Lookout PM: Village Foods meal delivery, Laird pushing to expedite Pajaro River levee project, and this weekend’s events

Village Foods meal delivery expands toward Live Oak storefront after rapid rise

By Lily Belli

A Santa Cruz mom launched Village Foods to help people solve the nightly dinner dilemma, and the meal delivery service has quickly taken off. Less than a year in, the business is expanding into its own Live Oak storefront as founder Kelly Langstaff builds on both a national trend and a deeply personal mission to support busy families like her own.

Laird pushing new bill to speed up Pajaro River levee construction project

By Tania Ortiz

State Sen. John Laird is backing new legislation that could help speed construction to repair the Pajaro River levee. Work to fix the river’s flood walls started earlier this year.

Santa Cruz Mountains residents screamed, sheltered and froze when 4.6 magnitude earthquake jolted them awake

By Hillary Ojeda

A 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck near Boulder Creek early Thursday morning, jolting residents across Santa Cruz County awake and marking the region’s strongest temblor in more than three decades, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Despite widespread reports of shaking, noise and minor household damage, officials said there were no injuries or structural damage, as residents described fear and renewed urgency around earthquake preparedness.

Weekender: A vegan challenge, First Friday and Easter fun

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

Fresno raw dairy farm recalls some cheese products as FDA investigates E. coli outbreak

By Matthew Perrone / Associated Press

A Fresno dairy producer that health authorities have been investigating amid an ongoing outbreak of E. coli is recalling some of its raw cheese products, after initially refusing to do so.

Santa Cruz candidates mostly unfazed at lack of Democratic Central Committee endorsements

By Max Chun

The Democratic Central Committee could not come to a consensus on which Santa Cruz City Council and mayoral candidates to endorse, so it will not endorse anyone ahead of the June 2 primary. However, many on the campaign trail say it doesn’t make a difference to them — and might even be a good thing.