Derek Timm and Jim Reed elected to Scotts Valley City Council
Although the vote count is yet to be certified, Derek Timm, a newcomer to the Scotts Valley City Council, received the most votes in a three-way race with two incumbents seeking reelection. Jim Reed, a long-term incumbent and current mayor, came in second. Stephany Aguilar, after more than 20 years of distinguished service on the council, was unable to successfully defend her seat.
PG&E taken to court by local environmentalist over tree cutting
Kevin Collins, private citizen, resident of Lompico canyon and PG&E ratepayer, explained and defended his formal complaint to the California Public Utilities Commission about PG&E’s tree cutting program to an administrative law judge in a prehearing conference in Santa Cruz last Friday.
Fultz, Henry, Swan elected to SLVWD BoD
The San Lorenzo Valley Board of Directors will look completely different after the election. One of the more hotly contested races in the Valley ended with all three open seats for the SLVWD Board of Directors going to the non-incumbent challengers.
Winter Preparedness: Wood Stove Change-Out Program
The terrible air quality from recent wildfires hundreds of miles away should serve as a reminder smoke from old, inefficient wood stoves have similar impacts, according to Chris Duymich, Air Quality Planner for the Monterey Bay Air Resources District.
State Assemblymember Mark Stone talks about wildfires and PG&E liability
At a standing room only Environmental Town Hall meeting at the Felton Community Hall last Saturday, State Assemblymember Mark Stone spoke about the state legislature’s environmental agenda, and then focused at length on the closer -to-home issue of PG&E’s tree cutting around power lines in the San Lorenzo Valley.
New state law aimed at reducing police use of force discussed at ACLU forum
Within weeks after the shooting death of Stephon Clark in his grandmother’s Sacramento backyard in March, who was shot eight times by Sacramento police officers who apparently mistook a cell phone for a gun, Assemblymember Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, introduced Assembly Bill 931. AB 931 proposes sweeping changes in state standards for the use of lethal force by police. The bill seeks to overturn the basis for use of lethal force by police from what is considered "reasonable" to what is considered "necessary."
Community workshop for Scotts Valley Town Center raises hopes, elicits concerns
Many Scotts Valley residents take the headline on the developer’s website seriously- “The chance to build a Town Green in Scotts Valley is a once in many generations opportunity.” Reactions were many and varied to two, conceptual project plans presented at the second community workshop for the massive Town Center project being planned on the former SkyPark Airport.
SV and SLV residents turn to social media to find ways to help victims of Camp Fire
As news of the devastating Camp Fire dominated the media this week, several residents in Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley felt compelled to help in any way possible.
Santa Cruz County sends strike team to assist Camp Fire in Chico
Santa Cruz County sent a strike team on Thursday to the Camp Fire in Butte County. Five engines were sent with a leader and an assistant leader. The agencies participating are Scotts Valley, Branciforte, Santa Cruz, Central and Aptos/La Selva. The Strike Team leader is from Central and the Assistant Leader is from Aptos/La Selva. Four people are assigned to each engine.
Scotts Valley police arrest 8 for DUI during late summer enforcement
Scotts Valley Police Department arrested eight drivers suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) during a nearly three-week period through Labor Day weekend.
The enforcement...