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.
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 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.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
Santa Cruz County Parks hosts punt, pass and kick events before Super Bowl LX
Parks in Watsonville, Live Oak and Ben Lomond will host free, all-ages “punt, pass and kick” events ahead of Super Bowl LX, set for Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz Public Libraries add Sunday hours at two branches, opening later on Fridays at all branches
The Capitola and Felton branches of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries are adding Sunday hours, part of systemwide schedule changes coming Feb. 1.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
El condado probará el sistema de alertas inalámbricas de emergencia cerca del río Pájaro
El jueves 29 de enero a las 3 p.m., la Oficina de Respuesta, Recuperación y Resiliencia del Condado de Santa Cruz realizará una prueba planificada del sistema de alertas inalámbricas de emergencia.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
County to test wireless emergency alert system near Pajaro River
At 3 p.m. Thursday, the Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience will conduct a planned wireless emergency alert test in areas near the Pajaro River at the county’s southern border.
Posted inScotts Valley
Scotts Valley’s Skypark Big Kid Playground set to reopen after repairs
Scotts Valley is reopening the Big Kid Playground at Skypark with new climbing elements, tunnel slides and a specially designed swing that can accommodate children who use wheelchairs, with a ribbon-cutting set for Jan. 31.
Posted inLatest News
Prescribed burn scheduled into early February in Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
About 13 acres of forest along Santa Rosalia Ridge along Aptos Creek Fire Road will be the focus of a multi-day burn in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.
