Local News

On Tuesday, Forest Brown became the fifth officer sworn in at the Scotts Valley Police Department this year—and the first welcomed with a public ceremony. The tide is finally turning for the law enforcement agency, after a tumultuous year that saw 25% of sworn personnel...

As one father took to the microphone, at the May 3 San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District board meeting, to voice his dismay over the District’s plan to fly Pride Flags from its flag poles in support of the LGBTQ+ community the following week,...

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta announced that he had secured $14.6 million in reimbursements for local governments in California’s 19th Congressional District from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help repair and restore infrastructure damaged by the 2023 and 2024 winter storms. “Our communities continue...

The City of Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley Fire Protection District, Central Fire District and the Santa Cruz Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to conduct a Regional Fire Service Consolidation Feasibility Study. This study aims to enhance fire...

Last week, Scotts Valley held the unboxing of the $79,873 wastewater study it ordered for itself from Kennedy/Jenks Consultants Inc., during its regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Aug. 17. But unlike a small gadget shipped from Amazon, what the elected officials do with the...

An 18-year-old man who participated in the 2019 kidnapping, robbery and murder of tech executive and cannabis entrepreneur Tushar Atre was convicted Wednesday for his role in the crime. Prosecutors say Kaleb Charters dropped three accomplices off in the Pleasure Point neighborhood of Santa Cruz,...

April 6-12 marks National Library Week, and the Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) invites the community to explore the wealth of resources and programs available at their local branches. Libraries serve as vital hubs for all ages, offering such activities as storytime for families, makerspaces...

By their own admission, 18-year-old Marina Ruiz felt pretty “lost” during freshman and junior years. “I didn’t really have an idea of who I was as a person,” Ruiz said. “I wasn’t really confident as a student. I kind of sold myself short.” But now, as...

At a time when residents of the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley are struggling with losses experienced in multiple crises, gifts of food or financial support can make all the difference to a local family. Enter Valley Churches United (VCU), a highly-regarded and essential...

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...