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Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Ask Lookout: Why are beach hazards more frequent and dangerous in winter?

By Cassidy Beach

Storms in the North Pacific Ocean deliver sneaker waves, rip currents and longshore currents to Santa Cruz County’s shores in winter, making it a dangerous time for beachgoers.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Capitola, Watsonville intend to keep Flock cameras following Santa Cruz’s exit

By Max Chun

While the City of Santa Cruz has canceled its contract with Flock Safety, Capitola and Watsonville expect to keep working with the company.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Judge orders Pescavore founder Clarice Owens held in jail until March stalking trial

By Lily Belli

A Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge on Wednesday ordered Pescavore founder Clarice Owens to remain in county jail until her mid-March trial on charges of felony stalking and dozens of restraining-order violations, citing concerns that she would continue contacting protected parties if released.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Sheriff investigators: Gun found at Aptos High likely related to fight during winter break

By Lookout Santa Cruz Staff

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said the gun found in the bushes at Aptos High School is connected to a “physical altercation” that happened near the school over winter break.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Lockdown at Santa Cruz High reported on Facebook confirmed to be just a drill

By Lookout Santa Cruz Staff

A reported lockdown Thursday morning at Santa Cruz High School was confirmed to be a drill by a staffer in the school’s main office.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

OPINION: Let’s decriminalize mental illness: Santa Cruz doesn’t need a mental health jail

By Kasi Tkaczyk and Julia Gratton

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Chris Clark has floated the idea of a new “mental health jail,” pointing to the high number of incarcerated people on psychiatric medication. But jail is not treatment, and incarceration only deepens trauma and mental illness, write Kasi Tkaczyk and Julia Gratton.

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Best of Santa Cruz County events, January 23-25

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

Friday, Jan. 23

Saturday, Jan. 24

Sunday, Jan. 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...