Lookout PM: PVUSD delays school relocation discussion, Felipe Hernandez campaign sign controversy, and a local biz roundup

Welcome to Wednesday night’s Lookout PM.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Pajaro Valley Unified delays discussion of relocation of schools after community urges board to reject proposal

By Hillary Ojeda

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District governing board has postponed discussion of a controversial proposal to relocate students from Renaissance High to Duncan Holbert School and disperse Duncan Holbert’s special education program after parents, staff and students urged trustees to reject the plan.

Why did County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez take a campaign sign that wasn’t his own?

By Tania Ortiz

Felipe Hernandez, incumbent for the District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor seat, is facing allegations of removing one of his opponent’s campaign signs, just a week before the June 2 primary election.

This week in Santa Cruz County business: Downtown Vibrancy Ordinance turns 1; city population drop attributed to high housing costs and low-wage jobs

By Jessica M. Pasko

In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko examines the effects of downtown Santa Cruz’s vibrancy ordinance, notes a continued population decline in the city and passes along numbers, names and dates to know.

Team behind proposed female surfer statue sets sights on a new location for 2027 installation

By Max Chun

The “To Honor the Women of the Water” project team is shifting to the Capitola Esplanade for its female surfer statue, rather than the East Cliff Dirt Farm in Pleasure Point, to be the home of the statue after it was appealed. The Capitola City Council is expected to vote on the project in the coming months.

OPINION: Santa Cruz voters deserve a real mayoral contest, not political choreography

By Mark Stephens

Community activist and acclaimed yoga instructor Mark Stephens argues that the four candidates running against Ryan Coonerty in the Santa Cruz mayoral race appear less focused on offering a compelling vision than on forcing Coonerty, the front-runner, into a run-off. Stephens contends that the strategy weakens the opposition, confuses voters and risks appearing politically evasive rather than principled. Stephens argues that voters deserve a direct and transparent contest of ideas, not fragmented tactical maneuvering and political games.

County agricultural officials urge residents to report possible invasive insect on grape plants

By Ashley Palma-Jimenez

Santa Cruz County agricultural officials are urging residents to check recently purchased grape plants after the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter insect was discovered on grapevines sold at Costco stores across the San Francisco Bay Area.

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