Jules Sherriff on the steps at Cabrillo College on Nov. 22, 2021.

Morning Lookout: Cabrillo enrollment sags, charter boat worries and Sunny Cove sculpture

By Will McCahill

Source: Lookout Santa Cruz

Good day, dear readers. It’s Tuesday, Nov. 23, and we’re looking at another mostly sunny one around Santa Cruz County, with highs in the 60s.

I’ve got news for you from all over the county this morning:

Like many community colleges amid the pandemic, Cabrillo College saw a drop in enrollment — but, the school’s president told Lookout’s Hillary Ojeda, it’s a smaller one than the California average.
Folks who run whale-watching and sportfishing charters out of Santa Cruz are keeping a wary eye on a proposal that would require their boats to use cleaner motors — something that could put many out of business, Lookout’s Grace Stetson found.
Lookout’s Kevin Painchaud went looking for what was behind the mysterious sand sculpture that popped up at a Live Oak beach over the weekend, and found that it was a test run of sorts.
And Lookout’s Wallace Baine checked in with Scott Cooper, the musician who’s at the center of Santa Cruz’s thriving Grateful Dead subculture.

So without further delay, here are Tuesday’s headlines:

Cabrillo College enrollment declines, but rate lower than statewide

Faculty and students hike the steps on Cabrillo College campus on Nov. 22, 2021, in Aptos

Between fall 2019 and fall 2020, the California Community Colleges system saw an enrollment decline of 14.8% — a result of the wide-ranging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read what Cabrillo’s president told Lookout’s Hillary Ojeda about his school’s lower rate.

Sportfishing, whale watching charters endangered?

Passengers on a charter boat watch whales in the Pacific Ocean

Proposed new pollution standards focus on excursion boats — and that has local businesses worried. Here’s what Lookout’s Grace Stetson heard.

➤ MORE FROM THE BAY: Crab season delayed again; fisheries, markets, restaurants learning to adjust (Lookout)

Did aliens land at Sunny Cove?

It took Jim Denevan and his team of a dozen two days to make the sand sculpture at Sunny Cove Beach.

It took renowned local artist Jim Denevan and his team two days to build the installation that’s caused ripples across social media. Here’s what we know about the sand sculpture.

➤ MORE BIG ART: Is Santa Cruz now officially among the top mural towns in America? It just might be (Lookout)

At the center of Santa Cruz’s Grateful Dead subculture

Singer and guitarist Scott Cooper finds a way to blend his songwriting style into his interpretation of the Dead. Lookout’s Wallace Baine maps out the scene.

With hospitals full, Central California pleading to send COVID-19 patients to L.A.

Community Regional Medical Center in downtown Fresno

Officials are urging California to make it easier to transfer hospital patients to places like L.A. County. Our partners at the Los Angeles Times report on the crisis.

➤ LOCALLY: ‘Potential winter surge’ leads Santa Cruz County health officials to order use of masks indoors (Lookout)

Around the county ...

➤ Santa Cruz police to double down on traffic scofflaws with $85K grant (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
➤ METRO CEO Alex Clifford announces departure (The Pajaronian)
➤ Thanksgiving traffic: The Bay Area’s best/worst times to hit the road (San Jose Mercury News)

And that’s what I know this Tuesday morning. You can keep tabs throughout the day by bookmarking our website and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram — and hit up the Lookout Newsletter & Text Center to sign up for breaking news alerts and to get our Lookout PM and Best Bets newsletters delivered to your inbox.

And if you’re not already, please consider becoming a Lookout member. Our content isn’t possible without community support.

Have a super Tuesday!

Will McCahill
Lookout Santa Cruz