With most of the state gripped by extreme dryness, some conditions are better, some worse, than the last record-breaking drought. Over-pumping of wells hasn’t stopped. But urban residents haven’t lapsed back into water-wasting lifestyles.
Civic Life
Posted inCoast Life
The gateway to the Cement Ship is back — at least part of it. Here’s what we know about the weather-worn pier
Closed for about a year while state parks assessed storm damage, the pier leading to the SS Palo Alto at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos has been deemed safe and is once again accessible to pleased locals.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Amid the muffled mask guidance, local businesses begin plotting their path back to life
The Centers for Disease Control says one thing, the state is following another course (at least until June 15), and from there it remains unclear what kind of guidance will exist for businesses on how to check whether a customer has been vaccinated or not.
Posted inCOVID Today
Third time’s a charm: Santa Cruz County moves into yellow tier, loosening up restrictions on many businesses
After twice just missing out on a move from orange into yellow, Santa Cruz County got the nod finally on Tuesday and will officially join the yellow tier ranks one day from now.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Supreme Court agrees to hear major abortion case challenging Roe vs. Wade
A more conservative Supreme Court will weigh a woman’s right to choose abortion.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Homicides surge in California amid COVID shutdowns of schools, youth programs
California endured a brutal spike in homicides in 2020 across large swaths of the state, registering the largest year-over-year increase in victims in three decades. Experts cite as one significant factor a rise in gang violence fueled by pandemic shutdowns of schools, sports leagues and programs for at-risk youth.
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Mondays with Kuumbwa: one of the great jazz venues of the world, reimagined
With a goal to continue their mission to uplift the community through music and music education, Kuumbwa Jazz created Mondays with Kuumbwa, a weekly virtual video series available every Monday on the Kuumbwa website.
Posted inK-12 Education
‘It’s bigger than just us now’: SLV teens behind Instagram account alleging school sex abuse speak up
Two young women have posted more than 45 stories detailing sexual assault and violence from students and alumni of San Lorenzo Valley High and other schools in Santa Cruz County to an Instagram account. The accusations have resulted in the district putting two teachers on paid leave and investigating two other district employees. The 18-year-olds sat down with Lookout to talk about the account, their motivation and their goals.
Posted inK-12 Education
‘Heartbreaking it’s happening in our schools’: Faris Sabbah talks educator misconduct, flaws in the system
“I think we have this responsibility to do everything we can to make sure our schools are safe. At the same time, I think that it’s bringing awareness in the same way that I think cameras are changing our understanding of what happens in law enforcement. I think that bringing awareness is a good thing.”
Posted inHousing & Development
Will June hearing be the end of injunction vs. city in Benchlands homeless lawsuit?
A federal judge could dissolve an injunction keeping the city of Santa Cruz from clearing a homeless encampment in the San Lorenzo Benchlands at a June 29 hearing set Thursday.