Contract negotiations in Pajaro Valley Unified School District have intensified as teachers push back against a district proposal to cap health insurance contributions. The district says the cap is needed to address rising health care costs, while teachers argue it could drive staff out of the district.
Today’s Top Story
A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inFood & Drink
In Santa Cruz, cafés evolve into all-day dining spots as coffee culture shifts
Santa Cruz coffeehouses are expanding into full-service dining, adding chef-driven, all-day menus as high-quality coffee becomes standard and less of a differentiator. While some cafés embrace the shift to stand out and draw customers, others stick with simpler offerings, reflecting a split in how the industry is evolving.
Posted inLatest News
Fatal clocktower stabbing case suspended as suspect is deemed mentally unfit to stand trial
Criminal proceedings against Robert David Worel, the man charged in last month’s fatal stabbing at the clocktower plaza in downtown Santa Cruz, were suspended Monday after a judge ruled that Worel is mentally incompetent to stand trial.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Watsonville Community Hospital is too important to fail — but it can’t survive without transparency
Watsonville Community Hospital, a critical community lifeline, is under increasing financial strain and is actively seeking a major health care partner to help it evolve into a stronger regional hub. As those pressures grow, Lookout’s editorial board sought to better understand how leadership is managing the hospital, but found a level of transparency that falls short of what the public deserves. We see no indication of wrongdoing, but with physician shortages, aging infrastructure and heavy reliance on Medi-Cal funding, the stakes are rising quickly. Saving the hospital will require not only financial investment, but also trust, accountability and greater openness.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
District 4 County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez points to track record, experience in office as he makes bid for a second term
Current District 4 Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez spoke with Lookout about his first term, and responded to criticism from constituents over his stance on a battery storage facility proposed for outside Watsonville.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Capitola automatically renews contract with Flock; anti-surveillance organizers see ‘long road ahead’
Capitola’s contract with Flock Safety for automated license-plate readers in the city will continue for another 24 months. Meanwhile, members of grassroots group Get The Flock Out say they’ll continue to let police and elected officials in Capitola and Watsonville, which also has a deal with Flock, know about their concerns with the Atlanta-based company.
Posted inFood & Drink
Abbott Square adds Indian food, Puerto Rican flavors with two new kiosks
Two new vendors are joining Abbott Square Market, with longstanding farmers market stall India Gourmet opening a permanent kiosk and Luna’s Borikén Bites preparing to debut Puerto Rican dishes in the Octagon. The additions expand the downtown Santa Cruz food hall’s lineup with globally inspired menus.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Pellerin-authored bill inspired by murder of Maddy Middleton makes headway in legislature
A bill authored by California Assemblymember Gail Pellerin in response to the 2015 murder of Santa Cruz 8-year-old Madyson Middleton passed its first legislative hurdle last week. “This isn’t just about Maddy and Santa Cruz,” her mother told Lookout. “It’s about protecting all of California.”
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘It’s not about us versus them’: Supervisor candidate Elias Gonzales wants to build long-lasting relationships to create change in South County
District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor candidate Elias Gonzales spoke with Lookout about his campaign and how he’ll approach issues including affordability, immigration and battery storage.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Scott Newsome, seeking second term, points to successes in housing construction, passing Measure C, preserving affordability
Scott Newsome’s Santa Cruz City Council district, District 4, has seen much change over the past four years, with many new housing developments beginning and finishing construction. It’s also faced adversity, particularly the partial collapse of the wharf. But he says his successes in helping downtown residents preserve affordability and his role in passing Measure C show he’s fit for a second term.