The highly publicized battle over an 800-foot stretch of concrete behind a row of homes in Rio Del Mar has been settled, for now.
Today’s Top Story
A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inEducation
Cabrillo College, UCSC break ground on joint housing project after last-minute deal to save state funding
Cabrillo College and UC Santa Cruz have officially broken ground on Costa Vista, a $181 million, 624-bed joint student housing project aimed at combating homelessness and housing insecurity among students.
Posted inBonny Doon / Davenport
The Renegades saved homes during CZU. Five years later, emergency responders still call it the wrong move.
Five years after the CZU fire, “The Renegades” of Bonny Doon are remembered as both heroes and cautionary tales — neighbors who defied evacuation orders to fight flames themselves, saving homes but igniting a debate over the risk of staying back.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Capitola City Council drops code-of-conduct complaint against Councilmember Melinda Orbach
The Capitola City Council unanimously dismissed a code-of-conduct complaint against Councilmember Melinda Orbach at a packed Thursday meeting. The council invited the complainant, Kevin Maguire, to return to its next meeting to further share his thoughts.
Posted inEducation
UC Santa Cruz first-years excited for a fresh start as new school year kicks off this week
Thursday marks the first day of classes for UC Santa Cruz students for the 2025-26 school year. UCSC officials previously told Lookout they expect overall undergraduate enrollment will be similar to the past two years, at around 17,600 to 17,790 students.
Posted inLatest News
As KION ends local news, KSBW is now only TV broadcaster serving 750K on the Central Coast
In a move that stunned staff and viewers alike, Salinas-based KION abruptly shuttered its newsroom after 56 years, leaving the Central Coast with just one local TV news outlet and raising questions about who will tell the region’s stories.
Posted inSan Lorenzo Valley
Santa Cruz Mountains housing market is still popular post-CZU — but buyers face new difficulties
Despite the destruction the CZU fires brought to the Santa Cruz Mountains, prospective homebuyers continue to look in part due to better value for price. But anxious memories are making some think twice, while insurance uncertainty makes purchasing there a bigger gamble than before the fire.
Posted inHousing & Development
As Scotts Valley’s first affordable housing project breaks ground, mayor says developer, state bulldozed public process
As Scotts Valley’s first all-affordable housing project in decades moves forward, Mayor Derek Timm laments the loss of prime office space and local control, while developer Workbench hails the 100-unit project as a milestone win for housing.
Posted inLatest News
Street view: Santa Cruz County residents split on $4.3 billion train and trail
Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud took to the streets to talk to residents about their perspectives on the planned passenger train and 32-mile coastal trail, whether they would regularly use either, and if they would support higher sales taxes to help pay for the ambitious projects.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County businesses turn to privately funded services as economic pressures mount and government support shrinks
Facing economic headwinds and shrinking tax revenues for local services, some Santa Cruz County merchants are embracing business improvement districts, opting to tax themselves to pay for extra amenities like street-cleaning, private security and marketing. New districts are in the works for wineries, Midtown and possibly the Westside.