Seeking to address congestion, safety, climate change and accessibility for pedestrians, transit users, bus riders and bicyclists along Highway 17, Caltrans is seeking input from Santa Cruz County residents.
Ashley Palma-Jimenez
Ashley Palma-Jimenez is a junior at UC Santa Cruz, where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in literature. As a writer, she is passionate about telling stories that often go unrecognized, and her goal is to tell these stories in a way that is accurate, honest and trustworthy. She joins Lookout Santa Cruz as an intern through the UCSC Humanities Excel program.
Posted inLatest News
Applications for Santa Cruz County civil grand jury volunteers now open
With the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors proclaiming March as Civil Grand Jury Awareness Month, the county’s superior court is seeking volunteers for the 2026-27 jury term.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Governor’s office to hold webinar on statewide appointments
The California governor’s office is hosting a webinar this week on statewide appointments, hosted by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s appointments secretary, Morgan Carvajal.
Posted inWestside / Downtown
Police arrest man who barricaded himself in Pacific Avenue apartment for 12 hours
Santa Cruz police used a police dog Saturday to arrest a man who threw items from a window onto a downtown street and barricaded himself in an apartment for hours.
Posted inEducation
Santa Cruz County Youth Civics Summit aims to reinforce civic learning and election engagement
About 200 students from all high schools in Santa Cruz County will attend the Santa Cruz County Youth Civics Summit on Friday at Cabrillo College.
Posted inFood & Drink
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to host 45th annual clam chowder cook-off
Just in time to take the edge off the cold, rainy weather blanketing the region, Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation is bringing the annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off back to the Beach Boardwalk this Saturday and Sunday.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Scotts Valley Recreation seeks submissions for annual poetry and art contest
Scotts Valley Recreation, in collaboration with the city’s arts commission, is asking residents of Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley to submit their poetry and art for this year’s Expressions of the Valley poetry and art contest.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
2026 Santa Cruz County Fair theme revealed
After a monthlong contest to select a theme that celebrates the nation’s 250th birthday, the Santa Cruz County Fair has one for its 2026 edition: “Apple Pies and Starry Skies!”
Posted inPolitics & Policy
UCSC students rally against ICE raids, Trump’s military attack on Venezuela
A couple hundred UC Santa Cruz students marched on campus Tuesday against violent actions by ICE and other federal agencies in Minneapolis and around the U.S. as well as against President Donald Trump’s military attack on Venezuela last month.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
Capitola police, Central Fire crews respond to burning building over the weekend
Capitola Police Department officers and crews from the Central Fire District of Cruz County responded to a fire at an apartment building on 45th Avenue on Saturday night that injured one.