RVs parked along Delaware Avenue on the Westside.

Morning Lookout: Checking in on oversized vehicle ordinance and local COVID, vax data

By Will McCahill

Source: Lookout Santa Cruz

Greetings and salutations! It’s Friday, Dec. 10, and after the chilly overnight hours, Santa Cruz County should see mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the high 50s to low 60s. Enjoy it, because rain is on the way.

What to know as we head for the weekend? Thanks for asking:

Thursday marked 30 days since Santa Cruz passed its oversized vehicle ordinance, and Lookout’s Grace Stetson checked in on where things stand.
We’ve got a pair of COVID-related updates: one on Santa Cruz County infections, hospitalizations, deaths and demographic data, and one on local vaccine rates, where to find a COVID shot or test, plus wait, cost and turnaround times.
And with the weekend upon us, Wallace Baine and Lookout’s Team BOLO are back with recommendations for things to do all over the county.

To the headlines!

Checking in on Santa Cruz’s ‘oversized vehicle ordinance’ 30 days later

RVs line a street on Santa Cruz's Westside.

The earliest the controversial measure could have gone into effect was Thursday, but legally it can’t begin until a number of provisions are put in place. Lookout’s Grace Stetson surveys the situation.

➤ PREVIOUSLY: The criminalization of car homelessness? How oversized vehicle ordinance could affect Santa Cruz’s unhoused (Lookout)

Santa Cruz County COVID-19 update

Leslie and David Fitzgerald of Livermore wear masks in Capitola Village.

Santa Cruz health officials say that even though the county’s two-week positivity rate is flattening, “it’s still too early to tell” whether cases will start to decrease, especially with winter approaching. Lookout examines infections, hospitalizations, deaths and demographic data.

➤ STATEWIDE: California coronavirus cases rising, showing early signs of winter surge (Los Angeles Times)

Local vaccine, testing update

We’re keeping track of vaccination rates, where to find a COVID shot or test, plus the wait, cost and turnaround times. Find our weekly update here.

➤ THE LATEST VARIANT: Signs of Omicron found in California wastewater, suggesting variant is widespread (Los Angeles Times)

Best Bets is ready to jazz it up

Closeup of guitars as Anthony Arya and Lindsey Wall play at Felton Music Hall

From singer Kurt Elling and mini-orchestra Pink Martini to gift opportunities at galleries and on West Cliff, plus “A Christmas Story,” Wallace Baine and Lookout’s Team BOLO have recommendations for things to do all over Santa Cruz County this weekend and beyond. Find ‘em here.

➤ GET OUR FULL EVENTS CALENDAR: BOLO, your place to go for things to do

New gas-powered lawn equipment banned in California in 2024

Despite opposition from gardeners worried about the costs, the state air board set zero-emission standards for new models of lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other equipment, which are a big source of smog-forming emissions. Our partners at CalMatters explain the new rules.

➤ MORE CHANGES: California goes to war with food waste. Composting is its next climate crusade (Los Angeles Times)

Prosecutors charge father and son suspected of starting Caldor fire in the Sierra

Firefighters work a controlled burn Aug. 28 near Strawberry during their battle against the Caldor fire.

The fire, which started Aug. 14 and was contained Oct. 21, tore through the Sierra Nevada and threatened the resort city of South Lake Tahoe. Our partners at the Los Angeles Times have the details.

➤ LOOKOUT’S WILDFIRE RESOURCE CENTER: Everything you need to be prepared before, during and after a wildfire

Around the county ...

➤ Aptos man tries to get community on board with rail corridor idea (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
➤ Officials ID source of recent stink in South County (The Pajaronian)
➤ Capitola man arrested for shooting at security guard at Target (KSBW-TV)
➤ Justin Hansen aims to rebuild Cabrillo football program (The Press Banner)
➤ Santa Cruz, Monterey can open for Dungeness crab season Dec. 16 (San Jose Mercury News)

That’ll get your engine warmed up, but stay tuned for all Lookout has in store today, including the latest serving of Lily Belli’s Eaters Digest. Bookmark our website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and visit our Lookout Newsletter & Text Center to sign up for all the newsletters and alerts we offer.

And please consider becoming a Lookout member if you’re not already (membership makes a great gift, too, hint hint). Our content isn’t possible without community support.

Now power through that Friday — the weekend awaits!

Will McCahill
Lookout Santa Cruz