70.8 F
Scotts Valley
October 28, 2025

Students graduate from BCFD internship program

Some internships are more demanding than others – and more than one proud parent of a San Lorenzo Valley High School student graduating from the Boulder Creek Fire Department’s Internship Program said the program often sent their kid home exhausted.

Scotts Valley’s city budget approaches a fiscal cliff

In view of the “fiscal cliff” lying ahead for the City of Scotts Valley, the city council is keeping its promise of looking for every possible way to improve the city’s fiscal situation.  At last week’s city council meeting, these efforts included a workshop on city fees, aimed at getting closer to cost recovery for some city services, and a discussion about raising the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) or “local hotel room tax” from 10 percent of hotel room charges to 12 percent.  

Another try for a new charter middle school

After being denied in March, Nicky Ramos-Beban, executive director of Integrative Leadership Academy, with the support of several parents and teachers, submitted a revised proposal to build a new independent charter middle school as part of the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District. The SLVUSD board of trustees heard public comments on the petition at a board meeting on June 13.

SLVWD: board of director Eric Hammer resigns

At a special meeting of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) Board of Directors convened at 3:30 in the afternoon last Friday, June 1, the board formally accepted the resignation of Director Eric Hammer, submitted by email on May 23 that was effective immediately. At the meeting, the board approved a schedule for applications, interviews and appointment of Hammer’s successor.

SVHS alum writes original musical ‘Sounds of Summer’

A former Scotts Valley resident returned to his hometown this week to film a scene for his original musical based on the music of the Beach Boys.

Superior Court judge race heating up before primary next week

Syda Coglaiti and Zach Schwarzbach, candidates for Superior Court Judge, squared off in a face-to-face community forum on May 17th – answering the same, wide-ranging questions read to them by the moderator Brenda Griffin- responding with often similar but somewhat nuanced answers, but also with answers that differed substantially.   

Bail reform on the state legislative agenda

A proposed senate bill is aiming to abolish the bail bond system. A system that has resulted in poor people remaining locked up in jail awaiting trial.

County encouraging homeowners to build backyard units

The Santa Cruz County Planning Department has published an online, comprehensive guide to the planning regulations, permit fees, estimated building costs and financing of accessory dwelling units (ADU’s), also known as granny flats, in-law units or “Tiny Homes”, for the unincorporated areas of the county.

What’s next for Valley Gardens Golf Course

Skepticism about growth and questions about water and traffic were common concerns of the neighbors who attended an open house on the Valley Gardens Golf Course last week. The open house showed revised project plans of the proposed development of 142 relatively high-end, single family homes and 51 apartments on the golf course, which is scheduled to close at the end of the year.

Felton Fire, serving the community for decades

Many in Felton still miss the noon-time testing of the WWII-vintage civil defense fire siren that was discontinued back in 2016 after it got stuck on “on” and truly alarmed the community, according to long-time Fire Chief Ron Rickabaugh. 

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lifting a van from the ocean

Santa Cruz Wharf incident: 1 person dead, dog sent for emergency...

An adult victim was pulled from a van that broke through guardrails along the Santa Cruz Wharf and plunged into 30-foot-deep ocean water Sunday...