Lookout food & drink correspondent Lily Belli highlights top events happening around Santa Cruz County in the coming week, plus more listings from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Aptos
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Coke, Pepsi and Red Bull spend big to defeat Santa Cruz’s soda tax
A key pre-election campaign finance reporting deadline on Thursday revealed that the biggest players in America’s soft drink industry, including the parent companies of Coke, Pepsi, Dr Pepper and Red Bull, have donated nearly $1 million to defeat a city of Santa Cruz ballot measure this fall that would enact a special tax on sugary drinks.
Posted inEducation
Incumbent and former teacher compete for Pajaro Valley Unified School District trustee Area 6 seat
Former teacher Jessica Carrasco and incumbent Adam Bolaños Scow are competing for the trustee Area 6 seat on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board. In interviews with Lookout, they discussed what their goals are and why they’re the right candidate.
Posted inLatest News
Free wood chipping offered for fire-prone Santa Cruz County areas
The Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County is offering to reimburse the cost of wood chipping for residents who want to clear land in areas at risk for wildfires. The Neighborhood Chipping Program is accepting applications through Oct. 31 and aims to “incentivize the creation of defensible space around homes in high wildfire risk areas.”
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Roads, rail trail, managed retreat emerge as flashpoints as District 2 hopefuls Brown, De Serpa spar at forum
District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor candidates Kristen Brown and Kim De Serpa have spent years in elected office and public service, and seek to bring that experience to the board of supervisors come 2025. The two discussed everything from roads and managed retreat to the tight county budget and the divisive Coastal Rail Trail project Monday evening at a Lookout candidate forum.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: The motivations behind the two District 2 supervisor candidates
Inside Santa Cruz County politics & policy with Lookout correspondent Christopher Neely.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: RTC provides options for mobile homes in way of rail trail, but says it won’t pay for relocation
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has completed a first draft of an analysis of mobile homes encroaching on the right of way for a new rail trail project along a section of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line in Live Oak. Residents have been told that their homes need to be shifted or relocated by June 2025. Officials with the commission said they’re not sure who will be responsible for paying, but it won’t be the RTC.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
For Kim De Serpa, District 2 supervisor run is next step in life’s work as a ‘community caretaker’
From growing up surrounded by politically active women to a career in social work to a 14-year stint as a Pajaro Valley Unified School District trustee, Kim De Serpa has seen all manner of crises; now she wants to bring that experience to bear at the county level as she vies to succeed District 2 Supervisor Zach Friend.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Kristen Brown’s work ethic propelled her young political ascent. Can it carry her to the board of supervisors?
Lacking in years and the longtime local name recognition of her opponent for District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor, Capitola Mayor Kristen Brown has leaned on what she calls “the depth of my experience,” and her pitch that policy work is her life’s calling.
Posted inFood & Drink
Best of Santa Cruz County food & drink events, Sept. 20-26
Lookout food & drink correspondent Lily Belli highlights top events happening around Santa Cruz County in the coming week, plus more listings from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.