Jose Garcia will become Santa Cruz’s interim police chief on Oct. 31, succeeding retiring Chief Bernie Escalante. Garcia has served as the department’s deputy chief since 2020.
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Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County confronts $30 million budget shortfall while touting progress on mental health, homelessness
Santa Cruz County leaders held their first State of the County address Tuesday evening, providing residents an overview of recent successes but also serious financial challenges that lie ahead for the county.
Posted inEducation
PVUSD school board candidate Curt Wilcox charged with felonies related to candidacy filing
Pajaro Valley Unified school board candidate Curt Wilcox was arrested Sept. 18 and faces felony charges related to his candidacy filing, including allegations involving his residency and voter registration.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz mayoral candidates Ami Chen Mills, Ryan Coonerty clash over AI, Flock cameras and campaign conduct
Lookout’s Santa Cruz mayoral candidate forum saw Ami Chen Mills and Ryan Coonerty discuss a variety of city issues, including budgets and homelessness. However, between talking about the issues, the candidates also talked about the divisiveness of the campaign — and the issues they’ve had with each other.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville to cut Flock surveillance cameras from 37 to 20, tighten data rules
The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday voted 5-2 to scale back the police department’s use of Flock Safety cameras after an often-tense, nearly five-hour discussion.
Posted inLatest News
Sheriff opposes proposed Santa Cruz Mountains placement of convicted rapist Michael Cheek
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Chris Clark is opposing the proposed placement of rapist Michael Cheek in a Los Gatos property in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Posted inFood & Drink
Inside Verve Coffee workers’ tentative union contract: Higher sick pay, AI limits and guaranteed hours
Verve Coffee Roasters workers across six Bay Area cafés have reached a tentative union contract after nearly 10 months of bargaining, with guaranteed hours, advance scheduling, wage increases and other workplace protections. The agreement also includes what union leaders call industry-first provisions for an extra $5 per hour in sick pay to offset lost tips and limits on how Verve can use AI to make decisions about employees.
Posted inLatest News
Monterey County officials continue to monitor Moss Landing fire; shelter-in-place order lifted
Monterey County officials continue to monitor the fire scene at the battery storage facility in Moss Landing where flames erupted Friday morning. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office lifted its shelter-in-place order Friday afternoon.
Posted inLatest News
Fire reignites at Moss Landing battery plant; Monterey County officials issue shelter-in-place order
Residents near the Moss Landing battery plant were under a shelter-in-place order after a fire erupted at the facility early Friday morning.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz Police Chief Bernie Escalante retiring after 30 years of service, nearly five as police chief
Bernie Escalante, who has served as Santa Cruz’s police chief since October 2021, is retiring at the end of October following 30 years of service.
