Good morning! It’s Monday, May 11, and your Santa Cruz County weather mileage may vary, with the forecast calling for sun and temperatures near 90 in the mountains, more clouds and low 70s closer to the bay.
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
Lily Belli has word on what’s happening at the vacant Jeffery’s Restaurant spot at Soquel Avenue and Capitola Road in Santa Cruz – if all goes to plan, it will be home to longtime Soquel fave Silver Spur by fall. No changes are planned for the menu or staff, but the new location will get some updates and will have more room than the spot Silver Spur is vacating ahead of redevelopment.
UC Santa Cruz could feel the impact of a University of California-wide strike set to start Thursday, Hillary Ojeda reports, with the union representing workers in food service, transportation and patient care, electricians and custodians accusing the UC of bargaining in bad faith. Reduced transportation, dining and health services are possible at UCSC.
The North Coast portion of the Coastal Rail Trail is the focus for Max Chun in his weekly Carmageddon column. The Regional Transportation Commission is aiming to complete the stretch from Wilder Ranch State Park to Davenport by this fall, meaning nearly 10 miles of continuous trail between Davenport and the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf.
And we’ve got an addition here at Lookout: Local news veteran Richard Martin is Lookout’s new executive editor, coming to Santa Cruz County after a stint at startup The Baltimore Banner that included a Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting.
Now, to the Monday headlines.
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.
After redevelopment fears, Silver Spur will move into vacant Jeffery’s building
After years of uncertainty tied to a proposed senior housing development, the longtime Silver Spur restaurant will relocate to the former Jeffery’s Restaurant site at Soquel Avenue and Capitola Road this fall. Co-owners Juan Valencia and Daniel Govea say the expanded space will keep the same menu and staff while adding more seating, remodeled interiors and beer, wine and mimosas. Here’s the story from Lily Belli.
UC workers prepare for systemwide open-ended strike on Thursday, with local impacts to patients, buses, dining services
More than 40,000 University of California workers, including about 530 at UC Santa Cruz, are preparing for an open-ended strike beginning Thursday. Campus officials warned students and staff to expect disruptions to dining, transportation and health services. Hillary Ojeda has the details.
DAILY DIGEST
Plenty to sort through as the new workweek shimmers into focus around Santa Cruz County, and plenty of ways for you to keep up with Lookout’s ongoing coverage. Download the Lookout Santa Cruz app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, sign up here for breaking news alerts via email and for all of our other newsletters, and on social media, follow Lookout on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and/or Threads to scoop up our latest that way.
Our content isn’t possible without community support, so if you’re not already, please consider becoming a Lookout member.
May your Monday be a smooth one – thank you for reading.
Will McCahill