News across Santa Cruz County
Lookout Santa Cruz
Published 14 hours agoCommunity Bridges built ECM to prevent health crises. Now the state funding is shifting and we have to close the program
California created enhanced care management to help Medi-Cal patients with complex health and social needs before they reach the emergency room. Community Bridges spent three years building a community-based program that now serves more than 200 people. But, Community Bridges CEO…
Lookout Santa Cruz
Published September 29A place to turn: The 41st Annual Mountain Affair keeps support close to home
On October 30, neighbors will gather under the redwoods to preserve the food assistance, counseling, crisis response and disaster recovery services that help ensure San Lorenzo Valley families have somewhere to turn when they need it most. “Community Bridges helped me hold my…
Lookout Santa Cruz
Published September 29Santa Cruz journalist Martha Mendoza goes inside the global scam industry for new PBS documentary
Santa Cruz journalist and UCSC lecturer Martha Mendoza spent the past year investigating the global online scam industry for a new PBS "Frontline" documentary. Then scammers hit close to home, targeting people close to her in Santa Cruz.
Lookout Santa Cruz
Published 14 hours agoSanta Cruz strawberries had a $61 million year. Here’s what drove the surge
Santa Cruz County’s agricultural economy grew 2.8% in 2025, driven largely by a 27% jump in strawberry value to nearly $279 million, while other major crops saw more mixed results.
Lookout Santa Cruz
Published September 30This week in Santa Cruz County: Two more local Starbucks stores close; looking at the toll of ongoing closure of Watsonville Community Hospital’s NICU
Starbucks locations in Soquel and Watsonville are among the 250 nationwide affected by another wave of closures at the coffee giant, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly look at Santa Cruz County business.
Lookout Santa Cruz
Published September 29Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of Sept. 29
Businesses operating in Santa Cruz County must register with the county clerk. Lookout Santa Cruz reviews the public filings from local businesses to report on new businesses starting in the area.
Lookout Santa Cruz
Published September 29Monterey Bay’s fishing industry is changing: Here’s what Santa Cruz fishers are catching now
A new report from the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust finds that the number of commercial fishing vessels based in Monterey Bay has fallen more than 70% since the 1980s, while changing environmental conditions have reshaped what and how fishers catch.
Lookout Santa Cruz
Published 93 minutes agoFormer Santa Cruz mayoral candidate Gillian Greensite endorses Ryan Coonerty
Gillian Greensite, a longtime local activist and mayoral candidate in the primary election, officially endorsed Ryan Coonerty for Santa Cruz Mayor on Thursday. She said that she believes Coonerty is the best choice for the city leadership role, that she and Coonerty hold common…
Lookout Santa Cruz
Published 116 minutes agoSanta Cruz County reinstates mask requirement in skilled nursing facilities, infusion centers
Santa Cruz County will reinstate its seasonal mask requirement in all skilled nursing facilities and infusion centers beginning Nov. 1, requiring employees, visitors and other non-patients to wear face masks indoors.
Lookout Santa Cruz
Published 118 minutes agoWatsonville City Council candidates find common ground on downtown, housing and the city’s future
Candidates for Watsonville’s District 5 and 7 city council seats discussed a variety of issues impacting the city, including Flock Safety cameras, infrastructure and economic development during a Lookout election forum.
Lookout Santa Cruz
Published 6 hours agoBest of Santa Cruz County entertainment, arts & food events this weekend, Oct. 1-4
With the weekend nearly here, check out things to do around Santa Cruz County, with a recommendation from Lily Belli and a specially curated list from Lookout's BOLO events calendar.
Lookout Santa Cruz
Published 14 hours agoIncumbent Misty Navarro faces Mads Realmulto in PVUSD Trustee Area VII race
Incumbent Misty Navarro and district parent Mads Realmuto are competing for the Trustee Area VII seat on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District governing board. Navarro was appointed to the seat in October 2024, after Jennifer Holm resigned from the board.