Scotts Valley has grappled for nearly 40 years with a vacant lot at the heart of its city. Long envisioned for a vibrant Town Center development, the overgrown expanse has become a symbol of unfulfilled promises. Now, a federal earmark and a shift in state housing mandates offer a lifeline. Will this time be different?
Scotts Valley
Posted inEducation
Scotts Valley Unified School District weighs November bond for new stadium, other upgrades
Scotts Valley Unified School District is considering a bond measure after its board unanimously backed a plan detailing $76 million in facility upgrades. Officials hope better athletic facilities can stem the district’s declining enrollment.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Paystand’s progress, food and beverage spots for lease, Joby inks Abu Dhabi partnership
Scotts Valley’s Paystand aims to become the “Venmo of business-to-business payments,” with its latest acquisition, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her latest business roundup. Plus, leases for a downtown Santa Cruz food kiosk and cafes at the Tannery Arts Center and on Cedar Street are up for grabs. And Joby Aviation partners with Abu Dhabi and expands its Marina facility.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
With latest acquisition, Scotts Valley’s Paystand works to become the Venmo of business payments
After his family lost their home in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, Paystand founder and CEO Jeremy Almond went back to school to figure out how to reduce the economy’s reliance on the traditional banking system. Paystand uses blockchain-based technology to allow mid-sized companies to do things like pay vendors directly without having to mail them a paper check or automate payments for recurring bills. Earlier this month, it acquired New York-based Teampay, which brings Paystand’s network of companies to more than a million.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Up in the air: Watsonville’s airport and housing clash on the runway
Lookout’s Christopher Neely puts Santa Cruz County politics and policy in focus in his weekly newsletter.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
High school sports roundup: Baseball, softball races coming down to the wire
In his weekly roundup of Santa Cruz County high school sports, Thomas Frey sets the scene for the decisive final stretch in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League and Pacific Coast Athletic League.
Posted inFood & Drink
Best of Santa Cruz County food & drink events, April 26-May 2
Lookout food & drink correspondent Lily Belli highlights top events happening around Santa Cruz County in the coming week, plus more listings from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
High school sports roundup: Spring seasons heading into the home stretch
Thomas Frey surveys another busy week in Santa Cruz County high school sports, from the baseball and softball diamonds to volleyball, golf, tennis, swimming and more.
Posted inFood & Drink
Lily Belli on Food: Live Oak next move and other farmers market updates; Ashby Confections’ downtown storefront
A heaping helping from Santa Cruz County’s food & drink scene via Lily Belli.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz County affordability woes: How two Scotts Valley teachers decided to move their family to Colorado
Special education teachers Cheryl and Bobby Ruyle love their life in Scotts Valley, but recent cost-of-living increases have reached a boiling point. So, deciding to pick up and move to Colorado with their three children is bittersweet.