When the CZU Lightning Complex fires tore through the Santa Cruz Mountains in 2020, vineyards survived the flames, but smoke taint ruined much of the harvest, forcing winemakers to dump spoiled wine and experiment with new styles like rosé and white pinot noir.
Bonny Doon / Davenport
Posted inLatest News
Thursday evening traffic: Three-car crash, construction, and lane closures on Hwy 1
Thursday traffic trouble spots around Santa Cruz County.
Posted inVisual Story
CZU then and now, in photos: From fire’s devastation, a picture of resilience in Santa Cruz Mountains
Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud describes what he saw in the days and weeks after the CZU Lightning Complex fire ignited in 2020 and the resilience of Santa Cruz Mountains communities in the five years since.
Posted inEducation
Ben Lomond’s Alba Schoolhouse delisted as historic landmark, but rebuilding efforts continue
The historic Alba Schoolhouse in Ben Lomond was officially delisted from the county’s landmark inventory this week, but a dedicated group of volunteers is pushing forward with long-term plans to rebuild what was lost in the 2020 CZU fire.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of Sept. 9
Businesses operating in Santa Cruz County must register with the county clerk. Lookout Santa Cruz reviews the public filings from local businesses to report on new businesses starting in the area.
Posted inEducation
Five years after CZU, Bonny Doon Elementary lost students, but found a renewed purpose in healing
Five years after narrowly escaping the CZU fires, Bonny Doon Elementary has transformed from a small mountain school into a vital community anchor. Despite falling enrollment, the school expanded mental health services and created new programs to help students and families heal from dual traumas of wildfire and pandemic isolation.
Posted inFood & Drink
Best of Santa Cruz County food & drink events, Sept. 5-11
Lookout food & drink correspondent Lily Belli highlights top events happening around Santa Cruz County this weekend and into next week, plus more listings from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: County’s annual road maintenance program enters final stretch
Santa Cruz County work crews have already performed annual maintenance on both Mid-County and North County roads, the latter round being completed last Friday. Now crews will move on to South County roads for the final stretch of work, which begins Monday and is expected to last through late October.
Posted inBonny Doon / Davenport
New sheriff’s substation coming to former Bonny Doon Vineyard space in Davenport
A new sheriff’s substation in Davenport will serve the North Coast community and boost law enforcement presence in the increasingly popular area.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
What to know before visiting the newly opened Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument
Here’s what you need to know about the 9 miles of trails that opened up at Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument, just north of Davenport.