Quick Take:
The University of California system admitted a record number of California first-year students for fall 2023, led by...
Mornin’, mates, time to unravel the world’s latest puzzles. It is Wednesday, Aug. 9, and the temperate stretch continues for Santa Cruz County, with highs from the 60s to low 80s for another couple days before Mother Nature turns up the heat slightly headed into the weekend.
Lookout’s got much bubbling as we hit midweek, and if that’s enough for you to skip the guided tour, slide in here.
JUMP TO … Latest News | Opinion | Events | Guides | Puzzles
Vandals have again struck a Capitola Village store, and police are investigating the latest theft of a Pride flag from Lumen Gallery as a hate crime, Max Chun reports. It’s the second time in two months Lumen has been hit.
Civil rights were a focus of Tuesday’s hearing in a Santa Cruz courtroom involving convicted rapist Michael Cheek, with Christopher Neely reporting that the state and county are still struggling to find a place for Cheek to live after he was cleared in 2019 to reenter society under close watch.
The Wednesday headlines also include news from Lily Belli on the sudden closure of a Felton dining spot; we’ll head that way after a snapshot from Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
It’s a contrast downtown as construction continues in the area around Pacific Avenue and Laurel and Front streets. The facade of the building at Pacific and Laurel (left) is taking shape, with the building at Laurel and Front not far behind. Read more about ongoing downtown development in Lookout’s Changing Santa Cruz coverage.
After Lumen Gallery Pride flag stolen again, Capitola police investigating latest theft as hate crime
Lumen Gallery’s Pride flags were stolen this past weekend for the second time in just two months. Capitola police are investigating the incident as a hate crime and weighing options for how to prevent future theft and vandalism. Max Chun has more.
➤ PREVIOUSLY: Capitola Village businesses double down on support for LGBTQ+ community after Pride flag vandalism
Cheek pushes civil rights as state, Santa Cruz County continue search for a place to release convicted rapist
“I don’t know why my due process or liberty interest rights are not being considered here,” Michael Cheek told a Santa Cruz court Tuesday. The hearing ended with Judge Syda Cogliati denying his request for transient release, under which the state would purchase an RV for Cheek to call home. Cheek, twice convicted of rape, was cleared by state doctors in 2019 to reenter society under tight watch; Cogliati wants stakeholders to return Sept. 12 with options. Christopher Neely reports.
➤ FROM 2021: A test of ‘Bonny Doon Strong’: Why a ‘sexually violent predator’ should not be this community’s next battle
Food for thought as we launch into Wednesday. Keep it tuned to Lookout for the latest in Santa Cruz County news and views — we’re on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Threads. We also offer a host of other newsletters and breaking news alerts via email and text, which you can sign up for right here.
Our content isn’t possible without community support, so if you’re not already, please consider becoming a Lookout member.
Best of luck to everyone doing the back-to-school thing, and I’ll see you on the flip side.
Will McCahill
Lookout Santa Cruz
Upcoming events in Santa Cruz County
FRIDAY 10/20
The Mountain Affair @Ristorante Casa Nostra
Beers, Bikes and Bon Bons @Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
Vine to View Dinner @Chaminade Resort & Spa
10 O’Clock Lunch Band @Mid-County Senior Center
“The Thin Place” by Lucas Hnath @Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre
SATURDAY 10/21
Wonderland – The Gala @Hotel Paradox
Pickleball Tournament @Cabrillo College
20th Annual Bonny Doon Art, Wine & Brew Festival @Crest Ranch
The 7th Annual Floating Pumpkin Patch @Simpkins Family Swim Center
Pleasure Point Sip & Stroll @Pleasure Point
Symphony Concert: Operas Of Seville @Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Uncork Corralitos @Alladin Nursery
SUNDAY 10/22
Symphony Concert: Operas Of Seville @Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts
Lydia Pense & Cold Blood @Moe’s Alley
Gaby Castro @Chaminade Resort & Spa
Solidarity Records: The Fully Baked Tour @Shanty Shack Brewing
An Evening With Patty Griffin & Todd Snider @Rio Theatre
