Jimmy Dutra won reelection to the Watsonville City Council with 55% of the vote, two months after a jury found him liable for sexually assaulting a minor in a civil lawsuit. Some voters in District 6 cited Dutra’s neighborhood advocacy as the reason behind their support, while others questioned the lawsuit’s validity.
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Posted inHousing & Development
Residents raise concerns over 157-unit housing project near Henry Cowell
A major housing development planned between Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz drew more than 60 residents to a community meeting Wednesday, where they raised concerns that ranged from traffic and water usage to school and nature impacts. The project is in the application submittal phase, and there are currently no estimates for timeline or total cost.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
Proposal to replace Santa Cruz BMX ramps with pickleball courts pits pedals vs. paddles
In Santa Cruz, the growing demand for pickleball courts has collided with the city’s lone BMX park, at Depot Park. At a community meeting Wednesday, pickleball players and BMX riders discussed the future of the space, sparking a broader conversation about balancing recreation needs for all generations.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Poet Gary Young leads effort to honor the art of Santa Cruz sage Gene Holtan
On the heels of the release of his new book of poems, Santa Cruz’s Gary Young draws new interest in the art and life of his mentor, the painter and illustrator Gene Holtan. An exhibition is on now at downtown’s M.K. Contemporary Art, with a pop-up this weekend at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
I entered a man in the Women on Waves surf event – we need to open discussion about transgender athletes competing in non-coed events
Local surf coach Calder Nold, a male, illuminated a controversy when he surfed in this year’s Women on Waves surf event. EmilyAnne Pillari, a local chiropractor and avid surfer, entered him and here, she explains why: to draw attention to the event’s vague entry rules and to open conversations about transgender athletes competing in non-coed events, which she believes is inherently unfair. She refutes points in a previous op-ed by Liza Monroy.
Posted inLatest News
Morning Lookout: Westside shooting victim speaks, ‘tiny village’ appeal denied, Scotts Valley Town Center vote
Santa Cruz County headlines from Lookout for the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Posted inLatest News
‘It’s a miracle’: Victim of Westside drive-by shooting defies the odds
Following a Westside Santa Cruz drive-by shooting in mid-November, the two victims, Merrill Roberts and Richard Brookes, have returned home, where they continue their recovery. Oceanside resident Roberts said it is a “miracle” that he is not dead or paralyzed.
Posted inHousing & Development
Scotts Valley Town Center vision, land purchase could advance with city council vote Wednesday
Scotts Valley’s decadeslong quest for a vibrant downtown hub could move closer to reality this week, as city leaders are set to decide on a pivotal land purchase and affirm residents’ vision for a community-centered Town Center, featuring housing, retail and gathering spaces.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville Planning Commission denies appeal of ‘tiny village’ homeless housing project
The Watsonville Planning Commission on Tuesday denied an appeal filed by resident Catalina Torres asking the commission to rescind zoning approval of the 34-unit “tiny village” project intended to provide shelter for the unhoused on the Westview Presbyterian Church property.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Santa Cruz County Bank’s new hire ahead of rebrand; search for Chamber of Commerce CEO
Alison Voorhees is now the senior vice president and director of marketing at Santa Cruz County Bank, the county chamber of commerce expects big interest for its CEO opening, Joby Aviation clears another hurdle – you’ll find all that and more in Jessica M. Pasko’s local business roundup.