News briefs

Valley towns miss out on grant money
Proposition 84 grant requests by Santa Cruz County Parks and the Boulder Creek Recreation and Parks District were turned down by the state last month.
Santa Cruz County Parks sought $1.2 million from Proposition 84, the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006. The money would have complemented a $400,000 remodel of Ben Lomond Park, now under way. The grant would have been use to add river access to the adjacent San Lorenzo River.
Boulder Creek Recreation and Parks District had requested $5 million to jumpstart the construction of a new community and recreation center in Boulder Creek. A source of money to build the rec center has not been determined, and there has been argument about the placement of the center from a Boulder Creek neighbors group.
Competition for the $184 million in Proposition 84 grant money was stiff. Throughout the state, 475 applicants requested $1.6 billion for their projects.
SLV Middle School winter carnival success
Despite rain pouring down, more than 50 student-run booths selling food, games and toys raised money for the school and for charity.
More than $2,000 was donated to Valley Churches United Missions, and students learned about making, marketing and selling a product, as well as about sharing what they have with those in need, according to Principal Jeff Calden.
Buses shut on Christmas
On Friday, Dec. 24, the last Santa Cruz Metro local bus route, including the Paracruz service, will depart at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, Dec. 25, there will be no Metro or Paracruz service in Santa Cruz.
The Highway 17 Express will run on a regular weekend schedule.
For information: www.scmtd.com.
Part of superior court closed after Christmas
The Watsonville Courthouse, the Santa Cruz Superior Court Self-Help Center and the County Law Library will be closed Dec. 27 through 30. Clerk’s offices will be open in Santa Cruz (701 Ocean St.) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Court users are encouraged to use www.santacruzcourt.org to pay traffic and criminal fines electronically.