5+ day, 14+ hour ago   (527+ words) At Lookout, we believe local journalism is about more than publishing stories. It’s about bringing people together, creating opportunities for conversation and helping our community stay informed and engaged. And if you value this kind of local journalism and community…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago   (753+ words) Later school start times can disrupt family schedules and cost districts money, but a new study says the benefits for sleep, mental health and academic achievement for California students makes the change worthwhile. California’s mandate requiring later start times for…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago   (529+ words) Watsonville Community Hospital leadership says it has used up the entirety of a $10.6 million grant for the facility. The hospital’s chief financial officer tells Lookout that the money was meant to be spent quickly. ➤ Para leer el artículo en español,…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago   (201+ words) In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on high-level departures at Watsonville-based berry giant Driscoll's, a new distillery in South County and plenty of names, numbers and dates to know. Each week, we’re taking a closer look…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (467+ words) The Pajaro Valley will take a closer look at youth mental health — and the future of local support for young people — at the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley’s 2026 Health Forum on Friday, Sept. 18. This year’s forum, “Youth Mental Health…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (567+ words) One of the joys of living in Santa Cruz County is spending time at one of our local lakes. Most of us would start our plans by first looking at the weather forecast. Yet, in our eagerness to get our…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago   (233+ words) Top o’ the morning to you, readers. It’s Monday, Aug. 31, and Santa Cruz County is in for a cooler stretch as we finish out August and move into September, with morning fog and perhaps a spot of drizzle eventually giving…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago   (633+ words) Nurses at Watsonville Community Hospital plan to rally Monday against an ongoing closure at the facility’s neonatal intensive care unit. Earlier this month, hospital leadership confirmed to Lookout that it closed the NICU in mid-July due to a nursing shortage…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago   (765+ words) Santa Cruz County schools are asking parents to share their children’s health insurance information – a no-cost step that could determine whether districts can afford to keep offering free student counseling and mental health services. ➤ Para leer el artículo en español,…...

2+ week, 6+ day ago   (914+ words) Drug-overdose deaths in Santa Cruz County are on pace to fall for a third consecutive year, with 20 deaths recorded in the first half of 2026 compared with 36 during the same period last year. Officials and treatment providers say a broad expansion…...