The Pajaro Valley Unified School District board approved final layoffs equivalent to about 100 full-time positions Wednesday, including special education staff, mental health clinicians, healthcare assistants, teachers and counselors. Staff, parents and union leaders warned the cuts will worsen student support services, increase workloads and create safety risks on campuses.
Today’s Top Story
A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inPolitics & Policy
State political practices commission investigating Ryan Coonerty for alleged failure in filing statements of economic interests
The California Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating Santa Cruz mayoral candidate Ryan Coonerty for allegedly failing to file statements of economic interests, associated with his adviser role at the City of San Jose Mayor’s Office. Coonerty said the issue goes back to an error at the San Jose city clerk’s office and has since been resolved.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz’s population decline has widened. Low-wage jobs and high housing costs are reasons why.
The city of Santa Cruz has lost 1.3% of its population since 2024 and 3.7% since 2020, a Lookout analysis of the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau finds. The decline is part of a broader exodus from expensive places in California where people struggle to land high-paying jobs.
Posted inLatest News
Advocates rally in Live Oak in support of rail, urge RTC to keep tracks intact
Rail and transit advocates gathered near the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line tracks in Live Oak on Wednesday to rally in support of passenger rail, and to urge the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission not to remove any of the existing tracks as planners work to develop designs for 8 miles of trail between the San Lorenzo River trestle bridge and State Park Drive in Aptos.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Tourism officials focusing on regional visitors amid rising fuel costs; Diversity Center unionizes
Jessica M. Pasko takes the pulse of Santa Cruz County tourism ahead of the crucial summer visitor season, notes another local unionization effort and relays names, dates and numbers to know from the county business scene.
Posted inEducation
Staff ‘outraged’ that Pajaro Valley Unified school board to consider relocation of Renaissance High to Duncan Holbert School
Teachers and staff at two Pajaro Valley Unified schools are opposing a district proposal to relocate Renaissance High to the Duncan Holbert School campus in Watsonville, a move that would disperse Duncan Holbert’s special education students to other elementary schools. District officials argue that the proposal addresses infrastructure costs, declining enrollment and efforts to better integrate special education students with their peers.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Cocktails and cruelty fuel Mountain Community Theater’s fierce ‘Virginia Woolf’
Powered by standout performances and emotional precision, Mountain Community Theater’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” pulls audiences straight into the middle of one very dangerous late-night cocktail party. Capturing both the venom and heartbreak inside Edward Albee’s iconic play, audiences are in for a marathon, but the effort is rewarded.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Capitola City Council OKs some safety improvements on Bay Avenue, but nixes roundabouts
The Capitola City Council moved forward with safety improvements on Bay Avenue between Capitola and Soquel, including lighting and an additional crosswalk, but stopped short of exploring roundabouts at Bay’s intersections with Hill Street and Capitola Avenue.
Posted inFood & Drink
Aptos restaurant Fawn blends California pizza with vinyl culture
Fawn Pizza & Vinyl Bar, which opened in February in Aptos’ Deer Park Marketplace, blends thin-crust pizzas, hearty appetizers and salads with DJ-curated vinyl sets. The space is inspired by Japanese listening bars, a trend that’s gaining traction nationally along with a rise in the popularity of records. Owner Carlos Perez, a former Bay Area DJ and chef, hopes to build the restaurant into a community gathering place centered around music, food and family-friendly nightlife.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Capitola begins its switch to district-based elections, but what will that process look like?
As Capitola begins its switch to district-based elections, consultants detailed to city councilmembers and residents what the process would entail. The city could be divided into four districts and an elected mayor or five districts with a rotating mayor.