Local News

Mountain Community Theater presents ‘The Spitfire Grill’ Mountain Community Theater will present the musical drama “The Spitfire Grill” from March 6 through April 5 at Park Hall, 9400 Mill St. in Ben Lomond. The production, co-directed by Greg Fritsch and Cathy D. Warner with music director...

When it comes to her artistic talents, Claire Hamilton is a winner. Her recent piece of art, “Hearts at Rest,” won multiple awards at the 2024 Santa Cruz County Fair, including Best of Section and Best of Show. So it was no surprise that when...

Officers and firefighters running through “active shooter” drills at Scotts Valley High School had to make a quick shift into a real-world situation on June 24, when a participant’s comment about a potential threat at the campus sparked an hours-long hunt for danger. In the...

For anyone who enjoys a good “whodunit” mystery, here’s the setup: The long-running soap opera ”The Bold and the Young” is in its last days. Its hunky hero has self-esteem issues, its villainous old man is more interested in soup and its heroines are slightly psychopathic....

Scotts Valley Police make multiple DUI, drug arrests Scotts Valley Police Department conducted multiple DUI enforcement saturation patrols throughout December, resulting in several arrests related to impaired driving, drugs and license violations, according to a department release issued Jan. 5. “Scotts Valley Police Department conducted multiple...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved nearly $10 million in relief for Santa Cruz County families affected by two natural disasters this year, as their Silicon Valley neighbors are just now being told they can apply too. FEMA has processed $3,539,828 worth of...

The San Lorenzo Valley Water District Board of Directors on May 6 was busy interviewing, and ultimately welcoming, its newest director. Jayme Ackemann, a Ben Lomond resident who has lived in the San Lorenzo Valley for 15 years, swept the vote and was appointed to...

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on June 4 to approve the 2024-25 Proposed Budget, a comprehensive spending plan that addresses significant financial challenges while continuing to advance key strategic initiatives. Despite facing substantial fiscal constraints, including more than $100 million in...

Cal Fire CZU Unit Chief Ian Larkin announced the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire was controlled on Dec. 23, a little over four months since the blaze started. Although the fire was declared 100% contained on Sept. 22, emergency responders had to put in much...

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—At least 5,600 doses of vaccinations for the novel coronavirus have been distributed throughout Santa Cruz County, a number that county health officials at a Friday press conference said has been significantly impacted by plodding distribution from the state. Overall, the county has...