The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has been accused of violating state open meetings laws in connection with its move to cut ties with the contractor that operates the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.
Capitola & Soquel
Lily Belli on Food: January’s best bites, previewing Woody’s at Watsonville Airport and art for foodies
In her Tuesday newsletter, Lily Belli recaps her favorite Santa Cruz County menu items from last month, previews the new tenant at Watsonville Municipal Airport’s restaurant and notes upcoming local art events that might appeal to foodies.
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of Feb. 3
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.
Capitola police, Central Fire crews respond to burning building over the weekend
Capitola Police Department officers and crews from the Central Fire District of Cruz County responded to a fire at an apartment building on 45th Avenue on Saturday night that injured one.
Carmageddon: City hopes to make decision on Murray Street two-way traffic within weeks; RTC’s early steps toward interim trail construction
After the Murray Street Bridge reopened last week for the first time since last June, the City of Santa Cruz is continuing to gauge the feasibility of allowing two-way vehicle and bicycle traffic along the one opened lane, and hopes to make a decision within weeks.
The best things I ate and drank in Santa Cruz County in January
Defying January doldrums, Lookout food and drink correspondent Lily Belli launches a monthly food-and-drink dispatch from Santa Cruz County’s dining scene. She selects from a month of eating to highlight brothless ramen, a revived Syrian pop-up, the return of a Capitola classic and hand-pulled noodle soup as the most memorable bites.
Capitola Avenue bridge reopens after nearly two years of construction as neighbors celebrate
The Capitola Avenue bridge project is finally complete, and reopened for traffic Friday afternoon. It’s been closed since March 2024.
More than 1,000 students throng downtown Santa Cruz in anti-ICE protest
More than 1,000 students from local schools staged a walkout and marched through downtown Santa Cruz on Friday to protest against ICE and Trump administration policies before settling in outside the county courthouse.
More local businesses, groups announce closures for anti-ICE national shutdown Friday
More Santa Cruz County businesses and community groups are closing or taking action Friday as part of a national shutdown protesting violent immigration enforcement and the killings of anti-ICE activists in Minneapolis. Restaurants, retailers and organizations from Felton to Watsonville announced closures, donations or solidarity actions, while students and health care workers also organized rallies and demonstrations.
Best of Santa Cruz County food & arts events this weekend, Jan. 29-Feb. 1
With the weekend nearly here, check out things to do around Santa Cruz County, with a recommendation from Lookout correspondent Lily Belli and a specially curated list from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.

