Firefighters were allowing a large blaze at a power plant and battery storage facility in Moss Landing to burn itself out, as Monterey County officials lifted evacuation orders for nearby neighborhoods Friday afternoon. Highway 1 remained closed indefinitely in area around the power plant.
Today’s Top Story
A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inLatest News
Reimagine Metro hits speed bump due to aging buses, but expansion plans on tap for fall, CEO says
The major service changes to Santa Cruz Metro are still doable, said CEO Corey Aldridge, even if few of the transit agency’s new hydrogen buses are road-ready. Additional maintenance staff and shifts will help turnaround on the current aging fleet’s repairs, and Metro is confident it can complete its service changes by September.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Determining what went wrong during Santa Cruz Wharf collapse will be long process, city says
Santa Cruz officials are investigating the Dec. 23 wharf collapse, which caused nearly $19 million in damage. The city has approved a recovery package and is planning a structural analysis to determine future steps.
Posted inLatest News
Central Fire District Captain Steve Ramirez brought joy and compassion to a demanding profession
Central Fire District Captain Steve Ramirez died unexpectedly this weekend while on duty at his station. The 54-year-old served with the district for 24 years, and is remembered for an upbeat, joyous personality that lifted his colleagues up during even the most difficult circumstances, and as a man who loved his family and friends more than anything.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County agents say new insurance rules offer hope for homeowners, even as fires rage in Southern California
Santa Cruz County agents see a glimmer of hope in new state regulations aimed at enticing insurance companies back to the California market, though questions about access and affordability remain.
Posted inFood & Drink
National egg shortage hits some stores, but local businesses sourcing from Aptos’ Glaum Egg Ranch ‘fully stocked’
Markets and grocery stores throughout Santa Cruz County are unable to stock eggs due to outbreaks of avian flu, which is causing a nationwide shortage. But bakeries, grocery stores and restaurants that source eggs from family-owned Glaum Egg Ranch in Aptos say their supply hasn’t been affected.
Posted inLatest News
Cal/OSHA confirms it is investigating Santa Cruz Wharf collapse
The state agency responsible for holding employers accountable for workplace safety has launched an investigation into the Dec. 23 Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf collapse, a spokesperson for Cal/OSHA confirmed.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
‘We’re drowning’: Dominican nurses raise alarms over staffing, patient care
Nurses at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz say staffing levels aren’t meeting the needs of patients who are arriving with more severe conditions than in prior years. They told Lookout that hospital administrators aren’t doing enough to address their concerns.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: A guide to Santa Cruz County’s 2025 road projects
It’s a new year, which means new — and ongoing — projects will bring some road delays throughout 2025 in Santa Cruz County. Here are the major projects slated to begin, and in some cases, wrap up throughout the year.
Posted inLatest News
High surf prompts beach hazards statement in Santa Cruz County
High surf and sneaker waves could hit Santa Cruz County this weekend, but the impacts are likely to be far less dramatic than the huge swells of last week. The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement from Friday until early Sunday morning.