Happy Tuesday evening, folks.
Yes, I guess we will call those few droplets we saw early today spring showers. But, man, we could use some more. Here are the official spritzing totals.
We do keep pouring out useful journalism for you though regardless of what Mother Nature does with her end of the bargain. To those headlines…
Why does it take so long to get one Santa Cruz housing project off the ground?
Four years and counting: Three weeks ago, local developer Workbench broke ground on a 13-townhouse development in Soquel. Lookout talked to founding partner Jamileh Cannon about why it took so long to begin building — the impact of legislative efforts to speed construction of housing. Grace Stetson with the details here.
➤ Book a stay at a Santa Cruz ‘super-rental’: It’s only $1,000 a night (GS)
➤ Want to rent a Santa Cruz studio? You’ll pay double what you paid last year (GS)
Pi(e) Day!, more Flashbirds & winning Santa Cruz olive oil
Lily Belli on Food: Did you celebrate Pi(e) Day yesterday? The date 3.14 corresponds to the mathematical number pi, the ratio of any circle’s circumference to its diameter. On what should be the most delicious of holidays, it’s customary to enjoy a slice of pie, everyone’s favorite circular dessert. That and much more from Lily here.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT STUDENT ACCESS
ICYMI: She wanted a Santa Cruz woman in Sacramento, so this veteran politico called her own number
‘What about me?’: Recruitment of others led Gail Pellerin to the revelation that no one has better qualifications for the California State Assembly than herself. That’s why the noted advocate for voting rights and mental health awareness is attempting to become the first area woman to ever earn an elected seat in state government. The Q&A here.
Coronavirus cases are rising in Europe. Is it a warning for California?
What we know: Throughout the pandemic, the U.S. has followed Europe by several weeks in waves of cases, and that could happen again, health experts warn. More from the LA Times here.
➤ Check out Lookout’s new COVID tracker here
Californians used more water as state braces for another dry year
Water issues persist: New data from urban areas suggests that people are ignoring Gov. Gavin Newsom’s pleas for voluntary conservation during the drought. Some experts say it’s time for Newsom to issue a mandatory order. More from CalMatters here.
➤ WORKING FOR A SAFER ENVIRONMENT: See all the most recent listings here.
- Manager, COVID-19 Response & Compliance at Cabrillo College
- Associate Director for Outreach & Prevention at UC Santa Cruz
- Operations & Maintenance Manager at Soquel Creek Water District
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Journalist who protested Ukraine war on live Russian TV is released after 14 hours of questioning
Catch and release: A journalist held who up an antiwar sign behind the anchorwoman of one of Russia’s most-watched news shows was released after her arrest. More from the Times here.
➤ Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky speaking to Congress on Wednesday. What does he want? (Times)
Why California gas prices are so high and vary so widely: ‘Mystery surcharge’ and more
What it means: Gas prices seem to have little logic, especially since Russia invaded Ukraine. Culprits? A combination of market forces, the “mystery gas surcharge” and more. More from the Times here.
More from here & elsewhere
➤ Santa Cruz County agencies review state’s police militarization bill (Sentinel)
➤ Branciforte Fire district names interim chief (Sentinel)
➤ Senderos welcomes new executive director (Pajaronian)
➤ He’s American, he oversees Papa John’s in Russia and he’s staying (SF Gate)
➤ Second gentleman Doug Emhoff tests positive for COVID-19 (USA Today)
➤ Why the 49ers might have to imminently release Jimmy Garoppolo (SF Gate)
That is all for a Tuesday night. See you all back here tomorrow. As always, please support our journalism financially if you can. We can’t do it without you.
Mark Conley
Deputy Managing Editor