Hello, one and all. It is Monday, April 8, the start of what looks to be a warmer stretch for Santa Cruz County – high temperatures around 70 as we start the workweek and heading for the upper 70s by Wednesday.
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Photo of the day
Caltrans crews demolished the Capitola Avenue overcrossing over Highway 1 on Saturday night. Both lanes of highway reopened from a full closure mid-afternoon Sunday, less than 24 hours after workers began to take down the bridge. The demolition work marks the beginning of a 14-month project to rebuild the overcrossing to add bike lanes and wider sidewalks.
That was the view from Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud over the weekend; as many local students and educators head back to class after spring break, Hillary Ojeda examines whether some of Santa Cruz County’s 10 school districts should consider consolidation amid declining enrollment and budget woes likes the ones that have beset Live Oak School District this year. Needless to say, the idea has both its supporters and its critics.
It’s a busy week for local elected officials, and Christopher Neely previews what’s on agendas for the county board of supervisors and city councils in Watsonville and Santa Cruz. Among the topics: e-bike and cannabis regulations, homeless encampment and the sale of some prime Rio Del Mar real estate.
In this week’s Carmageddon installment, Max Chun reports on what the Regional Transportation Commission has been doing as it moves to bring passenger rail to Santa Cruz County – including a preliminary staff recommendation to replace 23 of 33 train bridges.
Also among the Monday headlines is the latest in Wallace Baine’s series The Shapers, with the life-changing work of Barrios Unidos’ Nane Alejandrez in focus. Let’s take a look.
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Facing declining enrollment and budget crises, should Santa Cruz County’s 10 school districts consolidate?
The backlash over Live Oak School District’s budget cuts has renewed questions among teachers, parents and even some trustees over whether Live Oak – and other school districts like it – should be folded into neighboring districts to save money. The idea also has its critics. Hillary Ojeda reports.
Big week in Santa Cruz County politics: E-bikes, West Cliff, cannabis and coastal property sale
Budgets, a vision for a one-way West Cliff Drive, a cannabis moratorium and e-bike restrictions: Political leaders at multiple levels of government in Santa Cruz County have their hands full this week. Get a preview from Christopher Neely.
DAILY DIGEST
That, folks, is what I can tell you as we hit another Monday. Among what the day still has in store from Lookout is In the Public Interest, Christopher Neely’s weekly look at Santa Cruz County politics and policy, arriving later on in newsletter form. Sign up here for that and all of Lookout’s other newsletters, plus breaking news alerts via email and text. You can also keep up with all our local news and opinion coverage on social media: Give Lookout a follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Threads.
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Here’s to a smooth Monday reentry – I’m pulling for you!
Will McCahill