Live Oak School District Superintendent Daisy Morales announced her resignation on March 15 after months of turmoil. Interviews with district staff and teachers describe a breakdown of trust between staff and leadership over the past year.
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Cruz Hotel gets final green light from city, but prospect of Coastal Commission appeal looms
The Cruz Hotel, developer Owen Lawlor’s latest local venture, cleared the Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday with overwhelming support. However, the much-debated downtown hotel could still face another political hurdle if the project is appealed to the California Coastal Commission.
Board of supervisors fails to approve two sections of Coastal Rail Trail
With Supervisor Zach Friend recusing himself Tuesday, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors deadlocked on the staff recommendation to approve Segments 10 and 11 of the Coastal Rail Trail, running between 17th Avenue in Live Oak and State Park Drive in Aptos.
Lily Belli on Food: Locals hit Sacramento to support nutrition program, Mentone’s new chef and clean that grill
LILY BELLI ON FOOD Welcome to Lily Belli on Food, a weekly food-focused newsletter from Lookout’s food and drink correspondent, Lily Belli. Keep reading for the latest local food news for Santa Cruz County – plus a few fun odds and ends from my own life and around the web. Stay in touch with me […]
‘This is a big loss’: John Friel, former Watsonville hospital CEO and health care district chair, passes away
John Friel, a former Watsonville Community Hospital CEO and district board chairman, died Thursday after battling illness. He was 79. Hospital leaders say his passing is a “big loss.”
Morning Lookout: Housing market’s slow patch; local progressivism in retreat?
Tuesday’s top Santa Cruz County headlines from Lookout.
Santa Cruz County’s housing market may be waking up from a winter slumber
While the January and February housing market reflected a familiar winter slowness, that could be on its way out. Realtors say people are beginning to prep their properties for the market and holding open houses, while mortgage advisors believe interest rates will continue to drop throughout 2024.
In the Public Interest: Surfers, lawmakers push back against proposal to expand marine protections in Santa Cruz County
IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST Surfers, lawmakers push back against proposal to expand marine protections in Santa Cruz County Shawn Dollar, a born-and-bred Pleasure Point resident, is known around the globe as a big-wave surfer whose ability to navigate the intimidating swells of Mavericks and Cortes Bank has earned him trophies and world records. Locally, Dollar […]
High school sports roundup: Soquel takes down Aptos in SCCAL baseball thriller and booming softball bats
In this week’s look at high school sports action around Santa Cruz County, Soquel High rebounds from a loss at Santa Cruz High to beat Aptos High in a packed baseball slate, county softball teams putting up big offensive numbers plus more on tennis, swimming, golf and beach volleyball.
Morning Lookout: Marine protection dispute, Watsonville gardens feud, Murray Street Bridge update
Monday headlines from Lookout Santa Cruz.

