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.
Environment
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 inLatest News
Wildfire Resource Center Part 3: What to do during a wildfire
DURING A WILDFIRE: This section of Lookout’s Wildfire Resource Center covers how to deal with wildfire when it happens. Topics include monitoring weather and air quality, ensuring you’re ready for an evacuation, and how you can volunteer or donate to those in need.
Posted inLatest News
Wildfire Resource Center Part 2: What to do during the dry season, when fire risk is high
MAY 1 — NOV. 30, “FIRE SEASON”: This section of Lookout’s Wildfire Resource Center covers wildfire preparedness during the warm, dry months of the year. Tips include creating an evacuation plan for your family, pets and neighbors, signing up for official alerts, and how to be a responsible camper.
Posted inEnvironment
New report: Drought to hit rural Latino communities hardest
The Legislative Analyst’s Office warns California lawmakers to prepare to dispatch emergency drinking water to vulnerable communities, particularly in the Central Valley.
Posted inLatest News
Did you hear that big boom in Santa Cruz County Thursday night? What experts say happened
Residents across the county reported hearing something akin to a sonic boom Thursday night. Lookout reached out to national experts to figure out what happened.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
County agrees to delay 25-cent charge for disposable cups. What it all means for you
The ordinance — first approved in late 2019 but delayed amid the pandemic — would require restaurants and stores in unincorporated parts of Santa Cruz County that sell beverages in single-use cups to charge an additional 25 cents for each cup.
Posted inEnvironment
Drought explainer: Why isn’t Santa Cruz included in the state’s newly released emergency plan?
Santa Cruz County is in “extreme” drought, yet the county wasn’t included in the Governor’s drought emergency declaration. Why not?
Posted inCoast Life
Weird-looking deep-sea fish washes ashore in Newport Beach
The fish, which typically lives thousands of feet underwater, was found in pristine condition at Crystal Cove State Beach.
Posted inEnvironment
California proposal embraces all-electric buildings but stops short of gas ban
Environmental advocates had hoped that California would become the first state to require all-electric housing in new construction. Instead, they got an incremental step toward the use of electric heat.