Food Not Bombs volunteer Ryan wonder how the two giant storage containers will get moved.

Morning Lookout: Downtown homeless groups face eviction and new COVID highs

By Will McCahill

Source: Lookout Santa Cruz

Why, hello there! Welcome to Tuesday, Jan. 11, Santa Cruz County — we’ve got another mostly sunny day ahead, with temperatures in the mid- to upper 60s, and even maybe rising into the 70s in the hills.

Here’s what I know this morning:

A downtown homeless encampment and an advocacy group looking after that population are facing a deadline this afternoon after being ordered to vacate a city-owned parking lot.
The Omicron surge that’s been battering the state has taken hold locally, with Santa Cruz County reporting more daily COVID-19 cases than at any time during the pandemic.
Omicron is top of mind for many parents with kids too young to get a vaccine, and “don’t panic” is a key mantra.
And Gov. Gavin Newsom released his 2022-23 California budget yesterday, and there is much to digest.

To the headlines we go:

Santa Cruz tells Food Not Bombs it’s time to go

One of the unhoused residents of Lot 27 prepares for her next move.

Lot 27, at Front and Laurel streets downtown, being cleared by the city to make room for construction. Get the details from Lookout’s Grace Stetson here.

➤ MORE ON HOMELESSNESS: Shelter from the storm: Santa Cruz’s Warming Center providing a basic, essential need during a cold winter (Lookout)

Amid surging California numbers, Santa Cruz not immune

Vials containing COVID test swaps are prepared to be sent to a lab.

Over the past several days, Santa Cruz County has reported more daily cases than at any other time during the pandemic, and public health experts predict it will continue increasing for the next several weeks. Lookout’s Hillary Ojeda looks at the numbers.

➤ LOCAL SURGE: Bad news, good news: COVID cases spike, tests are hard to find ... but fewer serious illnesses with Omicron (Lookout)

‘Don’t panic.’

A child pumps out hand sanitizer in a kindergarten classroom.

COVID case numbers are still going up. Kids under 5 won’t be eligible for vaccination for months. How can parents make smart decisions in the meantime? Our partners at the Los Angeles Times ask the experts.

➤ COVID K-12: Santa Cruz County schools & Omicron: Leaders share early report cards on latest ‘survival mode’ (Lookout)

What to know about Newsom’s budget blueprint

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to use the California budget surplus to confront the crises facing the state, including COVID-19 and climate change. Our partners at CalMatters break it all down.

➤ MORE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS: California ballot will be heavy on health care (Kaiser Health News)

Clinics say California’s new Medicaid drug program will force them to cut services

Alameda County health workers prepare different sized syringes with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

State officials estimate California will save hundreds of millions of dollars by buying prescription drugs for its nearly 14 million Medicaid enrollees, but some health clinics expect to lose money. Read more here from our partners at Kaiser Health News.

➤ MORE ON HEALTH: With sexually transmitted infections off the charts, California pushes at-home tests (Kaiser Health News)

Around the county ...

➤ Redwood forest owned by “King Tut of Hoarders” in Santa Cruz Mountains begins new chapter (San Jose Mercury News)
➤ Plans for organic farm at Watsonville Airport nixed (The Pajaronian)
➤ San Lorenzo River Lagoon gets $2.8M upgrade (KSBW-TV)
➤ Harlem Globetrotters returning to Santa Cruz (KION-TV)
➤ UCSC alum, U.S. Navy commander named Silver Anniversary Award winner by NCAA (Santa Cruz Sentinel)

That’ll get our Tuesday off to a rollicking start, but Lookout has more in store today, so keep tabs by bookmarking our website and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also get breaking news, newsletters and more right to your inbox and phone by visiting our Lookout Newsletter & Text Center.

And it’s always a good day to consider becoming a Lookout member. Our content isn’t possible without community support.

Enjoy the sunshine — I’ll see you back here tomorrow!

Will McCahill
Lookout Santa Cruz