A former high school volleyball player and social worker who grew up in the San Lorenzo Valley with two mothers, Sarah Ryan brings a diverse perspective to her role as only the second woman to lead a law enforcement agency in Santa Cruz County’s history.
Ruby Lee Schembari
Ruby Lee is a newsroom intern at Lookout Santa Cruz, and while she’s not native to Santa Cruz County, her roots have been growing here since August 2021.
Ruby’s career in journalism blossomed when she began writing for Cabrillo College’s school paper, The Voice, where eventually she became editor-in-chief. She currently edits student articles and works with her mentor, Alexandria Bordas, to teach student journalists how to become future reporters.
Since the start of her career, Ruby has written numerous stories ranging from local politics to profiles of local business owners for multiple papers within the county. Her favorite part of the job is getting to meet all of the wonderful people of Santa Cruz County and establishing connections all across the region.
When she isn’t writing professionally, you can find Ruby at rock climbing gyms, spending time with her friends and dog, or skating curbs and bowls around town.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz, Watsonville ramp up illegal fireworks fines for Independence Day weekend
Santa Cruz police say fines for violations like illegal fireworks, littering, and public drinking will be tripled during the Fourth of July long weekend. In Watsonville, possessing illegal fireworks could mean a $1,000 fine.
Posted inEducation
Four students from Santa Cruz County head to state spelling championship
After winning the Santa Cruz County Spelling Bee on Saturday, students from Scotts Valley Middle School, Boulder Creek Elementary School, Nature Academy and Pacific Collegiate School are headed to the statewide spelling championship.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville residents, regardless of citizenship status, can now apply to serve on city boards and commissions
Thanks to the passage of Measure V in November, Watsonville residents do not need U.S. citizenship or to be 18 years or older to apply for city boards and commissions.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
Capitola will fill vacant city council seat through open application process after public pushback
Instead of choosing between two recently unsuccessful city council candidates, the Capitola City Council opted Thursday to switch gears and fill a vacant seat through an open application process. The council will make the final selection on Jan. 30.
Posted inScotts Valley
Scotts Valley City Council backs efforts to make community more autism-friendly
Scotts Valley officials voiced support for a plan to allocate funds for autism certification training for local businesses and community organizations, joining a broader movement to make Santa Cruz County more welcoming to neurodivergent visitors and residents.
Posted inLatest News
Stolen sea lion plaque returned to Santa Cruz Wharf after public appeal
An interpretive plaque lost in the Santa Cruz Wharf’s Dec. 23 partial collapse has been recovered thanks to community assistance in identifying suspects spotted transporting the plaque down East Cliff Drive. Local officials offered few details about who stole the plaque or how it was recovered.
Posted inLatest News
Capitola City Council backs annual wharf fireworks show in permit struggle even as it ignites community debate
The Capitola City Council unanimously voted last week to support the continuation of the Monte Foundation fireworks show in the fall over the wharf.
Posted inLatest News
No injuries after Volkswagen camper van catches fire on Highway 1
A Volkswagen Westfalia camper van was consumed by fire at Highway 1 and River Street in Santa Cruz on Monday morning. No one was injured.
Posted inLatest News
Police search for plaque pilfered from Santa Cruz Wharf collapse
The Santa Cruz Police Department is on the search for two suspects and a missing interpretive plaque from the wharf after the partial collapse Dec. 23.