As 30% of its population continues to either rebuild, mitigate damage or choose where else to go next, the state of California, via a private company called Liberty Healthcare, has dropped another bomb on the community of Bonny Doon. A Santa Cruz judge can bring sanity to the situation Tuesday, but the recommended placement illustrates that this is a system in need of overhaul.
K-12 Education
PHOTOS: Vigil held in Watsonville to honor Aptos High stabbing victim
New Leaf Community Markets brand manager Lindsay Gizdich said the store is moving from Pacific Avenue in order to have…
‘I couldn’t not be there’: Aptos High parents, community bring the love as students return to school
Parents and others with close ties to the Aptos community turned out to support students and deal with their own grieving process Friday morning along Freedom Boulevard. Said one: “It hurt my heart. It’s tragic and unfathomable … and there’s gonna be trauma.”
Aptos High tragedy: Campus police program back on table; sheriff says suspects have gang affiliation
On Tuesday afternoon, Aptos High School was locked down for nearly three hours after a student was fatally stabbed and two others were taken into custody in an attack officials said was gang-related. County and school leaders convened in a virtual community meeting Thursday to discuss safety measures for the school moving forward.
A fearful Friday looms: Aptos High parents grapple with emotions of sending children back to school
With Aptos High students set to return to school Friday in the wake of this week’s fatal stabbing, parents are dealing with the inevitable trauma of whether the school environment is safe. Counselors say those emotions are very normal.
Happy Masks became a COVID must-have. That sparked a back-to-school frenzy
Happy Masks’ face coverings for kids are a back-to-school sensation amid heightened COVID-19 anxiety — but good luck buying one. “It felt like I was trying to get tickets to the Rolling Stones,” said one mom after a recent failed attempt.
Not enough subs: California schools face severe teacher shortage
Long underpaid and underappreciated, substitute teachers are key to keeping schools open this year. But a shortage of subs has created another layer of chaos to this pandemic school year.
Pencils, paper, PCR testing: Start of school year in Santa Cruz County amid Delta brings hopes and concerns
Dozens of students and school staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, but county and district officials have markedly stepped up testing procedures while keeping steady with masking and hygiene protocols.
What to know: Santa Cruz County high school safety plans
Lookout Santa Cruz is providing a summary of safety measures and protocols by high school. This list will be updated as more officials provide details and context to their plans.
‘It doesn’t make sense’: County’s top cop decries PVUSD decision to break relationship with sheriff’s office
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart says he doesn’t understand the Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s decision to sever ties with his office. “I hear the advocates for defunding the police and about the school-to-prison pipeline,” he said, “but with this county, we know that’s not true.”

