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Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

NWS extends beach hazard warning as hurricane swells prompt dozens of rescues in Santa Cruz County

By Max Chun and Caly Luna Plowman

The National Weather Service will extend its beach hazards statement through Saturday afternoon, the agency told Lookout on Monday, following a weekend full of water rescues due to rough ocean conditions.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Running on empty: In the nation’s most expensive gas market, Santa Cruz’s vehicular homeless face a new crisis

By Caly Luna Plowman

Amid high gas and food prices, many Californians have been struggling to make ends meet. However, one of the nation’s most vulnerable populations has been hit particularly hard: people living in their vehicles, who rely on gas to have a roof over their heads.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Coin flip settles first district in Capitola’s shift to neighborhood elections

By Tania Ortiz

Capitola city leaders are one step closer to finalizing its district-based election system. The five-member city council selected a district map and which seats will be up for election in 2028, when the city will begin its formal transition into districts.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Annual Wharf to Wharf Race draws 16,000 runners to Santa Cruz County

By Kevin Painchaud

More than 16,000 runners took part in the 54th annual Wharf to Wharf Race on Sunday, making their way along the iconic 6-mile course from Live Oak to the Santa Cruz Harbor to Capitola under near-perfect weather.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Carmageddon: Capitola City Council greenlights slate of improvements for Bay Avenue corridor

By Max Chun

The Capitola City Council approved a number of improvements to the Bay Avenue corridor, including lighting and paint enhancements, and could eventually also OK a crosswalk at the Center Street intersection. The council is aiming to have all Bay Avenue improvements decided at its Aug. 27 meeting.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

From survival to success: Kristofer Evans’ remarkable path through Cabrillo College

By Hillary Ojeda

Cabrillo College graduate Kristofer Evans wants people like him to know that it’s never too late to make changes for the better. After spending his 20s “on the opposite side of the law,” he’s an award-winning graduate with a bright future.

Upgrade your membership to support teachers — and double your impact for students in need

Lookout is contributing 10% of membership purchases or upgrades to United Way Santa Cruz County’s Stuff the Bus school supply drive, which provides backpacks full of supplies for local students experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and other hardships. More than 2,800 local students experienced homelessness during the 2024-25 school year, according to the Santa Cruz County Office of Education.

Every One-for-One membership provides free educational access for a local teacher, and right now, when you upgrade your membership, you’re also doubling your impact for local students in need.

Upgrade my membership

Support local students in need with your Lookout membership

Lookout is contributing 10% of each new membership to United Way Santa Cruz County’s Stuff the Bus school supply drive, which provides backpacks full of supplies for local students experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and other hardships. More than 2,800 local students experienced homelessness during the 2024-25 school year, according to the Santa Cruz County Office of Education.

Right now, your contribution is being matched, meaning each new annual membership fills a backpack for another local student in need.

Become a member and double your impact

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, restaurant inspections, upcoming events and more.

Best of Santa Cruz County events, July 27-30

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

Monday, Jul. 27

Tuesday, Jul. 28

Wednesday, Jul. 29

Thursday, Jul. 30

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...