Santa Cruz Fire Station 61 held a “push-in” ceremony Wednesday to celebrate its newest vehicle, a compact and highly maneuverable four-wheel-drive wildland engine designed for responding quickly to fires in rough terrain.
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.
San Lorenzo Valley residents rebuilding toy box memorial to victims of fatal 1982 landslide
San Lorenzo Valley residents are restoring a toy box memorial for two young brothers who died in the 1982 Love Creek landslide.
Highway 17 comprehensive multimodal corridor plan online survey now open
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!”

