LOOKOUT PM: County strike looms, unhoused camp closes, overpass repair begins

Quick Take:

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Happy Tuesday evening, everybody. Though the workweek may be a bit shorter than usual due to the holiday, the news never stops around here. Let’s jump right into it, shall we?

County workers set to strike next week

Members of SEIU Local 521 gathered outside the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday supporting a strike if demands were not met. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Picket signs being readied: During a virtual news conference Tuesday evening, leaders from SEIU 521 — which represents county nurses, social workers and public works employees, among others — said negotiations over salaries and working continues have stalled, and members are ready to walk off the job starting Jan. 25. Workers rejected the county’s “Last, Best and Final Offer” last week, setting up the showdown. Look for the full story bright and early tomorrow.

➤ From December: County workers inch closer to striking after 93.5% vote to approve walkout

City closing temporary unhoused site at Depot Park

A temporary site for unhoused residents at Depot Park in Santa Cruz — On Jan. 13, the city told the unhoused residents of the Depot Park that they would have to leave by Jan. 18. City staff was on site Monday and Tuesday to help people move their belongings. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Moving again: The city-run encampment at Santa Cruz’s Depot Park was set to close Tuesday, requiring between 30 and 35 unhoused residents to move. The city said it needs the space for increased COVID-19 testing capacity, as a testing venue is also operating on the site. Lookout’s Grace Stetson has more details here.

➤ More on the unhoused: Santa Cruz tells Food Not Bombs it’s time to go: Lot 27 being cleared by city to make room for construction

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Highway 1 closures begin tonight in Aptos as crews repair bridge

The Aptos bridge over Highway 1 damaged in 2017 storms is finally set to be repaired. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Finally: Crews will shut the northbound lanes overnight Tuesday and Wednesday and the southbound lanes overnight Thursday for a long-overdue fix on fencing and railings damaged during 2017 winter storms. See more details here.

➤ Earlier: That smashed bridge over Highway 1 in Aptos is finally getting fixed

‘A day on, not a day off’: Volunteering on MLK Day

Matt Plumb cleans the Chinese memorial gate at Evergreen Cemetery in Santa Cruz on Monday. Credit: Amber De Vos / For Lookout Santa Cruz

Taking pride in the community: Solo and in groups, Santa Cruzans took to heart a day of service to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. See the words and photos here.

5 things to know about ordering free COVID tests (starting today)

Boxes of iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test kits — The federal government has created a website to order at-home COVID-19 tests. You can start ordering them Tuesday. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

Test by mail: The website to order free rapid coronavirus tests went live on Tuesday, ahead of its scheduled Wednesday launch. Here’s what you need to know — via our partners at the Los Angeles Times — about ordering at-home COVID-19 tests through the federal government’s website.