Lookout will be covering a gubernatorial candidate debate in Monterey this evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – look for the story in tomorrow’s Morning Lookout. The forum includes six democratic candidates in a crowded field. That has concerned state party leadership, who worry that the large slate of candidates will lead to a November runoff between the only two republicans on the ticket.

The debate is hosted by the Democratic Women’s Club of Santa Cruz County, the Democratic Women of Monterey County, and the San Benito Democratic Central Committee.

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Credit: UC Santa Cruz

Longtime philanthropist Pat Rebele dies at 96, leaving a legacy of community and arts advocacy

By Jessica M. Pasko

With her late husband, Rowland Rebele, who died in late 2023, Pat Rebele donated tens of millions of dollars to local charities, nonprofits, arts groups and scholarship funds in Santa Cruz County and beyond.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Watsonville’s oversized vehicle ordinance takes effect Friday

By Tania Ortiz

The City of Watsonville’s ban on oversized vehicles parking on public streets citywide goes into effect on Friday. City officials changed the parking rules in early February.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

UCSC faculty pressing administrators to pause parking fee increase, conduct formal review

By Hillary Ojeda

UC Santa Cruz faculty are urging campus administrators to pause planned parking fee increases and conduct a formal review after saying they were not consulted before the changes were announced.

Credit: Ashley Palma-Jimenez / Lookout Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Fire Department gets a new fire engine

By Ashley Palma-Jimenez

Santa Cruz Fire Station 61 held a “push-in” ceremony Wednesday to celebrate its newest vehicle, a compact and highly maneuverable four-wheel-drive wildland engine designed for responding quickly to fires in rough terrain.

Credit: Amanda Timoney

OPINION: When leniency fails: The cost of ignoring repeat violence in Santa Cruz County courts

By Amanda Timoney

One year after she was attacked near her home close to Wilder Ranch, Amanda Timoney has lost faith in the justice system. Repeated judicial leniency toward her attacker has left her frustrated and afraid.

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Best of Santa Cruz County events, March 13-15

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

Friday, Mar. 13

Saturday, Mar. 14

Sunday, Mar. 15

Add an event to our calendar

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...