A group of business owners on the Westside in Santa Cruz is working to unite the area under a single name, Westside Marketplace, to promote the neighborhood as a destination for both locals and tourists. The brand is launching with an event on Nov. 16, “Welcome to Westside Marketplace,” with around a dozen vendors, so far, offering specials and pop-ups to attract newcomers.
Today’s Top Story
A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County supervisors advance seismic shifts to cannabis consumption rules
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday told cannabis division staff to draw up an ordinance allowing on-site cannabis lounges. The supervisors are expected to take their first vote on the new rules on Dec. 10. If passed, a second vote would likely come sometime in January, with the lounges becoming legal 30 days later.
Posted inLatest News
Inspector seeks ‘full transparency’ on Santa Cruz County Jail deaths
The first report of an Office of Inspector General established to hold the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office accountable is calling for “full transparency” on the in-custody deaths of three men and sexual assault of another, while recommending an overhaul of use-of-force policies and the way the department investigates such incidents.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Amid West Cliff Drive overhaul, city begins to plan next 5 years
More than 50 residents gathered at London Nelson Community Center last Monday to review and provide feedback on potential projects for the next five years along Santa Cruz’s West Cliff Drive as well as the work that is currently underway. The potential efforts range from strengthening transportation and parking to monitoring and protecting the coastline and its ecosystems.
Posted inLatest News
Lookout’s night at the Pulitzers
On Thursday evening, Lookout Santa Cruz formally received the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News, a recognition of the work done during the catastrophic January 2023 storms in Santa Cruz County. A contingent led by managing editor Tamsin McMahon and CEO Ken Doctor was on hand in New York to accept.
Posted inLatest News
Dolphin Restaurant demolition begins as part of Santa Cruz Wharf repairs
Crews have started demolishing the former Dolphin Restaurant as part of repairs to the Santa Cruz Wharf that are expected to be completed by March. The wharf suffered damage in storms in December 2023.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz hopes to trade deeply affordable housing for height limits in downtown expansion
The Santa Cruz City Council endorsed a plan on Tuesday that would offer developers incentives to limit building height to 12 stories in the South of Laurel neighborhood, including reducing the number of units developers are required to offer to very low-income renters.
Posted inHousing & Development
Clocktower Center shake-up: Workbench submits new vision for controversial Santa Cruz project
The Clocktower Center project in Santa Cruz is back, but as a scaled-down version. Initially planned as a 16-story high-rise, the new proposal features a more modest eight-story building with 221 units and ground-floor commercial space. Developer Workbench hopes to bypass early planning stages and move straight to a city council vote.
Posted inEducation
How will Santa Cruz County school districts be affected, if at all, if Proposition 2 passes?
If approved by California voters, Proposition 2 would allow the state to borrow $10 billion to help schools and colleges to fund repairs and construction. Santa Cruz County superintendents talked to Lookout about what they can expect for their districts.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
County fire district measures seek to secure much-needed funding
Three Santa Cruz County fire protection districts — Central Fire, Scotts Valley and Zayante — are each putting either tax or bond measures out to voters this November aimed at funding aspects of fire response, ranging from vehicle fleet updates to modernizing existing fire stations and even constructing new facilities altogether.