Welcome to Monday night’s Lookout PM.
Find the latest Lookout List winners and runners-up here. Be sure to sign up for our breaking news email alerts here, and download the Lookout Santa Cruz app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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?
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.

Sign up for your Neighborhood Roundup. Sent every weekday morning, receive a neighborhood-specific roundup of the weather forecast, local news, crime reports, road closures, permit applications, road closures, restaurant inspections, upcoming events and more.
Best of Santa Cruz County events, December 1-4
Here are some events you may be interested in this week:
Monday, Dec. 1
- Knitting at the Library @ Felton | 12 p.m. @ Felton Branch Library
- VOLUNTEER AT HOPES CLOSET / VOLUNTARIADO EN HOPES CLOSET | 10 a.m. @ Hopes Closet | Free
- Yoga, Meditation & Sound Healing | 6 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill
- North Pole Mailbox | 10 a.m. @ Super Silver Santa Cruz | Free
- Shop Small Weekend Sale at Toque Blanche | 9 a.m. @ Toque Blanche | Free
- Django Festival All Stars feat. Veronica Swift | 7 p.m. @ Kuumbwa Jazz
Repeats once more on December 1
- Joe Ferrara Holiday Acoustic | 5 p.m. @ Abbott Square Market | Free
- Reindeer Round-Up | 10 a.m. @ Downtown Santa Cruz Information Kiosk | Free
Tuesday, Dec. 2
- Exhibition—”Weather and the Whale” | 12 p.m. @ Institute of the Arts and Sciences
- Santa Cruz Animal Shelter Empty the Shelters $50 Adoption Special! | 11 a.m. @ Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter | Free
- UCSC Spirit Squad Youth Clinic | 5 p.m. @ UC Santa Cruz | $50
- Santa Cruz Art League Critical Discussion Group | 6 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Art League | Free
- Master Class: Arts Nonprofit Roundtable | 7 p.m. @ Kuumbwa Jazz
- Inter|Act Spoken Word Open Mic Featuring Santa Cruz Youth Poets Laureate | 7 p.m. @ Satori Arts | Free
- Breath for Life: The Breath of Hope | 7 p.m. @ Breath + Oneness | $24
- Santa Cruz SPCA After School Preteen Paws Program Tier 1 | 4 p.m. @ SPCA | $75 ($75 pays for three 2-hour lessons)
Wednesday, Dec. 3
- Pilates & Posture with Horses | 9 a.m. @ BEYOND liberty, Center for Learning, Wellness, Sanctuary and Horse Retirement | $25 (This class included with membership)
- Motion Pacific: Dance for PD | 1 p.m. @ The 418 Project
- Moe’s Alley and KPIG Present: Ana Popovic at The Rio Theatre | 7 p.m. @ Moe’s Alley
- Santa Cruz SPCA After School Junior Paws Program Tier 2 | 4 p.m. @ SPCA | $75 ($75 pays for three 2-hour lessons)
- Santa Cruz METRO’s Stuff the Bus Food Drive | 1 p.m. @ Woodstock’s Pizza | $10 to $20 (Tickets needed for after hours event)
- First Friday Reception – Step Into Santa Cruz | 5 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Art League | Free
- Step Into Santa Cruz: SCAL Members’ Exhibition | 12 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Art League | Free
- Holiday Business After Hours and Food Drive | 5 p.m. @ Woodstock’s Pizza | $10 to $20 ($10 for members, $20 for non-members )
Thursday, Dec. 4
- Sewing Lessons for Beginners | 10 a.m. @ Everything Home | $60 to $90 (Save 10% when you purchase 6 weeks up front.)
- Persephone Restaurant Thursday Night Pasta Special | 5 p.m. @ Persephone Restaurant | $40
- Twistmas Caroling with the Trolley Drop Holiday Jug Band | 5 p.m. @ Pono Hawaiian Grill Downtown Santa Cruz | Free
- Noche de Brillo/Night of Sparkle | 2 p.m. @ Downtown Watsonville Community Area | Free
Repeats once more on December 14
- There are no kooks in heaven | 5 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
- Illuminated Sound: An Energy-Infused Sound Bath | 7 p.m. @ Breath + Oneness | $24
- “Music and Lyrics” by John Morris | 6 p.m. @ The Crepe Place | Free
- Tidal Treasures Watercolor Workshop | 5 p.m. @ Rootstock Collective | $45 (Two for $75!)






