Friday traffic trouble spots in and around Santa Cruz County.
Corralitos / Freedom
Posted inEducation
Pajaro Valley Unified school board approves layoffs of about 100 full-time staff
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District board approved final layoffs equivalent to about 100 full-time positions Wednesday, including special education staff, mental health clinicians, healthcare assistants, teachers and counselors. Staff, parents and union leaders warned the cuts will worsen student support services, increase workloads and create safety risks on campuses.
Posted inEvents
Best of Santa Cruz County entertainment, arts & food events this weekend, May 21-25
With the long weekend nearly here, check out things to do around Santa Cruz County with a recommendation from Lily Belli and a specially curated list from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inEducation
Staff ‘outraged’ that Pajaro Valley Unified school board to consider relocation of Renaissance High to Duncan Holbert School
Teachers and staff at two Pajaro Valley Unified schools are opposing a district proposal to relocate Renaissance High to the Duncan Holbert School campus in Watsonville, a move that would disperse Duncan Holbert’s special education students to other elementary schools. District officials argue that the proposal addresses infrastructure costs, declining enrollment and efforts to better integrate special education students with their peers.
Posted inEducation
Santa Cruz County Office of Education announces 2026 Educator of the Year award recipients
Shireen Goudarzi, a third grade teacher at H. A. Hyde Elementary School in Watsonville, is the recipient of Santa Cruz County’s Teacher of the Year award.
Posted inLatest News
Monday evening traffic: Fatal SUV crash off Hwy 1 near Scott Creek Bridge
Traffic trouble spots in and around Santa Cruz County.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Tony Nuñez for District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor
Santa Cruz’s South County is facing a moment when residents are asking for more than routine governance – they are asking for leadership that is present, prepared and accountable in a direct way. In this race for District 4 county supervisor, Tony Nuñez stands out to the Lookout Editorial Board as the candidate offering a clear break from business-as-usual politics and a stronger focus on engagement, responsiveness and long-term community vitality.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Una Lookout View: Tony Nuñez para supervisor del Distrito 4 del condado de Santa Cruz
El sur del condado de Santa Cruz está enfrentando un momento en el que los residentes están pidiendo más que una gestión rutinaria: están pidiendo un liderazgo presente, preparado y directamente responsable ante la comunidad. En esta contienda para supervisor del condado por el Distrito 4, Tony Nuñez se destaca para la Junta Editorial de Lookout como el candidato que ofrece una clara ruptura con la política tradicional y un enfoque más sólido en la participación comunitaria, la capacidad de respuesta y la vitalidad de la comunidad a largo plazo.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Clean energy should not bypass local accountability at the BESS facility on Minto Road
Watsonville writer Eduardo Hurtado believes community concerns about New Leaf Energy’s proposed battery storage project outside Watsonville should be a red flag to the state to look more closely at the plan and what might happen in an emergency. He worries about New Leaf’s choice to pursue approval for the facility through California’s energy commission rather than continuing in Santa Cruz County. The Minto Road facility sits close to the College Lake water storage project, he writes, a key part of South County’s water system. Hurtado insists that this sensitive location requires extra scrutiny of land and water infrastructure and argues that the state must fully assess water safety, emergency risks and local impacts before moving forward.
Posted inFood & Drink
Corralitos restaurant Circle & Square Bistro wins Santa Cruz Vegan Chef Challenge
Nearly 30 restaurants across Santa Cruz County participated in the county’s first Vegan Chef Challenge in April, offering special plant-based dishes aimed at attracting diners and encouraging restaurants to expand vegan options. Corralitos restaurant Circle & Square Bistro won the competition. Participating chefs said the event brought in new customers and inspired interest in keeping some vegan dishes on their menus permanently.
