Local News

The end of the month seemed to approach faster than usual for Shirli McLaughlin. The 76-year-old Felton resident, a longtime Ben Lomond shopkeeper, was told her current rental was being sold. “It’s an important word, ‘home’—don’t you think?” she asked rhetorically, May 27. “That, and...

At its May 15 meeting, Scotts Valley City Council forged ahead with wastewater system improvements, selecting Cushman Contracting in a $1.3 million deal to install a new aeration blower, piping, valves and other instruments at the Scotts Valley Water Reclamation Facility. The upgrades, meant to...

The Bonny Doon home Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Syda Cogliati ruled could be used as a rehabilitation site for a man who raped multiple people in the early-1980s is now the subject of a lawsuit by neighbors. With a ruling from the appeals...

A wrongful dismissal lawsuit brought forth by a long-time Scotts Valley Police Department officer accused of sexual harassment claims multiple instances of sexually-inappropriate behavior within the force were never properly investigated. While David Ball’s complaint is primarily centered on the assertion he was discriminated against...

In its second year of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), Pacific Gas and Electric Company has implemented greater organization to inform their customers of these events. PG&E has updated its PSPS procedure to affect fewer customers. It has also pledged to restore almost all...

​​Since 2015, Santa Cruz Gives, the digital holiday fundraising program for local nonprofits, has provided financial support to an array of agencies that do good work for others. Whether providing meals, financial assistance or access to job opportunities, the 501c3 organizations selected by Santa...

As Tanya Krause, the superintendent of Scotts Valley Unified School District, prepared her welcome letter for parents, she began how she might have in any other year: “We are pleased and excited to start school with students on campus, Wednesday, August 11, for full-time,...

If a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, a caregiver support group can offer an opportunity to connect with others. In this facilitated support group, participants will connect with each other as they experience mindfulness practices designed to open the heart...

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks has announced that the application for Kids2Parks, a park-equity program that brings students to California State Parks from low-income elementary schools that are designated as Title 1, opened July 28. For field trips during the 2025-26 academic year, the...

In 2020, Big Basin Water Company (BBWC) suffered catastrophic losses to its infrastructure due to the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire, which ripped through the housing of the water company and left it completely devastated, resulting in a 100% loss of water for the...