Hiya, folks. It is Thursday, Oct. 15, and the Santa Cruz County forecast is for a sunny, warm day, with a wide temperature spread – mid-70s at South County beaches, mid-80s in Santa Cruz, lower 90s in the mountains.
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As we close in on Election Day, the Lookout Editorial Board continues its candidate endorsements, urging a vote for Ryan Coonerty for Santa Cruz mayor. “Santa Cruz faces consequential decisions about housing, development, public safety, homelessness and is entering an El Niño year, which could bring severe flooding to the county,” the board writes in Lookout’s Community Voices opinion section. “We need a mayor who understands how city government works, can navigate its complexities and has the experience, relationships and judgment to lead.”
Lookout’s free news coverage of this fall’s election also continues, with Hillary Ojeda spotlighting the race for the Trustee Area 4 seat on the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District governing board. That contest finds incumbent Gail Levine, a longtime public school educator, facing newcomer Ashleigh Hopkins in a district that, like many others, is navigating declining enrollment impacts while trying to retain qualified teachers.
A Watsonville puppy is now the “chief snuggle officer” for Purina Puppy Chow, Kate Lipsky reports, with the 6-month-old Dalmatian named Bowie winning a public vote over the summer. Bowie’s new gig comes with not just a $25,000 “salary” but also $10,000 for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.
Wednesday also brought the news that the California Fish and Game Commission voted to deny petitions to expand and create new no-take marine protected areas in Santa Cruz County – that and plenty more headlines on the other side of this snapshot from downtown Santa Cruz:
Around 50 people gathered Wednesday at Abbott Square to eat, drink and put their knowledge to the test at the final Lookout trivia night of the season, hosted by Wallace Baine. From spooky questions to head-scratchers that stumped even the sharpest minds, there was plenty to learn, lots of laughs and fun all around. The winning team, Assorted Synapses, walked away with Pacific Cookie Company cookies, Lookout swag and, of course, the ultimate prize: bragging rights. Thanks to everyone who came out and made it such a fun night! – Jamie Garfield
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Watsonville puppy wins Purina contest, earns $10,000 for Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter
Bowie, a 6-month-old Dalmatian from Watsonville, won a Purina contest and was named “chief snuggle officer” for Puppy Chow. The honor included a $25,000 “salary” prize and an additional $10,000 that was donated to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. Kate Lipsky has the story.
OPINION: A Lookout View: Ryan Coonerty for Santa Cruz mayor
Santa Cruz is at a pivotal moment of change, and its next mayor will need experience, political savvy and a clear vision for the city’s future. The Lookout Editorial Board endorses Ryan Coonerty over Ami Chen Mills, recognizing her advocacy and the concerns she raises about homelessness, affordability and city design. But Coonerty’s government experience, regional relationships and policy initiatives make him better equipped to tackle the city’s most pressing challenges. His proposals for public art, downtown revitalization and greater transparency offer a promising path forward. Read the board’s endorsement here.
➤ ELECTION 2026: Read more of Lookout’s free news and Community Voices opinion coverage here
DAILY DIGEST
That’s not all Lookout has up our collective sleeve today – among our continuing local coverage will be Weekender, a cheat sheet to eating well and going out around Santa Cruz County that’s just one of the many free newsletters and breaking news alerts you can sign up for here. Breaking news notifications are just one of the many great features of the Lookout Santa Cruz app, available for download from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and you’ll get all of our mix of local news and views by following along on Lookout’s social media channels – Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and Threads.
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A good Thursday, one and all – thank you for reading.
Will McCahill