Morning Lookout: PVUSD’s Omicron balancing act and fixing that busted bridge
Good morning! It’s Thursday, Jan. 13, and Santa Cruz County’s forecast calls for a mostly cloudy day with highs in the low to mid-60s.
Thursdays are always busy for Lookout, and today is no exception. To wit:
- Schools in the Pajaro Valley Unified district are back in session this week after the holiday break, and as with other county districts, students and educators are balancing learning and Omicron.
- You’ve surely seen that busted fencing on the railroad bridge over Highway 1 in Aptos — well, it’s finally getting fixed!
- It’s a busy time for Santa Cruz County’s creative community, and Wallace Baine has a preview of events in music, art and poetry.
- And you might have heard about the new statewide composting mandate — here’s what to know.
Now, onward to the headlines:
‘We’re in this together’
Pajaro Valley schools returned to class this week amid Omicron, and they’re facing a surge of absences. Lookout’s Hillary Ojeda checks in with educators and students.
➤ LAST WEEK: How some Santa Cruz County parents are navigating a return to school amid Omicron surge (Lookout)
Coping with holiday blues: Kaiser Permanente provides tips to reduce stress, anxiety and sadness
Coping with holiday blues: Kaiser Permanente provides tips to reduce stress, anxiety and sadness
Quick Take
While the holidays can be a cheerful time for many, they can also be some of the most difficult times for others. Kaiser...
That smashed bridge over Highway 1 in Aptos is finally getting fixed
Nighttime commuters might be inconvenienced next week as the overcrossing damaged in 2017 gets repaired, as both directions will be closed. Get the details here from Lookout’s Max Chun.
➤ SPEAKING OF BRIDGES: Coming soon: 30-month construction project on Murray Street Bridge (Lookout)
Creativity flourishing across the county
Three upcoming projects in Santa Cruz — focused, respectively, on music, art and poetry — are designed to make you pause and think. Lookout’s Wallace Baine takes us on a tour.
➤ OUR FULL EVENTS CALENDAR: BOLO, your place to go for things to do
What to know as composting mandate rolls out
Where does food waste go now? What counts as food waste, anyway? And will I get fined for putting it in the wrong bin? Get the details here from Lookout’s Lily Belli.
➤ BACKGROUND: California goes to war with food waste. Composting is its next climate crusade (Los Angeles Times)
California was supposed to clear cannabis convictions ... but thousands still languish
More than 30,000 Californians are stuck with felonies, misdemeanors and other convictions on their records that should have been wiped “automatically.” Our partners at the Los Angeles Times take a deep dive.
➤ LOOKING AHEAD IN SACRAMENTO: What to know about Newsom’s budget blueprint (CalMatters)
Bay Federal raises nearly $11,000 for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
Bay Federal raises nearly $11,000 for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
Quick Take
In true sustainable fashion, Bay Federal Credit Union partnered with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary...
Around the county ...
➤ Aptos High postpones all indoor sports activities for remainder of week (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
➤ Quiroz-Carter sworn in as new Watsonville city councilmember (The Pajaronian)
➤ Monterey Bay FC releases game schedule for first season in USL Championship (KION-TV)
That ought to keep you busy for a bit, but bookmark our website and follow Lookout on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all we have in store today, including a fresh serving of Best Bets from Wallace Baine and Team BOLO. Best Bets comes in newsletter form, too, and you can get that and much more in your inbox or on your phone by visiting our Lookout Newsletter & Text Center.
And please, if you’re not already, consider becoming a Lookout member. Our content isn’t possible without community support.
Have a fantastic day — Friday’s just around that corner!
Will McCahill
Lookout Santa Cruz
