News Briefs

Missing man turns himself in
A 39-year-old man who went missing from a group home on Rose Acres Lane in Felton last week turned up at a local hospital six days later. According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, Jay Barker, 39, arrived at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz on May 26. Barker, identified as a dependent, was reported missing as of May 20. The sheriff’s office began a search-and-rescue operation in Felton on May 22 but called it off the same day when family members told deputies that Barker had previously disappeared for several days before returning. Sheriff’s deputies said Barker was “fine” when he arrived at the hospital.
Scotts Valley Boy Scout troop seeks alumni for celebration
Boy Scouts of America Troop 604 in Scotts Valley is looking for alumni and Eagle Scouts to join them in celebrating the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Centennial in September. Anyone fitting that description can email the organizers with contact information to receive an official invitation. For information: mb***********@***il.com.
SLV class reunion planned for 1992 grads
The 1992 graduating class of San Lorenzo Valley High School will celebrate its 20-year reunion Saturday, June 23. All classmates, along with their families and friends from neighboring class years, are invited and should RSVP. Admission is free, and there will be a no-host menu and bar. The reunion will include live music and a prize raffle of locally donated items. Cupcakes and raffle donations are requested. For information: sl*******@***il.com.
Seniors can get farmers market vouchers
The Seniors Council will visit the Scotts Valley farmers market at 9 a.m. June 9 to hand out vouchers for food purchases. The $20 vouchers can be used at certified farmers markets to purchase fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fresh herbs or honey. The vouchers are free to men and women age 60 or older who are considered to have low income (less than $1,679 per month for a one-person household or $2,268 per month for a two-person household). Vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and are limited to only one voucher per family. The Seniors Council will have a booth at the Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market on June 9. For information: Seniors Council, 688-0400, ext. 17.
Bonny Doon festival set for June 23
The Bonny Doon Community School Foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year is coming up June 23, a Saturday. The 10th annual Bonny Doon Art & Wine Festival will be held at Vigne Farms Equestrian Park, 3675 Bonny Doon Road. The 21-and-older event will feature unlimited wine tasting, gourmet food, live music, art demonstrations and sales, live and silent auctions and a high-end raffle. Featured artists will be Katrina and Domo of “5 Feet from the Moon.” All-inclusive discounted tickets can be purchased until Friday, June 1. For information: www.bonnydoonartandwinefestival.com.
DA’s office warns of grant deed scam
Homeowners in Santa Cruz and other California counties have received letters from Local Records Office of Norwalk that appear to be from a government office. The letter identifies the homeowner’s property information and suggests that the homeowner purchase a copy of the grant deed for $89. The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Consumer Affairs office warns that although the letter appears to be from a government agency, it is not. The ordinary cost of a grant deed copy is $7, according to the consumer affairs office, and there is no need to have a copy of a deed unless one is involved in a property transaction Local Records Office is neither local nor a government agency, and it offers nothing that homeowners cannot easily obtain from the county government, if needed. The consumer affairs office suggests that residents call before responding to any questionable solicitations or billings. For information: District Attorney’s Consumer Affairs office, 454-2050.