Quick Take:
Jeri Ross lost her father to incarceration when she was 10 and then, as an adult, spent decades wishing she could visit...
Gooood morning, Santa Cruz County! It is Thursday, Sept. 7, and a gradual warmup is in store as we coast into the weekend, with mid-70s to mid-80s expected.
In a hurry to consume Lookout’s latest? Feast upon these links.
JUMP TO … Latest News | Opinion | Events | Guides | Puzzles
Local school districts’ struggles with chronic absenteeism is first up, with Hillary Ojeda reporting on a changing focus in messaging. Amid the pandemic, schools erred on the side of keeping students home for health and safety reasons; now, attendance is a priority.
With the Santa Cruz County Fair coming next week, Wallace Baine talked with Zeke Fraser, who landed the CEO job not only with way less time to prepare for the annual event than usual but also after a tumultuous stretch that saw previous CEOs fired or resign and turmoil on the fair board and among supporters.
From Lookout’s Community Voices opinion section comes an op-ed from Jeri Ross, who writes from experience about how important prison visits are to both the family of those incarcerated and to those behind bars.
Also among Thursday’s packed set of headlines is Jessica M. Pasko’s roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community … shall we take a look?
Too many students are missing class: Santa Cruz County schools struggle with steep rise in chronic absenteeism
Local school leaders are working to address chronic absenteeism rates that have remained stubbornly high since the pandemic. In addition to sending letters to families, Santa Cruz County districts are knocking on more doors and making more phone calls home. The strategy is a shift from the past three years of messaging that erred on the side of encouraging students to stay home from school for health and safety reasons. Hillary Ojeda has the picture.
After a stormy offseason, Zeke Fraser is hustling to get the Santa Cruz County Fair up and running
Less than three months into his tenure as Santa Cruz County Fair CEO, the pressure is on for Zeke Fraser to pull off this year’s version, which runs Sept. 13-17. The longtime local talks about getting up to speed, what’s on tap for this year’s fair and bridging the North County-South County divide. Check out his Q&A with Wallace Baine.
➤ LOOKOUT Q&As: Hear from Santa Cruz County newsmakers in their own words
That, friends, is what I know this here Thursday. I can also tell you that there’s more coming from Lookout, including another edition of Weekender, Wallace Baine’s recommendation-packed jaunt through Santa Cruz County arts and entertainment. You can get that delivered right to you by clicking right here, where you can avail yourself of not only all of Lookout’s other newsletters but breaking news alerts via text and email, too. For you social types, give Lookout a follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Threads to stay on top of local news and views.
Our content isn’t possible without community support, so if you’re not already, please consider becoming a Lookout member.
Tally ho — let’s run Thursday down.
Will McCahill
Lookout Santa Cruz
Upcoming events in Santa Cruz County
FRIDAY 10/20
The Mountain Affair @Ristorante Casa Nostra
Beers, Bikes and Bon Bons @Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
Vine to View Dinner @Chaminade Resort & Spa
10 O’Clock Lunch Band @Mid-County Senior Center
“The Thin Place” by Lucas Hnath @Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre
SATURDAY 10/21
Wonderland – The Gala @Hotel Paradox
Pickleball Tournament @Cabrillo College
20th Annual Bonny Doon Art, Wine & Brew Festival @Crest Ranch
The 7th Annual Floating Pumpkin Patch @Simpkins Family Swim Center
Pleasure Point Sip & Stroll @Pleasure Point
Symphony Concert: Operas Of Seville @Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Uncork Corralitos @Alladin Nursery
SUNDAY 10/22
Symphony Concert: Operas Of Seville @Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts
Lydia Pense & Cold Blood @Moe’s Alley
Gaby Castro @Chaminade Resort & Spa
Solidarity Records: The Fully Baked Tour @Shanty Shack Brewing
An Evening With Patty Griffin & Todd Snider @Rio Theatre