Lookout PM: New fire at Moss Landing battery storage facility, shelter-in-place lifted; county housing market update, CHP's 'beer goggles' at the fair

Welcome to Friday night’s Lookout PM.

Monterey County officials continue to monitor Moss Landing fire; shelter-in-place order lifted

By Tania Ortiz

Monterey County officials continue to monitor the fire scene at the battery storage facility in Moss Landing where flames erupted Friday morning. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office lifted its shelter-in-place order Friday afternoon.

Fire reignites at Moss Landing battery plant; Monterey County officials issue shelter-in-place order

By Tania Ortiz

Residents near the Moss Landing battery plant were under a shelter-in-place order after a fire erupted at the facility early Friday morning.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

County housing market remains steady as Federal Reserve hikes interest rates

By Max Chun

Santa Cruz County’s housing market stayed the course in August, with more homes coming on the market and sales dipping only slightly. Real estate agents expect plenty of sales through the fall, but mortgage advisors and real estate experts alike are keeping a close eye on the Federal Reserve, which hiked interest rates by a quarter-percent on Wednesday.

Credit: Cathy Kelly / Lookout Santa Cruz

Walk on the wild side at the fair? CHP’s ‘beer goggles’ mimic the effects of drinking and driving

By Cathy Kelly

Amid the hubbub of the Santa Cruz County Fair, the California Highway Patrol is using impairment simulation goggles to show fairgoers the potentially deadly effects of driving under the influence.

California’s tough on crime law promised treatment. Here’s why people are falling through the cracks

By Marisa Kendall / CalMatters and Cayla Mihalovich / CalMatters

California’s Proposition 36 gave certain people facing criminal charges an option to have their cases dropped if they complete drug treatment. Now, counties are on their own to figure out how to provide it.

Santa Cruz Police Chief Bernie Escalante retiring after 30 years of service, nearly five as police chief

By Max Chun

Bernie Escalante, who has served as Santa Cruz’s police chief since October 2021, is retiring at the end of October following 30 years of service.

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