Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart will step down in December after 10 years on the job. Hart sat down with Lookout for a one-on-one conversation about his career, accomplishments, criticisms he’s faced and the state of law enforcement in Santa Cruz County in 2024.
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A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz Mayor Keeley says he is cancer-free after a year of treatments
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley was diagnosed with bladder cancer in July 2023. One year of treatments later, he said he is officially cancer-free. The 74-year-old mayor didn’t miss a single Tuesday city council meeting over the course of his treatment and recovery.
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FEMA’s pause on disaster relief sends shudders through Santa Cruz County government
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has temporarily run out of money to fund new disaster repair, which could delay seven major road projects in Santa Cruz County needed in the wake of 2023 storms. Although Congress could fix the issue by fall, it’s exacerbating tension over how FEMA funding and reimbursement issues affect the county’s budget.
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After shooting, Crow’s Nest Thursday beach parties will continue
A shooting that left two victims in critical condition occurred on Aug. 8 in the parking lot outside the Crow’s Nest following the Thursday Beach BBQ Party, a free recurring event series held on the beach in front of the Santa Cruz Harbor restaurant. The Crow’s Nest confirmed that the remaining three events planned for the season will continue through the end of the month.
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UCSC is replacing its 30-year-old buses, but not because of fatal crash
UC Santa Cruz is replacing buses that are more than 30 years old, but officials say the move is unrelated to a fatal accident involving one of them. Last week, the university said the cause of the crash that led to driver Dan Stevenson’s death was due to his failure to negotiate a left turn in the road and had nothing to do with mechanical failure or deficiencies with the vehicle.
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Two people shot outside crowded Crow’s Nest restaurant Thursday night
Santa Cruz police confirmed that two people were shot outside of the Crow’s Nest restaurant on Thursday night. Both remained in critical condition in hospital on Friday. Police are investigating a suspect and motive in the shooting and are encouraging witnesses to come forward.
Posted inEducation
UCSC accepting more students, but enrollment isn’t growing
Despite again accepting a record number of first-year students, overall enrollment at UC Santa Cruz won’t grow this year. It will be enrolling about 5,700 first-year and transfer students this fall, but overall undergraduate enrollment will be flat at about 17,800 students.
Posted inFood & Drink
Coming to Santa Cruz County school cafeterias: More meals made from scratch
Last week, staff members from kitchens at five different local school districts participated in a weeklong training on how to incorporate more from-scratch foods into their menus. Since California’s Universal Meals Program launched during the pandemic, local schools have seen a surge in students getting at least one meal per day on campus. New funding is making it easier for schools to pursue more healthy options for kids, but school representatives say their biggest challenges are logistical, including time for training and preparation, and having adequate staff.
Posted inEducation
UC Santa Cruz facing budget cuts; layoffs likely
The chief financial officer at UC Santa Cruz says the university has tough decisions to make as it addresses a $100 million shortfall. In an interview with Lookout, Ed Reiskin said the budget office will likely have to implement layoffs.
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Adrian Gonzalez release could be ordered Tuesday, 9 years after murder of Madyson Middleton
On Tuesday, a Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge will decide whether Adrian Gonzalez, convicted as a juvenile for the 2015 murder of Madyson “Maddy” Middleton, will be released before his 25th birthday in October or head to a jury trial to determine his next steps. Here are the possible scenarios.