Vegetation in the Santa Cruz Mountains remains extremely dry, a concerning sign for fire risk as a heat wave sweeps the state.
Mallory Pickett
Follow Mallory Pickett on: Twitter. Mallory brings deep expertise in environmental issues to Lookout, as well as national reporting experience that she will now apply in her hometown of Santa Cruz. She began her career as a chemist, studying ocean acidification at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, before being drawn to journalism.As a freelance journalist she’s written about science, the environment, and politics for a variety of publications including The New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, Wired, and Slate. Her work has been included in several anthologies, including “What Future,” in 2017, and “The Craft of Science Writing,” in 2020. Her investigation into gender discrimination at a research institute in San Diego was included as a notable work in the “Best Science and Nature Writing of 2019.”“I care passionately about the well-being of the people and the environment of Santa Cruz County,” she says. “I can think of no better way to contribute to my hometown than to provide rigorous coverage of the parks, ocean, and farmlands that make this place so special.”
Posted inCOVID 2022
OK to ditch that mask? What Santa Cruz County officials want you to know ahead of Tuesday’s reopening
It will be back to normal for most businesses indoors and out as California lifts COVID-related restrictions on its economy Tuesday, with masks not required in most situations for vaccinated individuals — though Santa Cruz County officials reminded that private establishments are still allowed to mandate them.
Posted inLatest News
Plan to fast-track fire prevention in Santa Cruz coastal forests moves forward — without Cal Fire on board
The California Coastal Commission will get the final say on the proposal from the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, which aims to streamline the permitting process for local projects like prescribed burns and trimming undergrowth. Cal Fire leadership, meanwhile, favors a more uniform statewide approach.
Posted inLatest News
Dry fuels, drought and slashed inmate crews: ‘Concerning’ picture for fire season in Santa Cruz County
With inmate crews that supplement other agencies’ firefighting units cut drastically and extremely dry conditions amid the ongoing drought, a Cal Fire chief sounded a warning about what might be ahead for Santa Cruz County.
Posted inPandemic Life
‘Each one has a story’: Sixth-generation Santa Cruzan documents 2020’s unique class of high school grads
What started with Nick Morris taking “a couple snapshots” of an unreal COVID happening has morphed into an exhibit at the Santa Cruz Art League encompassing portraits, oral histories and artwork featuring the students who lived it.
Posted inLatest News
Kaiser shares details about its medical facility expansion plans in Watsonville, Scotts Valley
Mental health and wellness was a focus for both locations as Oakland-based Kaiser Permanente continues to grow its footprint in Santa Cruz County, with further expansion still planned in Scotts Valley.
Posted inEnvironment
It’s World Oceans Day — and the Rio Theater has an actual in-person way to celebrate it
The Rio Theatre was set to host both in-person and virtual screenings of the Ocean Film Festival World Tour on Tuesday, which is designated World Oceans Day by the United Nations.
Posted inCOVID 2022
Santa Cruz County COVID vaccine updates: At least one shot for 73.5% of eligible residents
The county has rolled out a new vaccination dashboard, and it sorts vaccine progress by demographic, age and health equity metrics down to the ZIP code.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘Interim’ rail trail? Commission could open saga’s next chapter Thursday
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is slated to vote Thursday on whether to study the option of creating a temporary path for bikers and pedestrians along the rail corridor, which could involve removing existing railroad tracks.
Posted inEnvironment
Taking a tour of ‘Shark Park’: What to know and how to see our local great whites up close
Between Capitola and Aptos lies a spot with the warm water and prey that juvenile great whites crave, and Santa Cruz whale-watching outfits have been quick to add shark cruises to their offerings. Lookout’s Mallory Pickett went along for a look.