Years of construction at Santa Cruz High, meant to modernize the historic campus, have instead created a maze of fencing and relocated programs that is testing the patience of students and teachers who say they dream of the day their school won’t feel like an endless work in progress.
Gwyneth Holcomb
Gwyneth rejoins Lookout Santa Cruz as a newsroom intern. Originally from Santa Cruz, she recently graduated from Anglo American University in Prague, and is now pursuing a joint masters in international affairs and journalism from Sciences Po in Paris, France.
While working on a bachelor's degree focused on international relations, she gained an interest in journalism, local reporting, and the role of independent media in democracy. She is excited to be working once again with Lookout to share local stories. She is most interested in diving into Santa Cruz county's past, present, and future.
Posted inEducation
Watsonville High School senior appointed 2025-26 PVUSD student trustee
Watsonville High School senior Desiderio Salinas-Holz has been appointed as the 2025-26 Pajaro Valley Unified School District board of education student trustee.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Pajaro Valley Water marks completion of College Lake Water Supply Project
The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency is celebrating a milestone in the ongoing effort to achieve sustainable groundwater resources.
Posted inEducation
Santa Cruz High alumni barbecue happens Aug. 24 at Harvey West
On Sunday, Aug. 24, the Santa Cruz High School Alumni Association is hosting a biennial all-class alumni barbecue.
Posted inEducation
County Francophiles are invited on a French-language hike this Sunday
On Sunday, the Alliance Française Silicon Valley, a nonprofit dedicated to the French language and culture, is marking its return with its first French-language hike at Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.
Posted inEducation
Santa Cruz County teachers confront AI’s growing influence over the classroom
Some local teachers are changing up assignments and returning to handwritten work as artificial intelligence tools threaten students’ critical thinking development. But Santa Cruz County educators also see opportunities for AI to help students and teachers alike.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz Metro CEO appointed to board of public transportation nonprofit
Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District CEO Corey Aldridge has been appointed to the board of directors of the American Public Transportation Association, the agency announced in a news release.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz founder of BlueBeat music tech firm indicted for wire fraud
Hank Risan, 70, faces four counts of wire fraud for allegedly misrepresenting the value of his music streaming company to bilk investors out of more than $3 million, according an indictment handed down by a federal grand jury this week.
Posted inLatest News
‘A giant leap forward,’ UCSC expert says of breakthrough in mass starfish die-off
As scientists identify the bacteria killing Pacific sea stars, a UC Santa Cruz marine biologist who began spotting dismembered starfish on class dives more than a decade ago says the discovery highlights enduring questions about the local marine ecosystem.
Posted inLatest News
Gusty winds expected throughout Santa Cruz County into Monday evening, raising fire risk
Some parts of Santa Cruz County could see wind gusts as high as 35 mph Monday, the National Weather Service warned.