What’s good, readers? It is Friday, April 24, and cloudy start, sunny finish looks to be the day’s Santa Cruz County forecast, with temperatures topping out around 70.
I WANT TO … Become a Lookout member | Download the Lookout app | Browse latest news | Get other Lookout newsletters | Solve a puzzle | Find local events | Advertise
A busy morning, so let’s get to it. Tania Ortiz reports that Capitola has renewed its contract with Flock Safety, the company that provides automated license-plate readers to the city. Members of local anti-surveillance group Get The Flock Out say they’ll continue pushing back against the cameras in Capitola and Watsonville, which also recently re-upped with Flock. Santa Cruz canceled its deal with the company earlier this year.
These are the final days for coffee standby Java Junction in the Gateway Plaza shopping center at Highway 1 and River Street in Santa Cruz, Lily Belli reports. It’s slated to close Monday, with owner Michael Spadafora pointing to rent increases and other issues with the landlord and property manager.
Hillary Ojeda has a pair of stories. As part of Lookout’s free Election 2026 coverage, she profiles the candidates for the District 6 seat on the Santa Cruz City Council – incumbent Renee Golder, principal at the Westside’s Bayview Elementary School, and Gabriella Noack, a senior at UC Santa Cruz. Hillary also reports that Live Oak School District has settled on its next superintendent, with Jennifer Baldwin, an administrator in a San Jose district who resides in Santa Cruz, to replace Pat Sánchez on July 1.
Housing is the topic in Lookout’s Community Voices opinion section, with advocates Rafa Sonnenfeld and Janine Roeth writing that Santa Cruz County is falling far behind its housing goals, with most jurisdictions on pace to meet barely half their targets, or less. The problem, they say, isn’t a lack of planning; it’s that high costs, fees and delays make building financially unworkable.
The Friday headlines also include an update on local election campaign finance and a roadmap to getting out and about this weekend. Away we go.
Were you forwarded this newsletter? Sign up here to receive Morning Lookout in your inbox every weekday.
Get your first year for just $99 — nearly a 50% savings!
Right now, during election season, get your first year of an annual membership to Lookout for just $99 with coupon code Election2026. Members have full access to all Lookout’s local coverage, from politics and policy to education, dining and more.
River Street’s Java Junction to close after 28 years, citing rent hike and construction impacts
After 28 years, Java Junction will close its River Street location on Monday. Owner Michael Spadafora cites steep rent increases, prolonged construction disruptions and conflicts with landlord Balboa Retail Partners and property manager JLL. The closure follows months of reduced sales tied to lost outdoor seating and limited communication about the project, said Spadafora. The café’s Seabright and Santa Cruz Harbor locations will remain open. Here’s the story from Lily Belli.
Capitola automatically renews contract with Flock; anti-surveillance organizers see ‘long road ahead’
Capitola’s contract with Flock Safety for automated license-plate readers in the city will continue for another 24 months. Meanwhile, members of grassroots group Get The Flock Out say they’ll continue to let police and elected officials in Capitola and Watsonville, which also has a deal with Flock, know about their concerns with the Atlanta-based company. Tania Ortiz has the latest.
DAILY DIGEST
Download the Lookout Santa Cruz app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to stay current with our local coverage right on your smartphone, through the day and the coming weekend; sign up here for breaking news alerts via email and for all of our other newsletters – all free; and follow Lookout on social media via Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and Threads.
Before I go, a reminder: The next Lookout candidate forum of this election season happens May 7 event 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 candidates for Santa Cruz City Council District 4, incumbent Scott Newsome and challenger Hector Marin, and District 6, incumbent Renee Golder and challenger Gabriella Noack. Get more information and RSVP for free here.
Our content isn’t possible without community support, so if you’re not already, please consider becoming a Lookout member.
May our Friday be a smooth one, and here’s to a safe, relaxing weekend. Thank you for reading.
Will McCahill