Santa Cruz County drivers face stricter fines thanks to a recent court ruling against handheld cellphone use. Local law enforcement and cycling advocates say the tighter rules are welcome in a county where distracted driving is “a very big deal.”
William S. Woodhams
William S. Woodhams is a newsroom intern at Lookout. He is a native of Santa Cruz where he grew up on the Westside. In 2024, he wrote for Good Times and Santa Cruz Local, covering housing development, the chaos at Live Oak School District and the pro-Palestinian protests at UCSC, among other stories.
Currently, he attends UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. He hopes to write about the unknown heroes and eccentrics of the area because after leaving and coming home, he believes it is the people who make Santa Cruz special.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Five years on, Santa Cruz Black leaders reflect on George Floyd’s legacy of activism and art
Black leaders came together Monday to discuss the lingering aftershocks of the summer of 2020 and how those pivotal days shaped Santa Cruz’s Black community.
Posted inLatest News
County dramatically increases illegal dumping fines
Fines for illegal dumping will go from $100 to $2,500 for first-time offenders. Second-time offenders will see a bump from $200 to $5,000 and for those who can’t get enough of illegal dumping, a third offense will go from $500 to $10,000.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
Capitola Wharf Master Plan with restaurant moves forward
A new restaurant, lifeguard station and market space are expected at the Capitola Wharf after the plan got an initial green light Thursday from the city council. Councilmembers will hold a final vote on the wharf’s master plan in the fall.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Cocoanut Grove rebrands as ‘The Grove’
Santa Cruz’s iconic Cocoanut Grove rebrands as “The Grove,” to reflect its shift from mainly a ballroom to primarily a conference and event center, sparking a backlash among some locals.
Posted inScotts Valley
In Scotts Valley, dog owners and officials clash over proposed off-leash crackdown in city parks
In Scotts Valley, a city plan to tighten rules around unleashed dogs in public parks, including banning pooches from some areas, is sparking tension among sports leagues, dog lovers and city officials.
Posted inScotts Valley
Scotts Valley considers banning dogs from parts of Siltanen Park
On Tuesday, Scotts Valley’s Parks & Recreation Commission will consider a plan to close parts of Siltanen Park to dogs.
Posted inHousing & Development
Can a new tax break for landmark buildings help save Santa Cruz County’s disappearing history?
Preservationists say Santa Cruz County’s adoption of a tax relief program for historic properties could help spur interest in saving buildings such as the Bayview Hotel in Aptos and Redman-Hirahara House in Watsonville. Some critics argue such laws mainly serve as a windfall for wealthy homeowners.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
Capitola City Council appoints planning commissioner Susan Westman to vacant seat
Capitola has a new city councilmember, the second in more than five months, after the city council voted Thursday to appoint Susan Westman to fill a vacancy left by former councilmember Alexander Pedersen.
Posted inLatest News
Henry Cowell campground reopening pushed back to April 2026
The park was expected to reopen April 1, before being pushed back to Aug. 1 because of weather delays and supply chain disruptions.