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Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Scott Newsome, seeking second term, points to successes in housing construction, passing Measure C, preserving affordability

By Max Chun

Scott Newsome’s Santa Cruz City Council district, District 4, has seen much change over the past four years, with many new housing developments beginning and finishing construction. It’s also faced adversity, particularly the partial collapse of the wharf. But he says his successes in helping downtown residents preserve affordability and his role in passing Measure C show he’s fit for a second term.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Carmageddon: Capitola won’t rebuild Grand Avenue pathway; free Metro fares for Earth Day

By Max Chun

The Capitola City Council will not relocate the eroded Grand Avenue pathway on Depot Hill, opting instead to look at minor improvements to the area to maintain public access.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Save the Bay event targets Trump plan for offshore oil drilling

By Mat Weir

A town hall and concert event set for Sunday at Vets Hall in downtown Santa Cruz will bring local politicians, environmental activists and musicians together to oppose Donald Trump’s plans to drill for oil and mine for minerals off California’s coast.

Credit: Natasha Leverett / Lookout Santa Cruz

Leftover meals, low prices, less waste: Why some Santa Cruz County restaurants are turning to Too Good To Go

By Lily Belli

A small but growing number of Santa Cruz County restaurants and grocery stores are using the Too Good To Go app to sell leftover food in discounted “surprise bags,” helping reduce waste while recouping some costs. Customers trade choice for steep savings, and businesses say the program not only keeps food out of landfills but can also bring in new patrons.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Lagging in polls and fundraising, Betty Yee drops out of California governor’s race

By Jeanne Kuang / CalMatters

Progressive former state controller Betty Yee said Monday that she is dropping out of the race to succeed Gavin Newsom amid faltering polling and poor fundraising.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

OPINION: If Santa Cruz County wants to hike sales tax above 10%, here’s what we need fixed first

By Kevin Norton

Santa Cruz County might soon be asking voters to pay more in taxes – but what, asks local activist Kevin Norton, should residents expect in return? The county has a growing budget deficit and taxes are often the quickest fix. But is the money being well spent? Norton questions the county’s reliance on highly paid, outsourced consultants and suggests some of that funding might better go toward investing in local staff and initiatives that build community.

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Best of Santa Cruz County events, April 20-23

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

Monday, Apr. 20

Tuesday, Apr. 21

Wednesday, Apr. 22

Thursday, Apr. 23

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Max Chun is the general-assignment correspondent at Lookout Santa Cruz. Max’s position has pulled him in many different directions, seeing him cover development, COVID, the opioid crisis, labor, courts...