After Aptos High School Principal Alison Hanks-Sloan announced that she wouldn’t be returning to the school as principal next year, teachers and parents were shocked and confused. The father of Hanks-Sloan told Lookout he has seen a letter from the district’s human resources department that informs Hanks-Sloan that she’s being reassigned from her position, and isn’t a resignation letter.
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Posted inPolitics & Policy
City of Santa Cruz negotiating settlement with owners of St. George Residences, delaying fair-rate-of-return ordinance
The City of Santa Cruz is trying to reach a settlement with the owner of the downtown St. George Residences and avoid litigation over a city ordinance that would limit rent increases at government-assisted living facilities with expiring rent agreements. The city hopes to know within several weeks whether the parties can reach an agreement.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
After sudden $700K drop in funding, Second Harvest calls for community support
Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County is facing a sudden loss of over $700,000 in federal aid and a potential $400,000 state funding cut, threatening its ability to provide more than 3 million meals to tens of thousands of residents. In response, the food bank has launched “Operation Bridge the Gap” to encourage community support through donations, volunteering, and advocacy while seeking answers and solutions from policymakers.
Posted inLatest News
Monday evening traffic: Highway 1 lane closures and construction delays
Monday traffic trouble spots around Santa Cruz County.
Posted inSan Lorenzo Valley
SLV High School music students to preview European tour in two concerts Wednesday
San Lorenzo Valley High School’s music program will showcase its talents ahead of a European tour, with two preview performances scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, at the school’s performing arts center in Felton.
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz will regain some local control in deciding fate of unique Westside housing development
A major Westside Santa Cruz development is moving forward — but without a clear plan. For the first time in years, city officials have the power to shape or reject the project, reigniting debates over housing, local control and UC Santa Cruz’s impact on neighborhoods.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Work, erosion continues on West Cliff Drive as next 5 years begin to take shape
The City of Santa Cruz is preparing to begin work on several projects along West Cliff Drive as early as this year, now that the city council has officially approved the road’s five-year roadmap. Meanwhile, more erosion is manifesting in an area that was already closed for about 18 months following the 2023 storms.
Posted inFood & Drink
From crisis to comeback: How a tiny nonprofit is working to save Monterey Bay’s fishing industry
It’s an era of few wins for Monterey Bay’s fishing industry, but the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust, a nonprofit that supports local fishers and sustainability in the bay, is enjoying some success and looking ahead. With partners like Second Harvest Food Bank, the trust’s community seafood program has tripled the amount of locally caught fish provided to needy families in the past two years. This year, it’s working with data scientists and economists to see how it can replace industry infrastructure lost over the past two decades, and grow it for the future – all while prioritizing the health of Monterey Bay.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘Punched in the nose’: Local Canadians try to make sense of a new U.S.-Canada cold war
Canadians living and/or working in the Santa Cruz/Monterey area are trying to comprehend a sudden shift in the historically placid relationship between Canada and the U.S. And they have as many questions as Americans do.
Posted inEducation
Santa Cruz education leaders respond to Trump’s order to dismantle Department of Education
While Santa Cruz County education leaders anticipated President Donald Trump’s executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, it’s nonetheless a major cause of concern for them.