Hello there – Wednesday, Jan. 7, has arrived in Santa Cruz County, bringing morning fog in some spots before a mostly sunny day, with temperatures in the upper 50s and low 60s.
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After tornado warnings jolted Santa Cruz County residents on Christmas Day and again earlier this week, Max Chun digs into the factors that lead the National Weather Service to send those alerts in the latest installment of our Ask Lookout series. He also asked the experts whether there’s a tornado season locally.
With county supervisors set for another hearing next week on proposed rules to govern battery energy storage facilities, county staff have published an updated version of the ordinance, Tania Ortiz reports. Among the changes are requirements for water and soil monitoring and for a containment plan in the event of chemical runoff.
Rabbi Paula Marcus has told her congregation at Aptos’ Temple Beth El that she’s retiring in 2027, Wallace Baine reports. Marcus has been a central figure in religious and social-justice circles throughout the Monterey Bay area, leading many interfaith efforts and growing the TBE congregation.
The ex-boyfriend of a Utah woman who was reported missing during a road trip to Santa Cruz County has pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges, posted bail and no longer faces an arrest warrant, Hillary Ojeda reports. Alex Nunez, 62, is free under several conditions as the case moves toward a Feb. 5 hearing.
Jessica M. Pasko returns with her survey of Santa Cruz County business, this week reporting on movement toward the creation of special aerial pathways among the airports in Watsonville, Salinas, Marina and Hollister –highways in the sky to help flying vehicles avoid collision as electric air taxis and unmanned drones join traditional aircraft in the air.
Let’s take a look at it all.
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Ask Lookout: What prompts a tornado warning, and do we have a ‘tornado season’?
Two tornado warnings over the past two weeks likely surprised many Santa Cruz County residents. No tornadoes touched down in the county this year, but one did in Scotts Valley at the end of 2024. So what prompts a tornado warning from the National Weather Service? And when, if ever, is tornado season locally? Here’s what Max Chun found out.
➤ ASK LOOKOUT: You have questions, we get answers
Latest version of county’s proposed battery storage rules includes water, soil monitoring, insurance bonds for developers
Santa Cruz County officials published an updated version of proposed regulations for battery storage facilities ahead of a second hearing on the proposed rules next Tuesday. Tania Ortiz reports on what’s new.
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Thanks for reading – now get out there and show Wednesday who’s boss.
Will McCahill