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Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

ICE has visited Santa Cruz County at least 13 times since July, records show

In the past five months, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have visited Santa Cruz County at least 13 times, according to documents from the county sheriff and Watsonville police.

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Credit: National Weather Service

Beach hazards, coastal flood advisory in effect this week for Santa Cruz County

A beach hazards statement is in effect through 10 p.m. Wednesday due to an increased risk for strong sneaker waves and rip currents, and the National Weather Service also issued a coastal flood advisory from 6 a.m. Tuesday to 3 p.m. Sunday due to king tides, which are the highest tides of the year.

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Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

In the Public Interest: ICE’s recent local activity; Flock camera discussion; Head Start turmoil

Around Santa Cruz County politics & policy with news and notes from Lookout correspondents and staff.

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Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Carmageddon: This week’s RTC meeting will be packed with rail-trail business following ‘peace deal’ proposal

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission meeting this week could be pivotal for the passenger rail project. Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley and County Supervisor Manu Koenig plan to discuss their trail proposal, which is already running into opposition from Friends of the Rail and Trail. Continue reading…

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

The Westside boom: How a blossoming business district evolved from industrial disrepair

The business district on the Westside of Santa Cruz between Fair and Swift streets is booming with food, wine, beer, coffee, even cannabis. How did it evolve from abandoned light industrial to a vital touchstone to Westsiders?

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Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

OPINION: California’s coastal ‘Blue Wall’ must rise again to stop new offshore drilling

Updating and expanding laws blocking offshore oil drilling and seabed mining is the most powerful tool communities have to protect California’s coast in the face of the federal government’s new drilling plans. Katie Thompson and Dan Haifley urge the public to get involved.

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Best of Santa Cruz County events, December 1-4

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

Monday, Dec. 1

Tuesday, Dec. 2

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Thursday, Dec. 4


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...