Good morning! It’s Monday, May 18, and Santa Cruz County has a sunny day ahead, with a wind advisory in effect until 11 a.m. and temperatures headed into the upper 80s in the mountains, upper 70s closer to the bay.
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Capitola’s busy Bay Avenue is the focus of Max Chun’s weekly Carmageddon column. The Capitola City Council approved new lighting and an additional crosswalk for the stretch that’s seen multiple pedestrians hit – one fatally – in recent years, but decided not to move forward with roundabouts at two intersections.
Hillary Ojeda has news that staff members of Santa Cruz nonprofit The Diversity Center have voted to unionize. Wages and workplace safety are among the bargaining unit’s concerns; the center’s board says it respects its employees’ rights to be represented by a union and will bargain in good faith.
As the June 2 primary draws closer, we’ve got more Election 2026 coverage. Not only will you find our voter guide among the day’s headlines, there is also a pair of endorsements from the Lookout Editorial Board via our Community Voices opinion section: Ryan Coonerty for Santa Cruz mayor and Bryan Hackett for Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge.
The Monday headlines also include an Aptos restaurant blending pizza with vinyl culture, but first, a look through the lens of photojournalist Kevin Painchaud:
Photo of the day
Charles Ross of the Santa Monica Waves makes a one-handed diving catch for a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half against the Santa Cruz Tsunamis during the inaugural Beach Football League game at Main Beach on Sunday. The Waves defeated the Tsunamis 46-19. The Beach Football League, a professional sand football league founded by former NFL linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, launched in 2024.
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Carmageddon: Capitola City Council OKs some safety improvements on Bay Avenue, but nixes roundabouts
The Capitola City Council moved forward with safety improvements on Bay Avenue between Capitola and Soquel, including lighting and an additional crosswalk, but stopped short of exploring roundabouts at Bay’s intersections with Hill Street and Capitola Avenue. Max Chun has the latest in traffic and transit.
Santa Cruz Diversity Center’s staff members unionize
Staff members at Santa Cruz nonprofit The Diversity Center voted 5-2 last week to unionize, citing concerns over wages, burnout, workplace safety and protections for gender-affirming care. Hillary Ojeda has the story.
DAILY DIGEST
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Have an excellent Monday!
Will McCahill