What’s up, Santa Cruz County? It’s Tuesday, Dec. 9, and the sunny, mild stretch continues for us, with mountain spots forecast to warm into the low 70s.
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Alonso Daboub has the latest installment of our Ask Lookout series, examining why water demand in the city of Santa Cruz has declined despite a growing population. Greater water-consciousness and a variety of efficiency improvements are among the factors.
Long-overdue work to rebuild the Pajaro River levee is set to begin in early 2026, the head of the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency tells Tania Ortiz. But while there’s $156 million in federal funding in hand, it’s been a struggle to secure money the project’s later phases will need.
Hillary Ojeda has a preview of this week’s meeting of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District governing board, at which trustees will consider laying off the equivalent of nearly 160 full-time employees. That would include arts teachers, mental health clinicians, counselors and dozens of special education staff.
In Lookout’s Community Voices opinion section, a move by the county’s Health Services Agency to scale back hybrid work comes under fire from social worker and SEIU Local 521 president Max Olkowski-Laetz. He writes that the change will exacerbate burnout, drive resignations and undermine services residents rely on, and he and other employees plan to make their voices heard at Tuesday’s meeting of the county board of supervisors.
To the headlines …
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Ask Lookout: Why has Santa Cruz’s water demand dropped?
Santa Cruz’s water usage remains at its lowest since the 1960s, despite population growth in the past few decades. Officials say cultural shifts, shrinking lawns and efficient appliances have helped keep demand low. More here from Alonso Daboub.
➤ ASK LOOKOUT: You have questions, we have answers
Construction on Pajaro River levee anticipated to begin in early 2026; funding for Phase 2 still in limbo
Construction on the Pajaro River levee is anticipated to begin in early 2026, according to local officials. The $600 million project focuses on rebuilding the levee to help prevent future flooding in the Pajaro Valley. Tania Ortiz has the update.
DAILY DIGEST
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Have a super Tuesday!
Will McCahill