Free yard waste disposal for 5th District residents
Supervisor Monica Martinez’s Office has announced a no-cost yard waste disposal program for residents of the San Lorenzo Valley and unincorporated Scotts Valley areas.
To support community home hardening and wildfire fuel reduction, residents can dispose of yard waste every Saturday throughout August at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station. No appointment is needed.
Residents hauling their own yard waste must show proof of residency, while those delivering on behalf of residents need a signed affidavit. Each load is limited to two tons, with standard material restrictions.
For more details and to access affidavits, visit the program webpage at bit.ly/3IkOSNa or contact Supervisor Martinez’s Office. This initiative is in partnership with Santa Cruz County Community Development and Infrastructure.
North County Dems host Firewise speaker Tuesday
Effective with the August meeting, the Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County will go back to meeting on the first Tuesday of the month.
The guest speaker for the Aug. 5 meeting will be Lindsay Speth with SLV Firewise Communities. Firewise works with communities in the Wildland-Urban Interface to reduce wildfire risk by educating community members on how to create defensible spaces, home hardening and evacuation planning. Information about Firewise communities in SLV and Scotts Valley can be found on the Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County’s website.
Club members will also discuss efforts to support flippable Congressional Districts in California. Flipping three seats can take back the House. Club meetings begin at 6:30pm and are held at the Scotts Valley Water District Community Room, located at 2 Civic Center Drive.
Members of the public are welcome to attend.
8th Annual KBCZ 89.3FM Music Fest returns next Saturday
The Eighth Annual KBCZ 89.3FM Music Fest is set for Saturday, Aug. 9, from 1-7pm.
This year’s event moves to Garrahan Park at 15555 Highway 9, across from The Sawmill Restaurant & Ale House, offering a vibrant lineup including Ancestree, The Ripatti Rose Band, Billy Reese and The Rig, and The Swagtones.
As Boulder Creek Community Radio’s biggest fundraiser, the festival will feature food trucks, beverages, vendors and activities suitable for all ages. Parking is available adjacent to the event at the Sawmill lot.
For tickets and more details, visit bcrpd2.wufoo.com/forms/m1fn3ryt06aprtz/.
SLVWD announces new board director and director of operations
San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) Board of Directors has appointed Bob Russ to the board.
Russ, a Felton resident, was appointed at a special board meeting on June 26 to serve the remainder of the term left vacant by the resignation of Director Jeff Hill in May. The seat will be up for election for a new four-year term in November 2026.
Russ is a retired business/technology consultant with experience writing business plans for startups. He hopes to use his expertise in mechanical engineering, business and finance to help SLVWD continue to rebuild and strengthen its water infrastructure.
In addition, SLVWD selected Jesse Guiver as its new director of operations. In this role, Guiver will oversee all water treatment facilities, manage water quality operations and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
A nearly 15-year veteran of the District, Guiver has served as its water quality and treatment manager, where he led water quality testing efforts and managed the publication of the annual Consumer Confidence Report. He began his new role on July 24.
