Local News

He was the sort of guy who could paint a sandwich board with a creative flair. He went by the moniker “Oakengard” and was deep into Dungeons and Dragons. But according to the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, Ciriaco Johnson was not just someone...

California State Parks, in partnership with Cal Fire, is planning prescribed burns at the Sandhills area of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park as part of a long-term effort to reduce wildfire risk and maintain a rare coastal habitat. The planned 8-acre burn in the Bonny...

Fresh in the permanent police chief role as of March, Jayson Rutherford gave his first yearly update to Scotts Valley City Council, which includes two former cops, at its April 15 meeting. Scotts Valley Police Department responded to 5,581 calls for service in 2025. And,...

SLV Water District continues spring main flushing San Lorenzo Valley Water District is continuing its annual water main flushing program through May 21 to remove iron and manganese deposits from the distribution system. The naturally occurring minerals are not a health risk, but buildup in water...

Final paving work on a 3.6-mile stretch of Graham Hill Road is scheduled to begin Monday as part of the Santa Cruz Water Department’s Newell Creek Pipeline Replacement Project. The work will take place between Roaring Camp Road and Henry Cowell Drive from May 11-22...

In honor and celebration of Wildfire Preparedness Week (May 3-9), Shawn Gardner and Walt Mullins, co-founders of FireRoofs, want locals to know that a new tool is available to help homeowners combat the very real threat of wildfires. Gardner managed parks and irrigation systems for...

Scotts Valley, Felton farmers markets open new seasons The Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market and Felton Farmers’ Market will open their 2026 seasons in early May, offering weekly access to regional produce, prepared foods and community programs in Santa Cruz County’s mountain and valley communities. The Scotts...

City of Scotts Valley has decided to establish what it terms “geometric constraints” outside of City Hall by establishing a no-parking zone. That’s because the route to the police station, municipal offices and Council Chambers is just 36 feet wide at the most and 26...

Civil Grand Jury applications due soon Santa Cruz County Superior Court is accepting applications for its Civil Grand Jury, a 19-member volunteer panel that reviews local government operations and issues recommendations to improve transparency, efficiency and accountability. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years...

California State Parks and Sempervirens Fund recently announced the permanent addition of the 153-acre NoraBella property to expand Big Basin Redwoods State Park, marking the park’s first acquisition in 15 years. The $2.415 million purchase is the first addition to the park since 2011, when...