LOOKOUT SPECIAL REPORT: It hasn’t yet been determined if downed power lines sparked rare winter fires that displaced dozens — and still have nearly 10,000 customers in the dark. But it’s clear that downed lines were reported throughout Santa Cruz County, with one county leader calling PG&E’s decision-making process “opaque.”
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 inVaccine Watch
Officials hope for resolution ‘soon’ on Moderna batch linked to possible allergic reactions
New Leaf Community Markets brand manager Lindsay Gizdich said the store is moving from Pacific Avenue in order to have…
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office DNA lab project moves forward
New Leaf Community Markets brand manager Lindsay Gizdich said the store is moving from Pacific Avenue in order to have…
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Rail Trail hearing previews just how contentious coming debates on project might be
In advance of a key hearing on the project today, Lookout sat down with leaders on both sides of the Rail Trail debate…
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Rail Trail Q&A: Passionate perspectives from both sides of these tricky Santa Cruz County tracks
In advance of a key hearing on the project today, Lookout sat down with leaders on both sides of the Rail Trail debate to discuss their perspectives on the project that has stoked fierce dialogue for decades.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Rocked by fire and COVID, county projects $4 million budget shortfall, continued furloughs
Santa Cruz County officials are painting a rough road ahead financially, with local sales and hotel taxes having taken a hit, costs increasing and the county needing to dip into its reserves.
Posted inCoast Life
‘I want a plan’: In wake of junior sailors getting capsized, parents seek more answers
After some of their youth sailboats capsized leading to a dramatic rescue mission Sunday, the Santa Cruz Yacht Club told parents Monday it is reviewing safety protocols and changing its guidelines “on when to have the kids sail outside the harbor.”
Posted inLatest News
Dramatic rescue plays out at Santa Cruz Harbor as youth sailboats capsize
If the wave that breaks off the Santa Cruz Harbor didn’t attract some of the area’s most knowledgable surfers, things…
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Big Rail Trail hearing ahead Thursday: How to make your voice heard
A quick primer to get you caught up on Santa Cruz County’s most controversial infrastructure project, which celebrates a…
Posted inCOVID Today
Santa Cruz County halts elective surgeries as hospitals face surging COVID-19 demand
County Health Officer Gail Newel signed off on the order Tuesday, which dictates that hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers forego certain surgeries and procedures, starting at 5 p.m. Thursday.