A week after opening their new Pacifica taproom up Highway 1, Humble Sea’s owners are inching closer to a Cremer House opening in their hometown and getting set to purchase the former site of Uncommon Brewers on River Street in Santa Cruz.
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.
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Members petition against development of Cruz Hotel at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union site
The sale of the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union’s Front Street building could be finalized any day, but a group of members concerned about plans to turn the property into a six-story hotel is still hoping to appeal to the board of directors to reconsider.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
The takeover continues: Humble Sea’s Pacifica taproom off and running
Santa Cruz brewing powerhouse Humble Sea has planted its flag in Pacifica, with its new taproom there now open for business Thursday through Sunday. It’s the latest step in expansion plans that also include taking over the Cremer House in Felton.
Posted inHousing & Development
City won’t immediately clear San Lorenzo Park homeless encampment after judge lifts injunction
“We want to be thoughtful with dispersing,” one Santa Cruz official said after a federal judge cleared the way for the city to take action, citing improved COVID conditions. “We’re going to continue services the way it has been until we have a better place for people to go.”
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Four years in, Startup Sandbox remains ‘economic engine’ for Santa Cruz tech biz
The Westside bioscience incubator has helped a number of companies since it was founded in 2017, with many so-called “graduates” choosing to anchor their operations in the area, hire UC Santa Cruz alums or both — and without letting last year’s fires or the COVID-19 pandemic get in the way.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Steven Carrillo headed to trial after 2020 mountain shootout left Santa Cruz County deputy dead
Steven Carrillo, who is charged with murder in the June 2020 shooting that left Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller dead and multiple officers injured, waived his right to a preliminary trial Monday and instead will go straight to trial later this year.
Posted inHousing & Development
State lawmakers secure $14.5 million for homelessness initiatives in Santa Cruz city, county
State Senator John Laird and Assemblymember Mark Stone helped land funding for the Santa Cruz area as part of California’s $262.6 billion budget.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz City Council axes sales tax increase, shares few changes on homelessness
One of the most contested items Tuesday night was a pending measure to increase the city’s sales tax from 9.25% to 9.75%. Councilmember Sandy Brown dissented, urging the council to find ways to help provide living wages for residents who are working jobs with substandard pay.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
In-person hoops again? Santa Cruz Warriors announce six home games for upcoming G League season
The Santa Cruz Warriors announced plans for six home games at the Kaiser Permanente Arena later this year and early next, tipping off the day after Thanksgiving.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz sales tax hike: What $6M proposal means for city and when you get your say
The proposed revenue measure would increase the city’s tax rate from 9.25% to 9.75%, according to city officials. If passed, residents will have an opportunity to vote on the ordinance in the upcoming November or gubernatorial recall election.