What’s good, Lookout friends? It’s Friday, Dec. 12 – another sunny, mild day around Santa Cruz County, with highs in the upper 60s at the beach (where a beach hazards statement remains in effect until Sunday night) to upper 70s in the mountains.
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Hillary Ojeda was on hand for Thursday night’s tumultuous meeting of Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s governing board, which saw trustees approve nearly 160 layoffs in an effort to cut into a $15.3 million budget deficit. More than 40 of those positions are in special education.
Thursday’s meeting of the Capitola City Council, meanwhile, saw councilmembers approve $13,000 to fund a conceptual plan to repair or replace the crumbling Grand Avenue footpath on Depot Hill – though, as Max Chun reports, it’s not yet a commitment that the city will make those repairs. Max also has the latest numbers from the county’s housing market, which looks to have entered its typically slow winter stretch.
There’s hope that Dungeness crab season – one of Santa Cruz County’s most important fisheries – could open Jan. 1, Lily Belli reports, after early data shows that whale entanglements in crab trap lines are down. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife could make the call next week.
The day’s headlines also include Wallace Baine’s recommendations for things to do this weekend all over Santa Cruz County – let’s get all that revved up.
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Pajaro Valley school board votes to cut nearly 160 jobs, more than 40 in special education, during stormy meeting
In a marathon, chaotic session that ended with the room being cleared because of disruptions, Pajaro Valley Unified School District trustees voted Thursday to cut 160 jobs in an effort to stay solvent and comply with California budget requirements. Hillary Ojeda reports.
Drop in whale entanglements fuels optimism that Dungeness crab season can open Jan. 1
State wildlife officials are flying the California coast this week, counting humpback and blue whales to determine whether the commercial Dungeness crab season can safely open on Jan. 1 or should be delayed to protect whales. Early data shows whale entanglements declining this year, thanks to industry-backed restrictions, but the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will release its findings Monday and work with the fleet to set gear limits and a final opening date. Here’s the update from Lily Belli.
DAILY DIGEST
TGIF, yes? You’re probably looking forward to the weekend as much as I am, so make sure you’ve got Lookout along for the ride – download the Lookout Santa Cruz app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for all of our award-winning local coverage, breaking news notifications, games and more. One thing that’s coming later is Eaters Digest, and you can sign up here for that newsletter from Lily Belli and our other email offerings, including breaking news alerts. Please do follow Lookout for the latest via social media – we’re out there on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Bluesky.
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Thanks for reading – here’s to a nice Friday for us all, and a safe, relaxing weekend beyond.
Will McCahill