In the first two weeks of the murder trial in the death of Capitola’s Alice “Alix” Herrmann, prosecutors have called a parade of character witnesses who have described defendant Theo Lengyel as a combative person prone to alcohol-fueled rages. Lengyel’s defense has aimed to undermine the credibility of these accounts and has argued that Herrmann’s death was not first-degree murder.
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Posted inLatest News
Dutra trial: Fellow councilmember describes troubled romantic relationship; ex-partner defends Dutra
In testimony in the civil lawsuit in which Jimmy Dutra is accused of molesting a 12-year-old boy in 2005, fellow Watsonville City Councilmember Casey Clark spoke Thursday about a past romantic relationship with Dutra. Clark accused Dutra of “mental and psychological abuse” while they were together and talked about helping the son of Watsonville’s former city manager after he said he was groped by Dutra at a city event in 2018. Dutra’s sister and his partner at the time of the alleged molestation contradicted some of the claims in previous testimony. Closing arguments are set for Friday at 9 a.m.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
In survey, Santa Cruz County seniors cite financial hardship, housing worries
To help local agencies and cities best serve the aging population, the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department is developing a Master Plan for Aging. This week, the agency announced preliminary results of a survey focused on what older local adults say are their most critical needs.
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Ask Lookout: Will there be a mass anchovy die-off in Santa Cruz Harbor this year?
An influx of anchovies has been attracting pelicans and sea lions in recent days, but Senior Deputy Harbormaster John Haynes says that so far this year, it doesn’t appear that there will be a mass die-off of anchovies in the harbor – as there was in 2014. In an interview with Lookout, he described this year’s annual phenomenon and how the Santa Cruz Harbor addresses the influx of fish.
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Jimmy Dutra takes stand to deny sex-abuse allegations in first day of trial
Monday saw opening statements and the first witnesses in the civil sex-abuse court case against Watsonville City Councilmember Jimmy Dutra. Dutra and Kelli Siefke, mother of plaintiff Stephen Siefke, were the first two witnesses called to the stand. The trial is expected to take a week, with full days of hearings throughout.
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Carmageddon: RTC hashes out Highway 1 cost overruns, discusses South County projects in latest meeting
Last week’s Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission meeting had a full agenda with topics ranging from a new executive director and Highway 1 cost overruns to a South County Coastal Rail Trail segment and other projects in the Watsonville area.
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Santa Cruz County wildfire season continues without major incidents, but local fire marshal urges caution
Property owners appear to have stepped up their fire preparedness this year by clearing vegetation from around their homes, according to Central Fire District Fire Marshal Mike DeMars. He told Lookout that this year’s fire season has been calm in Santa Cruz County so far.
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Murder trial begins for former Mr. Bungle musician Theo Lengyel in death of Capitola’s Alyx Herrmann
On the first day of Theo Lengyel’s jury trial, prosecutors painted defendant Lengyel as an alcoholic with anger problems and a history of abusive behavior. Lengyel’s defense attorney did not dispute that he killed his girlfriend, Capitola resident Alice “Alyx” Herrmann, but disputed the characterization of Lengyel as a violent man and argued that Herrmann’s death was not murder.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Local hotel industry finishes July strong
In her weekly roundup, Jessica M. Pasko reports on an occupancy uptick for Santa Cruz County hotels – with a slight dip in room rates – plus comings and goings, numbers to know and events for your calendar.
Posted inEducation
UC Santa Cruz protesters see police warning as attempt to quell Gaza activism
People arrested at the UC Santa Cruz Gaza solidarity encampment in May say they received a letter from university police about their charges. Two UCSC community members tell Lookout they believe the university is trying to discourage activism on campus.