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Credit: Cal Fire

Timber fire update: Big Sur blaze grows to 4,245 acres; now 7% contained

By Max Chun

The Timber fire in Monterey County continues to spread through Big Sur, having scorched more than 4,000 acres as of early Thursday afternoon. The fire has prompted the closures of state parks and nearby facilities, and has forced more than 500 people to evacuate from five different zones.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz City Schools seeks candidates for district board seat

By Hillary Ojeda

Following the resignation of a longtime district board member, Santa Cruz City Schools is asking the public for interested candidates to fill the open seat.

Credit: Santa Cruz Fire Department / Facebook

One dead after vehicle drives off West Cliff Drive near Steamer Lane

By Lookout Santa Cruz Staff

One person has died following an incident in which a vehicle drove off a cliff on West Cliff Drive near Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz early Wednesday.

Credit: Santa Cruz County Parks

Weekender: Adding a dose of the weird and whimsical

By Lookout Santa Cruz Staff

Your cheat sheet for eating well and going out in Santa Cruz County this weekend.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz mayoral candidates oppose 6-story housing project at Seabright and Soquel; wish to regain some local control over building

By Max Chun

Santa Cruz mayoral candidate Ryan Coonerty wasn’t shy with expressing his disapproval of a proposed housing development at the intersection of Seabright Avenue and Soquel Avenue. His mayoral opponent, Ami Chen Mills, said she also disapproves of this development despite wanting to continue to build affordable housing.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Bagelry turns 49 as its founder retires — and a longtime employee takes over

By Lily Belli

After nearly five decades of baking bagels in Santa Cruz County, Bagelry founder John Hamstra has retired and handed the business to former employee Sidney Grant and his wife, Tal Cameron. The new owners say they intend to keep the local institution unchanged, from its menu and affordable prices to its longtime staff.

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Best of Santa Cruz County events, August 14-16

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

Friday, Aug. 14

Saturday, Aug. 15

Sunday, Aug. 16

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...