Morning Lookout: Santa Cruz’s most recognizable icon; Cabrillo terminates VP
Good morning and a happy Friday to all who celebrate! It’s Feb. 11, and Santa Cruz County is looking at temperatures from the mid-70s into the low 80s, with much the same forecast for the coming weekend under continued sunny skies.
Presiding over this stretch of gorgeous winter days is our county’s most recognizable icon, the surfer statue on West Cliff Drive. And that’s where Wallace Baine kicks off our new series, Icons of Santa Cruz, as he digs into the history of a landmark that turns 30 this year.
We’ve also got the latest chapter for an embattled administrator at Cabrillo College, with Paul De La Cerda being terminated as of June 30. And elsewhere in local higher education, UC Santa Cruz scored a victory in the fight over its Student Housing West project, but other lawsuits mean the project is still on hold.
It’s a busy day to cap another busy week at Lookout, and if you’re looking to get busy in the job market, we can help there, too:
➤ FUN, CREATIVE, & CIVIC-MINDED JOBS: See all the most recent listings here.
- Visitor Service Aide at Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
- Manager, Partnership Sales at Santa Cruz Warriors
- Guest Services & Volunteer Coordinator at The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Now, let’s get to all those headlines:
The centurion of West Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz County’s longest-serving journalist, Wallace Baine, launches Lookout’s Icons of Santa Cruz series with a deep dive on the history of our most recognizable icon: the surfer statue. Read up on “Wes Clift” here.
➤ MORE OF WHAT MAKES THIS PLACE SO SPECIAL: Find our Unsung Santa Cruz series here
Cabrillo terminates embattled VP
The Cabrillo College governing board has terminated Paul De La Cerda, its vice president of instruction, who faces embezzlement charges in Los Angeles. Get the details here from Lookout’s Hillary Ojeda.
➤ PREVIOUSLY: Cabrillo vice president placed on leave following felony charges related to previous job (Lookout)
Appellate court ruling a victory for UCSC in Student Housing West project
But two lawsuits pending against the large on-campus student housing project mean it’s still on hold. Hillary explains the latest developments.
➤ PREVIOUSLY: UCSC’s Student Housing West hit with second lawsuit as history repeats for long-delayed project (Lookout)
Santa Cruz County vaccine update
The county and state are set to relax indoor mask mandates, but vaccines, boosters and tests remain crucial parts of getting the COVID-19 pandemic under control. Find the latest on vaccination rates, where to find shots and tests and more.
➤ FROM WEDNESDAY: Masks off again: Santa Cruz County to align with state next week as Omicron tapers off (Lookout)
Best Bets has some Valentine’s plans
Whether it’s Beethoven, iconic art, comedy or wine and chocolate you’re looking for this weekend, your options are plentiful. Check out what Wallace Baine and Lookout’s Team BOLO recommend.
➤ GET OUR FULL EVENTS CALENDAR: BOLO, your place to go for things to do
Horrific allegations of racism prompt California lawsuit against Tesla
Racist slurs were hurled daily at Black workers at Tesla’s California plant, delivered not just by fellow employees but also by managers and supervisors, California’s civil rights agency alleges. Our partners at the Los Angeles Times report on the development.
➤ MORE TESLA IMPACT: Silicon Valley’s tech monopoly is over. Is the future in Austin, Texas? (Los Angeles Times)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON STUDENT ACCESS
Around the county ...
➤ Fraudulent ‘card skimmers’ located twice at Capitola bank ATM (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
➤ Pajaro neighborhood questions proposed farmworker housing (The Pajaronian)
➤ Warm weather has Central Coast lifeguards on alert (KSBW-TV)
➤ PG&E monthly bills are set to jump again this year, jolting customers (San Jose Mercury News)
That’s all for right now — but as usual, Friday’s menu includes another serving of Lily Belli’s Eaters Digest, so I’d recommend you keep tabs throughout the day by bookmarking our website and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Lily has a newsletter, too, and you can sign up for that, breaking news alerts and much more at our Lookout Newsletter & Text Center.
It’s always a great day to support local journalism, so please, if you’re not already, consider becoming a Lookout member. Our content isn’t possible without community support.
Have a great day and a safe, relaxing weekend! Catch you back here Monday.
Will McCahill
Lookout Santa Cruz
Quick Take
