For one longtime San Lorenzo Valley District employee, the opportunity to serve as District Manager was never in his general plan. But with the departure of former District Manager Brian Lee in August, Rick Rogers, director of operations, stepped forward asking to be considered for the position to help lead the district forward.   

With the wide variety of natural disasters that can occur year-round in the Santa Cruz Mountains there continues to be a heightened importance to keep residents informed and ready to prepare for floods, mudslides, earthquakes, etc.

One person died as a result of a vehicle crashing into a utility pole. At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday a 52-year-old woman from Boulder Creek driving a 2006 Ford Freestyle veered into a utility pole as she was heading south on Highway 9, according to a report from California Highway Patrol. According to the report, for an undetermined reason, the Ford crossed over into the northbound lane and left the roadway where the front of the Ford struck a utility pole. As a result of the collision, the pole was sheared and fell on top of the car, blocking the road with utility wires attached. The collision remains under investigation. A 46-year-old man was also in the car at the time as a passenger in the Ford. His condition is not known at this time, according to law enforcement. 

Wm. “Bill” Ekwall is the only non-incumbent running for one of the three contested seats for the Board of Directors of the Scotts Valley Water District in the November election. With three incumbents seeking re-election, Ekwall is running as the only “outsider” to the existing board, in his first bid for an elected office his campaign is mostly as a concerned customer, concerned about previously approved rate hikes and concerned about adequate water supply in the event of a catastrophic wildfire.  

 When fire season slows and the winter rains roll in, the Ben Lomond Fire (BLFD) remains the go-to department for emergencies in the community and throughout Santa Cruz County.