23rd Environmental Town Hall returns with Assemblymember Pellerin
The 23rd Environmental Town Hall, presented by the Valley Women’s Club Environmental Committee, is set to return on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 1-3pm at Felton Community Hall, 6191 Highway 9, in Felton.
Assemblymember Gail Pellerin will return, bringing an update on the pressing environmental matters impacting the San Lorenzo Valley and the surrounding region. Pellerin’s presentation will be followed by an engaging Q&A session, offering attendees the unique opportunity to voice their concerns and submit questions directly to the State legislator.
Before and after the address, guests can explore informational displays, pick-up useful brochures and interact with information specialists from local and State Parks, the Santa Cruz County Mosquito and Vector Control, the Regional Transportation Commission, the Coastal Watershed Council and more.
Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided. Students are encouraged to attend. For further details, contact Environmental Committee Chair Nancy Macy at 831-345-1555, or visit valleywomensclub.org.
Santa Cruz County receives $5M to address homelessness
Santa Cruz County has been approved to receive $5.08 million from the state’s Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention, Round 5 (HHAP-5) program.
This vital funding helps sustain current programs including shelters and transitional housing, outreach to unsheltered individuals, permanent supportive housing services, and flexible one-time financial assistance for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The HHAP-5 investments are part of the State of California’s initiatives to address homelessness. More than $827 million has been allocated to 37 regional grantees to support local plans aimed at aiding the unhoused population. This funding goes to housing, shelter and comprehensive support services for individuals experiencing homelessness in over 100 communities statewide.
Funding allocations under the HHAP-5 program are determined based on statewide appropriations and the proportionate share of the state’s homeless population, as identified in the most recent Point-In-Time count. Due to local numbers remaining relatively constant from the prior year and increases in homeless populations in other parts of the state, Santa Cruz County saw a significant funding reduction of $840,000 from 2023.
Scotts Valley PD receives grant to increase safety on roads
Scotts Valley Police Department has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support its ongoing enforcement and education programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on local roads. The grant program runs through September 2025.
“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” Scotts Valley Sgt. Sjon Tol said. “By increasing enforcement of traffic laws and focusing on high-risk areas, we aim to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, prevent crashes, and make our roads safer for everyone.”
The grant will provide additional programs and resources, including: DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers; high-visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law; enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk; enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes; community presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding and bicycle and pedestrian safety; and officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
