Local News

New Leaf Energy will bypass Santa Cruz County’s permitting process and instead seek state approval for its proposed battery energy storage system near Watsonville, a move county officials long anticipated as local regulations tightened.

In a May 1 letter to County Executive Officer Nicole Coburn, the company said it will withdraw its application for the Seahawk project at 90 Minto Road and pursue the California Energy Commission’s “opt-in” permitting process under Assembly Bill 205.

The decision follows months of friction between the company and county leaders over a proposed ordinance regulating large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) in unincorporated areas.

New Leaf had previously supported a draft version of the ordinance, calling it among the strongest in the nation. But amendments added by the Board of Supervisors in January created “significant commercial risks” and uncertainty that made the local process “unviable,” according to Max Christian, a senior project developer for the company.

In particular, a requirement that future ownership transfers receive additional approval from the Board of Supervisors would complicate financing and delay procurement timelines needed to meet deadlines set by the California Independent System Operator, Christian wrote.

“Those amendments … created too much timing and commercial risk for Seahawk to be able to meet the CAISO’s March 2027 commercial viability deadline,” he said.

Instead, New Leaf will apply to the CEC in early summer, citing a more predictable review process with defined timelines that would allow the company to move forward with engineering and equipment procurement.

The move was foreshadowed in April, when the company submitted a pre-application to the CEC while continuing to work with the county on a local ordinance.

County officials said the shift was not a surprise.

“Given that New Leaf has been meeting with the state, this development is not unexpected,” county spokesperson Tiffany Martinez said in a statement. “While the project may move forward under state jurisdiction, the County’s expectations remain unchanged.”

The county emphasized that environmental review will still be required under the state process and said it expects local priorities—including protections for agricultural land, safety setbacks, emergency response planning and long-term site restoration—to be incorporated.

The proposed Seahawk facility has drawn scrutiny since it was introduced in 2025, particularly in the wake of a high-profile fire at a Vistra battery storage facility in Moss Landing that burned for days and raised concerns about toxic emissions.

New Leaf has said its project would use newer technology that does not rely on the same materials implicated in that fire.

In his letter, Christian said the company expects the CEC to incorporate elements of the county’s draft ordinance into its review, providing a degree of local control through the state process. He also said New Leaf will continue working with the county, including negotiating a community benefits agreement.

The company began public outreach in late 2024, meeting with local fire agencies, civic groups and elected officials, and hosting community meetings in Watsonville.

Despite the shift to state oversight, New Leaf said it remains committed to what it described as a “safe and thoroughly vetted project” that would improve grid reliability, lower energy costs and support climate goals.

The CEC process will include a full environmental review, consultation with battery safety experts, coordination with local fire agencies and public input meetings, the company said.

For county leaders, the key question now is how much influence local officials will retain as the project moves into state hands.

Josephine Vidal (from left), Esther Herrera, Ignacia Gonzalez and Maria Cornejo join in folkloric dancing during Cinco de Mary celebration at the Watsonville Senior Center. 

Older Adult Services Supervisor Katie Nuñez said about 73 regulars to the center were present for food, fun and dancing. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

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.

Here is what’s new in local business recently.

New businesses

• LOQUAT HEALTH was registered at 2955 Park Ave., Soquel, by Olivia W.r. Baker as an individual business on April 20.
• DEGRANDE MARKETPLACE was registered at 120 Gail Dr., Felton, by Donna Degrande as an individual business on April 20.
• CHRYSALIS BLOOM THERAPY was registered at 684 30th Ave., Santa Cruz, by Jessica Marie Ignacio as an individual business on April 20.
• LONE OAK REAL ESTATE was registered at 501 Soquel Ave., Suite J, Santa Cruz, by The Rezzato Group LLC as a limited liability company on April 21.
• J AND J DESIGN PRINTING was registered at 70 Mariposa Ave., Suite B, Watsonville, by Jesus Duarte Orozco as an individual business on April 21.
• RANCHO CERRITOS MHP was registered at 2121 Kralj Dr., Watsonville, by Jc Rancho LLC on April 21.
• WESTSIDE WINDOWS was registered at 10 Sunlit Lane, Santa Cruz, by Blue Echo, Inc. as a corporation on April 21.
• TRADER KIKI was registered at 16 Crescent Dr., Scotts Valley, by Kacey Lee Lewis as an individual business on April 21.
• CROSSFIT APTOS was registered at 7960 Soquel Dr., D1, Aptos, by Strong Ever After LLC as a limited liability company on April 22.
• LEM O’NADI was registered at 934 Lake Village Dr., Watsonville, by Nadia P. De La Torre as an individual business on April 22.
• 410 EXTRACTS was registered at 236 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, by SC Bloom Network Inc. as a corporation on April 22.
• SMALL TOWN COOKIE CO. was registered at 260 Villa Way, Boulder Creek, by Rebecca Wels as an individual business on April 22.
• THE CAN BUDDY was registered at 207 Spring St., Santa Cruz, by Matthew Peter Stelling as an individual business on April 22.
• HEALTHY ROOTS TREE CARE was registered at 2317 Vine Hill Rd., Santa Cruz, by Josias M. Harder as an individual business on April 22.
• WILLOW WORKS was registered at 5980 Highway 9, Felton, by Mariana Catarina Timmer as an individual business on April 22.
• OCEAN MAHJ was registered at 506 Hampstead Way, Santa Cruz, by Merilee Colle Ferdinand as an individual business on April 22.
• SANTA CRUZ PAINT CO. was registered at 3912 Portola Dr., S1, Santa Cruz, by Artt Paint Supplies LLC as a limited liability company on April 22.
• HARVEY WEST STUDIOS was registered at 119 Coral St., Santa Cruz, by 180 Supportive Housing, LLC as a limited liability company on April 22.
• JOHNNY’S ROAD DAWGS was registered at 1326 El Rancho Dr., Santa Cruz, by John Gambardella as an individual business on April 23.
• XDALLAS DESIGN was registered at 1646 Dolphin Dr., Aptos, by Dallas John Macdonald as an individual business on April 23.
• SWINGLINE TREE SERVICES was registered at 11560 Clear Creek Rd., Brookdale, by Feliciano, Jr., Gerard as an individual business on April 23.
• THE SAWMILL was registered at 15520 Highway 9, Boulder Creek, by Alex Lewis Consulting LLC as a limited liability company on April 23.
• SMARTWIRE was registered at 153 Marine Parade, Santa Cruz, by Robert Brian Hubbard as an individual business on April 24.
• METICULOUS MAID was registered at 14785 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, by Rachael A. Danckert as an individual business on April 24.
• Pantoja’s Junk Hauling & Removal was registered at 737 Glemar St., Watsonville, by Jesus E Pantoja Flores as an individual business on April 24.
• ROOTS BOUTIQUE SALON was registered at 2920 Park Ave., Suite C, Soquel, by Kelli Butcher as an individual business on April 24.
• Taproot Massage and Wellness was registered at 412 Cedar St., Suite A, Santa Cruz, by Julie Gallant as an individual business on April 24.
• KARINA GARCIA CPR TRAINING was registered at 582 Arlene Dr., Watsonville, by Karina Garcia as an individual business on April 24.
• MACKENZIE DONALDSON HAIR was registered at 2920 Park Ave., Suite C, Soquel, by Mackenzie Donaldson as an individual business on April 24.
• MID-COAST CHARTERS was registered at 111 Rogers Ave., Watsonville, by Kavi Treesong-engel as an individual business on April 24.
• On Point Wellness was registered at 879 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, by Jordan Michael Boerner as an individual business on April 25.
• FELTON DONUTS AND PASTRIES was registered at 6259 Graham Hill Rd., Felton, by Veasna Chuop as a business operated by a married couple on April 25.
• LAND AND LEAF ADVISORY, MOUNTAIN FLOWER FARMS, PURE AQUASCAPES was registered at 110 Brookwood Dr., Santa Cruz, by Sgid, Inc. as a corporation on April 25.
• ADOBOLOCO was registered at 3744 Capitola Rd., Santa Cruz, by Tnt Island Foods, LLC as a limited liability company on April 27.
• SANTA CRUZ OCEAN PAINTING was registered at 203 Dutchman Rd., Watsonville, by Alejandro Muniz Flores as a general partnership on April 27.
• HUMBLE SEA TAVERN was registered at 6256 Highway 9, Felton, by Humble Sea, Inc. as a corporation on April 27.
• MIRROR VANITY was registered at 278 Green Valley Rd., Freedom, by Eileens Exhibit LLC as a limited liability company on April 27.
• CANOPY MEDICAL CLINIC was registered at 9571 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, by California Rehab Physicians Professional Corporation as a corporation on April 28.
• REDWOOD LEDGERS was registered at 206 Sylvan Way, Felton, by Raechel Leigh Duurvoort as an individual business on April 28.
• APPARENT READING BACKFLOW TESTING was registered at 417 Cliff St., #8, Santa Cruz, by Hector Uribe Jr. as an individual business on April 28.
• PLEASANT VALLEY ART STUDIO was registered at 1015 Pleasant Valley Rd., Aptos, by Sandy Shaw, LLC as a limited liability company on April 28.
• REDWOODS FOREST BATHING was registered at 1027 Smith Grade, Santa Cruz, by Natura Collective Supply LLC as a limited liability company on April 28.
• INDEPENDENT 1 STOP SHOP was registered at 705 Capitola Rd., Santa Cruz, by Francisco Arana as an individual business on April 29.
• LANDSCAPING was registered at 141 Vista De Lago Circle, Watsonville, by J. Jesus Fernandez Vasquez as an individual business on April 29.
• SANTA CRUZ FLAMENCO was registered at 61 Airport Rd., Freedom, by Barbara Imhoff as an individual business on April 29.
• SC CUSTOMS was registered at 2851 Research Park Dr., Unit E, Soquel, by Kaizo Automotive LLC as a limited liability company on April 29.
• RESILIENT RECOVERY SERVICES was registered at 174 Suburbia Ave., Santa Cruz, by Laurie Susan Sanford as an individual business on April 29.
• LITTLE OTTER LITERACY was registered at 118 Bennett Rd., Aptos, by Little Otter Literacy LLC as a limited liability company on April 30.
• DHARMA FUNDER was registered at 7909 Fremont Ave., Ben Lomond, by Rebecca Funder as an individual business on April 30.
• TRAMP STAMP INK was registered at 128 Pearl Alley, Santa Cruz, by Robert Klem as an individual business on April 30.
• J & D MARKET was registered at 226 Riverside Dr., Watsonville, by Eun Chu Cho as an individual business on April 30.
• BUDGET BLINDS OF SAN JOSE WEST, BUDGET BLINDS OF SANTA CLARA was registered at 307 Oak Creek Blvd., Scotts Valley, by Aumkar LLC as a limited liability company on April 30.
• WELL DOULA was registered at 2460 17th Ave., #1111, Santa Cruz, by Emily Kathryn Lauri as an individual business on May 1.
• DJ Shazam was registered at 101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, by Aym Entertain LLC as a limited liability company on May 1.

Have news that should be in Lookout Briefs? Send your news releases, including contact information, to news@lookoutlocal.com.

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The Cabrillo College governing board voted Monday night to censure trustee Steve Trujillo after determining he violated board policies on four occasions. The censure, which bars him from leadership roles and committee service for three years, follows prior disciplinary action in 2023.

This post is updated throughout the day to reflect the latest incidents. It was last updated at 7:30 a.m..

Here’s what’s happening on the roads this morning…

▼︎ new incidents

Road incidents as of 7:30 a.m. on May 5

• A lane on westbound SR-152 at Clifford Drive/Ohlone Parkway in Watsonville and Pajaro is closed for asphalt paving. The closure will last until July 3 at 5:59 a.m.
   

Disclosure: Traffic incidents are partially generated by artificial intelligence. We are constantly working to improve the accuracy and quality of our AI-generated content. However, there may still be errors or inaccuracies. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

The post Tuesday morning traffic: Westbound SR-152 lane closed for paving until July 3 appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

The Santa Cruz Longboard Union Club Invitational, the longest-running longboard surf contest in the United States, according to the club, returns to Steamer Lane this Memorial Day weekend.

The Santa Cruz Longboard Union, founded in 1981, is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting surf culture and community engagement through events, outreach and competition. 

Blending surf heritage with community impact, the annual event aims to represent the Santa Cruz surf culture, as well as raise money for local nonprofits, according to a news release from the group.

Nearly 200 surfers from across California will gather to compete for trophies and points within The Coalition of Surfing Clubs. As an official invitational, participation is limited to coalition-affiliated surf teams.

The invitational will take place May 23 and 24 at the iconic surf break Steamer Lane along West Cliff Drive, near the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum and lighthouse.

The event will also feature a vendor marketplace on both Saturday and Sunday. 

More than 14 local vendors will be on hand offering handcrafted goods, including clothing, jewelry, candles, wetsuits and other surf-inspired products. Attendees can also purchase food and drinks from nearby Steamer Lane Supply.

The Santa Cruz Longboard Union Club Invitational happens May 23 and 24, from 7 a.m to 5 p.m., at 700 West Cliff Dr. The event is free and open to the public.

Have news that should be in Lookout Briefs? Send your news releases, including contact information, to news@lookoutlocal.com.

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The post Longest-running longboard surf contest in the U.S. returns to Steamer Lane appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

With less than a week to go, Friends of Santa Cruz Metro expects it will not be able to gather the signatures needed to get its proposal for a half-cent sales tax on this November’s ballot.

Teachers unions at Pacific Collegiate School and in Pajaro Valley Unified School District have reached an impasse with administrators after months of stalled contract negotiations over pay and benefits, moving them closer to a potential strike. The disagreements center on salary increases and a proposed cap on health benefits.

Preventable diseases are making a troubling comeback in Santa Cruz County, with whooping cough cases already rising to 33 this year already and measles spreading across California. Most of the cases are starting in middle and high schools, write local pediatric providers. They warn that declining vaccination rates and missed boosters are leaving children, especially infants, vulnerable. The risks of these highly contagious illnesses are real, they write, and stress routine immunizations remain the strongest defense. The moment is urgent: Staying up to date on vaccines will protect us all.

Selling bonds. Awarding tax credits. Overseeing pension funds. Investing idle cash for maximum return.

These are the roles of California’s treasurer, a job that evokes someone with a fondness for green eyeshades and a favorite Excel function. 

But in California — as in most other states — it’s a job that goes to a politician. 

ELECTION 2026: Read more local, state and national coverage here from Lookout and our content partners

That might leave voters wondering: What’s the best combination of skills, experience and values for such an exceedingly wonky job? 

Ask the six candidates and you’re liable to get six different answers. 

California’s next money manager should be a detail-oriented former diplomat, according to Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis. 

For state Sen. Anna Caballero, Kounalakis’ chief Democratic rival, the better option is a wily elected official from a working-class community with experience running a government bureaucracy.

The two Republicans, Jennifer Hawks and David Serpa, both believe it should be someone eager to check the fiscal impulses of California’s overwhelmingly Democratic political establishment. 

Board of Equalization member Tony Vazquez thinks a longtime elected tax commissioner is a good fit. Glenn Turner, a former crystal and Tarot card seller-turned mental health activist, believes the role calls for someone with a radical political vision.

Not even turn-of-the-century Gov. Hiram Johnson, one of modern California’s political founding fathers, knew what makes a good state treasurer. The job, he complained to the Legislature in 1911, is “merely clerical” and its “qualifications naturally can not be well understood.”

The June 2 race is largely a rivalry between the top Democrats.

Kounalakis vs. Caballero

There isn’t much reliable public polling, but as measured by name recognition, high-caliber endorsements and campaign cash on hand, this is Kounalakis’ race to lose.

That’s in part thanks to her current role as lieutenant governor — a job that commands statewide name ID and governing experience, even if its list of responsibilities is relatively short.

Kounalakis’ personal fortune has also surely helped her become a top candidate. The daughter of developer Angelo Tsakopolous, founder of Sacramento-based AKT Development Corporation, she has nearly nine times as much money parked in her campaign account as the other five candidates combined. 

Kounalakis entered Democratic politics as a major donor, helping her secure an ambassadorship to Hungary under President Barack Obama. Those fundraising connections also have paid off this cycle: She is endorsed by former first lady Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

From left, state Sen. Anna Caballero and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis. Credit: Fred Greaves and Miguel Gutierrez Jr. for CalMatters

Kounalakis wouldn’t be the first to take this path to the treasurer’s office. Phil Angeledes, who served from 1999 to 2007, is also an AKT alum whose political career was partially funded by Tsakopolous.

Though Kounalakis initially ran to replace Newsom as governor, she switched to the lower-profile treasurer’s race last summer amid flagging prospects in a crowded field. But Kounalakis, whose campaign did not respond to requests for an interview, has since argued that her experience as a developer and her self-professed technical orientation make the role of treasurer a better fit. She told the San Francisco Chronicle that she craved a technical role after so many years as a diplomat “standing in front of a podium with a visiting dignitary.”

Kounalakis’ decision was an unwelcome development for state Sen. Anna Caballero. A longtime state legislator who served as Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency secretary under former Gov. Jerry Brown, the Merced Democrat was the presumptive favorite until then. Caballero has the upper hand by at least one metric: She has raised more money than Kounalakis since the beginning of this year, even if her campaign account is dwarfed by the war chest the lieutenant governor has amassed over the years.

Both Kounalakis and Caballero are termed out of their current roles. 

The competition between the two top Democratic hopefuls is fierce, even if they don’t seem to disagree about much. 

Both want the state to simplify the application process for affordable housing subsidies — which is already in the works with the governor’s new housing agency. Both support recent treasurer’s initiatives to direct state funds toward renewable energy projects and to administer a retirement savings program for workers whose employers don’t offer pension or 401(k) accounts. Both expressed enthusiasm about a proposal to require state banks and other financial institutions to lend more in lower income neighborhoods and communities.

Where there is daylight between the two, it is more a matter of emphasis than major disagreement. Caballero, for example, avidly promotes the use of hydrogen and dairy gas as gasoline alternatives and said the treasurer could foster private-public partnerships in those industries. As a member of the State Lands Commission, Kounalakis is an avid advocate for offshore wind power development.

Who will make the top two?

Though Kounalakis and Caballero are the two most formidable candidates, it’s far from certain that both will make it to the November ballot. One of the top two spots could easily go to a Republican under California’s system in which the top two vote-getters advance. 

California’s Republican establishment has been doing everything possible to make that happen. The California Republican Party formally endorsed Jennifer Hawks, a Bay Area party activist and former private school administrator, over fellow Republican David Serpa. Reform California, the conservative fundraising and get-out-the-vote organization run by Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, also endorsed her.

“There’s a risk of splitting the vote,” DeMaio noted in a livestreamed conversation with Hawks. “We need to make sure that we have someone in the general election that we can be proud of.”

What does the treasurer do?

The day-to-day work is mostly done by professional staff and it doesn’t vary much with changes at the top. That doesn’t afford their elected boss much room for creativity or innovation. Bill Lockyer, the state’s treasurer between 2007 and 2015, said the job’s main role is to ensure that work is done with Californians in mind — that the “professional staff is managing responsibly.”

Still, there are occasional opportunities to do more with the job. Lockyer pointed to his decision to invest in international renewable energy projects through the World Bank — a first for the state — as one of his most important achievements. When Angeledes held the office, he used the treasurer’s posts on the boards of the state’s two major public employee pension funds to inveigh against investment banks and to champion the rights of shareholders. Other Democratic treasurers have acted as fiscal foils to Republican governors. 

Since the days of Hiram Johnson, the post has also occasionally been derided as a sinecure for career politicians awaiting their next move. 

That, said Caballero, is decidedly not why she wants to be treasurer. Pointing to her work on housing policy and rural economic development, she said everything in her legislative career “relates back to what’s in the treasurer’s office.” 

Adding a not-so-subtle dig at Kounalakis: “I’m not on a stepping stone up to something else.”

Not that the treasurer’s office has been a particularly effective stepping stone: Angeledes, Kathleen Brown, and, more recently, John Chiang all attempted post-treasurer’s office runs for governor. None succeeded. 

Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.

The post In the six-way race to be California’s treasurer, it likely comes down to two Democrats appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

California is investigating one of the Trump administration’s deals to end an offshore wind project off Morro Bay, with the California Energy Commission saying it has issued an administrative subpoena to Golden State Wind.

Election season is here – and if the energy in the room on April 15 was any indication, South County voters are ready.

Lookout Santa Cruz hosted its first election forum in Watsonville that Wednesday evening, bringing together the three candidates vying for the District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor seat: incumbent Felipe Hernandez and challengers Tony Nuñez and Elias Gonzales. Nearly 80 people packed the room (and 50 joined online) to hear the candidates make their case on issues that hit close to home – housing, economic investment, homelessness and the controversial battery storage project proposed for outside Watsonville.

The conversation was lively, substantive and at times pointed. All three candidates agreed on one foundational truth: South County has long been underserved by county government. What they disagreed on – and debated with real energy – was what to do about it.

Election coverage is free – thanks to our members

All of Lookout’s election coverage – forums, candidate profiles, voter guides – is free and open to everyone. That’s only possible because of our members, who make it their business to ensure that civic information reaches the whole community, not just those who can afford a subscription.

If you want to be part of making that happen, now is a great time to join. We have a special election membership offer: your first year for just $99 with coupon code Election2026.

Democracy works better when people are informed. We’re here to help with that – in English, in Spanish, in Watsonville, and across the county.

• Tony Nuñez (far left) speaks during an April 15 Lookout forum for District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor candidates. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
• District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor candidate Elias Gonzales speaking at a Lookout forum on April 15. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
• Tony Nuñez
• Left to right: Tony Nuñez, Elias Gonzales and Felipe Hernandez. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
• Incumbent District 4 County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez speaks during Wednesday’s Lookout candidate forum. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
• District 4 county supervisor candidate Tony Nuñez speaks during an April 15 Lookout candidate forum. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
• District 4 Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez speaking at a Lookout candidate forum on April 15. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Two years ago, we welcomed Tania Ortiz to the Lookout team as our South County correspondent. Tania covers the Pajaro Valley with the depth, context and community trust that only comes from being genuinely embedded in the place you cover. The April 15 forum, with bilingual translation available, was a direct expression of that commitment – bringing Lookout’s civic journalism not just to South County online, but in person.

You can read Tania’s full coverage of the forum and overall South County candidate coverage –  including Spanish-language versions – on our election central page.

What’s next: Mark your calendar for May 7

Our election season is just getting started. Join us on Thursday, May 7, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Hotel Paradox for our next forum, covering the Santa Cruz city mayoral race and city council races for Districts 4 and 6. If you care about the direction of Santa Cruz city government, this is the event to be at. Space is limited and spots are filling quickly, so RSVP now. 

RSVP now

The post Democracy in action: Lookout brings its first Watsonville election forum to South County 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.

Funcionarios del condado de Santa Cruz dicen que necesitarán recurrir a las reservas del condado en el próximo año fiscal para ayudar a afrontar desafíos financieros causados por menores ingresos y menos financiamiento federal.

Según un informe del personal, el condado planea usar casi 43 millones de dólares en financiamiento combinado de una sola vez de sus reservas del fondo general y de fondos fiduciarios departamentales para ayudar a evitar despidos de empleados y mantener los servicios de red de seguridad que son proporcionados por la Agencia de Servicios de Salud.

El condado de Santa Cruz ha operado bajo “fuertes restricciones fiscales” durante un tiempo y también está viendo una reducción en los ingresos por impuestos sobre las ventas a medida que más personas compran en línea, escribió Nicole Coburn, la funcionaria ejecutiva del condado, en un artículo de opinión publicado el domingo en la sección Community Voices de Lookout. El condado recibe solo 13 centavos de cada dólar de impuestos a la propiedad, escribió en el artículo. 

Tras recortes al financiamiento federal el verano pasado, los desafíos financieros solo se han intensificado a un “grado insostenible,” escribió Coburn. La primera de cuatro audiencias presupuestarias del condado está programada para el 5 de mayo en Santa Cruz.

En marzo, el condado proyectó un déficit de 23.2 millones de dólares para el año fiscal 2026-27 y un déficit estructural a largo plazo que podría superar los 67 millones de dólares para 2028-29 en ausencia de medidas de mitigación. El condado implementó restricciones de viaje y contratación y pidió que los departamentos buscaran maneras de equilibrar sus respectivos presupuestos.

El condado también eliminará un total de 57.88 puestos de tiempo completo, aunque vacantes, en todos los departamentos. Muchos de los puestos vacantes que se eliminarán pertenecían a los servicios de salud y humanos del condado.

El año pasado, la agencia de salud despidió a cuatro de sus empleados como resultado de restricciones presupuestarias, una cifra que habría sido mayor si la Junta de Supervisores del Condado de Santa Cruz no hubiera redirigido más de 500,000 dólares de iniciativas de carreteras y vivienda hacia la agencia.

El uso de las reservas del fondo general tiene un costo, sin embargo. El personal del condado proyecta que las reservas disminuirán de 12.5% a 10.4% de sus gastos del fondo general, por debajo del promedio de los condados de California. También está por debajo del objetivo de 15% aprobado por la junta de supervisores.

La medida reduciría las reservas existentes del condado a 87 millones de dólares. Actualmente, el condado tiene casi 107.8 millones de dólares en sus reservas del fondo general. Al menos 30.8 millones de dólares se usarán de las reservas y 12.2 millones de dólares de los fondos fiduciarios departamentales para ayudar a equilibrar el presupuesto.

Por lo general, las reservas se usan como un fondo para “tiempos difíciles” para desastres naturales, como incendios forestales e inundaciones severas, para ayudar a gestionar el flujo de efectivo y como un colchón contra recesiones económicas. La cantidad que una agencia gubernamental tiene en sus reservas también actúa como una señal para los sistemas de calificación crediticia sobre la flexibilidad financiera.

Para reconstruir las reservas hasta 15%, dicen los empleados, se “requerirá una combinación de crecimiento de ingresos, contención de costos y alineación fiscal estructural” a partir del año fiscal 2027-28. El condado también está desarrollando un plan plurianual para restaurar sus reservas.

El portavoz del condado Jason Hoppin dijo a Lookout que el condado está apoyando una solicitud coordinada al estado a través de la Asociación de Condados del Estado de California por 1.9 millones de dólares para el presupuesto 2026-27 para ayudar a los condados, incluido Santa Cruz, a estabilizar los programas de red de seguridad tras recortes al financiamiento federal.

Hoppin dijo que el condado también podría buscar otras maneras de aumentar el desarrollo económico, que dijo ha sido pasado por alto históricamente.

Pero un objetivo principal, dijo Hoppin, es evitar recortes a su fuerza laboral.

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The post El presupuesto del condado de Santa Cruz recurrirá a reservas para afrontar desafíos financieros causados por cambios en el financiamiento federal appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

If you’ve owned your home for a while, you’ve likely built up equity without even thinking about it. Equity can be a powerful financial tool, but many homeowners aren’t sure how to access it or when it makes sense. One option you may have heard about is a Home Equity Line of Credit, or a HELOC, but what does that mean for you?

We sat down with Kaila, one of Bay Federal’s Home Loan Consultants, to break it down in a way that actually makes sense.

Kaila Linkswiler, a Home Loan Consultant at Bay Federal Credit Union. Credit: Bay Federal Credit Union

Q: Let’s start simple. What is a HELOC? 

Kaila: The easiest way to think about a HELOC is that it’s a way to tap into your home’s equity. You can use the money however you want, but one of the biggest benefits right now is that you don’t have to touch your first mortgage to get cash out. 

Q: Why does not touching your mortgage matter? 

Kaila: Many homeowners have really good interest rates on their first mortgage. If you refinance, you could lose that. A HELOC lets you access cash without replacing that loan, so you keep your existing rate and only borrow what you need on the side. It also allows you to have access to that equity without necessarily needing to borrow it; you only pay on what you use.

Q: How does a HELOC actually work?

Kaila: Once you’re approved, you get access to a line of credit that you can draw from as needed — it’s flexible, kind of like a credit card in that sense. You’re approved for a limit and can use the funds as needed, rather than taking everything at once. During the first 10 years, which we call the draw period, you only make payments on what you use, not the full amount. Often, there is a low, fixed rate for any draw on your credit line during an introductory period. After that the rate becomes tied to prime. 

Q: What happens after the draw period? 

Kaila: After the draw period, you move into repayment. At that point, the remaining balance is paid off over time with principal and interest. But before that, you have a lot of flexibility in how and when you use the funds.

Q: What are most people using a HELOC for? 

Kaila: Home improvements are the biggest use we see, like remodeling or building an ADU. We also see people use them for debt consolidation, education, or even as a financial safety net. Some members open a HELOC to have access to funds if they ever need them. There’s really no limit for what they can be used for.

Q: Who is a HELOC good for?

Kaila: A HELOC can be a good fit for homeowners who have built equity and want flexible access to funds. It can be especially helpful for larger expenses or ongoing needs, like home improvements, where you may not need all the money at once.

Q: How is a HELOC different from a personal loan?

Kaila: A personal loan usually gives you one lump sum with a shorter repayment term. A HELOC gives you access to a line of credit, so you can borrow what you need, when you need it. Since the repayment timeline is often longer, the monthly payment may be lower than some shorter-term loan options.

Q: What’s one thing people might not realize about HELOCs?

Kaila: A lot of people don’t realize you don’t have to use it right away, or at all. You can set it up and keep it as a backup. You’re only paying interest on what you actually use. A HELOC can be a really helpful tool, but because your home is used as collateral, it’s important to have a plan for how you’ll use it and pay it back.

Q: Any advice for someone considering a HELOC?

Kaila: Go in with a plan. It’s a really flexible tool, which is great, but you want to make sure it aligns with your goals. And if you’re unsure, talk it through with someone. That’s what we’re here for.

For many homeowners, especially in today’s rate environment, a HELOC can be a helpful way to access funds without changing their existing mortgage.

Whether you’re planning home improvements, consolidating debt, or preparing for future expenses, the key is understanding how a HELOC fits into your bigger financial picture.

The best place to start is with a conversation. A Bay Federal Home Loan Consultant can walk you through your options, answer your questions, and help you decide what makes sense for your goals.

About Bay Federal Credit Union

Bay Federal Credit Union is a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution that serves over 97,000 members, including 3,100 local businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties. With more than $1.8 billion in assets, Bay Federal is the largest member-owned financial institution in the region. The organization has been proudly serving its members and the community since 1957. Bay Federal is a certified Community Development Financial Institution, with a primary mission of promoting community development alongside their financial activities. Bay Federal has an award-winning employee volunteer program in which employees have given their own money and volunteer for numerous local schools, nonprofit organizations, and community events each year.

The post What is a HELOC? A simple guide to using your home’s equity appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

May is underway, election season is in full swing, and as springtime begins to close, Lookout’s calendar of events is focused on soaking up the sun and beauty of Santa Cruz County and its residents. Lookout is hosting election events, including another candidate forum to help keep the county informed politically. From art markets to golfing events, May is sure to be a month full of excitement and fun activities. Below are upcoming events hosted by Lookout and our partners. 

We’re proud to partner with local organizations to highlight events that reflect the heart of Santa Cruz County. It’s all part of our mission to make local news a living, breathing part of community life.

And we couldn’t do it without our Marketing Partners, who help us spotlight key happenings across the county. Interested in joining our Media Sponsorship program? Contact Duffy Barrett at duffy@lookoutlocal.com.

See you out in the community this month!

Lookout’s Santa Cruz city election forum | May 7

Join Lookout Santa Cruz to hear from mayoral and Santa Cruz City Council candidates in the leadup to this year’s primary election. Moderated by Lookout Santa Cruz’s Community Voices opinion editor, Jody K. Biehl, candidates will be asked questions, answering on the spot. Community members will get the opportunity to raise issues they are curious and passionate about during an audience questions section of the debate. This event will take place at Hotel Paradox from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and is open to all community members for free.

A Night with Kat Moss from Scowl | May 1

Hwy17 Studios is hosting a one-night-only live interview and performance with Kat Moss, lead singer of Scowl, featuring local artists. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a live on-stage conversation with an intermission that will be followed by a set by Kat, local musicians and a special guest with collaborative songs. 

Peach Pit @ Quarry Amphitheater | May 2

Make sure to secure your tickets for Canadian indie pop band Peach Pit. The group will be playing at the Quarry Amphitheater beginning at 8 p.m. 

Arts Council – Spring Art Market | May 9

Explore the Spring Art Market at the Tannery Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, with live music performances from La Otra Banda and Yellowcat. Enjoy the local fine art, textiles, ceramics and jewelry while connecting with artists from around the county. 

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services – Mother’s Day Walk & Run | May 10

Celebrate Mother’s Day meaningfully this year by participating in the Pajaro Valley Shelter Services’ 42nd annual Mother’s Day Walk and Run. This event takes place on a scenic 10K/5K/1K trail to benefit families experiencing homelessness. Participants are invited to take the event at whatever pace fits them. Reservations can be made online up until 7 a.m. the day of the race. Help make this race a milestone of compassion, caring and community!

Aptos Chamber – Golf Scramble | May 14

Tee up alongside local golfers at Seascape Golf Club from 1 to 7 p.m. Whether you attend as a golfer, hole sponsor or event sponsor, this event is sure to be fun and a great networking opportunity. 

Mountain Community Theater’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” | May 15 – June 7

Mountain Community Theater is proud to present its opening of what is widely considered one of America’s best plays, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? An original Broadway production that has won five Tonys and was nominated for 13 and won five Academy Awards, it explores the marriage of a couple George and Martha over the course of a night of fun and games involving a young couple with secrets of their own. This play is full of mystery, wit and dark comedy. 

Pajaro Valley Chamber – Watsonville Wine, Beer & Art Walk | May 14

Downtown Watsonville will host the seventh annual Watsonville Wine, Beer and Art Walk from 1 to 5 p.m. Eventgoers will receive a sampling souvenir cup and passport including downtown locations to explore different tastings at each site. Explore local wines, craft beers and artwork by local artists while strolling through downtown. Because this event is so popular and sells out annually, make sure to secure your tickets as soon as possible.

BrunchBark – BirchBark Foundation fundraiser | May 17

Join the BirchBark Foundation at Chaminade Resort and Spa from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for an elegant brunch supporting the organization’s programs. The event will include a champagne welcome, silent auction, buffet brunch and a program that will highlight the work that BirchBark does in Santa Cruz County. Help to reduce financial barriers to veterinary care and support families and animals through difficult times.

Volunteer Center – Be The Difference Awards | May 20

Join civic and community leaders of Santa Cruz County at this year’s Be The Difference Awards gala. Hosted by the Volunteer Center, the event will take place at the Beach Boardwalk Grove from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Honor the 50 featured individuals, organizations and groups who strengthen the county through volunteerism.

Aptos Chamber – Luncheon w/ Susan True | May 21

The Aptos Chamber will hold a luncheon with Susan True from the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. Hosted at the Seacliff Inn, the event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Santa Cruz Chamber – Business After Hours: West Coast Community Bank | May 21

The Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce is happy to host a business after-hours networking event from 5 to 7 p.m. at West Coast Community Bank’s River Street branch. Bringing together local professionals interested in building lasting relationships, creating a more connected community and supporting the economy of the county. Register for the event to experience an evening full of refreshments, connection and fostering community prosperity. 

Redwood Mountain Faire | May 30 – 31

Celebrating 15 years at Roaring Camp in Felton, the Redwood Mountain Faire is a weekend full of fun and excitement. The weekend affair will feature music all day on the Meadow and Creekside stages. With activities for all ages, the event includes bouncy houses, face painting, food, local arts and crafts, train rides and more.

Galicia Stack Lozano is a student at UC Santa Cruz and an intern at Lookout Santa Cruz through the Humanities EXCEL program led by the UC Santa Cruz Humanities Division with strategic support from The Humanities Institute

The post Lookout in the Community: May events across Santa Cruz County  appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Here’s what’s happening on Santa Cruz County roads this morning…

▼︎ new incidents

Road incidents as of 7 a.m. on May 4

• A lane on westbound Highway 152 at Clifford Drive/Ohlone Parkway in Watsonville is closed for asphalt paving. The closure is expected to last until July 3.
   

Disclosure: Traffic incidents are partially generated by artificial intelligence. We are constantly working to improve the accuracy and quality of our AI-generated content. However, there may still be errors or inaccuracies. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

The post Monday morning traffic: Westbound Highway 152 lane closed for paving appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

A Santa Cruz County cyclist is helping raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease in a unique – and strenuous – way: by joining other bikers in pedaling down the West Coast and across the desert to arrive at the seventh World Parkinson Congress, being held this year in Phoenix at the end of May.

David Kadotani, well known in South County as the longtime owner of Kadotani Auto Repair in Watsonville, will be joining the pack of riders in Half Moon Bay and continuing on to Phoenix. The riders maintain their own pace, averaging from 35 to 75 miles per day. 

Kadotani, 69, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in May 2020. He joined a Santa Cruz County Parkinson’s support group, and later became board treasurer.

“Of course, everything was on Zoom at that point” because of COVID awareness, Kadotani said in a phone interview. “It was a couple years before I met a lot of these members in person.”

In preparation for the journey, Kadotani said he trains twice a week with a local group.

“The outdoor rides, we’re out there for about four hours, twice a week,” Kadotani said. He prefers riding outside instead of using a home trainer: “On an indoor trainer, it’s hard. You’re constantly pedaling. You can’t coast.”

The bike event – Pedal to Phoenix – is put on by the World Parkinson Coalition. It aims to raise awareness of Parkinson’s, highlight the importance of exercise for people with the disease and promote the World Parkinson Congress. 

The World Parkinson Congress is an international forum that brings together scientists, clinicians, healthcare professionals and people living with the disease.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that occurs when nerve cells in the brain die or become damaged. This damage reduces dopamine production, leading to movement problems and other issues. There is no cure, but extensive research has shown that exercise of any kind can forestall the symptoms. 

Teams of cyclists – some with the disease and others as support – from around the world will be cycling from various locations across North America to Phoenix.

Regardless of where the teams start, they all will meet at the welcome party in Phoenix on May 22. 

Kadotani’s group, Team West Coast, will be passing through Santa Cruz and Monterey counties on Tuesday, May 5. Supporters can gather to cheer them on and donate food and snacks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Marina branch of the Monterey County Free Libraries, 190 Seaside Circle, Marina.

Have news that should be in Lookout Briefs? Send your news releases, including contact information, to news@lookoutlocal.com.

MORE LOCAL COVERAGE

The post West Coast to Phoenix: Pedaling to fight Parkinson’s appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

A month of eating across Santa Cruz County highlighted playful dishes, from a wild Tostilocos snack in Watsonville and indulgent French toast at a local coffeehouse, to sourdough with compound butter at Emerald Mallard, viral fruit-shaped desserts at Sugar Bakery and fresh spring rolls at Dharma’s Restaurant.

The post The best things I ate and drank in Santa Cruz County in April appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Pajaro Valley Unified School District reached a settlement with the family of a first grade special education student after acknowledging it failed to meet legal requirements outlined in the child’s education plan. The agreement includes compensatory services such as summer camp, behavioral support and speech therapy.

The post Pajaro Valley Unified settles with family over unmet services for special education student appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission will consider a draft of this year’s list of unmet transit and paratransit needs at its meeting Thursday, an annual occurrence informed by members of the community.

The post Carmageddon: RTC considering list of transit and paratransit requests appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.