In his weekly newsletter covering Santa Cruz County politics and policy, Christopher Neely previews a pair of Lookout election forums this week, digs into what Measure M might and might not mean, talks to voters in the Santa Cruz Mountains about what they’re looking for in their new District 5 county supervisor and more.
Aptos
Posted inLatest News
Gleaming blue and green and 50% bigger, new Aptos library opens Sunday
After two and a half years with no library, the community of Aptos is ready to open its brand-new branch, the latest in a line of new and/or renovated libraries across Santa Cruz County courtesy of 2016’s Measure S.
Posted inFood & Drink
Sneak preview shows the wait will be worth it for Aptos restaurant Cavalletta
Cavalletta in Aptos opened for one night on Saturday, giving guests a glimpse at the new upscale neighborhood Italian restaurant in advance of its opening slated for mid-February. The menu offers fresh, modern takes on Italian and Italian American appetizers, pastas and wood-fired pizzas.
Posted inEducation
Cabrillo College steps back from name-change discussion, moves forward with Native American studies initiatives
To move away from the divisiveness of the Cabrillo College name-change discussion, the school’s governing board is putting a pause on the topic until at least 2028. College leaders are moving forward with educational and support initiatives for Indigenous students and Native American studies.
Posted inEducation
Cabrillo-UCSC joint housing project groundbreaking delayed to 2025
Cabrillo College President Matt Wetstein says the challenges of doing a joint housing project with the University of California are delaying the groundbreaking of the complex planned for Cabrillo’s Aptos campus. That could push the opening of the 624-bed project a year later, from fall 2026 to fall 2027.
Posted inLatest News
Fossil fever: Aging the mastodon tooth and another significant discovery on tap for 2024
We will soon know the approximate age of the mastodon tooth fossil discovered at Rio Del Mar State Beach last Memorial Day weekend. But that’s not the only fossil-related excitement expected for 2024.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
After fleeing war-torn Ukraine, artist Natalia Aandewiel finds beauty in the landscapes of Santa Cruz
More than a year after settling into life in Santa Cruz, Ukrainian painter Natalia Aandewiel, 27, has successfully integrated herself into the olodex of local artists. Aandewiel travels all over the county attempting to capture the region’s beauty in her art. She has battled cancer and worked to bring her family to the U.S. after they fled to Poland for safety.
Posted inLatest News
Suspect in Highway 1 shooting tied to other Bay Area gun crimes, Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office says
33-year old Raphael Shakur Abduh-Salam is currently being held in a Contra Costa County jail after investigators arrested him in connection with a Highway 1 shooting last May. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is hopeful that he will be arraigned by the end of the month.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz County storm update: Risk of high tides and huge swells remain despite overnight reprieve
Santa Cruz County was spared major damage from overnight rains, though coastal communities remained under threat from waves as high as 40 feet Saturday morning. With tides set to peak around noon, local officials urged residents and visitors to steer clear of the coast.
Posted inLatest News
Evacuation warnings, power outages as Santa Cruz County braces for more rain, wind and swells
The next round of rain is set to begin Friday afternoon, in time for the evening commute. The storm is expected to bring 1 to 2 inches in low-lying parts of the county and 2 to 4 inches in the Santa Cruz Mountains, along with strong winds and a 15-20% chance of isolated thunderstorms.