A resident found racial slurs and “hate-based” graffiti painted on a sidewalk in the 200 block of Swift Street. Police responded, took a report and the graffiti was “immediately removed,” according to a news release.
Isabella Cueto
Follow Isabella Cueto on: Twitter. Isabella joins the Lookout team as a government accountability reporter, building on her experience covering local government for The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C.Before moving to South Carolina, Cueto was in her hometown of Miami. She served as editor-in-chief of the University of Miami’s award-winning student newspaper, and was an intern for WLRN public radio and Northwestern University’s Medill Justice Project, which investigates potential wrongful convictions. Cueto’s work has been recognized by the S.C. Press Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Florida Society of News Editors.She is bilingual, fluent in Spanish.Cueto understands how high-quality local journalism makes government more responsive and effective, its inner workings more accessible to the public. That is her aim as Lookout’s government accountability correspondent.“I’m thrilled to be a part of this visionary team and to build something special for the people of Santa Cruz,” she said.
Posted inHousing & Development
San Lorenzo Park homeless camp to move to the Benchlands as a compromise in federal lawsuit
Per the compromise, the city will establish 122 campsites — adequately spaced out — in the Benchlands, which is a floodplain along the San Lorenzo River.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Seabright speaks up: Residents, businesses frustrated by outdoor living ordinance that would allow camping
When the Santa Cruz City Council voted to pass the new law and allow overnight camping by homeless people in part of the iconic Seabright neighborhood, many homeowners and business owners said they had no clue it was coming.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Capitola looking to create permanent outdoor dining program, having learned from what worked during COVID-19
New Leaf Community Markets brand manager Lindsay Gizdich said the store is moving from Pacific Avenue in order to have…
Posted inCoast Life
Santa Cruz receives funding for another portion of trail along coastal corridor
Santa Cruz will soon be able to begin construction on the second phase of a multi-use trail along the coast — adding to part of the long-term, controversial Rail-Trail vision.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Perception of Watsonville and its needs depends on the generational group you ask, survey shows
The March 23 city council meeting had no shortage of action, including details on a community survey that revealed what residents think of the city, a tax cut for the cannabis industry and a two-year city budget that is in the works.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz eyeing expansion of Downtown, connecting it with beaches and maybe a permanent Warriors arena
New Leaf Community Markets brand manager Lindsay Gizdich said the store is moving from Pacific Avenue in order to have…
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz City Council wrap-up: Highway 1 encampment update, street vending changes, vaccinations & more
The March 23 council meeting had no shortage of action, including updates on the future of the encampment for the unsheltered at Highways 1 & 9, Beach Street vending changes, a call for more Downtown artwork, and a request for COVID-19 vaccinations of essential workers.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
As COVID-19 ebbs, Santa Cruz looks to boost commercial areas, attract more visitors and diversify its economy
Developed over the course of 18 months at a cost of $91,000, consultants surveyed Santa Cruz business owners and scoured economic data to identify economic pain points and devise solutions. Here’s what they found.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Scotts Valley adopts long-range plan to improve city’s pedestrian and bike infrastructure
At 81 pages, the Active Transportation Plan is a voluminous mix of survey results, maps, commuting statistics and safety reports. It identifies two dozen “high priority” projects among 70 projects in all.