa Cruz Branch Line for a parklike bicycle and pedestrian path. This is in opposition to those who want a commuter rail line and trail combo.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Time running out for Santa Cruz County residents to apply for help paying for broadband
There’s a Dec. 31 deadline to apply for a federal program that gives eligible households $50 per month toward high-speed internet access, one that’s complemented by a local effort to mitigate inequality and deliver reliable service to underserved areas.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz updates design proposal for much-debated mixed-use library project
Under the new design, the long-awaited project — proposed for the downtown parcel Lot 4 — will now include more affordable housing units and fewer parking spots. The project is set to break ground in 2022.
Posted inCoast Life
Checking in on Santa Cruz’s ‘oversized vehicle ordinance’ 30 days later
After much rancor this fall regarding an oversized vehicle ordinance, the Santa Cruz City Council passed the measure by a vote of 5-2 on Nov. 9. The earliest it could have gone into effect was Dec. 9, but legally it can’t begin until a number of provisions are put in place. Lookout checks on when that might happen.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville special election: Vanessa Quiroz-Carter wins District 2 council seat
New Leaf Community Markets brand manager Lindsay Gizdich said the store is moving from Pacific Avenue in order to have…