News Briefs | Published July 11, 2025
‘Veterans’ Voices with VTC’ debuts on Santa Cruz Voice
The Veterans Transition Center (VTC) and Santa Cruz Voice have partnered to launch “Veterans’ Voices with VTC,” a compelling radio show and podcast series dedicated to sharing the powerful stories of local veterans overcoming adversity and...
Scotts Valley has capacity to build 3,407 homes, says consultant
Scotts Valley has just over half-a-year to develop a Housing Element that other communities can take years to get across the finish line.
But it burst out of the starting gate April 5 with a joint Planning Commission/City Council study session that found the community...
Scotts Valley City Council votes for $72,500 settlement after overpaying workers
Last Wednesday morning in a special meeting, Scotts Valley City Council voted unanimously to move forward with a settlement with workers after it was discovered the pretax contributions of some employees were mistakenly taxed.
Staff said payout—related to overpayments caused by a payroll system update—likely...
Scotts Valley Agrees to Pay $600K Legal Settlement
The city of Scotts Valley has agreed to settle a lawsuit, over damage caused by stormwater drainage, for $600,000.
According to Frederick H. Ebey, of Watsonville-based Grunsky Law Firm, the City has agreed to pay his client, Scott Beam, $450,000, for erosion at his Bean...
Vice Mayor voices transparency concerns
“Future Agenda Items” is usually one of the least contentious portions of a Council meeting. It’s a time to propose new ideas and look ahead to what elected officials might tackle next.
But on May 18, when Coun. Derek Timm proposed looking at raising the...
News Briefs | Published July 25, 2025
Technical experts to attend battery storage workshops
Santa Cruz County Commission on the Environment has identified additional expert testimony to be included in upcoming workshops focusing on Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) technologies and safety issues.
On Wednesday, July 30, the Commission will welcome Scott Murtishaw,...
News Briefs | Published Aug. 15, 2025
BLM to celebrate grand opening of Cotoni-Coast Dairies
Bureau of Land Management is inviting the public to the grand opening of the Cotoni-Coast Dairies onshore unit of the California Coastal National Monument on Friday, Aug. 15.
A reservation-only guided hike will take place at 3pm; RSVP...
New year, new laws: A look at legislation that begins in 2021
Every January, the new year brings with it dozens of new laws that impact day-to-day life in many different ways. Here we bring you a few we find notable, from criminal justice reform to animal welfare to workplace rules.
From inmate to firefighter
During the massive...
Santa Cruz County opens temporary evacuation points
To provide evacuated residents being impacted by ongoing storms, the Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience, in partnership with the City of Scotts Valley and City of Watsonville, have opened temporary evacuation points (TEPs) at the Scotts Valley Community Center, 360...
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors adopts new AI policy
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has unanimously adopted an adaptive Artificial Intelligence Appropriate Use policy, becoming among the first local governments in the United States to encourage the use of artificial intelligence among staff while creating a framework to address concerns related to...
Scotts Valley police receive $25K traffic safety grant
Scotts Valley Police Department has received a $25,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to support programs promoting bicycle and pedestrian safety.
The...





















