Local News

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—All California adults age 50 and older will be eligible for a vaccine starting April 1, and everyone age 16 and older will be eligible starting April 15, the state announced Thursday. The shift in eligibility comes as the state expects the supply...

Felton resident Karen Holl’s talk at her hometown library Feb. 3 occurred just as a storm rolled in underscoring just how intrinsically linked our lives are with those of Plantae kingdom—as tree litter would soon carpet the landscape and one person would be killed...

The San Lorenzo Valley is a notch in the Santa Cruz Mountains made up of several small towns: Boulder Creek, Brookdale, Ben Lomond and Felton. While each has its own volunteer fire department ​​(Brookdale is covered by Boulder Creek and backed up by Ben...

Supervisors approve reforms to short-term rental ordinance In a significant step toward balancing tourism with community needs, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has voted to advance a comprehensive overhaul of the County’s Vacation and Hosted Rental Ordinance. The proposed reforms, which aim to curb...

Just in time for the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend, California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks have announced that access to Big Basin Redwoods State Park will increase this summer with the addition of a free pilot shuttle program, a...

After having supported setting aside funding for local nonprofits, during the Scotts Valley budget process earlier this year, Councilmember Randy Johnson joined Vice Mayor Jim Reed in opposing the move during a test run for regular in-person City Council meetings, Oct. 19. In a 3-2...

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning this week for the Santa Cruz Mountains and a heat advisory for the coastal regions. Dangerously hot conditions arrived Tuesday in California and will continue through the July 4 holiday, with the heat wave likely...

Joining the gift boutique and taproom slated for the Hangar development—and the ice cream parlor that just opened—in Scotts Valley is a new fitness studio from Santa Cruz resident Peter Malek. The 40-year-old engineer and workout enthusiast says he’s thrilled to be able to bring...

After 25 years in Scotts Valley urgent care, followed by 12 years as a health columnist at the Press Banner, Dr. Terry Hollenbeck is leaving this publication to focus on his health and family. The “Valley Doctor” leaves with these words of advice: “Take the...

Supervisors to host cannabis listening sessions Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is seeking feedback from county residents on any changes needed to local laws regulating cannabis, including retail sales, outdoor and indoor commercial production, on-site consumption and more. A series of public meetings are planned...