The Santa Cruz City Council will vote on whether to approve this year’s updates to the city’s active transportation plan, a guide for implementing projects, policies and initiatives that promote and improve walking, biking and mass transit.
Westside / Downtown
Posted inPolitics & Policy
A Westside elementary school principal and a UCSC student face off for Santa Cruz City Council’s District 6 seat
Incumbent Santa Cruz City Councilmember Renée Golder faces challenger Gabriella Noack, a UC Santa Cruz student, in the race for the Westside’s District 6 seat. The contest highlights contrasting approaches to homeless services and surveillance technology.
Posted inFood & Drink
River Street’s Java Junction to close after 28 years, citing rent hike and construction impacts
After 28 years, Java Junction will close its River Street location on Monday. Owner Michael Spadafora cites steep rent increases, prolonged construction disruptions and conflicts with landlord Balboa Retail Partners and property manager JLL. The closure follows months of reduced sales tied to lost outdoor seating and limited communication about the project, said Spadafora. The café’s Seabright and Santa Cruz Harbor locations will remain open.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
A look at local candidates’ first pre-election campaign finance disclosures of 2026
Thursday was the deadline for candidates in the Santa Cruz mayoral and city council races as well as the District 4 county supervisor and superior court judge seats to file their first pre-election campaign finance disclosures of the election cycle. Here’s what they show.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Capitola automatically renews contract with Flock; anti-surveillance organizers see ‘long road ahead’
Capitola’s contract with Flock Safety for automated license-plate readers in the city will continue for another 24 months. Meanwhile, members of grassroots group Get The Flock Out say they’ll continue to let police and elected officials in Capitola and Watsonville, which also has a deal with Flock, know about their concerns with the Atlanta-based company.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Delay is driving Santa Cruz County’s housing crisis deeper
Santa Cruz County is falling far behind its housing goals, with most jurisdictions on pace to meet barely half their targets – or less, write housing advocates Rafa Sonnenfeld and Janine Roeth. The problem, they write, isn’t a lack of planning; it’s that high costs, fees and delays make building financially unworkable. Proven solutions such as faster approvals and lower barriers are already on the table, but action keeps getting pushed years into the future. Every delay deepens the shortage, drives up prices and pushes more residents out, they write.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Weekender: Ducky Derby, Oaxacan extravaganza and Perfect Pair highlight packed local calendar
Your cheat sheet for eating well and going out in Santa Cruz County this weekend.
Posted inEvents
Best of Santa Cruz County arts & food events this weekend, April 23-26
With the weekend nearly here, check out things to do around Santa Cruz County with a recommendation from Lily Belli and a specially curated list from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inFood & Drink
Abbott Square adds Indian food, Puerto Rican flavors with two new kiosks
Two new vendors are joining Abbott Square Market, with longstanding farmers market stall India Gourmet opening a permanent kiosk and Luna’s Borikén Bites preparing to debut Puerto Rican dishes in the Octagon. The additions expand the downtown Santa Cruz food hall’s lineup with globally inspired menus.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Ami Chen Mills envisions a mayorship with more community conversations, leading to more people engaged in politics
Ami Chen Mills, an educator, writer and activist, aims to bring more community involvement to city government should she become Santa Cruz’s next mayor. She aspires to be an educator in office, too, with the hope of getting more people excited about and engaged in politics.
