Santa Cruz County headlines from Lookout for the morning of Monday, Dec. 30.
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Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Bay Street improvements starting up in 2025 — and continuing for several more years
The start to a safer Bay Street corridor is getting off the ground on Santa Cruz’s Westside in 2025, with two sections beginning the work to introduce new bike lanes and transit infrastructure to the major corridor. There will be two open houses in January, where curious residents can learn more about the multiyear effort.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville ‘road diet’ entering environmental studies phase; city wants Caltrans construction date to move up
The Caltrans-led “road diet” project in downtown Watsonville aims to reduce Main Street’s four lanes to two lanes with a third running down the middle and is moving as scheduled. The project is entering its environmental studies phase, but city officials want the 2031 construction date to be moved up.
Posted inEducation
UPDATE: Charges not yet filed against any of the 122 protesters arrested at UCSC Palestine encampment last May
UC Santa Cruz police are still investigating what happened when they made arrests of 122 people at the Gaza solidarity encampment May 31. The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office said it hasn’t finished reviewing reports and hasn’t made formal filing decisions.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
The Shapers: Bruce McPherson’s retirement means the end of a remarkable career and a 160-year family legacy
Bruce McPherson is retiring after 50 years in the public spotlight in Santa Cruz County, as a newspaper editor, state representative, and county supervisor. But his retirement also means that the McPherson family legacy, dating back to the Civil War, is eclipsing as well.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
The city and county now have diverse representatives – we got here through equal opportunity, not quotas
Lookout politics columnist Mike Rotkin supports diversity in city and county government, but not quotas. Here, he walks us through our own community’s history with this divisive topic and says other communities can learn from Santa Cruz County’s successes.
Posted inEnvironment
Storm surge causes $20 million in damages to Santa Cruz Harbor, leaving boat residents in limbo
The Santa Cruz Harbor is still assessing damages that have so far amounted to $20 million after Monday’s storm surge. Port District Director Holland MacLaurie said she doesn’t have a timeline for when repairs will be completed.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz Wharf likely closed for weeks as city weighs whether to rebuild
The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf likely faces weeks of closure after storm damage destroyed a 150-foot section. Officials are exploring aid for affected businesses and workers and debating whether to rebuild the section that collapsed Monday.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Where to go for New Year’s Eve in Santa Cruz County
From laser-lit dance parties to intimate musical performances, there are plenty of New Year’s Eve celebrations going on across Santa Cruz County to bid farewell to 2024 and ring in the start of 2025.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz Wharf businesses face many uncertainties, concerns for future
Business owners and employees who work on the Santa Cruz Wharf don’t yet know when they’ll be able to get back on the job after the partial collapse of the wharf on Monday. City officials say they’re working around the clock to assess damage but it’s unclear when they’ll know when the wharf can reopen.