Morning Lookout: Downtown library project updates; Santa Cruz voters’ map choices
Hello hello, Lookout friends! It’s Thursday, April 21, and Santa Cruz County is going to be dodging the raindrops all day, with high temperatures in the mid-50s and lower 60s.
We’re starting off this morning with an update on plans for Santa Cruz’s new downtown library — the city will present the new details during a community meeting this evening, and Lookout’s Grace Stetson has the story.
Grace also fills us in on the choices Santa Cruz voters will face in June as the city moves to a district-based voting system and what’s coming next.
So come along as we hit all that and more among this morning’s headlines ...
More details coming on downtown library
This evening, the city will present its most recent design updates to plans for the new downtown library, one part of the downtown library mixed-use project. Groundbreaking for the development is expected for the latter part of 2023. Get the details from Grace Stetson.
➤ PREVIOUSLY: Santa Cruz updates design proposal for much-debated mixed-use library project (Lookout)
District maps decided upon for new-look Santa Cruz voting system
The Santa Cruz City Council chose two different maps that will be put to voters on June 7. Santa Cruzans will for the first time vote for a single representative based on the area where they live within the city. They will also decide between the current rotating mayoral system and an independently elected mayor who would serve a four-year term. More here from Grace.
➤ BACKGROUND: A forced overhaul of Santa Cruz government: How we got into this districting ‘mess’ & what happens from here (Lookout)
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Judge’s ruling on CDC mask mandate highlights the limits of the agency’s power
A recent court decision that overturned one of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s few pandemic rules — masks required on public transportation — spotlights how little power remains in federal hands to enforce public health protections. Our partners at Kaiser Health News explain.
➤ LOCAL DATA: Check out Lookout’s COVID dashboard here
Can a conservative break through for California attorney general?
Conservatives running for California attorney general make their case to break the Democratic stranglehold on statewide offices since 2006. Eric Early, Nathan Hochman and Anne Marie Schubert say that voters’ concern over crime and public safety will help them unseat incumbent Rob Bonta. Our partners at CalMatters survey the scene.
➤ MORE POLITICS: Find all of Lookout’s coverage in one place
Down The Line, your go-to for big events
Wallace Baine does the legwork on all the good stuff coming to the Santa Cruz arts and entertainment scene so you don’t have to. Check out his latest updates, including Americana legends hitting local stages.
➤ LOOKOUT’S FULL EVENTS CALENDAR: BOLO, your place to go for things to do
Get your puzzle on
The weather might limit our outdoors options today, so all the more opportunity to tease your brain with mini-crosswords, word searches, sudoku and more. Check out our Santa Cruz Puzzle Center here.
➤ GOT AN IDEA FOR A SANTA CRUZ-THEMED PUZZLE? Drop us a line at membership@lookoutlocal.com
- Accounting Manager at Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County
- Admission and Records Technician at Cabrillo College
- Community Programs Operations Director at Ecology Action
- Participant Service Representative at Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley
- Warehouse Worker / Delivery Driver at Cabrillo College
Want more? Check out our Job Board.
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Around the county ...
➤ 4/20 celebration returns to UC Santa Cruz campus after three-year hiatus (KSBW-TV)
➤ Regional writing contest open to local students (The Pajaronian)
➤ Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute expansion could lead to Phil’s Fish Market relocation (KION-TV)
Some solid fuel to start off your Thursday. And Thursday means that the weekend’s in sight, and Wallace Baine’s Weekender newsletter — coming later today — is just the ticket to get you in the know. Sign up for that and much more by clicking over to our Lookout Newsletter & Text Center, and keep tabs throughout the day by bookmarking our website and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
None of this content is possible without community support, so if you’re not already, please consider becoming a Lookout member.
Take it slow on those wet roads, and have a great day!
Will McCahill
Lookout Santa Cruz
Meet Krista Snelling, President and CEO of Santa Cruz County Bank
Meet Krista Snelling, President and CEO of Santa Cruz County Bank
