Lookout PM: $18,000 in jewelry stolen from downtown SC store, Santa Cruz vice mayor waiting to hear from relatives in Iran, supes move battery storage rules to environmental review

Welcome to Wednesday night’s Lookout PM.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Couple steals $18,000 in gold jewelry from downtown Santa Cruz store

By Lily Belli

Two thieves posing as wedding shoppers stole about $18,000 in gold jewelry from Golden Bliss on Pacific Avenue on Saturday evening, part of a broader surge in jewelry heists statewide as gold prices hit record highs.

From Santa Cruz, a local politician watches Iran’s deadly protests and waits for news

By Grace Chinowsky

Santa Cruz Vice Mayor Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson says she has lost contact with relatives in Iran amid the regime’s escalating crackdown on nationwide antigovernment protests.

Supervisors move battery storage rules forward to environmental review; some residents are disappointed

By Tania Ortiz

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to approve new regulations for battery storage facilities, despite opposition from residents who want a more stringent ordinance. The rules will now undergo environmental review.

City council votes to end Santa Cruz’s contract with Flock Safety

By Max Chun

The Santa Cruz City Council voted 6-1 to end the city’s contract with Flock Safety at its Tuesday meeting following data breaches, community pushback, and a recommendation from three councilmembers that the city pull out of the contract.

Santa Cruz Fire Department transitions to new numbering system for stations

By Cecilia Schutz

The Santa Cruz Fire Department is now using a two-digit number for its fire stations, switching from four-digit numbers ending in 12, something that had become problematic during large incidents requiring multiple units.

California investigates Elon Musk’s AI company after ‘avalanche’ of complaints about sexual content

By Khari Johnson / CalMatters

Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office is looking into whether a new artificial-intelligence image editing tool from Elon Musk’s company violates California law.

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Best of Santa Cruz County events, January 16-18

Here are some events you may be interested in this weekend:

Friday, Jan. 16

Mindful Movement with Horses | 9 a.m. @ BEYOND liberty | $25 (This class included with membership)
Guided Tour | 1 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
The Radiant Sea, Unveiled | 5 p.m. @ Sanctuary Exploration Center | Free
The Radiant Sea book lecture | 5 p.m. @ Sanctuary Exploration Center | Free
8 Tens @ 8 Short Play Festival | 8 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre | $16 to $35 (Two-for-one ticket pricing on Thursday nights)
Intro to Oil Painting with Toaa Dallo! ~ California Wildflowers | 12 p.m. @ The Painted Cork | $65
Winter Wonderland Bottle Painting with LED Lights! | 6 p.m. @ The Painted Cork | $45
Line Dancing with Coaster Stomp | 8 p.m. @ Bruno’s Bar and Grill | $10