Good morning, one and all. Wednesday, May 6, is here, and after some morning fog and clouds, Santa Cruz County has a mostly sunny day ahead, with highs in the 70s forecast.
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An as-yet-unnamed Santa Cruz restaurateur has swept in to purchase Java Junction’s Gateway Plaza location, Lily Belli reports, keeping the coffeehouse from closure. The new owner will likely change the name, but, said Java Junction’s Michael Spadafora, “We were able to keep everyone’s jobs, and it stays a local business.”
Jessica M. Pasko leads off her weekly look at local business with an update on efforts to save The Catalyst nightclub from development, reporting that while activists weren’t able to get an extension for efforts to collect signatures for a ballot measure, they’re staying in what’s still an uphill fight.
Tania Ortiz has the latest on the battery storage facility proposed for outside Watsonville, with the Massachusetts-based developer indeed deciding to go to the state, not Santa Cruz County, for approval of the project – as allowed by a 2022 state law.
Cabrillo College’s governing board has censured trustee Steve Trujillo after determining he violated board policies on four occasions. Per Hillary Ojeda, the censure, which bars him from leadership roles and committee service for three years, follows prior disciplinary action in 2023.
The two Santa Cruz City Council races are the focus in Lookout’s Community Voices opinion section, where you can hear from the candidates in District 4 – incumbent Scott Newsome and challenger Hector Marin – and District 6 – incumbent Renee Golder and challenger Gabriella Noack – in short videos outlining how they’d approach the job. That’s ahead of your chance to hear from all the candidates in their own words.
THURSDAY: The next Lookout candidate forum of this election season happens at Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz and will feature mayoral candidates Ryan Coonerty, Gillian Greensite, Chris Krohn, Ami Chen Mills and Joy Schendledecker and the aforementioned candidates for Santa Cruz City Council District 4 and District 6. Get more information and RSVP for free here.
Now, how about some headlines?
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Java Junction on River Street to remain open thanks to a last-minute purchase
Java Junction’s River Street café will remain open after a local restaurant owner agreed to purchase the business, preserving staff and operations. The deal reverses a planned closure driven by steep rent increases, construction disruptions and declining sales. Here’s the latest from Lily Belli.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Save the Catalyst ballot drive comes up short; proposal to help small winemakers heads to Assembly
In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on efforts to preserve a historic downtown Santa Cruz music venue, state Sen. John Laird’s bill to help the wine industry, a boost for Santa Cruz County cannabis and more. Read it all here.
DAILY DIGEST
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May your Wednesday be a good one, and thank you for reading.
Will McCahill