A long-submerged construction crane finally emerged from waters near the end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf Saturday, nearly six months after a violent winter storm that ripped away 150 feet of the historic pier.
Environment
Posted inFood & Drink
California warns against eating Santa Cruz County sport-harvested shellfish
The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers not to eat sport-harvested bivalve shellfish caught in Santa Cruz County. This includes mussels, clams, scallops and oysters.
Posted inEnvironment
Tariffs could spike rates in an already climate-stressed insurance market
Over the past decade, climate-fueled extreme weather events and rising inflation have pushed the homeowners insurance market to the brink. Things stand to get even worse this year. A new report from insurance comparison agency Insurify projects that home insurance rates will rise by an average of 8 percent in 2025 across the U.S. States […]
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
As Capitola coastal path crumbles, city officials face a stark choice: rebuild or retreat
Grand Avenue’s coastal walkway in Capitola faces possible permanent closure after a partial collapse in February, as officials weigh engineering challenges, private property issues and the relentless erosion of the oceanfront cliff.
Posted inLatest News
State beach closures set to continue into the new year
Debris from last Monday’s big swell has forced State Parks officials to extend the closure of Twin Lakes and Seabright beaches until Saturday.
Posted inLatest News
Emergency shelters extended as cold front reaches Santa Cruz County
With a cold front set to hit Santa Cruz county two overnight emergency shelters will open to protect the unhoused from the low temperatures.
Posted inLatest News
Triumphs, tragedies and tempests: Santa Cruz County’s 2024 in photos
Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud shares the top moments he captured on camera in 2024, from the collapse of a portion of the historic Santa Cruz Wharf to local tensions over the war in Gaza.
Posted inEnvironment
Storm surge causes $20 million in damages to Santa Cruz Harbor, leaving boat residents in limbo
The Santa Cruz Harbor is still assessing damages that have so far amounted to $20 million after Monday’s storm surge. Port District Director Holland MacLaurie said she doesn’t have a timeline for when repairs will be completed.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Aptos biotech firm says it’s cracked almond industry’s fertilization problem
An Aptos biotech company says it has created the world’s first self-fertile nonpareil almond variety — a breakthrough that could help farmers dramatically cut costs and develop more sustainable farming practices.
Posted inLatest News
Trails to close for Santa Cruz Mountains work prepping for burns
Trails will close intermittently as the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County is working through December on a 211-acre wildfire resilience project in the upper Aptos Creek watershed of the Santa Cruz Mountains that will in part set the stage for controlled burns by California State Parks staff.