News Briefs

Sheriff’s National Night Out comes to Felton
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office will host its first National Night Out at the San Lorenzo Valley Sheriff’s Service Center next month.
Individuals and families are invited to gather from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 3 at the sheriff’s center, 6059 Highway 9, in Felton.
National Night Out is designed to encourage people to meet local law enforcement and their neighbors to strengthen relationships, heighten crime awareness, build support for and participation in local anticrime programs, and to send a message that neighborhoods will fight back against crime.
The evening will include music, food, a jump house and games as well as a chance to see the sheriff’s bomb squad, Cal Fire crews and an engine.
For information: www.nationalnightout.org.
Phone books delivered
Santa Cruz County has announced that phone books from YellowBook USA were delivered to residents countywide this week. YellowBook USA is one of several companies that deliver phone books during the year.
All phone book publishers are part of the Yellow Pages Association, and people can opt out of phone book delivery by visiting www.yellowpagesoptout.com or calling the companies that produce local phone books: YellowBook, 800-929-3556; Valley Yellow Pages, 800-350-8887; and AT&T Yellow Pages, 866-329-7118.
Yellowbook has agreed to run a sweep through each rural delivery area to pick up unclaimed books 72 hours after delivery. Residents can report their experiences to the county at 454-2160.
Alcohol, drug group seeks award nominations
The Santa Cruz County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission is accepting nominations for its 2010 Robert E. Neff awards that recognize people who have made outstanding contributions to the field of chemical dependency in Santa Cruz County.
To be eligible, a person should have a history of service and dedication to the field of chemical dependency.
Applications are available at www.recoverywave.com or from Bill Manov, 454-4220. The application deadline is Aug. 20.
Library phone numbers change
Telephone numbers for the Santa Cruz County Library Administration and Central Branch have changed. Numbers at other library branches, including Felton, Boulder Creek and Scotts Valley, remain the same.
To reach library administration, people can call 427-7706, ext. 5600. The Central Branch, 224 Church St., in Santa Cruz, can be reached at 427-7707, ext. 5700.
For information: www.santacruzpl.org.
Highway 9 bridges smoother after grinding
Nighttime safety work to grind down and repave a bumpy 1-mile section of Highway 9 at the twin bridges between Felton and Ben Lomond was scheduled to be completed by Friday, July 23.
Grinding was performed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. beginning Sunday, July 18, to prepare the road for paving, which is scheduled to be finished Friday, July 23.
The road had to be ground down 9 inches before it could be resurfaced. People living in the area were warned to expect loud noise during the work hours.
The nighttime work was necessary to avoid heavy traffic and delays on the road, a Caltrans spokesperson said. It had been put on hold during the winter, because the air temperature at night must stay above 50 degrees for the final paving to be successful.
John Madonna Construction of San Luis Obispo is the contractor for the $834,000 job.