Local News

Ripple Effect, a new, creative arts festival covering the entire county, officially launches on Thursday. It will feature a wide range of activities involving visual and performing arts, film, photography, and much more.

The post The Big Ripple: An ambitious new arts festival hopes to spark a colorful and creative future for the county’s arts community appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

After a three-year closure, salmon fishing has reopened in the Monterey Bay Area with limited quotas and staggered seasons designed to support a cautious recovery. While the season remains tightly managed, it offers opportunity for smaller, lower-overhead boats — particularly those in Santa Cruz — to get back on the water.

The post After years of shutdown, commercial salmon season to open May 16, with staggered dates appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History has received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the nation’s highest recognition afforded to museums.

Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, roughly 1,100 are currently accredited. The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is one of only 78 museums accredited in California.

Accreditation acknowledges the museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement.

To earn accreditation a museum must first conduct a year of self-study, and then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers.

“We are also honored to now be the only accredited museum in Santa Cruz County,” said Felicia Van Stolk, executive director of the museum in a press release. “This distinction will carry us into (the) future as we renovate the historic building to match our excellence in service.” 

The museum, an independent non-profit, is raising money to renovate, modernize, and

expand Santa Cruz’s oldest museum. The fundraising campaign, called “Bright Future,” will advance their mission through immersive exhibits, programs, and collections, focusing on learning and the love of nature.

The renovation project will break ground in early 2027, with an anticipated completion in early 2029.

The post Museum of Natural History receives highest national honor appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

OPINION: Have we built too much housing in Santa Cruz or not nearly enough? Housing activist and former Santa Cruz mayor Don Lane reminds us that Santa Cruz spent decades limiting growth.

The post The real cause of gentrification in Santa Cruz isn’t new housing appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

The Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League girls soccer season was so jam-packed with talent this past winter campaign that coaches had no choice but to hand out two awards for the league’s top player.

Aptos High senior Alexa Castañeda and Santa Cruz senior Lia Guilarte were named the SCCAL’s co-Players of the Year during last month’s end-of-the-season meeting.

Castañeda, who was named the league’s POY as a sophomore in 2023-24, tallied 16 goals and eight assists in the 2025-26 season.

“I’m very grateful for the coaches voting for me and [Guilarte],” Castañeda said in a previous interview with The Pajaronian. “Everybody that won an award is obviously deserving for putting their time and work into the sport. It was definitely a reflection of my hard work.”

Aptos junior Bella Hartnett took home the Attacker of the Year award, and teammate senior Maddie Redding was named the Midfielder of the Year.

Soquel senior Hailey Betterman was awarded the SCCAL’s Defensive Player of the Year, while Santa Cruz junior Ari Flores earned Goalkeeper of the Year honors.

Hartnett used her blazing speed to get past defenders and attack the net, finishing with 22 goals and eight assists. 

“[Hartnett’s] been nominated every year, I think she deserved it every year if you lead the league in goals,” said Aptos head coach Gina Castañeda in a previous interview with The Pajaronian. 

Redding contributed six assists as the Mariners’ main defensive midfielder, controlling the tempo of the game while being the first to support the defensive line and transition into attack mode.

“We tried different players in that position,” Gina Castañeda said. “[Redding] accepted the responsibility and her hard work paid off.”

Gina Castañeda won her second Coach of the Year award after she led the Mariners to a fourth consecutive SCCAL title, and 16th overall since 1985-86.

Aptos seniors Izzie Schenone and Anahi Najera along with sophomore Emily Santiago each earned All-SCCAL First Team honors. Teammates Aubrie Ford, Tayanna Bonilla and Kenzi Culberson were recognized on the all-league second team.

The Central Coast Section Division III champion Mariners conceded just four goals and recorded six shutouts in SCCAL play this season, finishing undefeated at 10-0 for the first time since going 12-0 in 2016-17.

“You’re talking four months of dedicated work to these young ladies to get them to win a CCS championship,” Castañeda said. “It’s not just about training a team and having the best staff that’s at your side. It’s all the other stuff that goes into it, the pasta nights, film, PowerPoints, empowering them to make decisions on the field.”

Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League All-League Girls Soccer Teams Individual Awards

Co-Players of the Year: Alexa Castaneda (Sr.), Aptos and Lia Guilarte (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Attacker of the Year: Isabella Hartnett (Jr.), Aptos

Midfielder of the Year: Maddison Redding (Sr.), Aptos

Defensive Player of the Year: Hailey Betterman (Sr.), Soquel 

Goalkeeper of the Year: Ari Flores (Jr.) – Santa Cruz 

Coach of the Year: Gina Castaneda, Aptos

First Team

Izzie Schenone (Sr.), Aptos 

Anahi Najera (Sr.), Aptos 

Emily Santiago (So.), Aptos

Savannah Henry (Jr.), Santa Cruz 

Hayden Kriege (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Lianna Cerdas (So.), Santa Cruz

Ella Ireland (Sr.), Scotts Valley 

Isabella Agnone (Jr.), Scotts Valley

Caitlyn Grey  (Jr.), Soquel

Caitlin Curly (Jr.), Soquel

Simone Mugnier (Sr.), SLV

Athena Forbus (Jr.), Harbor

Second Team

Aubrie Ford (Jr.) – Aptos

Tayanna Bonilla (So.) – Aptos

Kenzi Culterson (Jr.) – Aptos

Cary Baron (So.) – Santa Cruz

Madeline Gibson (So.) – Santa Cruz

Sienna Cook (So.) – Santa Cruz

Ximena Madrigal (Jr.) – Harbor

Samantha Lyons (Jr.) – SLV

Zoe Plotsky (Fr.) – Soquel

Marissa Garcia (Jr.) – Soquel

Isabella Moriarty (Sr.) – Scotts Valley

Taylor Ericson (Jr.) – Scotts Valley

Honorable Mention

Kate Deteso (Fr.), Aptos 

Mata Overby (Jr.), Aptos

Aria Slawinski (Fr.), Aptos

Tamar Deutsch (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Dahlia Montesinos (Sr.), Santa Cruz 

Allie Rodriguez (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Dahlia Cardenas (So.), SLV

Danielle Stiles (Jr.),SLV

Evelyn Bird (Fr.), SLV)

Maya Teves (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Campbell Flores (Jr.), Scotts Valley

Jazzelyn Phillips (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Marina Tucker (Sr.), Harbor

Kenzie Simon (So.), Harbor

Sophia Forbus (Fr.), Harbor

Laela Bennet (Fr.), Soquel

Lani Gilbert (Jr.), Soquel

#tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bella-Hartnett-Aptos-High-girls-soccer-All-SCCAL-web-1-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Maddie-Redding-Aptos-High-girls-soccer-All-SCCAL-web-1-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item3 { background: url(https://pajaronian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Alexa-Castaneda-Aptos-High-girls-soccer-All-SCCAL-web-1-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } 1 of 3 Aptos High junior Bella Hartnett was named the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League's Attacker of the Year for the 2025-26 girls soccer campaign. (Raul Ebio/The Pajaronian file) Aptos High senior Maddie Redding was named the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League's Midfielder of the Year for the 2025-26 girls soccer campaign. (Juan Reyes/The Pajaronian file) Aptos High senior Alexa Castañeda was named the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League's co-Player of the Year for the 2025-26 girls soccer campaign. (Raul Ebio/The Pajaronian file)

Thousands flocked to the third annual Surf City Comic Con on Saturday, where cosplayers, vendors, and fans

The post Nerd nirvana: Comics and kitsch fans turn out for Surf City Comic Con appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Esta traducción fue generada utilizando inteligencia artificial y ha sido revisada por un hablante nativo de español; si bien nos esforzamos por lograr precisión, pueden ocurrir algunos errores de traducción. 

Funcionarios del condado de Santa Cruz dicen que es demasiado pronto para definir los próximos pasos respecto a su conjunto de normas para regular instalaciones de almacenamiento de baterías, después de que los desarrolladores de un proyecto propuesto en Watsonville comenzaran a explorar una vía hacia la aprobación estatal.

Algunos residentes que se oponen al controvertido proyecto, sin embargo, creen que pasar por el estado para obtener la aprobación podría resaltar algunas de sus preocupaciones.

La semana pasada, el desarrollador New Leaf Energy, con sede en Massachusetts, confirmó a Lookout que ha comenzado a estudiar una vía para obtener la aprobación de la Comisión de Energía de California (CEC), en lugar de solicitar permisos al condado para su instalación propuesta de almacenamiento de baterías en el 90 de Minto Rd., justo fuera de Watsonville.

Max Christian, desarrollador senior de New Leaf Energy, dijo anteriormente a Lookout que el trabajo previo a la solicitud tiene como objetivo comprender mejor el proceso y los requisitos de aprobación estatal. Sin embargo, señaló que eso no significa que el desarrollador se haya comprometido con la vía estatal.

New Leaf planea seguir evaluando tanto la vía local como la estatal para encontrar “la mejor oportunidad de mantenerse en el cronograma” y asegurar un permiso a principios de 2027, dijo Christian.

Hasta que la Junta de Supervisores del Condado de Santa Cruz adopte una ordenanza, el proyecto de 90 Minto Rd. no puede avanzar. Según el cronograma actual —que, según Tiffany Martinez, portavoz del departamento de planificación del condado, no ha cambiado— se espera que la ordenanza se adopte para noviembre.

“Si el proyecto BESS avanza a través de un proceso de aprobación a nivel estatal, el condado trabajará con el estado para comprender mejor cuál será su papel,” dijo Martinez.

A meeting of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. From left: Kim De Serpa, Justin Cummings, Felipe Hernandez, Monica Martinez, Manu Koenig. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Añadió que es demasiado pronto para determinar los próximos pasos, ya que cualquier avance en la ordenanza “dependería de la dirección del proyecto.”

Después de que la junta de supervisores aprobara un borrador de la ordenanza en enero, se espera que la revisión ambiental se complete hacia el final del verano. Según Martinez, esa fase del proceso de adopción “aún no ha comenzado.”

Funcionarios del condado dijeron estar decepcionados por la decisión de New Leaf de explorar la opción estatal, aunque reconocen que siempre ha estado disponible para el desarrollador. En el pasado, funcionarios electos han subrayado la importancia de avanzar con una ordenanza para mantener el control local sobre proyectos como el de New Leaf.

En contraste, algunos residentes creen que la opción estatal —que consideran más rigurosa que el proceso local— es algo positivo.

La residente de Watsonville Phoenix Artemisia dijo que la comisión estatal de energía evaluará aspectos como la posible presencia de sitios de entierro indígenas en el área de College Lake, adyacente al sitio del proyecto, algo que el condado no estaba considerando.

Artemisia ayuda a organizar reuniones públicas en Watsonville, donde los miembros de la comunidad pueden informarse más sobre el borrador de la ordenanza del condado y el proyecto en general. También inició una petición contra la instalación propuesta de baterías de New Leaf que ha reunido al menos 1,200 firmas.

Watsonville residents gathered at Pinto Lake City Park on Feb. 28 to hear speakers opposed to a battery energy storage plant proposed nearby. Credit: Thomas May

El proceso de certificación voluntaria de la comisión estatal de energía permite a los desarrolladores eludir el proceso local gracias a una ley de 2022 que establece la autoridad de la comisión para aprobar proyectos de energía renovable. La ley fue aprobada para ayudar al estado a alcanzar su objetivo de que el 100% del suministro eléctrico provenga de fuentes renovables para 2045.

Eso significa que incluso si el condado de Santa Cruz adopta una ordenanza mientras un proyecto se tramita ante la CEC, la ley local no se aplicaría.

La comisión estatal es responsable de preparar su propio informe de impacto ambiental sobre el proyecto y tomar una decisión dentro de los 270 días posteriores a recibir una solicitud del desarrollador, según su sitio web. Además, la CEC contacta a tribus indígenas locales que están “cultural y tradicionalmente asociadas con el sitio propuesto” dentro de los cinco días de considerar completa una solicitud.

Para quienes se oponen al proyecto, existe la esperanza de que la CEC considere las preocupaciones de la comunidad más de lo que lo han hecho los funcionarios del condado durante el último año, dijo Becky Steinbruner, miembro de BAN Lithium BESS Santa Cruz, un grupo comunitario que aboga por regulaciones más estrictas para este tipo de instalaciones en todo el condado.

Stacey Shepard, funcionaria de información senior de la CEC, dijo a Lookout por correo electrónico que “la participación local es importante y forma parte del registro oficial.”

En última instancia, las decisiones se basan en equilibrar los impactos locales “con necesidades más amplias de confiabilidad y clima,” ella dijo. Según Shepard, el proceso de permisos gestiona esa tensión de manera transparente mediante el uso de evidencia y participación pública, “en lugar de influencia privada”.

Steinbruner y otra miembro del grupo, Carol Bjorn, dijeron a Lookout que si New Leaf busca formalmente la aprobación estatal, podría permitir a los funcionarios del condado tomarse un respiro y dedicar más tiempo a desarrollar su ordenanza.

“Parte del problema con el que nos hemos encontrado todo este tiempo es que [el condado] está desarrollando la ordenanza al mismo tiempo que aprueba este proyecto,” dijo Bjorn. “En un mundo ideal, tendríamos una ordenanza sólida antes de que cualquier empresa presentara una solicitud.”

Los grupos comunitarios afirman que la versión actual de la ordenanza viola la Medida J, una iniciativa aprobada en 1978 que protege las tierras agrícolas al dirigir el crecimiento hacia áreas urbanas. El sitio del proyecto propuesto en Minto Road es un antiguo huerto de manzanas adyacente a College Lake. El condado ha desestimado previamente esas preocupaciones, afirmando que “no hay posibles violaciones a la medida.”

Sin importar el resultado, “Estamos preparados para el condado y estamos preparados para el estado,” dijo Artemisia. “El trabajo continúa todos los días y todas las noches.”

¿Tiene algo que decir? Lookout da la bienvenida a cartas al editor, dentro de nuestras políticas, de los lectores. Pautas aquí.

The post Funcionarios del condado dicen que aún no han determinado los próximos pasos después de que el desarrollador de almacenamiento de baterías comenzara a explorar la aprobación estatal en lugar de la del condado appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

County officials say it’s still too early to determine next steps following news that New Leaf Energy, the developer behind a proposed battery storage facility in Watsonville, is exploring a path to state approval rather than local approval.

The post County officials say they haven’t  determined next steps after battery storage developer began exploring state, rather than county approval appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

The Capitola City Council will begin to study the viability of the Stockton Avenue Bridge that links Capitola Village and the surrounding areas. Evaluation of the structure showed deterioration of the bridge deck and reinforcing steel, and found that a full deck replacement is needed, but a full bridge replacement is the best long-term solution.

The post Carmageddon: Capitola begins to study options to repair or replace the Stockton Avenue bridge appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Grey Bears, a longtime Santa Cruz nonprofit serving seniors and food-insecure residents, plans to move its overcrowded operations from aging facilities into a renovated warehouse next door by 2028. The $9.6 million project, already more than 80% funded through local donations, aims to expand its commercial kitchen, market and dining services at a time of rising demand and shrinking food assistance resources.

The post Grey Bears plans major warehouse expansion to meet growing demand for senior services appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

OPINION: After years of medication for anxiety, UC Santa Cruz student Veronica Morris thought she was “over it,” healed. Then her anxiety returned in unexpected ways.

The post I’m 20 and I’ve spent years struggling with the myth of being ‘fixed’ of mental illness appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Esta traducción fue generada utilizando inteligencia artificial y ha sido revisada por un hablante nativo de español; si bien nos esforzamos por lograr precisión, pueden ocurrir algunos errores de traducción. Para leer el artículo en inglés, haga clic aquí.

Las propuestas para ubicar al violador convicto Michael Cheek en hoteles en Watsonville y Santa Cruz fueron retiradas el viernes tras una fuerte oposición de miembros de la comunidad y funcionarios públicos, según la Oficina del Fiscal de Distrito del Condado de Santa Cruz.

“Estamos frustrados de que nuestra comunidad haya tenido que pasar por un período de 72 horas de preocupación”, dijo Alex Byers, portavoz de la oficina del fiscal de distrito, el viernes por la mañana. “Nos complace que esto ya no se esté considerando”.

La propuesta del Departamento de Hospitales Estatales de California (DSH) solicitó al Tribunal Superior de Santa Cruz liberar a Cheek de la custodia y alojarlo en un motel ubicado en 970 Main St. en Watsonville o en un hotel en Ocean Street en Santa Cruz, si el tribunal rechazaba la ubicación en Watsonville.

Byers dijo que los propietarios de ambas ubicaciones retiraron su consentimiento de la propuesta. La oficina del fiscal de distrito no está segura de lo que ocurrirá en la audiencia de Cheek el 22 de mayo, pero la fecha judicial no será una audiencia de ubicación.

Cheek fue condenado en 1980 por secuestrar a una mujer de 21 años de Seacliff State Beach y violarla a punta de pistola. Tras escapar de la custodia un año después, Cheek fue condenado por cometer un crimen casi idéntico contra una persona de 15 años en el condado de Lake.

Cheek ha estado bajo custodia estatal desde 1981 y ha pasado casi 26 años en un hospital estatal del condado de Fresno. Fue autorizado para su liberación en 2019, pero el estado no pudo encontrar una ubicación en un entorno comunitario. En 2024, un plan para liberarlo en una vivienda supervisada en un vecindario de Aptos fracasó tras objeciones de funcionarios públicos y vecinos.

Funcionarios de la ciudad de Watsonville atribuyen a miembros de la comunidad el haber expresado sus preocupaciones sobre la posible ubicación de Cheek en el área. La portavoz de la ciudad, Michelle Pulido, dijo a Lookout que el jefe de policía Brian Shab habló con el propietario del motel de Watsonville el jueves por la tarde sobre los desafíos que los residentes enfrentarían si Cheek fuera ubicado allí.

Agregó que las dos reuniones comunitarias programadas para el 13 y el 20 de abril han sido canceladas como resultado del retiro de la propuesta.

La ciudad de Santa Cruz no respondió de inmediato a la solicitud de comentarios de Lookout al momento de la publicación.

¿Tiene algo que decir? Lookout da la bienvenida a cartas al editor, dentro de nuestras políticas, de los lectores. Pautas aquí.

The post Las propuestas para ubicar al violador Michael Cheek en Watsonville o Santa Cruz han sido retiradas tras la oposición de la comunidad appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

The proposals to place convicted rapist Michael Cheek in hotels in Watsonville and Santa Cruz were withdrawn Friday following strong opposition from community members and public officials, according to the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office. 

“We’re frustrated that our community had to go through a 72-hour period of worry,” said Alex Byers, a spokesperson for the district attorney’s office, Friday morning. “We are pleased that this is no longer being considered.”

The California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) proposal asked the Santa Cruz Superior Court to release Cheek from custody and house him in a motel located at 970 Main St. in Watsonville or in a hotel on Ocean Street in Santa Cruz, if the court were to reject the Watsonville location. 

Byers said property owners of both locations withdrew their consent from the proposal. The district attorney’s office is not sure what will happen at Cheek’s May 22 hearing, but the court date will not be a placement hearing. 

Cheek was convicted in 1980 of kidnapping a 21-year-old woman off Seacliff State Beach and raping her at gunpoint. After escaping from custody a year later, Cheek was convicted of committing a nearly identical crime against a 15-year-old in Lake County. 

Cheek has been in state custody since 1981, and has spent nearly 26 years in a Fresno County state hospital. He was cleared for release in 2019, but the state couldn’t find a placement in a community setting. In 2024, a plan to release him into a supervised home in an Aptos neighborhood fell through following objections from public officials and neighbors. 

Watsonville city officials credit community members for raising their concerns about Cheek’s possible placement in the area. City spokesperson Michelle Pulido told Lookout that police chief Brian Shab spoke with the owner of the Watsonville motel Thursday afternoon about the challenges residents were going to face if Cheek were to be placed there. 

She added the two town halls scheduled for April 13 and 20 have been canceled as a result of the proposal being withdrawn. 

The City of Santa Cruz did not immediately respond to Lookout’s request for comment at time of publication. 

The post Update: Proposals to place convicted rapist Michael Cheek in Watsonville or Santa Cruz have been withdrawn following community opposition appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Aptos High seniors Ivan Zavala and Daniel Lozano each were recognized as two of the top players in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League during the 2025-26 winter season. 

The coaches within the league awarded Zavala as the Attacker of the Year for his offensive production on the pitch, while Lozano was named Defender of the Year as a stalwart on the backline for the Central Coast Section Division IV champion Mariners.

“Daniel Lozano has been a committed player on the varsity team since freshman year,” said Aptos head coach Roberto Zúñiga in a text message. “His dedication and passion for the game have helped him grow as an individual. He has taken constructive criticism over the years to further elevate his game.”

Zúñiga said working with Zavala for the past three years has been a pleasant experience, noting that his drive and work ethic have helped Zavala to continuously improve his performance.

“Ivan has been instrumental in helping the team come together when needed the most, as he would dig deep to find the back of the net,” Zúñiga said. “His ability to keep composed and drive forward in times of desperation made him a valuable force on our team. His speed, athleticism and creativity has been recognized and rewarded with the honor of Attacker of the Year, All-SCCAL.”

Zúñiga and Harbor coach Michael Vahradian were named co-coaches of the year. Harbor sophomore Andres Reyes was named the SCCAL’s Most Valuable Player, while teammate senior Max Cuevas was awarded Goalkeeper of the Year. Santa Cruz senior Cutler Bausher was named Midfielder of the Year.

Aptos seniors David Sebastian-Killpatrick and Josiah Siqueiros along with junior Damian Garcia each earned All-SCCAL First Team honors, while teammates juniors Benjamin Maciel, Nicolas Topete and Haziel Parra each earned all-league second team honors.

“This season has been one for the record books,” Zúñiga said. “Undoubtedly the best season in my tenure as head boys soccer coach.”

Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League All-League Boys Soccer Teams Individual Awards

Most Valuable Player: Andres Reyes (So.), Harbor

Attacker of the Year: Ivan Zavala (Sr.), Aptos

Midfielder of the Year: Cutler Bausher (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Defender of the Year: Daniel Lozano (Sr.), Aptos

Goalkeeper of the Year: Max Cuevas (Sr.), Harbor

Coaches of the Year: Roberto Zúñiga, Aptos; Michael Vahradian, Harbor

First Team

Damian Garcia (Jr.), Aptos

David Sebastian Killpatrick (Sr.), Aptos 

Josiah Siqueiros (Sr.), Aptos

Mateo Ortega (Jr.), Harbor

Sai Nyugen (So.), Harbor

Phinn Hilton (Sr.), Harbor

Danny Garcia (Sr.), Harbor

Stefan Ciesiolkiewicz (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Sam Granados (So.), San Lorenzo Valley 

Reed Johnson (Sr.), Scotts Valley

John Randolph (So.), Soquel

Second Team

Benjamin Maciel (Jr.), Aptos

Nicolas Topete (Jr.), Aptos

Haziel Parra (Jr.), Aptos

Nico Mojica (Sr.),  Harbor

Moi Hernandez (Sr.), Harbor

Charley Ellison (Jr.), Harbor

Kelvin Ramos (Jr.), Harbor

Desmond Boutelle (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Colton Ryssemus (Jr.), SLV

Evan Wong (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Torin Miller (Jr.), Soquel

Honorable Mention

Herbeth Santiago-Toledo (Sr.), Aptos 

Isaiah Acevedo (Sr.), Aptos 

Julian Torres (Sr.), Aptos 

Jair Martinez (Sr.), Harbor

Javi Alfaro (Fr.), Harbor

Gabby Melesio (Sr.), Harbor

Andres Gonzales (Sr.), Santa Cruz 

Garret Dahlen (Jr.), SLV

Damian Spracklen (Jr.), SLV

Emmett Phleger (Fr.), SLV

Seamus Drees (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Jacob Berman (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Logan Barry (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Nikan Jayo (Sr.), Soquel

Joel Baez (Fr.), Soquel

Ben Willcox (Jr.), Soquel

Top 10 exciting job opportunities in Santa Cruz County – Apply today!

Are you searching for your next career move in Santa Cruz County? Look no further! We’ve curated a list of the top 10 job opportunities recently posted to our job board, spanning various industries and roles. Whether you’re a recent graduate, seasoned professional, or someone seeking a fresh start, Santa Cruz has something to offer for everyone.

1. Pediatric Dental Office Manager / Financial Coordinator at Alison K Jackson Children’s Dentistry
2. Principal Financial Analyst at UC Santa Cruz
3. Crop Production Assistant & Weekend Farm Steward at Homeless Garden Project
4. Executive Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor at UC Santa Cruz
5. Health Center Manager at The County of Santa Cruz
6. Conference Services Coordinator at UC Santa Cruz
7. Physician’s Assistant/Nurse Practitioner at County of Santa Cruz
8. Clinician, Complex Mental Health, Master’s Level at UC Santa Cruz
9. Lead Groundskeeper at UC Santa Cruz
10. Value Added Enterprise Associate at Homeless Garden Project

Why work in Santa Cruz County?

Santa Cruz County boasts a vibrant community, picturesque surroundings, and diverse career opportunities. From academic roles at UC Santa Cruz to impactful positions in healthcare and local government, the perfect place to support both your professional growth and work-life balance.

Ready to take the next step?

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Questions about the job board? Reach out to Brittany at brittany@lookoutlocal.com.

The post 10 Hot Jobs in Santa Cruz County: Week of April 10 appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Watsonville officials on Friday said the owner of a Main Street motel has withdrawn from a proposed agreement to house Michael Cheek, a designated sexually violent predator, halting a placement that had drawn community opposition.

The City of Watsonville and the Watsonville Police Department said they received confirmation that the owner of the Valley Inn at 970 Main St. will no longer participate in the plan to house 74-year-old Michael Cheek. The California Department of State Hospitals had recommended placing Cheek at the site.

City leaders and police cited strong public response in opposing the proposed placement, noting concerns about the motel’s proximity to schools, parks and organizations serving children.

Police Chief Brian Shab said he spoke directly with the motel owner about potential impacts.

“We discussed the significant challenges this would create for the neighborhood, parents and their children, nearby community-based organizations, and the broader community,” Shab said in a statement. “We appreciate the owner taking the time to listen and consider the real impacts this would have had on Watsonville residents.”

Two town hall meetings previously scheduled for April 13 and April 20 have been canceled.

City officials said they will continue to monitor the case and remain involved if future placement proposals are considered in Watsonville.

The status of Cheek’s alternate site—the Ocean Gate Inn at 111 Ocean St. in Santa Cruz—is not clear. The city has expressed opposition to that plan, saying it is frequently occupied by families and children, creating unavoidable contact with potential victims

Cheek was convicted in 1980 in Santa Cruz County of kidnapping, rape and forcible oral copulation of a 21-year-old woman. Before beginning his sentence, he was transferred to Contra Costa County to face allegations of violating probation terms.

Authorities said Cheek escaped from a jail facility and fled to Lake County, where he raped a 15-year-old girl.

In 1997, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office successfully petitioned to have Cheek designated a sexually violent predator under the state’s Sexually Violent Predator Act. He was subsequently committed to the California Department of State Hospitals for treatment.

Under state law, a sexually violent predator is defined as a person with a diagnosed mental disorder that makes them likely to commit sexually violent criminal acts and poses a danger to the public.

In 2019, the Department of State Hospitals determined Cheek was suitable for conditional release, and Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Stephen Siegel ordered his release into the county under supervision. From 2019 through 2026, state officials and Liberty Healthcare were unable to secure a placement for him.

One of the victims from an attack at the Clock Tower in Santa Cruz on March 21 has died, Santa Cruz Police announced Wednesday.

Justin Moore, 42, of Santa Cruz, suffered a stab wound during the attack.

The suspect, Robert David Worel, 32, has been charged with murder and one count of attempted murder.

Witnesses say the incident began after a verbal altercation between two people in line at Food Not Bombs, an organization that regularly gives out free meals to community members at the clock tower. 

Both of them began fighting and left the line, according to witnesses. One of them pulled out a knife. Several people tried to intervene and another person pulled out a larger kitchen knife. 

According to police, two people were wounded and rushed to local hospitals. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department at 831.420.5820 or submit an anonymous tip through the SCPD website.

Lawmakers must restore Workforce Quality Incentive Program

I started my career in a skilled nursing facility twenty years ago as a certified nursing assistant. Over time, I worked in admissions, earned my nursing license, became a nurse at the same facility my grandmother was a patient, and eventually advanced into my role as case manager. Through every step of that journey, one thing remained clear: skilled nursing facilities are lifelines for patients and families.

As a case manager at Watsonville Post Acute and Nursing Center, one of more than 1,000 skilled nursing facilities statewide, we care for people recovering from strokes and surgeries, seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Many have nowhere else to turn for the round-the-clock medical care they need, and nearly all rely on Medi-Cal or Medicare.

Our team of nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, and physical, occupational, and speech therapists works together to develop personalized care plans for each patient’s unique needs.

And the care we provide goes beyond round-the-clock medical care. We celebrate holidays, and milestones with our patients, and support their families during moments of uncertainty. Over time, our patients become like family.

But delivering this high level of care is only possible with adequate funding—and today, California is failing skilled nursing patients and the workforce that cares for them.

In July 2025, the state budget cut the Workforce Quality Incentive Program (WQIP), eliminating $300 million in state and federal funding for skilled nursing facilities. These cuts eliminated critical resources that support recruiting staff, workforce training, and facility improvements.

As a nurse, upcoming state budget decisions are not just numbers on a spreadsheet; they have consequences for my patients and the workforce that cares for them. Without adequate funding, skilled nursing facilities across the state risk staffing shortages, reduced patient services, and even closure. That means fewer care options when patients and families need them most, and longer, more expensive hospital stays.

As California faces a growing aging population, restoring WQIP in the 2026-27 state budget is not optional—it is essential.

Now, more than ever, Gov. Newsom and lawmakers must restore WQIP to ensure our most vulnerable Californians continue to have access to the critical skilled nursing care they need—when they need it most.

Nicole Peterson

LVN, Case Manager

Watsonville Post Acute and Nursing Center

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Response to Chavez scandal was knee-jerk reaction, points to wider plot

This whole Cesar Chávez deal is curious to say the least. A few weeks before this year’s Cesar Chavez holiday comes a New York Times story that Chavez, a half century ago, sexually abused several women members of his United Farmworkers Union, including the top woman figure of the movement Dolores Huerta. 

In a typical knee jerk reaction, city, county, state and federal officials moved in record time to remove the name of Cesar Chavez from any schools, streets, and institutions that Chavez had been named after. The news story rendered Chavez guilty, rendered Chavez an evil heathen, and voided Chavez’s name from the accomplishments of his union. Just like that, in the blink of an eye, an American icon has been erased from importance. A news story I read asserted the charges are “indefensible.” 

Well, duh, Cesar Chavez is not alive to defend himself. And defend himself from what? No criminal charges have ever been filed against him regarding the allegations. Also, what would motivate the 96-year-old Dolores Huerta to now bring to light these incidents? Why did it take over a half century? One local board member put in that in light of Chavez’s removal, a school should be renamed for Huerta. Is Dolores Huerta, this late in life, trying to steal Cesar’s thunder? Get her name put in the forefront of the farmworkers union, and history, and get a holiday in her name? I think Huerta is being manipulated, by some nefarious power. That power is pretty much obvious. The same power that created ICE and that is going after anything immigrant, or alien related. Their goal is to remove any ethnic heroes off America’s hero board. The same power that said Chavez is just like all those rapists that we are allowing into our country. But that power, who is a complete dufus, forgets that Chavez was a born and bred American, and a much older American than himself. 

For all our all knowing—and politically correct present leadership—how about removing the names of John F, Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy,  Martin Luther King, heck even FDR, and Thomas Jefferson, and many more, too many to mention, off all the schools, streets, buildings, airports and institutions that they are named after. For all those illustrious Americans abused women, committed adultery, committed immoral acts in office and out. Maybe the whole idea of naming things after such people should be put to pasture. 123rd street, and RRR school is just fine. 

Charles Birimisa

Watsonville

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Trujillo should pay attention to impacts of his remarks

Regarding the recent racial incident caused by Trustee Steve Trujillo’s insensitive actions against African Americans in the Board meetings of Cabrillo College, I think that he did not pay enough attention to the negative impacts caused by his actions while he tried to defend his actions by saying that he did not have any harmful intentions. I am saying this as a person who took training about racial issues. Cabrillo College is a public community educational institution. I do not know what action the Board might have taken in this case, but I believe that he is required to pay deep attention to the negative impacts caused by his insensitive actions as an elected official, a Trustee, who has represented Trustee Area 7.

Takashi Mizuno 

Watsonville

•••

Rail a necessity in times of war

As the Iranian war continues and oil is held hostage with the closure of the Strait, as gas prices creep ever higher, our RTC and certain elements in our County continue to berate the possibility of rail. I find this unconscionable.  

All of us are hurt by the increase in crude oil prices. Gas and diesel have already risen 40% in just a few weeks. The cost of propane has always increased along with gas and diesel. Food and beverages will increase in price as the cost of delivery increases. This will eventually affect the cost to charge an EV as the costs roil production and maintenance. Those on the lower-income tier may find it harder and harder to fill their tanks to get to work or school, eventually costing us in intangible ways.

Currently the only method of delivery into our county is by a paved road. Rail, a very cost effective method of transportation, is unavailable; and if the RTC and the anti-rail elements have their way, it never will be.  

Freight and passenger rail could and should be a reality that Santa Cruz County moves toward as a viable alternative to less asphalt and traffic congestion.

Vicki Miller

Santa Cruz

This week, I stood before the California State Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health not only as the CEO of Dientes Community Dental Care, but as a voice for our 18,000 patients in Santa Cruz County—who rely on Medi-Cal for essential dental care. 

My message was clear: reject the Governor’s proposed cuts to Medi-Cal dental benefits. The consequences of repeating past mistakes are too great.

I am grateful to Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Committee Member Mia Bonta and Speaker Rivas for their continued support of oral health care for California’s most vulnerable communities. Their leadership reflects what is truly at stake: not just a budget decision, but the health and dignity of millions.

At Dientes, we have seen what is possible when California invests in comprehensive care. When I began leading the organization in 2004, we served fewer than 7,000 patients, most receiving only minimal care—perhaps a cleaning or a filling. Today, thanks to the Affordable Care Act and Medi-Cal expansion, we serve 18,000 patients annually. They receive life-changing—and often life-saving—care: root canals that stop infections, dentures that restore the ability to eat, and prenatal dental care that protects both mother and child. This is what a functioning safety net looks like.

Now, that progress is at risk.

The Governor’s proposal would eliminate full-scope adult dental benefits for certain Medi-Cal enrollees based on immigration status and cut Proposition 56 supplemental payments that sustain dental providers. While framed as a $2 billion savings, these cuts would in reality shift costs elsewhere—onto hospital emergency rooms and communities already under strain.

We know this because we have seen it before.

In 2009, California eliminated adult Medi-Cal dental benefits. The results were immediate and severe. Preventive care disappeared. Patients delayed treatment until pain became unbearable. Dental infections escalated into medical emergencies. Emergency departments—already stretched thin—became the default providers for preventable dental conditions. This was not cost savings; it was cost deferral, and at a much higher price.

Today, we risk repeating that same pattern. A 2025 analysis from the American Dental Association projects a $400 million loss over five years from eliminating benefits to the 1.5 million undocumented Californians on Medi-Cal, due to increased emergency visits, higher medical costs from untreated disease, and job losses in the healthcare sector. These cuts will not save money—they will move costs into more expensive and less effective parts of the system.

At the same time, reducing Proposition 56 funding threatens to unravel the already fragile provider network that serves Medi-Cal patients. Even now, access is limited: only one in three adults in our community can find a dentist who accepts Medi-Cal. Further reductions will push providers out of the system. Some large dental providers, like Western Dental, are already considering clinic closures. For many families, that would mean losing access to care altogether.

Dental care is not optional—it is essential health care.

Untreated oral disease worsens chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, complicates pregnancies, and leads to avoidable pain and suffering. These impacts do not stay confined to the mouth; they ripple across the entire healthcare system, increasing costs for everyone.

We should be expanding access to care, not retreating from it.

I urge the Legislature to reject these cuts, protect adult Medi-Cal dental benefits, and preserve Proposition 56 funding. At a minimum, a one-year delay—made possible by stronger-than-expected state revenues—would give patients and providers critical time to prepare and avoid immediate harm.

California has already learned this lesson the hard way. We cannot afford to learn it again.

The choice before us is clear: invest in prevention and dignity or pay far more for crisis and neglect. For the health of our communities and the strength of our safety net, I urge lawmakers to choose wisely.

Laura Marcus is the CEO of Dientes Community Dental Care and a fierce advocate of oral health for all.

Work moves forward on the new Costa Vista Student Housing project at Cabrillo College in Aptos. The $181 million development will be the first student housing collaboration between a California community college and the University of California. The 257,000 square-foot project will span three buildings, with 60% of the beds designated for Cabrillo College students and 40% of the beds for UCSC students.