News briefs

Second rabid bat found in SV
A rabid bat was found on Arabian Way earlier this month, and folks from Santa Cruz County Animal Services are warning people to be careful around wild animals.
“Residents should be aware that rabies exists in the local bat population and should take all precautions to avoid contact with bats,” field manager Todd Stosuy said. “Should you come across a dead or injured bat or a bat that is behaving unusually, do not touch it.”
The bat was found Oct. 12 at a home. A rabid bat was found in the same place last year.
All mammals are at risk for rabies. Pet owners should make sure dogs and cats are up-to-date with rabies vaccine and warn children not to handle dead bats or touch other wild animals, such as skunks and raccoons.
For information or to report an animal: Santa Cruz County Animal Services, 454-7303.
Library hours increase
Open hours have been added to the Boulder Creek, Felton and Scotts Valley branch libraries.
The Boulder Creek library will be open nine more hours each week, for a total of 21 hours. The library is open from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Wednesday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Felton’s hours increased by seven hours to 15 per week, and the library is now open from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Scotts Valley’s library increased by two hours each week to 34 hours, total. The branch is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
First rainfall of the season
After several days of weekend rainfall, the season total in Felton is up to 4.31 inches as of Oct. 25.
Steady rainfall Oct. 24 resulted in nearly 2½ inches of precipitation in the valley during a 24-hour stretch. Last year to date, 10.15 inches had fallen in Felton.
SV bus adjusts to school times
Santa Cruz METRO bus schedules for Route 30 in Scotts Valley were adjusted starting Tuesday, Oct. 26, to better reflect bell times at Scotts Valley High School, the middle school and Vine Hill Elementary School.
The change followed requests by Scotts Valley parents and administrators.
For more route information: www.scmtd.com/routes/systemschedule/30.
Cabrillo hosts career night
College-bound students can meet with representatives from more than 60 colleges and universities from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 1 as part of Cabrillo College’s annual college and career night.
The open house will be at the Cabrillo College main campus, 6500 Soquel Drive, in Aptos.
More than 4,000 people attended the free evening last year.
Steakhouse murder mystery opens
“Murder Rides the Airwaves,” an interactive whodunit murder mystery from Elf Empire Productions, opens Nov. 7 at Peachwoods Steakhouse, 555 Highway 17, in Pasatiempo. It also runs Nov. 14 and 21.
The play was written by Santa Cruz playwrights Rita Wadsworth and Carolyn Hyatt and is directed by Kathie Kratochvil. Locals Steve and Wendy Edmonds, Stuart Serman, Denny Vierra, Marj Young and Bluzar Blue will take part, and a 1940s cabaret will be performed by locals Claire Hodgin and Richard Stauff.
The $45 cost includes the play, dinner, tax and gratuity.
For information: 426-6333.
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