The Food and Drug Administration approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine for the fall, which will target the highly infectious KP variants that were main drivers of this year’s summer surge in Santa Cruz County. Local public health officials expect a more specific timeline for the rollout within weeks. Only 23% of Santa Cruz County residents are up to date on recommended COVID vaccination.
Today’s Top Story
A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inEducation
Santa Cruz County school districts will ask voters to borrow millions for repairs, workforce housing
On this November’s ballot, five school bond measures, totaling $525 million, propose making infrastructure repairs to roofs and athletic fields, modernizing classrooms, and in some cases, building rental apartments for staff and teachers. District leaders talked to Lookout about some of the major projects the bond measures, if approved, would fund.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Judge won’t block Santa Cruz soda tax ballot language former candidate says is misleading
Former Santa Cruz City Council candidate Hector Marin says he’s appealing a judge’s dismissal of his lawsuit challenging the wording of November ballot language for a proposed city sugary drink tax. He claims that a list of potential uses for revenue from the tax that will appear on the ballot — youth and senior programs, for example — is misleading because it will actually be considered general fund revenue that could be used for any city expense.
Posted inLatest News
As Adrian Gonzalez’s release goes before a jury, attorneys question whether he can get a fair trial
Jury selection began this week for Adrian Gonzalez’s upcoming trial as he seeks release upon aging out of the state’s juvenile justice system this fall, nine years after raping and murdering 8-year-old Madyson “Maddy” Middleton. While Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Denine Guy denied a request for a venue change last week, the harrowing details of the case remain a focal point for the community. Given that, can Gonzalez get a fair trial? Longtime defense attorneys aren’t so sure.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
New home, new leadership and a new era for Watsonville’s Pajaro Valley Arts
With a new leader in Miriam Anton and a new home right in the middle of downtown, Watsonville’s Pajaro Valley Arts is poised for an even more prominent role in South County’s cultural life.
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz County housing market could see a fall jump with lower mortgage rates
The local housing market stayed busy in July, despite some anomalies including high-end properties sitting on the market with little interest. And mortgage rates fell in early August, which is poised to bring more people into the market. Homes with the potential of developing an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) are expected to be in high demand.
Posted inEducation
Mold, asthma and a rent increase vex UCSC Family Student Housing tenants
Residents of an aging student family housing complex at UC Santa Cruz are fighting a $65-a-month rent increase while demanding that something be done about mold problems and other issues they claim are contributing to asthma and other health problems. The issues come more than a year away from the opening of an under-construction replacement for the complex and the demolition of existing apartments to make way for 2,700 new dorm-style units for undergraduate housing.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Departing Sheriff Jim Hart defiant over grand jury criticism and a non-elected successor, says worst of fentanyl crisis yet to come
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.
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.
Posted inLatest News
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.
