Good morning and thanks for reading! It is Wednesday, March 26 – distinctly different wake-up weather around Santa Cruz County as the warm stretch gives way to a cloudy Wednesday and chances of rain ahead (about which more soon).
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An absolutely packed hump day slate leads off with a pair of stories from Tuesday’s meeting of the county board of supervisors. Christopher Neely has coverage of the expected – though narrow – approval of cannabis consumption lounges in the county’s unincorporated areas, while Mat Weir reports on big turnout from veterans urging the reinstatement of one of their own as the county’s veterans services officer.
As mentioned, the weather pattern has shifted and rain is in the forecast, Max Chun reports. Exactly when and how much is still coming into focus, and meantime the National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement. (Never turn your back on the ocean.)
The Santa Cruz City Council was also in action Tuesday, voting unanimously to explore the potential of converting the existing downtown library lot into a mixed-use development with a public plaza for the downtown farmers market.
Hillary Ojeda has a pair of stories from Pajaro Valley Unified School District, previewing not only a meeting of the district’s board this evening at which a deal to keep Ceiba College Prep at its current Watsonville location will be on the agenda, but also a Friday study session at which trustees will discuss the district’s ethnic studies curriculum.
The Wednesday headlines also include news from Tania Ortiz on the Watsonville City Council mulling tax incentives to bring more hotels to town and Jessica M. Pasko’s weekly report on Santa Cruz County business. Onward!
‘He’s our lifeline’: Veterans rally to reinstate ousted county services officer
Dozens of veterans packed Tuesday’s meeting of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to protest the firing of Veterans Services Officer Xavier Bianchi, a Purple Heart recipient praised for his dedicated, hands-on approach to helping fellow veterans. Mat Weir has the story.
Supervisors approve cannabis lounges in tense meeting amid pleas to deny plans
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors gave final approval to cannabis consumption lounges in unincorporated areas like Aptos and Felton after a tense 3-2 vote. While supporters see economic and educational benefits, opponents cite public safety concerns and pushed for stricter oversight. Christopher Neely reports.
DAILY DIGEST
Told you there was a ton of news! Stay on top of our through-the-day coverage by downloading the Lookout Santa Cruz app, now available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. We offer breaking news alerts and a host of other newsletters (coming Thursday, for one, is Wallace Baine’s recommendation-packed Weekender), so check them out and sign up here. And of course Lookout is on social media – give us a follow there on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads and now Bluesky.
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Have a good Wednesday – see you next time.
Will McCahill