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Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz County scrambles to close public defender funding gap after supervisors split on cost-cutting plan

By Tania Ortiz

In a tough budget year, Santa Cruz County is proposing to create an alternate public defender’s office to help reduce costs and maintain its holistic defense model, which connects clients with social workers and services. The move, however, would end a longstanding contract with a local law firm.

Credit: Climatize

This week in Santa Cruz County business: Santa Cruz-based crowdfunding site, Sea Dubs mark milestones; next steps for Pajaro Valley apple growers

By Jessica M. Pasko

In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko notes highlights for Climatize and the Santa Cruz Warriors, what South County farmers are hearing in the wake of bad news from Martinelli’s and plenty more comings, goings and dates to know.

H&H Fresh Fish West
Credit: Lily Belli / Lookout Santa Cruz

Lily Belli on Food: H&H Fresh Fish’s Westside outpost; Scotts Valley farmers market moving; Steel Bonnet expanding

In her Tuesday newsletter, Lily Belli notes the opening of H&H West in the Swift Street Courtyard, a new long-term home for the Scotts Valley farmers market and an Old Town Salinas taproom for a Scotts Valley standby.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Ryan Coonerty, Ami Chen Mills aiming to reach more voters ahead of November mayoral run-off

By Max Chun

Ryan Coonerty and Ami Chen Mills have secured their places as the top two vote-getters in the Santa Cruz mayoral race and will compete in a run-off election in November. The candidates plan to reach more voters to continue garnering support in the coming months — after some rest, of course.

Credit: Mat Weir

From Harbor High to global icon: Remembering the genius of Oliver Tree

By Mat Weir

Santa Cruz-based journalist Mat Weir, who has known Oliver Tree for 13 years, shares his thoughts on his tragic death and the legacy he leaves behind in his home city.

Credit: Larry Valenzuela / CalMatters

Some California schools get three times more funding than others. Here’s why

By Carolyn Jones / CalMatters

School funding in California steers a lot to wealthy districts and to those with high-needs students. Those in the middle get a lot less.

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Best of Santa Cruz County events, June 19-21

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

Friday, Jun. 19

Saturday, Jun. 20

Sunday, Jun. 21

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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...