Business closures related to the pandemic hit downtown Santa Cruz hard: Approximately 30 retail shops have closed their doors since March 2020. But 15 new businesses have opened, while several others have reopened, moved to the area or are coming soon.
Neil Strebig
Follow Neil Strebig on: Twitter. A chef-turned-journalist, Neil has a track record for covering the hospitality industry and local businesses. Neil joins Lookout as a Report for America Corps member. Previously he worked at the York Daily Record in York, Pennsylvania where he focused primarily on food, business & issues in the hospitality industry.He has written about breaking bread with Amish & refugee families, restaurant workers’ financial struggles and lack of healthcare, in addition to how local businesses have survived throughout the pandemic. His in-depth reporting highlighted problems surrounding state liquor license laws and how the state’s tourism and restaurant industry can recover post-pandemic.Strebig’s work has appeared in USA Today and throughout its network and has earned him multiple Keystone Media Awards. Before joining the USA Today Network, Neil worked on a months-long project diving into the growing threat of news deserts in Western Pennsylvania for 100 Days of Appalachia.He grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania, and was the managing editor of The Northside Chronicle in Pittsburgh, which earned its first Golden Quill award from the region’s Press Club during his tenure. Strebig holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Pittsburgh’s Point Park University.
Santa Cruz median home price up again: How our real estate figures stack up with our neighbors
The median price of a single-family home in Santa Cruz County rose to $1,255,000 in August — just off the all-time high. We crunch the numbers to see how our real estate looks compared to Monterey County and our neighbors in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Some good COVID-19 news: Santa Cruz County seeing marked decline in cases
On Thursday, the Santa Cruz County Health Department announced a decline in positive COVID-19 cases and gave an update on when the county could move into the orange tier.
Judge acknowledges unpopularity of sexually violent predator’s Bonny Doon placement, but wants to hear more
Santa Cruz Superior Court Judge Syda Cogliati continued the hearing about “sexually violent predator” Michael Cheek’s proposed placement on Wild Iris Lane to Oct. 14. Outside the courthouse Tuesday, community members made their feelings clear with signs such as “Keep Michael Cheek away from our families.”
Man on a mission: How Gordon Rudy helped his Boulder Creek neighborhood weather the CZU flames
From sneaking back to his Boulder Creek neighborhood and helping dig a fire line to racing through the woods on his dirt bike with a makeshift fire extinguisher to put out burning stumps, Gordon Rudy played a key role in saving his property and a number of others.
What to know: Santa Cruz County high school safety plans
Lookout Santa Cruz is providing a summary of safety measures and protocols by high school. This list will be updated as more officials provide details and context to their plans.
It’s time to hang at The Hangar: Penny Ice Creamery first to open its doors at Skypark development
On Monday, the popular Penny Ice Creamery opened its fourth location, inside The Hangar at Skypark in Scotts Valley. Faultline Brewery and Zinnia’s boutique will be joining what Penny’s co-owners are calling “more of a scoop shop.”
Kaiser planning its largest Santa Cruz County campus in Live Oak: Here’s what you need to know
The proposed Kaiser Permanente campus will include a four-story parking garage with an estimated 720 parking spots, including 40 EV-charging stations and 122 bike spots. The project site is home to a storage lot and adjacent to ABC Supply Co., along the Highway 1 frontage road midway between the Soquel and 41st Avenue exits.
Santa Cruz City Council OKs outdoor dining extension, weighs in on ADUs & CZU grand jury report
During its Tuesday meeting, the Santa Cruz City Council approved an extension for temporary outdoor dining and the relocation of the Homeless Garden Project’s farm.
Masks officially back in style in Santa Cruz: Newest indoor order will take effect on Friday
County Health Officer Gail Newel announced a mask mandate beginning Friday, Aug. 20 at 11:59 p.m. That puts Santa Cruz County in line with most other neighboring counties of the Bay Area.

