As recently as about two weeks ago, Ryan Coonerty said he was planning to run for reelection for one more term to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors — and said he was confident he would succeed, feeling closer to the community than he ever has. But in more recently reflecting on the work of the past year, he’s had a change of heart.
Patrick Riley
Follow Patrick Riley on: Twitter. Patrick Riley is Lookout Santa Cruz’s county government accountability reporter. He comes to Lookout from Florida, where he covered Collier County government for the Naples Daily News. Before that, he covered breaking news, cops, courts and the city of Bonita Springs, also for the Daily News.He can be reached at patrick@lookoutlocal.com.
Posted inLatest News
‘You stole my joy’: Maddy Middleton’s mom, others decry sentence that sets up girl’s killer for release at 25
ADRIAN GONZALEZ SENTENCED: A crowd gathered outside the Santa Cruz County courthouse Tuesday as Adrian Gonzalez was sentenced in the murder of 8-year-old Madyson Middleton. People were protesting a state law that limited Gonzalez’s sentence to three-and-a-half more years because he was a juvenile when he committed the crime.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Protest planned outside courthouse as Gonzalez set for juvenile sentencing in Maddy Middleton murder
ADRIAN GONZALEZ SENTENCED: A crowd gathered outside the Santa Cruz County courthouse Tuesday as Adrian Gonzalez was…
Posted inHousing & Development
A tiny-home village for homeless veterans? It’s part of non-profit’s bigger picture — but the clock ticks
The Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building Board of Trustees is on an ambitious quest: Create housing for all Santa Cruz County homeless veterans — and do so before the clock runs out on pandemic-related funding that’s helped shelter vets amid COVID. Part of the solution? Tiny homes.
Posted inK-12 Education
Former SLV High teacher headed to trial on child molestation charges
The allegations against the San Lorenzo Valley High School staffers have been shared with the Santa Cruz County…
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Do you like keeping an eye on government? Santa Cruz County’s ‘civil grand jury’ might need your help
Volunteers are being sought for Santa Cruz County’s next “civil grand jury,” a government watchdog panel. Here’s a closer look at exactly what the group does — and how to apply to join its ranks.
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz County greenlights 21-unit townhome project with some units for lower-income buyers
The development at 3212 Mission Drive (near the corner of Mission and Soquel Drive) will set aside two units for sale to moderate-income residents and one to a “very low-income” household. The remaining 18 units will be available for sale at market rate.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
For first time in years, summer parking to be free along Live Oak coast amid state concern about permit costs
The California Coastal Commission, the state agency in charge of coastal preservation and access, says Santa Cruz County’s Live Oak parking permit program creates “an impediment to public access” to “the coastline and all it has to offer.”
Posted inPolitics & Policy
No more county government furloughs as Santa Cruz supervisors OK federal aid spending plan
Much-needed federal relief — close to $53 million total over two years — is heading to Santa Cruz County, a windfall that will allow officials to end staff furloughs this July. Some supervisors are also eyeing investments in broadband access, apprenticeship programs and support for women- and minority business owners, and cultural institutions.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
READ & WATCH: Rep. Jimmy Panetta talks wildfires, Capitol attack, immigration and more with Lookout
‘I believe that we no longer have fire seasons,’ the congressman said in a wide-ranging ‘Fireside Zoom’ with Lookout’s Wallace Baine on Friday. ‘It’s not a season … it’s constant.’