LOOKOUT PM: Rio postponement among other venue adjustments; Capitola’s outdoor dining plan

By Mark Conley

Source: Lookout Santa Cruz

Good evening to one and all — whether it was an “It’s Wednesday already?” or an “It’s only Wednesday?” kind of day for you, well, tomorrow is Thursday and the weekend will be in sight.

It was a busy one around Santa Cruz County: Local music venues took COVID-19 measures after the outbreak at Felton Music Hall; the two local men accused of vandalizing the downtown Black Lives Matter mural over the weekend facing felony charges, with one count each of intent to commit a hate crime. Read on for those stories, plus an update on where things stand with outdoor dining in Capitola.

To the headlines ...

Rio postponement part of venues’ reaction

Moe’s to check vaccination status; new air filters at FMH: Local music venues moved quickly Wednesday after a COVID-19 outbreak was linked to an indoor show earlier this month at Felton Music Hall. “Hopefully, people will be patient,” the co-owner of Moe’s Alley said. Our Wallace Baine has the story here.

➤ FROM TUESDAY: Felton Music Hall shows going outdoors-only after outbreak (Lookout)

Hate crime charges in BLM mural vandalism

Local pair arraigned: Santa Cruz District Attorney Jeff Rosell charged both defendants in last weekend’s incident in downtown Santa Cruz with one count of vandalism — a felony charge — and one count of intent to commit a hate crime, in concert — an enhancement allegation. Read more here from our Grace Stetson.

➤ PREVIOUSLY: A community reflects beyond the BLM mural vandalism: ‘We need radical systemic change’ (Lookout)

Where outdoor dining in Capitola stands

The Capitola Esplanade aggressively adapted to outdoor dining.

City eying early next year: With the prototype program being formed, outdoor dining would be able to continue in Capitola Village permanently. But the proposed plan would reduce the number of parklets from 50 to 25. Part of the rationale is to help ensure “coastal access” per the Coastal Commission’s requirements. Read more here from our Neil Strebig.

California urges wearing masks indoors again

Students wearing masks learn in a Santa Cruz County classroom.

COVID-19 spike worsens: With California reporting an average of nearly 7,400 new coronavirus cases per day over the past week — roughly eight times the rate from four weeks ago — the new recommendation appears to be more expansive than the latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read more here from our partners at the Los Angeles Times.

➤ UNRAVELING DELTA: Mysterious mutations make variant the most transmissible COVID virus yet (Kaiser Health News)

Can employers force workers to get vaccinated?

What we know: Those who have challenged COVID-19 rules have argued that government agencies cannot mandate a vaccination that has emergency authorization, rather than formal FDA approval, and that such rules violate individual rights or infringe on religious liberty — but courts have previously upheld laws requiring compulsory vaccination. More analysis here from the Times.

➤ FROM MONDAY: Newsom: State and health care workers must show proof of vaccine, or get tested regularly (Lookout)

Newsom’s biggest recall danger

Complacent Democrats who don’t turn out to vote: California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s strategy appears two-pronged: Make sure Democrats turn out on Sept. 14, and cast the election as an attack on the state’s progressive values. More here from the Times.

➤ BAD NEWS FOR NEWSOM: Likely California voters now almost evenly split on Newsom recall, poll finds (LAT)

And that’s about all the Lookout Santa Cruz Staff has for you this evening. We shall be back for more around this time tomorrow, and if it’s Lookout Deputy Managing Editor Mark Conley you seek, you’ll find him on Morning Lookout duty and in your in-box Thursday a.m.