Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart talked to Lookout Thursday about his support of Black Lives Matter, losing a deputy in the line of duty and his office’s future challenges.
Government
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Sheriff: No ‘heavy discipline, termination’ for officers after gathering may have led to jail COVID outbreak
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart has set a Jan. 6 deadline to complete an investigation into whether a large gathering led to a coronavirus outbreak among correctional officers. Hart called it a “learning moment” for the people involved, “for them to understand that their actions impact more than just themselves.”
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz to close San Lorenzo Park, citing problems with homeless encampment
The city’s emergency executive order cites crime, trespassing, graffiti, social distancing issues and trash as reasons for the park’s temporary closure.
Posted inCOVID 2022
Next in line for California’s COVID-19 vaccine? Teachers and first responders, panel says
New Leaf Community Markets brand manager Lindsay Gizdich said the store is moving from Pacific Avenue in order to have…
Posted inCOVID 2022
Nursing homes account for 72% of deaths in Santa Cruz County: Data reveals surprising trends
LOOKOUT EXCLUSIVE: A breakdown of the COVID-19 fatalities in Santa Cruz County shows nursing homes accounting for far more deaths than in other parts of the state. “The virus does not give you a break,” one health official says.
Posted inCOVID 2022
Stay-home order triggered for Santa Cruz County, Bay Area region after ICU capacity drops to 12.9%
Residents now have about 36 hours to make preparations; the new restrictions will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday. That puts Friday, Jan. 8, as the re-evaluation date for any reopening of closed services.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
WATCH: 21 for ’21 event delves into where we’re headed as new year approaches
“We’ve got more crises to come, and we need to build our communities in ways that absorb the shocks — and maybe even benefit from those disruptions,” said County Supervisor Ryan Coonerty, one of the panelists.
Posted inUncategorized
Santa Cruz’s mission bell removal raises an inevitable question: What’s next?
THE HERE & NOW: Where does the line get drawn for what needs to change? Mission bells could lead to Mission Street. And from there you start getting into deeper dark places within California’s history.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville citizens clear on favorite downtown features. Could six new neighborhoods be in their future?
A survey asking Watsonville residents what they want out of their downtown area came back with the farmers’ market and city plaza rising above other favorites. Now, a planning firm will take that feedback and brainstorm.
Posted inCOVID 2022
‘Such a burnout’: As workloads rise, nurses hope new testing guidelines, vaccines, bring relief
As COVID-19 surges, nurses in Santa Cruz County are being stretched to their limits. And getting tested for many has been just as challenging as it has for the general public. Will new testing protocol and a vaccine lesson the burden?