Lookout PM: Supes delay new battery storage law, Santa Cruz pauses statewide data-sharing amid Flock Safety state law violation, and SC City Council tosses plan for temporary path next to Murray Street Bridge

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Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz County supervisors delay new battery storage law for up to three months, citing safety concerns

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted to put off passing new rules governing battery storage facilities for as long as three months, after several supervisors raised concerns with a proposed ordinance drafted by the county. Continue reading…

Santa Cruz City Council tosses plan to build temporary path along rail line next to Murray Street Bridge

Santa Cruz City Council voted Tuesday to scrap plans for a temporary bicycle and pedestrian path over the rail line next to Murray Street Bridge, with councilmembers pointing to too many legal and engineering obstacles, along with a lack of available funding. The Murray Street Bridge is closed entirely until February and is expected to be under construction through early 2028. Continue reading…

City of Santa Cruz pauses statewide license plate data-sharing, citing Flock Safety’s violation of California law

Santa Cruz will temporarily limit access to its license plate reader data from outside agencies and review its agreement with Flock Safety after the company acknowledged it had violated California law by allowing out-of-state law enforcement agencies to access local data. Continue reading…

Lily Belli on Food: Families feel the squeeze as Thanksgiving nears; Birichino wine gets NYT nod; Kianti’s hit ‘Jack Is Back’ performances

In her Tuesday newsletter, Lily Belli reports on the effects of high food prices and insecurity as the holiday season approaches, notes a national critic’s praise for a local wine and recommends a “Nightmare Before Christmas”-themed happening in downtown Santa Cruz. Continue reading…

‘It feels impossible right now’: Ahead of Thanksgiving, families turn to food pantries in record numbers

Grocery prices and recent disruptions to federal food aid are pushing more Santa Cruz County residents to local food banks for the first time. Demand at some sites has doubled since early November. Continue reading…

OPINION: Closing Housing Matters’ day services won’t hurt just the unhoused — it will push the working poor closer to crisis

The planned closure of Housing Matters’ day services – including public showers, bathrooms and mail access — is being framed as affecting only people experiencing homelessness, but it will also hit Santa Cruz’s working poor who rely on these essentials, writes housing scholar Erin Gaede. Continue reading…

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