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Credit: Chelsie Wiget

Ask Lookout: What prompts a tornado warning, and do we have a ‘tornado season’?

By Max Chun

Two tornado warnings over the past two weeks likely surprised many Santa Cruz County residents. No tornadoes touched down in the county this year, but one did in Scotts Valley at the end of 2024. So what prompts a tornado warning from the National Weather Service? And when, if ever, is tornado season locally?

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Latest version of county’s proposed battery storage rules includes water, soil monitoring, insurance bonds for developers

By Tania Ortiz

Santa Cruz County officials published an updated version of proposed regulations for battery storage facilities ahead of a second hearing on the proposed rules on Tuesday.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Longtime community fixture Rabbi Paula Marcus announces 2027 retirement

By Wallace Baine

Like many in her generation, Paula Marcus came to Santa Cruz County almost a half-century ago and found it fit her values.  Over her impactful career, Temple Bethel El in Aptos has grown from 100 to 600 families, and Marcus has led many interfaith efforts in the county. She plans to continue those, and looks to travel to places familiar and new.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

This week in Santa Cruz County business: Regional air corridor project closer to kickoff; new vendors sought for Abbott Square

By Jessica M. Pasko

State efforts to create special aerial pathways among the airports in Watsonville, Salinas, Marina and Hollister could get off the ground as soon as the end of January, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly look at Santa Cruz County business.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Ex-boyfriend of Utah woman who went missing pleads not guilty to domestic violence charges, arrest warrant canceled

By Hillary Ojeda

The ex-boyfriend of a Utah woman who was reported missing during a road trip to Santa Cruz County has pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges, posted bail and no longer faces an arrest warrant, according to court records. Alex Nunez, 62, is free under several conditions as the case moves toward a Feb. 5 hearing.

Credit: Watsonville Police Department

Watsonville police warn of mountain lion seen in Main Street area Wednesday morning

By Lookout Santa Cruz Staff

After a mountain lion was spotted in the area behind 1075 Main St. on Wednesday morning, the Watsonville Police Department is asking residents to stay alert while walking in open and rural areas.

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Upcoming Santa Cruz County events, January 9-11

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

Friday, Jan. 9

Saturday, Jan. 10

Sunday, Jan. 11

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...