Welcome to Wednesday night’s Lookout PM.
Latest News
Posted inLatest News
Sheriff’s office investigating fire at Bonny Doon fire station as arson
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early morning fire at a county fire station in Bonny Doon as arson.
Posted inLatest News
Watsonville nonprofit changes name of award following allegations against labor leader César Chávez
Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services is renaming its community impact awards following sexual abuse allegations against labor leader César Chávez.
Posted inLatest News
Labor rights leader Dolores Huerta says she was sexually abused by César Chávez
Labor rights leader Dolores Huerta says she was sexually abused by César Chávez amid reported allegations of abuse by others during his tenure as president of the United Farm Workers union.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
Wharf to Wharf will again avoid Murray Street Bridge this year
With construction on the Murray Street Bridge continuing, the annual Wharf to Wharf road race will again start in Live Oak instead of its customary spot along the Santa Cruz waterfront, organizers announced Wednesday.
Posted inLatest News
Wednesday evening traffic: SR-152 lane closed for paving; Hwy 9 one-way traffic
Wednesday traffic trouble spots in and around Santa Cruz County.
Posted inLatest News
Morning Lookout: ICE activity continuing in Watsonville; UC-grad worker deal averts strike; funding for Westside medical business
Santa Cruz County news and opinion headlines from Lookout for the morning of Wednesday, March 18.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
ICE officials visited Watsonville at least nine times in the first two months of 2026, records show
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have visited Watsonville at least nine times in the past two months, according to records provided by the Watsonville Police Department. Immigration agents have now visited Santa Cruz County a total of 39 times since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Posted inEducation
UC and graduate worker union reach agreement, averting strike
The University of California and the United Auto Workers reached a tentative four-year contract agreement covering more than 40,000 graduate student workers and staff, averting a planned strike following months of dispute over alleged unfair labor practices.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Santa Cruz biotech company nets new funding; RiverRow marks city’s first riverfront development
The Westside’s Unnatural Products lands $45 million more for its work to develop treatments for certain types of rare cancers and diseases, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly survey of local business. Downtown Santa Cruz housing plus names, numbers and dates to know are also on the menu.