Scotts Valley, Watsonville and Aptos are all holding their traditional observances of Independence Day with parades and…
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‘Killer’ parties? Orcas making Central California coast their playground this summer
It’s not uncommon to see killer whales along the California coast, but there have been more sightings than usual this month — including a huge group of 30.
Morning Lookout: Feds tour Santa Cruz, Meals on Wheels eviction delay, Lily Belli is back, July 4th fun
On Wednesday, Joby Aviation publicly unveiled the first aircraft to roll off its pilot production line. The Santa…
As Santa Cruz plots an electric future, U.S. energy officials tour city with offer of federal funds
Ariel Marshall, a senior official from the U.S. Department of Energy visited Santa Cruz city leaders on Wednesday to learn about progress made on all-electric housing and other developments. Marshall’s message was loud and clear: there’s federal money for more of the city’s climate-friendly projects.
Lookout Update: Lily returns at the end of the month, trivia is back, and intern switch
Some Californians received a test of the earthquake early-warning system seven hours before the appointed time, waking…
Morning Lookout: Joby takes flight, cockfighting self-defense, fallen tree offers memories of a dear friend
As insurance companies like State Farm pull out of writing new policies in California over concerns about the cost of…
Santa Cruz County cockfighting suspect represents himself in peculiar courtroom drama
In about eight hours of proceedings in a Santa Cruz courtroom spread out over two days this week, cockfighting accused Brett Kenneth Miller, 58, repeatedly debated witnesses about evidence and raised objections that were quickly shot down by Superior Court Judge Syda Cogliati, even as prosecutors offered a mountain of evidence against the South County resident.
Santa Cruz’s Joby Aviation unveils new era for its air taxi ambitions with first manufactured aircraft
On Wednesday, Joby Aviation publicly unveiled the first aircraft to roll off its pilot production line. The Santa Cruz-based company also gave throngs of onlookers, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, who gathered in Marina a chance to watch a prototype electric aircraft take flight and announced the appointment of Toyota North America’s CEO Tetsuo “Ted” Ogawa to Joby’s board of directors.
Santa Cruz Mountains communities brace for turmoil as home insurers leave California over wildfire risk
As insurance companies like State Farm pull out of writing new policies in California over concerns about the cost of wildfires, homeowners in high fire-risk areas, such as the San Lorenzo Valley, can expect to pay higher premiums as they pick from a much smaller pool of property insurers. An insurance program that offers limited fire insurance may become the only option for many in the Santa Cruz Mountains — one that experts warn could be far too expensive for some low-income families.
Watsonville City Council adopts resolution supporting transition to organic farming
Watsonville city council members unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday night encouraging the transition to organic farming on agricultural fields within one mile of the city’s urban limit line. It also says the city will coordinate with local and private organizations to make that happen. While the city has no authority to force growers to make the transition, advocates for stricter rules surrounding pesticide use near school say the resolution “puts the city on the record” about their support for the shift to organic.

