Tensions boil over in SLV water merger meeting
In a tense, two-and-a-half-hour board meeting on Feb. 4 that included more than 100 attendees, San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) broached the subject of a potential merger with Scotts Valley Water District (SVWD).
The reaction from those who attended the Zoom meeting was anything...
Scotts Valley seeks to curb ‘targeted picketing’
The Scotts Valley City Council will weigh whether to halt “targeted picketing” within 300 feet of a particular person’s residence at its Feb. 17 meeting.
At the Feb. 3 City Council meeting, City Attorney Kirsten Powell introduced Ordinance No. 197, which prohibits picketing within a...
SVWD rebuilds largest water treatment plant
The Scotts Valley Water District (SVWD) has begun construction on its largest water treatment plant, Orchard Run.
GSE Construction demolished the 38-year-old plant in December and plans to finish construction by May 1.
The new plant, which provides 1 million gallons of water per day, will...
Vine Hill Elementary PTA members and community rally for auction
Late January the Vine Hill elementary PTA announced an online auction beginning Feb. 5 and continuing until the PTA’s first-ever virtual live auction on Feb. 20, hosted by Robert Aldana, Bobbie Ward and Garvin Thomas.
These two events form a part of the PTA’s fundraisers...
Beauty-industry workers sue state officials, saying they’ve been unfairly targeted during shutdowns
Jennifer Wadsworth and Mat Weir, Contributing Reporters
If you ask beauty salon owners in Santa Cruz County, they’ll tell you the on-and-off lockdowns during the pandemic have been downright backward when it comes to their industry.
Deborah Riley, owner of Lavish Salon in Santa Cruz, says...
North County water districts explore consolidation
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS—Today the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) and Scotts Valley Water District (SVWD) announced their respective boards of directors will consider possibly consolidating the agencies’ operations in the future.
Boards from both water districts will learn more about the consolidation process when...
Scotts Valley Economic Task Force gears up for next event
On Feb. 13, the Scotts Valley Economic Recovery Task Force will host its next event, #ScottsValleyLove from 10am to 6pm.
Much like the organization’s holiday open house, residents will pick up goodie bags and visit many businesses throughout town, earning treats and trinkets at each...
State lifts stay-at-home order
Some services, such as outdoor dining, can resume
Outdoor dining and other services can resume after Gov. Gavin Newsom on Jan. 25 ended the state’s regional stay-at-home order based on intensive care unit (ICU) capacity.
In its place, the state has returned to the Blueprint for...
Safe, not sorry
Panther Ridge resident Harmony Perna describes Jan. 19 evacuation
After a restless night, still recovering from surgery, and concerned with Covid-19, Harmony Perna was not in an ideal condition to evacuate her home on Panther Ridge Road in the morning of Jan. 19.
The Boulder Creek...
Evacuations ordered
County officials warn of debris flows and high winds
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Cal Fire CZU announced Monday morning that many evacuation warnings were updated to orders for swaths of the San Lorenzo Valley, including most of Boulder Creek and various areas of Ben Lomond and Felton...
Paddy Smith Park blooms with new garden at Santa Cruz County...
The beautiful Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds are growing even more beautiful thanks to a colorful landscaping project at Paddy Smith Park.
Jeff Rosendale, with Sierra...