Morning Lookout: Rio, Moe’s, other venues readjust; outdoor dining moves closer to permanency

By Tulsi Kamath

Source: Lookout Santa Cruz

Good Morning, Santa Cruzans!

Similar weather today (partly cloudy with a high of 72 downtown) but a welcome drop in humidity should help the stickiness factor.

When an 8.2 earthquake centers itself in the Gulf of Alaska, and it’s termed “one of the strongest in decades,” we coastal Californians get a little nervous. It appears, however, that all should be okay...

If you’re in the mood for some Theater of the Strange material, check out this interview between Chris Cuomo and the Huntington Beach restaurant owner who is only serving patrons if they are unvaccinated. (Fairly predictable how that might go, right?)

We’ve got our own local happenings on the COVID/vaccine/Delta variant front — and some good news on the U.S. women’s gymnastics front in the wake of Simone Biles pulling out — so let’s go straight to the headlines...

Delta readjustments come to town

Rio postpones show, Moe’s institutes vaccination checks, FMH installs new air filters: Local music venues reacted quickly Wednesday after a COVID-19 outbreak was linked to an indoor concert earlier this month at Felton Music Hall. “Hopefully, people will be patient,” the co-owner of Moe’s Alley said. More from Wallace Baine here.

➤ PREVIOUSLY: Outdoor shows to go on after COVID outbreak linked to Felton Music Hall (Lookout)

California sees small boost in vaccinations but needs much more

A state still in need: With California’s coronavirus surge worsening, officials are unveiling new rules and redoubling efforts to get more people to wear masks in an urgent push to boost vaccinations and slow the spread of the Delta variant. More here from the Times.

➤ PREVIOUSLY: With coronavirus surge worsening, California urges wearing masks indoors (LAT)

Here’s where outdoor dining in Capitola stands

And when it could become a permanent fixture: 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. More from Neil Strebig here.

➤ PREVIOUSLY: Tussle over outdoor dining in Capitola looms: Despite a summer extension, permanency is still in question (NS)

Santa Cruz DA’s office delivers felony vandalism charges with special hate crime allegation

Hate crime investigation, bail raised: Santa Cruz District Attorney Jeff Rosell announced charges against two suspects in the vandalization of the Black Lives Matter mural over the weekend. Both defendants appeared in court on Wednesday morning. The judge agreed to raise bail to $15,000 each. More from Grace Stetson here.

California’s 2020 wildfire siege by the numbers

Events that ‘will likely inform the next century”: In a year of superlatives, some statistics stand out for California’s 2020 fire year: Four million acres, 112 million tons of greenhouse gases, thousands of lightning strikes, 11 million gallons of fire retardant. And 31 lost lives. CalMatters breaks it down here.

Lawmakers aim to boost student voting power on UC, community college boards

What to know: If a bill pending in the California Legislature passes, all three of the state’s higher education governing boards will have two voting student members. Advocates say the student representatives provide an important firsthand perspective on issues like campus safety and basic needs. More from CalMatters here.

Sunisa Lee seizes the big moment, keeps U.S. streak alive

USA's Sunisa Lee reacts to winning the gold medal in the women's gymnastic's individual all-around final.

Without Biles, another U.S. gymnast stepped up: The United States had taken Olympic gold in four straight women’s gymnastics all-arounds. All the talk had been about Simone Biles pulling out in the days leading up to it, but U.S. gymnast Suni Lee won the all-around gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, taking the lead after the third of four rotations. More from the Times here.

Around the county...

Man who turned himself into police for partner’s death pleads not guilty (Sentinel)

PAMF stands strong on decision to move urgent care services out of Scotts Valley (Sentinel)

Freedom McDonald’s celebrates reopening (Pajaronian)

Martinelli’s among brands searching for safer bottle cap options (Pajaronian)

It’s a BOLO Thursday, so look for Best Bets hitting your inbox or text stream this afternoon. If you aren’t already signed up for one or both, here’s where to do it.

Have a great day, everyone.

Mark Conley
mark@lookoutlocal.com