Strike averted as County, employees reach agreement
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The union that represents some 1,600 County of Santa Cruz employees has averted a strike after hammering out a tentative agreement during all-day negotiations Monday.
The agreement between Service Employees International Union Local 521 and the County came just before demonstrations that were...
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...
As Build Back Better Plan Stalls, Scotts Valley Digs Into Piggy Bank
It was like music to the ears of Scotts Valley politicians, last summer, when Democrats announced they’d be setting $1.4 million aside to replace a condemned after-school childcare facility at Vine Hill Elementary School, a hallmark of the Parks and Recreation Department.
Schools had already...
Fundraising Campaign Eyes Large Addition for Big Basin
In August of 2020, the CZU Lightning Complex tore through the forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains. On the east, the fire kissed the perimeter of downtown Boulder Creek and Ben Lomond, and on the top of the ridge, the flames raced up the...
Female leaders Ready to Guide Scotts Valley’s 2022 Rebound
On Tuesday, new Scotts Valley City Manager Mali LaGoe went for a tour of the library building currently undergoing a full renovation and was greeted by a familiar face.
Yolande Wilburn, who just succeeded Susan Nemitz as director of Santa Cruz Public Libraries after overseeing...
Leaders Encourage Businesses to Apply for Covid-Relief Cash
Though a Jan. 12 webinar about federal Covid-relief funding for local businesses was short and to the point, Scotts Valley City Councilman Randy Johnson still found time to look back on the early days of the pandemic.
“Does anyone remember spraying the mail that came...
Barring agreement, County employees will strike on Jan. 25
SANTA CRUZ—Service Employees International Union Local 521, the union representing the majority of Santa Cruz County workers, has called for a strike after a majority of employees voted in favor of the action.
While saying that they are still willing to negotiate, union officials say...
Local schools battered by winter Covid-19 surge
Up until mid-December, the Bonny Doon Union Elementary School District had seen just a single case of Covid-19 in its student body this school year. And before that, it had only recorded one other case during the entire pandemic. Now, the school system currently...
Key Community Hero Retires
Valley Churches United (VCU) has been assisting members of the San Lorenzo Valley community since 1985. From financial support to a plentiful food pantry, residents who have fallen on hard times have turned to VCU in times of trouble, finding respite in the nonprofit’s...
Congressman Panetta Visits Santa Cruz Mountains Communities
Now that the congressional boundary debate’s been settled—with the old 18th and 20th districts seemingly evaporating from the local map, leaving in their place the new 19th District—politicians have begun adjusting to the new reality.
And for current Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, who’s represented the...
Final paving, striping on Highway 9 continues this week
A major maintenance paving project continues on Highway 9 between El Solyo Heights Drive in Felton and California Drive in Ben Lomond.
Travelers on Highway...
