Lookout PM: PCS teacher accused of attempted rape, service fee ban, passenger rail update

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Pacific Collegiate School teacher accused of attempted rape of student

Santa Cruz Police charged Pacific Collegiate School math teacher Trung Lai, 41, with attempted rape of a 17-year-old PCS student after arresting him on Friday.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Isolated Mountain Charlie residents receive a reality check — and some hope — following community meeting

Life for dozens of families has been disrupted since a February landslide knocked out an important Santa Cruz Mountain thoroughfare. During a town hall meeting last week, county officials estimated a permanent fix to, at best, be three years away.

California’s new service fee ban takes effect today: How it will affect your bill at bars and restaurants

A new California law regulating service fees went into effect statewide Monday. It will require food service businesses like restaurants and bars to state any service fees upfront, alongside an explanation of where the money is going.

Carmageddon: Public gets a look at potential passenger rail vehicle types

Two public input sessions last week saw Santa Cruzans overwhelmingly favor light rail and multiple-unit vehicles for a planned future passenger rail project. However, the agencies executing the project have to also study factors like capacity, speed and type of power source before making a decision.