Local News

Learning about the dangers of surveillance technology can be empowering, the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury writes in the introduction to the new report they published June 20. Its latest 20-page look at spy tech and data collection at the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s...

Those familiar with the popular Vancouver Island lumberjack show “Big Timber” on Netflix, know the riveting storylines that emerge from working with giant trees—and the care it takes to do historic preservation right. Down here in California, in the state’s oldest state park, officials experienced...

During their first regularly scheduled meeting of the year on Jan. 18, Scotts Valley Council members handed out committee appointments for the upcoming year. Mayor Jack Dilles prepared the list, which was included as part of the consent calendar, and it was approved unanimously. The...

Congressman Jimmy Panetta, the representative of California’s 19th Congressional District, shared insights in an interview with Henry W. Kim, a BSA Scout from Scotts Valley Troop 614, focusing on key local issues and the importance of involving young people in community affairs.  During the interview,...

There was some grumbling from neighbors about potholes in the vicinity, and disappointment a pedestrian cut-through will disappear, but the Scotts Valley residents at the final hearing about the subdivision seemed relatively pleased overall with it. The nine-unit Casa Way classic suburban development from East...

County health officials recently announced that seasonal cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the flu have been reported earlier than usual this year, and are on the rise, causing increased hospitalizations for children. Covid-19 is also experiencing an uptick locally and in California, they...

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a plan to ease some requirements for property owners looking to rebuild from the CZU Lightning Complex fires. Under the change, county officials will not consider Santa Cruz County Code 16.10—which requires geologic review before...

Santa Cruz County has reduced homelessness among families by 59% compared to 2019, even as overall homelessness in the county increased by 6%.  That’s according to preliminary results of the county’s biannual Point-In-Time (PIT) count released Aug. 5 by the Housing for Health Partnership. Santa Cruz...

It was just two years ago that the CZU Lightning Complex fires erupted, leaving 86,500 acres charred between the Santa Cruz Mountains and San Mateo County. More than 1,490 structures were lost, and 911 homes in Santa Cruz County burned. In Big Basin, 97% of...

A voice rings out over the handheld radio: “Numerous callers reporting gunfire in the middle school gym.” With that, the first active shooter scenario of the afternoon kicks into gear. On July 14, at the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District tri-campus, the Santa Cruz...