While the City of Santa Cruz has canceled its contract with Flock Safety, Capitola and Watsonville expect to keep working with the company.
Today’s Top Story
A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inAptos
New Bayview Hotel sale could close by spring, says realtor
The historic Bayview Hotel could be sold by this spring, following a year in which the historic Aptos Village building lingered on the market, much to the interest of developers and locals alike.
Posted inFood & Drink
Poisonous death cap mushrooms kill three, sicken dozens on Central Coast, including two in Santa Cruz County
Toxic death cap mushrooms have sickened more than 30 people and killed three across coastal Northern California, but Santa Cruz County has seen relatively few cases despite its strong foraging culture.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
What to know about Flock Safety’s automated license plate readers across Santa Cruz County
Here’s Lookout’s reporting so far on Santa Cruz’s Flock exit and why Scotts Valley and the county sheriff’s office have held off on automated license plate readers.
Posted inLatest News
One year after massive fire at Moss Landing battery storage facility, nearby residents have more questions than answers
People who live near Moss Landing still have more questions than answers about the massive fire that started Jan. 16, 2025, at the world’s second-largest battery storage facility.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Watsonville Community Hospital faces shortage of ICU nurses as it continues to struggle financially
Administrators at Watsonville Community Hospital say they’ll need to make difficult decisions to keep it operating, which doesn’t sit well with nurses. Meanwhile, there’s a staffing shortage in the intensive care unit, and nurses are rallying to keep it and other essential departments open.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Supervisors move battery storage rules forward to environmental review; some residents are disappointed
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to approve new regulations for battery storage facilities, despite opposition from residents who want a more stringent ordinance. The rules will now undergo environmental review.
Posted inLatest News
City council votes to end Santa Cruz’s contract with Flock Safety
The Santa Cruz City Council voted 6-1 to end the city’s contract with Flock Safety at its Tuesday meeting following data breaches, community pushback, and a recommendation from three councilmembers that the city pull out of the contract.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Supply of Santa Cruz County homes for sale contracts in December, while sales stay high as 2026 begins
The Santa Cruz County housing market saw a seasonal drop in the number of homes available to buy in December, but sales remained largely level with November, and high for December.
Posted inEducation
UC Santa Cruz family student housing opening delayed about six months
The opening of UC Santa Cruz’s new family student housing complex, which includes 120 two-bedroom units and an expanded child care center, has been delayed by about six months due to construction issues, university officials said. Student families say the repeated delays are disrupting housing and child care plans and straining household budgets as they wait for the long-anticipated move.