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Credit: PG&E

Nearly 6,500 Capitola and Live Oak residents without power; PG&E crews are investigating cause

By Tania Ortiz

Nearly 6,500 residents in Capitola and Live Oak are without power Wednesday afternoon, according to PG&E officials.

Credit: Bari Lee

Puccini, poker and profanity: ‘The Girl of the Golden West’ takes an unexpectedly funny ride

By Jana Marcus

Puccini heads to the California Gold Rush in “The Girl of the Golden West,” where a contemporary English translation adds profanity, camp and plenty of unexpected laughs. The emotional depth sometimes gets lost along the way, but three terrific lead voices, particularly Jordan Best’s Minnie, make the production.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

This week in Santa Cruz County business: Paystand branches into AI agents; court hearing for former Scotts Valley executive; Barilla snaps up Goodles

By Jessica M. Pasko

In this week’s survey of local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on the rollout of a new AI tool for Santa Cruz-based fintech company Paystand, notes a court date for a former executive of Scotts Valley’s Ambient Photonics and runs down other numbers, names and dates to know.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Heat advisory in Santa Cruz County: Temperatures to reach 90s through Thursday

By Hillary Ojeda

Santa Cruz County and much of California are under a heat advisory as peak temperatures are forecast to reach the low 90s in Santa Cruz and Watsonville and the upper 90s in the mountains.

Credit: Larry Valenzuela for CalMatters

Steve Hilton: Abolish the DMV

By Lynn La / CalMatters

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton says he wants to abolish the California Department of Motor Vehicles by transferring its functions to a combination of online services and local county offices. If elected, he says he would also cap the annual vehicle registration at a flat fee of $73.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Lily Belli on Food: August’s best bites; fall food & drink events to put on your calendar

By Lily Belli

Highlights from Lily Belli’s August culinary adventures plus a look ahead of autumn happenings around Santa Cruz County – you’ll find all that and more in her Tuesday newsletter.

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Best of Santa Cruz County events, September 11-13

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

Friday, Sep. 11

Saturday, Sep. 12

Sunday, Sep. 13

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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...