Three candidates – Danny Reber, incumbent Greg Wimp and Michael Zeller – are running for two seats on the Scotts Valley City Council. Hear from each in their own words with short videos.
Scotts Valley
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Scotts Valley voters deserve more answers before raising the hotel tax to 13%
Measure G would give Scotts Valley the highest hotel tax rate in Santa Cruz County, writes Santa Cruz County Hotel & Lodging Association President Bijal Patel. Patel says the city moved forward with the new tax proposal without an independent economic study or meaningful dialogue with local hotels, which supported a smaller increase to 12%. Higher taxes might help the city, but they could hurt hotel workers, local businesses and tourism, he writes. Also, he worries the revenue will go into the city’s general fund without a specified purpose.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Carmageddon: Santa Cruz County traffic deaths and serious injuries are declining, but cyclists remain at risk
The Community Traffic Safety Coalition’s crash report from September shows that deaths and serious injuries on the road have decreased in recent years, although the problem remains serious overall.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County Measure E: What to know about the proposed temporary half-cent sales tax
Santa Cruz County’s Measure E would impose a five-year, half-cent sales tax increase expected to raise about $27 million annually to help address a worsening budget outlook and potential losses in healthcare and other safety-net funding.
Posted inWestside / Downtown
Santa Cruz County Election 2026: Get the latest news, candidate forums and fact-checks
Ballots are heading out to Santa Cruz County voters this week — and Lookout’s election coverage is in full swing. From covering the Santa Cruz mayoral race to hosting and co-hosting forums across Watsonville, Capitola, or Felton, Lookout is committed to digging into the issues and questions that matter to voters. As always, Lookout election coverage is free, so we’ll be here throughout the campaign and after the votes are counted, too.
Posted inFood & Drink
As Starbucks closes stores, what does it mean in a city built around independent coffee?
Starbucks has closed four Santa Cruz County locations in the past year, including two that shut down in September. We asked local coffee drinkers and independent baristas whether the closures matter in a city with a thriving independent coffee scene — and the answer depends on what customers want from their morning cup.
Posted inInside Lookout
Lookout in the Community: October events & ways to connect
With next month’s midterm elections on the horizon and Halloween fast approaching, the months are flying by! Luckily, October hosts an abundance of opportunities for locals to stay connected and informed, so don’t be scared of missing out on anything this spooky season. Including a Trivia Night hosted by Wallace Baine and two public forums, here are some places you’ll find Lookout in the month to come.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Step inside: The magic of Santa Cruz County Open Studios
Open Studios has begun. For the first three weekends of October, Santa Cruz County artists are opening their studios — inviting us into the places where the work gets made. This year, close to 350 artists are participating, including 69 newcomers, with a new preview exhibit at MK Gallery offering a first look at what’s to come. There’s also a new app to help art lovers find artists and plan their studio-hopping adventures across the county. We stepped inside the preview to meet some of the artists and get a taste of the work and creative energy waiting behind those studio doors.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Scotts Valley City Council race, all eyes are on the long-awaited town center
Three candidates — Danny Reber, Greg Wimp and Michael Zeller — are vying for two seats on the Scotts Valley City Council this fall. The small city north of Santa Cruz has one major, overarching issue that the community is closely following: the planning of a new town center, which has been decades in the making.
Posted inInside Lookout
Stepping away from the desk and giving back with Second Harvest Food Bank
This past week, five members of Lookout Santa Cruz volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County, filling over 200 bags of groceries for local families. The experience provided the opportunity to engage with the work and community members which Lookout Santa Cruz tells stories about every day, and served as a reminder that giving back doesn’t need to be complicated. Simply asking “How can I help?” can go a long way in helping local families, and even inspire others to do the same.
