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Credit: Natasha Leverett / Lookout Santa Cruz

Leif Ames murder trial postponed again, now set to begin Dec. 7

By Hillary Ojeda

The murder trial of Leif Ames, charged with killing his longtime friend Hubert Cross in 2020, has been postponed again and is now scheduled to begin Dec. 7.

Credit: Allis Markham

Santa Cruz taxidermy lecture explores how preserving animals can inspire conservation

By Alia Yee Noll

After nearly 20 years in taxidermy, Allis Markham says the point isn’t realism. It’s connection. The Los Angeles-based master taxidermist will talk Thursday at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz about how salvaged animals in museums and nature centers get people to care about wildlife and the threats it faces.

Credit: Cruz Foam

This week in Santa Cruz County business: Cruz Foam ceases operations; West Coast Community Bank celebrates Nasdaq listing

By Jessica M. Pasko

Santa Cruz-based Cruz Foam, which developed a biodegradable packaging made from shrimp shells and other natural materials, has closed and sold off its intellectual property, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly look at local business. Meanwhile, Santa Cruz-based West Coast Community Bancorp has moved its stock listing to the Nasdaq Stock Market, a milestone executives say is more than two decades in the making.

Credit: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press

California state workers begin one-day strike over return-to-office mandate, pay and healthcare

By Sophie Austin / Associated Press and Terry Chea / Associated Press

California state workers began a one-day strike Wednesday, urging Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration to agree to a new contract that increases workers’ pay, ensures affordable healthcare access and allows more flexibility for remote work.

Credit: Shauna Silva

OPINION: Meet the Capitola City Council candidates: Five people are vying for three seats

By Community Voices

Five candidates — incumbent Joe Clarke, Cami Corvin, Tory Del Favero, TJ Welch and Peter Wilk — are competing for three open seats on the five-member Capitola City Council. Hear from each in their own words with short videos.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

OPINION: A Lookout View: Michael Zeller and Danny Reber for Scotts Valley City Council

By Lookout Editorial Board

The Lookout Editorial Board endorses Michael Zeller and Danny Reber for Scotts Valley City Council. The board believes their combined experience and connections will benefit the council as it navigates the Town Center project, budget constraints and the need to meet affordable housing numbers mandated by the state.

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Best of Santa Cruz County events, October 23-25

Here are some events you may be interested in this weekend:

Friday, Oct. 23

Saturday, Oct. 24

Sunday, Oct. 25

Add an event to our calendar

Max Chun is the general-assignment correspondent at Lookout Santa Cruz. Max’s position has pulled him in many different directions, seeing him cover development, COVID, the opioid crisis, labor, courts...