LOOKOUT PM: Downtown Santa Cruz library vote goes to November, and election updates

Hello, all,

Hope you’re all still enjoying this beautiful week here in Santa Cruz County. I must say, it’s making me even more eager for my first summer trip in a few years!

We’re coming at you this afternoon with a couple of updates, one on vote counts and one on the downtown library development.

Let’s begin there…

Downtown library vote moves toward November ballot

One of the latest renderings of the downtown mixed-use library project

Lookout Update: With the validity of their petition’s signatures confirmed, critics of Santa Cruz’s mixed-use downtown library project can now plan on taking their issues with the development to the city’s voters. Grace has the details.

➤ PREVIOUSLY: John Hall on downtown library initiative: ‘We are not about blocking things’

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Primary election slowdown: Here’s why things aren’t moving more rapidly in Santa Cruz County

Aptos resident Kelly Spellman at the Blossom's Farmstore & Coffeeshop. — Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Moving along: After adding 7,000 votes Monday, the Santa Cruz County Clerk’s office added an additional 3,332 on Wednesday. The 44,048 votes brings the county up to a 26.27% registered voter turnout. The clerk’s office estimates roughly 20,000 additional votes remain to be counted. Mark gives the update.

‘A Renaissance woman’: Monarch Services’ Laura Segura passes

Laura Segura, Monarch Services' co-executive director

A local hero: As women’s need for support multiplied during the COVID-19 pandemic, Laura Segura and her Monarch Services team met the profound challenges of helping those driven for help with sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking. The work crowned Segura’s contributions in helping the people of her native Watsonville. Grace has the story.

Lookout Update: Cabrillo College renaming on track for fall decision

An aerial view of Cabrillo College's Aptos campus — A joint Cabrillo College-UCSC student housing project has been proposed for the area adjacent to Cabrillo’s ball fields. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Coming soon: Students, staff, the Native American community and Cabrillo Foundation supporters have all weighed in — differently — on a possible Cabrillo name change; President Matt Wetstein emphasizes that student and Indigenous voices must be prioritized in considering the decision, which could happen this fall. Hillary has the story.

➤ WALLACE BAINE: Is it time to jettison the name ‘Cabrillo’? Or, in fact, time to double down on it?

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Cabrillo Stage emerges post-pandemic with crowd-pleasing ‘Grease,’ ambitions ‘Candide’

The return: Santa Cruz County’s professional musical-theater troupe enthusiastically reoccupies the Crocker Theater for the first time in three years to present a big 2022 season. Wallace checks it out.

➤ PREVIOUSLY: Santa Cruz Shakespeare, sans Audrey, gears up for big new season