News across Santa Cruz County

Sumo wrestlers hit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk ahead of Saturday’s big showdown
Three professional sumo wrestlers traded the ring for the sand Thursday, taking in the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and posing for photos ahead of Saturday’s World Elite Sumo event at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

Discover. Experience. Connect. Open Studios returns for it’s 41st year
October is almost here and it’s one of our favorite times of the year – the weather is nearly perfect and the sunsets couldn’t be dreamier. It’s the perfect scenario for the 41st annual Open Studios Art Tour where the public has the opportunity to explore the county discovering…

Friday evening traffic: Highway 1 closures in Capitola & Aptos; Hwy 9 delays
Friday traffic trouble spots in and around Santa Cruz County.

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is turning 40 – and celebrating with a newly restored lighthouse beacon
The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum will celebrate its 40th anniversary Saturday with music, Hawaiian cultural performances and the unveiling of a newly restored beacon at the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. The restoration was made possible by more than $90,000 raised by the…

Dolly Parton’s legacy lives on: 20,000 books to Santa Cruz County children
One year in, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has delivered nearly 20,000 free books to young children across Santa Cruz County. More than 3,000 local children now receive a new, age-appropriate book in the mail every month — building home libraries and a love of reading from…

The billionaire tax could be defeated by two other tax measures. Here’s how
California voters will soon decide whether to tax billionaires — but even if a majority says yes, the measure could still lose to either of two billionaire-funded measures designed to cancel it out.

Best of Santa Cruz County entertainment, arts & food events this weekend, Sept. 24-27
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.

Santa Cruz mayoral candidates Ami Chen Mills, Ryan Coonerty clash over AI, Flock cameras and campaign conduct
Lookout’s Santa Cruz mayoral candidate forum saw Ami Chen Mills and Ryan Coonerty discuss a variety of city issues, including budgets and homelessness. However, between talking about the issues, the candidates also talked about the divisiveness of the campaign — and the issues…

Thursday evening traffic: Hwy 1 closed at Park Ave.; Hwy 9 lane closures ongoing
Thursday traffic trouble spots in and around Santa Cruz County.

UC Santa Cruz welcomes 6,300 new students as 2026-27 school year begins Thursday
UC Santa Cruz welcomes about 6,300 new undergraduate and graduate students this week as the university begins another academic year with total enrollment expected to remain around 20,000. The new school year also brings expanding student housing, including a new two-year housing…

Santa Cruz’s newest music festival is coming to a porch near you
Santa Cruz’s first Porchfest will bring 50 bands to 14 porches and other downtown locations on Saturday, Oct. 3. The free festival aims to showcase local musicians while creating new opportunities for neighbors to gather and enjoy live music.

Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has harsh criticisms, sweeping fixes for California schools
As governor, Steve Hilton, the former Fox News host, would turn to voters, if necessary, for school vouchers, end teacher tenure and institute a cellphone ban for kids under age 14.