Lookout PM: Watsonville Community Hospital NICU remains closed, Week Without Driving starts Thursday, and a Bright Plaza op-ed

Welcome to Monday night’s Lookout PM.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Watsonville Community Hospital NICU remains closed, adding anxiety for expecting families

By Tania Ortiz

Watsonville Community Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit has been closed since mid-July because of staffing shortages, with no reopening date set. Local maternal health advocates say the closure is adding anxiety for expecting families.

Carmageddon: Santa Cruz County challenges drivers to ditch their cars for Week Without Driving

By Max Chun

Week Without Driving, an annual effort that encourages people to use transit, bike, or walk instead of use cars, begins on Thursday and runs until the following Thursday, Oct, 8. The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, Santa Cruz Metro, the county department of Community Development and Infrastructure and the Community Traffic Safety Coalition are partnering to promote the event.

Big slams, bigger Spirit: Sumo takes Santa Cruz

By Kevin Painchaud

Kaiser Permanente Arena erupted with screams, slams and cheers as World Elite Sumo brought California’s first televised sumo wrestling event to Santa Cruz. Photojournalist Kevin Painchaud takes a peek behind the scenes and onto the mat as 12 wrestlers battled for the championship.

OPINION: Why Bright Plaza matters for Santa Cruz’s housing future

By Jamileh Cannon, Tim Gordin and Sibley Simon

Bright Plaza has become a talking point in the city of Santa Cruz’s debate over housing, development and neighborhood change. The site could eventually hold more than 200 affordable homes, along with space for local businesses. Here, Workbench owners Jamileh Cannon, Tim Gordin and Sibley Simon explain the reasoning behind the project – and that building here follows a long-standing city plan for denser housing along commercial corridors. They address the concerns surrounding the project, explain why they believe Santa Cruz needs to make room for more housing, and invite the public to join Tuesday’s community meeting about the project.

How maestro Daniel Stewart is shaping Santa Cruz Symphony’s 69th season

By Jana Marcus

Santa Cruz Symphony Music Director Daniel Stewart is bringing together Dvořák and Nina Simone, Stravinsky and BTS, Rachmaninoff and virtual reality pioneer Jaron Lanier for the orchestra’s 69th season, “Music Unites Us.” Jana Marcus sat down with Stewart to find out how those unlikely musical pairings come together.

For students with disabilities, UC Santa Cruz campus can prove punishing to navigate

By Bryce Chen / EdSource

UC Santa Cruz, built in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, has longstanding accessibility challenges for students with disabilities.

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