Carmageddon: RTC turns to state, feds for next step in passenger rail project — environmental work
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission needs to cover a $15 million funding gap to pay for the passenger rail project’s environmental work. It will turn to state and federal officials to find funding for the next step.
Encompass appoints Kim Morrison as CEO
Encompass Community Services’ interim CEO will assume the role permanently, Santa Cruz County’s largest health and human services nonprofit announced Friday.
Santa Cruz City Council explores age, speed limits for e-bikes as they zoom through the city
City councilmembers say residents complain to them about speeding and reckless e-bike riders, and at their meeting this week said they want to explore pilot programs that preserve access to bikes for young people while keeping streets and sidewalks safe.
U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren secures $900K grant for Encompass health center in Watsonville
U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren landed a $900,000 grant for Encompass Community Services’ Sí Se Puede behavioral health center, currently under construction in Watsonville.
Watsonville’s new police chief shares his views on ICE and Flock cameras, says he’s ready to learn and engage with the community
Brian Shab, a 27-year veteran police officer, spoke to Lookout about stepping into a new role as Watsonville’s 17th police chief and his goals for the department during his tenure.
Watsonville City Council pushes discussion of extending term limits to March
The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday pushed back a discussion on extending term limits for elected officials. The proposal would allow city councilmembers to serve more than the current limit of two terms.
STATEWIDE UPDATES
Wave of California teacher strikes ‘is no coincidence’
The California Teachers Association organized to trigger a wave of negotiations and potential strikes to garner public attention and flex political muscle.
Santa Barbara judge rules against company that turned to Trump for help restarting pipeline
A Santa Barbara judge tentatively ruled that the Trump administration’s intervention wasn’t enough to let Sable Offshore restart a pipeline shut after a 2015 oil spill.
What California’s planned power outages are costing schools: Darkness, disruption and debt
California schools faced repeated planned power outages in 2024-25 as Southern California Edison cut electricity to prevent wildfires, forcing closures and costly backup power solutions.
LOOKING AHEAD
Santa Cruz City Council: Next meeting is scheduled for March 10 at 2 p.m. at City Hall, 809 Center St.
Santa Cruz City Planning Commission: No meeting scheduled for this week.
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors: Next meeting is scheduled for March 10 at 9 a.m. at the county government building, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz County Planning Commission: Next meeting is scheduled for March 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the county government building, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz.
Watsonville City Council: Next meeting is scheduled for March 10 at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, 275 Main St., Watsonville.
Watsonville Planning Commission: Meeting on Tuesday, March 3, City Hall, 275 Main St., Watsonville.
- Watsonville planning staff will present the annual progress report on the city’s housing element. The report will later be presented to the city council after the commission approves it.
Capitola City Council: Next meeting is scheduled for March 12 at 6 p.m.
Capitola Planning Commission: Meeting on Thursday, March 5, at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 420 Capitola Ave.
- The commission will consider a proposal to remodel the former Rite Aid to make room for a new Tesla dealership in the King’s Plaza Shopping Center on 41st Avenue.
County Latino Affairs Commission: Next meeting is scheduled for April 1.
Scotts Valley City Council: Meeting on Wednesday, March 4, at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 1 Civic Center Dr.
- The council will consider a staff recommendation to use $171,995 in Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds from the state to buy land from the City of Santa Cruz to build the affordable housing component of the Town Center project.
Scotts Valley Planning Commission: Next meeting is scheduled for April 9.
