The Santa Cruz City Council moved to form a group of city and county staff members to begin exploring options to replace the day services that homelessness nonprofit Housing Matters is poised to halt at the end of March. Staff are expected to return no later than Feb. 28 with a recommendation.
Today’s Top Story
A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inLatest News
Ask Lookout: Why has Santa Cruz’s water demand dropped?
Santa Cruz’s water usage remains at its lowest since the 1960s, despite population growth in the past few decades. Officials say cultural shifts, shrinking lawns and efficient appliances have helped keep demand low.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: After major reversal on Coastal Rail Trail segments, what comes next?
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s decision to shift toward building three segments of the Coastal Rail Trail over the tracks means that the RTC and planners working on the project have their work cut out for them, both at the state level and with the other parties involved with the rail line.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
What The Catalyst means to Santa Cruz’s music scene, its culture and its sense of itself
With The Catalyst in the news as the possible site of a new downtown housing development, maybe it’s time for a reminder of just how influential and central this performance venue has been to Santa Cruz’s musical subcultures.
Posted inLatest News
RTC narrowly approves Keeley-Koenig ‘peace deal’ proposal to build trail segments over railroad tracks
In a 7-5 vote, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission approved a proposal by Commissioners Manu Koenig and Fred Keeley to build three segments of the Coastal Rail Trail over the railroad tracks in a change of plans for the major project.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Waymo’s expansion includes a sliver of Santa Cruz County. What does that mean for local roads?
Waymo, a company operating self-driving cars, recently expanded its operations into more of the Bay Area, including an area of Lexington Hills that lies mostly in Santa Clara County but very slightly reaches into Santa Cruz County. However, don’t expect to see Waymos on local roads in the near future.
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Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge postpones Leif Ames murder trial again
A Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge again postponed the long-delayed murder trial of Leif Ames after the defendant’s attorney failed to appear at a trial readiness hearing, citing a scheduling conflict.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Demolition, relocation eyed for Catalyst; Westside revitalization story; new wine district moves forward
A Silicon Valley developer has proposed demolishing the historic downtown Santa Cruz home of The Catalyst nightclub and erecting a new seven-story, mixed-use building, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly survey of local business. She’s also got news from the Westside, on the local wine industry and more.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
From steelhead to sewer lines: Why the Murray Street Bridge rebuild can’t move faster
Construction on the Murray Street Bridge has disrupted traffic and strained nearby businesses, but Santa Cruz officials say the three-year timeline can’t be shortened, in part because of strict environmental regulations.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
ICE has visited Santa Cruz County at least 13 times since July, records show
In the past five months, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have visited Santa Cruz County at least 13 times, according to documents from the county sheriff and Watsonville police.