Kaiser Permanente Arena erupted with screams, slams and cheers as World Elite Sumo brought California’s first televised sumo wrestling event to Santa Cruz. Photojournalist Kevin Painchaud takes a peek behind the scenes and onto the mat as 12 wrestlers battled for the championship.
Visual Story
The tradition continues: Opening day at the Santa Cruz County Fair
The Santa Cruz County Fair is back in Watsonville for five days of carnival rides, local food, livestock, music and old-fashioned fair fun.
25 years later: Santa Cruz, Bay Area first responders honor 9/11 victims with memorial stair climb
More than 60 people honored the fallen first responders of 9/11 by climbing Seacliff State Beach’s stairs 13 times – equal to the World Trade Center’s 110 stories – at Friday’s 25th anniversary memorial climb in Aptos.
Santa Cruz’s Ashtyn Davis is back in the Bay Area, battling for a 49ers roster spot
Santa Cruz native Ashtyn Davis is back home, hoping to extend his seven-year NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers. The former Santa Cruz High and Cal standout is competing for a roster spot as the 49ers prepare to cut their roster to 53 players.
An inside look at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music has returned to Santa Cruz for its 64th season, bringing two weeks of new orchestral works, world premieres and internationally acclaimed artists. The festival kicked off July 26 and runs through through Aug. 9. Centered on the theme “We the Dreamers,” this […]
Behind the scenes at Santa Cruz Shakespeare: Bringing ‘Much Ado’ to life
Go behind the scenes with Santa Cruz Shakespeare as actors, directors and crew bring “Much Ado About Nothing” to life.
Annual Wharf to Wharf Race draws 16,000 runners to Santa Cruz County
More than 16,000 runners took part in the 54th annual Wharf to Wharf Race on Sunday, making their way along the iconic 6-mile course from Live Oak to the Santa Cruz Harbor to Capitola under near-perfect weather.
Meet the Santa Cruz swimmer who rewrote the record book at the Special Olympics USA Games
Just one year after returning to competitive swimming, Santa Cruz’s Jessa Melcer became a record-breaking Special Olympics USA Games champion. Her journey from local pools to the national podium showcases the determination, confidence and community support behind her success.
Preparing for the unthinkable: Local first responders drill at Soquel High for mass-casualty incident
Law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel are participating in Santa Cruz County’s five-day active-shooter response training this week at Soquel High School. The annual exercise, hosted by the sheriff’s office, brings together about 150 officers and more than 80 firefighters to practice coordinated response to a simulated mass-casualty incident.
Built for the next fire: How Glenwood hand crews are preparing for wildfire season
At Glenwood Fire Center, Cal Fire hand crews prepare for the next wildfire season in Santa Cruz County.

