Supervisors approve independent auditor for Sheriff’s Office
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to hire an independent auditor for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office who would investigate such issues as citizen complaints and use of force.
The move followed a report by...
Orange Tier status reopens more valley businesses
On Oct. 27 Santa Cruz County entered the Orange Tier of the state’s Covid-19 reopening plan. The lowered rate of positive tests has enabled many more businesses to open with precautions, such as indoor waxing and bookstores, and increased capacity at restaurants, movie theaters...
Covid-19 variant found in Santa Cruz County
The Santa Cruz County Public Health Division is monitoring confirmed reports of Covid-19 cases involving variants found in Santa Cruz County, spokesman Jason Hoppin said in a press release Monday.
Two cases of the B.1.1.7 variant, known generally as the U.K. variant, have been identified...
Evacuations ordered
County officials warn of debris flows and high winds
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Cal Fire CZU announced Monday morning that many evacuation warnings were updated to orders for swaths of the San Lorenzo Valley, including most of Boulder Creek and various areas of Ben Lomond and Felton...
Stimulus bill transforms options for state and local governments
Richard F. Cortez, the top elected official in Hidalgo County, at the southern tip of Texas, is so full of anticipation for the federal stimulus money that is about to flow into his county that he has memorized the precise amount and happily recites...
Suspected mail thief nabbed after video footage from Boulder Creek
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies on Monday arrested a Santa Cruz man after he was caught on video surveillance stealing mail in Boulder Creek.
Richard Gilreath, 54, had mail from roughly 50 victims, sheriff’s spokeswoman Ashley Keehn said.
He was wanted on warrants from Santa Cruz...
County park will honor late Sheriff’s deputy
APTOS—Plans were announced Thursday of a major renovation of Willowbrook County Park to honor the late Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, who was gunned down in the line of duty in 2020.
The project of “reimagining” the park was announced in a brief...
Sexual Predator’s Hearing for Bonny Doon Release Plan Draws Crowd
The hubbub at the Santa Cruz County Courthouse Tuesday morning was so loud a sheriff’s deputy had to tell the 50-plus Bonny Doon community members to pipe down.
They were awaiting a hearing on whether or not convicted rapist Michael Cheek would be allowed to...
SVHS Haunted House Adjust, Readies to Petrify Attendees
Frightened of a blank calendar this Halloween? Never fear. There are many fun and Covid-19-safe opportunities this year.
According to a 1,000-parent survey conducted by See’s Candies, a little over 50 percent of families plan to stay in this Halloween, with a movie. However, for...
Court Considers Whether Sexually Violent Predator Can Move to Bonny Doon
A convicted rapist named Michael Cheek, who psychologists have said could be at risk of reoffending, wants to become the newest Bonny Doon resident, and District Attorney Jeff Rosell says he’s trying to stop that from happening.
“We fought tooth and nail at every opportunity...
New Scotts Valley Council members look forward to making their mark
After first-place finisher Donna Lind, the incumbent for Scotts Valley City Council, local voters selected Steve Clark—a retired law enforcer, known for volunteering around...
