Inside Santa Cruz County politics & policy with Lookout correspondent Christopher Neely.
Corralitos / Freedom
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 inLatest News
Last year’s storms hurt Santa Cruz County’s strawberry production, other crops
The severe storms and flooding that hit the region in 2023 had a significant impact on the production of berries and other crops in Santa Cruz County, according to a report the county released Friday. In 2023, the total estimated gross production value was $654,710,000, a 1.8% decrease from 2022.
Posted inLatest News
Pajaro Valley school administrator charged with sexual assault
Ivan Alcaraz, executive director of student services at Pajaro Valley Unified School District, has been placed on administrative leave after being charged by Watsonville police with sexual assault on Sept. 3. Alcaraz, 37, of Watsonville, has worked in the district for more than a decade, including as assistant principal at Watsonville High School, principal at Rolling Hills High School and the district’s director of student services.
Posted inEducation
Pajaro Valley school board member Jennifer Holm resigns
Jennifer Holm has resigned as a member of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board of trustees effective Oct. 10, the district announced Tuesday evening. Holm, a former president of the board, has represented Area 7 on the board for the past six years. There are two years left on her term. According to a release from the district, she cited the “increasing demands” of her job as director of the nursing program at Cabrillo College.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Baine’s Nine: Nine necessary know-abouts for the week ahead in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, Aug. 29-Sept. 5
With the long weekend nearly here, get your B9 shot in the form of Baine’s Nine, Wallace Baine’s recommendations for things to do around Santa Cruz County via Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inEducation
Aptos High School student named to Pajaro Valley school board
Daniel Esquada, a 12th grade student at Aptos High School, will be appointed by the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board of trustees Wednesday as a student trustee.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County 2024 elections: What we know at the filing deadline about who is running
The field is set for Santa Cruz County’s nonpartisan general election on Nov. 5. Scotts Valley Mayor Randy Johnson chose not to seek reelection after 28 years on the city council. In Watsonville, former Cabrillo College trustee Martha Vega is challenging Mayor Vanessa Quiroz-Carter for city council. And there are competitive races for offices ranging from county supervisor to local fire districts. But not all of the 108 seats up for election have attracted candidates, and most races will not be competitive.
Posted inLatest News
Watsonville woman had stab wounds; death being investigated as homicide
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has determined that Lizbeth Arceo Sedano, the Watsonville woman whose body was found along a hiking trail in the Rattlesnake Gulch area on Sunday, died from multiple stab wounds to her torso. It is investigating the death as a homicide while it continues to hold the father of her 3-year-old daughter.