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Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Watsonville Community Hospital received $10.6 million in state aid in June. Where did it go?

By Tania Ortiz

Watsonville Community Hospital leadership says it has used up the entirety of a $10.6 million grant for the facility. The hospital’s chief financial officer tells Lookout that the money was meant to be spent quickly.

➤ Para leer el artículo en español, haga clic aquí.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

This week in Santa Cruz County business: Leadership shakeup at Driscoll’s; Watsonville’s new distillery takes inspiration from the sea

By Jessica M. Pasko

In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on high-level departures at Watsonville-based berry giant Driscoll’s, a new distillery in South County and plenty of names, numbers and dates to know.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

OPINION: Suddenly Seabright? Where has Ryan Coonerty been on development all this time?

By Ami Chen Mills

Ami Chen Mills, running for mayor of Santa Cruz, pushes back against the assertion by her opponent, Ryan Coonerty, that she has taken a stance “too late” on the project proposed at Seabright and Soquel avenues. She presents the politics […]

Credit: Cal Fire

Monterey County blazes: Timber fire at 25,000 acres, 22% contained; Plaskett fire nears 29,000 acres, 1% contained

By Tania Ortiz

Crews are trying to make progress on the Timber and Plaskett fires, which continue to burn near Big Sur in Monterey County. The Timber fire has scorched roughly 25,001 acres and was 22% contained as of Wednesday afternoon. The Plaskett […]

Credit: Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Why a bill to juice condo construction died even though California lawmakers voted for it

By Ben Christopher / CalMatters

Supporters said a condo construction bill was a key to unlocking the type of naturally affordable for-sale housing that California desperately needs. But deadlines matter.

Credit: Via Pixabay

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Best of Santa Cruz County events, Sept. 4-6

Here are some local events you might be interested in this weekend:

Friday, Sept. 4

Saturday, Sept. 5

Sunday, Sept. 6