Lookout PM: District 6 SC City Council race, River Street Java Junction location closing, Capitola's Flock contract renews, and the latest campaign finance numbers

Welcome to Friday night’s Lookout PM.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

A Westside elementary school principal and a UCSC student face off for Santa Cruz City Council’s District 6 seat

By Hillary Ojeda

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.

River Street’s Java Junction to close after 28 years, citing rent hike and construction impacts

By Lily Belli

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.

Capitola automatically renews contract with Flock; anti-surveillance organizers see ‘long road ahead’

By Tania Ortiz

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.

A look at local candidates’ first pre-election campaign finance disclosures of 2026

By Max Chun

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.

Credit: Courtesy of Live Oak School District

Live Oak School District announces new superintendent

By Hillary Ojeda

Live Oak School District has named San Jose district administrator Jennifer Baldwin as its next superintendent, effective July 1. Baldwin, a Santa Cruz resident, has three decades of public education experience.

Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / CalMatters

Billionaire blitz: Steyer’s $132 million campaign dwarfs rivals in California governor race

By Jeanne Kuang / CalMatters

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan dominated fellow Democrats in fundraising, bringing in $13 million, the most recent campaign finance disclosures show. Katie Porter raised $2.8 million, Xavier Becerra brought in $1 million, Antonio Villaraigosa raised $707,000 and Tony Thurmond raised just $62,000.

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