Quick Take:
UC Santa Cruz student Tommy Alejandrez was living on the streets when he met former NFL player Zack Follett on a busy...
Hiya, folks! It’s Wednesday, Feb. 16, and this sunshine should continue all day, warming Santa Cruz County into the mid- to upper 60s. If that gets you headed to the beach, beware:
I hope you’ve subscribed to my colleague Lily Belli’s food and drink newsletter; if not, you might’ve missed yesterday’s, in which she checked in with one local institution about the relaxed mask mandate, among other topics.
Other stories we’re watching this morning:
- Frequent flooding and as much as a foot of sea level rise are coming to California by 2050, a new report says.
- The rising demand for service dogs has created a “Wild West” marketplace.
- And Gov. Gavin Newsom has nominated the first Latina to California’s Supreme Court.
Let’s get to it:
Masks staying on at Gayle’s; Rosie McCann’s to reopen
Lookout’s Lily Belli talks to the owner of Capitola institution Gayle’s about how she’s approaching the latest shift in the masking landscape, and brings good news on the downtown Santa Cruz restaurant scene. Find and subscribe to her newsletter here.
➤ MORE FROM LILY: Find all of our food and drink coverage here
Rising sea levels pose perilous threat to California coast
The U.S. coastline is expected to experience as much sea level rise in the next 30 years as it did in the 100 years prior, according to a new study. Our partners at the Los Angeles Times report on the findings.
➤ MORE ON THE ENVIRONMENT: Find all of Lookout’s coverage in one place
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Demand for service dogs unleashes a ‘Wild West’ market
Service dogs can help people living with conditions from autism to epilepsy, but a trained dog can cost up to $40,000 — and insurance won’t cover it. Our partners at Kaiser Health News dig in.
➤ MORE ON HEALTH: Find all of Lookout’s coverage in one place
Newsom nominates first Latina to California Supreme Court
Patricia Guerrero, a daughter of immigrants, would become the high court’s first Latina. Read more about Guerrero and representation in California courts overall from our partners at CalMatters.
➤ MORE FROM SACRAMENTO: No legal battles for California’s new election maps. But what lessons can be learned? (CalMatters)
California bills target doctors, websites pushing vaccine misinformation
The bills were introduced as part of an effort by a group of Democratic legislators who have been working to strengthen vaccination laws. The Times has the details.
➤ MASK RULES: California school mask mandate will remain in place through at least Feb. 28 (Los Angeles Times)
➤ PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH JOBS: See all the most recent listings here.
- Sustainability and Equity Special Projects Manager at UC Santa Cruz
- Visitor Service Aide at Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
- Director of Operations at Homeless Garden Project
Around the county …
➤ Hotel, cup taxes to become ballot measures in Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
➤ Advocates question whether pilot pesticide alert program will provide transparency (The Pajaronian)
➤ CHP: One person killed in crash near Moss Landing (KION-TV)
That’s all for the moment, but bookmark our website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep tabs on everything Lookout has cooking. You can also get breaking news alerts and our newsletters sent to you wherever you are by visiting our Lookout Newsletter & Text Center.
And democracy can’t survive without the essential sunshine of local journalism, so please consider becoming a Lookout member if you’re not already. Our content isn’t possible without community support.
Now get out there and conquer Wednesday!
Will McCahill
Lookout Santa Cruz