Hello! Wednesday, Oct. 14, has arrived, and Santa Cruz County is looking at another sunny, pleasant day, with highs from the lower 70s to lower 80s. Enjoy it, since another warmup is coming, with temperatures forecast to soar into the upper 90s in our toastiest spots by Friday.
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Tania Ortiz continues Lookout’s free Election 2026 coverage with an overview of Measure E, which asks voters to temporarily increase the countywide sales tax by half a cent. County officials say the money would help sustain healthcare, food assistance, homelessness prevention and other safety-net resources, while opponents argue that the tax would burden residents already struggling with the cost of living and give the county too much discretion over how the money is spent.
Jessica M. Pasko has her Wednesday look around local business, reporting this week that Visit Santa Cruz County, the county’s tourism organization, has added a trip-planning feature powered by artificial intelligence to its website. She’s also got word on Michelin recognition for the beachfront La Bahia Resort & Spa.
The Santa Cruz City Council adopted the city’s Road Safety Action Plan at its Tuesday meeting, Max Chun reports, setting some milestones over the next several decades and planning next steps to pursue as it extended its target date to eliminate deaths on the road from 2030 to 2050.
The Festival of Monsters returns to Santa Cruz from Wednesday to Sunday to discuss monsters in history and media, organized by UC Santa Cruz’s Center for Monster Studies. As Alia Yee Noll writes, the festival includes an academic conference and multiple public events such as a film screening, author panels and a game day.
In Lookout’s Community Voices opinion section, progressive economist Richard McGahey returns to dissect various tax measures on the California ballot this fall. He urges voters to support Proposition 3, which extends existing income tax rates on high earners, and Proposition 40, a one-time 5% tax on billionaire wealth to help offset devastating federal cuts – and to reject billionaire-backed Props 41 and 42.
Before the midweek headlines, a snapshot from the San Lorenzo Valley:
Around 50 residents came together Tuesday evening to hear from candidates for the Felton Fire Protection District board of directors and to learn more about the future of their local fire district in a forum organized by Lookout Santa Cruz in collaboration with the Get to Know Your Felton Fire Candidates Committee. Missed it or want to watch again? Video of the forum will be posted to Lookout’s YouTube channel.
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Santa Cruz County Measure E: What to know about the proposed temporary half-cent sales tax
Santa Cruz County’s Measure E would impose a five-year, half-cent sales tax increase expected to raise about $27 million annually to help address a worsening budget outlook and potential losses in healthcare and other safety-net funding. Read more from Tania Ortiz.
➤ Para leer el artículo en español, haga clic aquí.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Visit Santa Cruz County adds AI trip planner; La Bahia earns Michelin Key
In this week’s look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko notes an artificial intelligence-powered addition to Santa Cruz County’s tourism website, a big distinction for the luxury beachfront La Bahia Hotel & Spa, a new downtown listening lounge and much more. Check it all out here.
DAILY DIGEST
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Enjoy your Wednesday, and thanks for reading.
Will McCahill