The Brookdale Lodge, full of history, urban myth and reports of the paranormal, will be open to the public on Memorial Day- for a look around at what the old, iconic Highway 9 hotel looks like after approximately $4 million have been invested in its renovation.

Vicki Nohrden, evangelical director of the nonprofit Wind and Fire Ministries in Carmel, is challenging three-term incumbent Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) for the 29th State Assembly District seat in Sacramento in the June 5th primary.

One Boulder Creek family is trying to tackle the county’s homelessness issue by providing what they can to a person who needs it most.

The newly rebuilt Trout Farm Inn is closing in on completion after a catastrophic fire broke out on June 5, 2016, and should be back open for business in late July or early August, according to one of the owners, Russell Gross.

Lawyers, accountants and insurance agents were on hand to pitch their services at a meeting for one of the largest and now legal industries in the county growing and selling marijuana. On May 9 at the Freight Building at Depot Park, the county’s premier cannabis industry trade association, Green Trade of Santa Cruz, hosted a meeting for their members to network with the business support professionals needed to be successful.

Scotts Valley High School is transforming into an eco-friendly, sustainable campus, with the assistance of the “Green Team.”

The Exchange Club of Scotts Valley, a community service organization dedicated to “making our community the best it can be,” holds an annual Blue and Gold Banquet honoring the Police Officer and Firefighter of the Year.  For 2017, Scotts Valley Fire Fighter of the Year is Megan Bridges and Scotts Valley Police Officer of the Year is Paul Meier, both of whom were recommended for the award by their peers.

This past week, Scotts Valley Unified School District board approved the hiring of Tracey Neilsen to the new principal of Vine Hill Elementary School. Her position will be effective as of July 1. 

Several local agencies are working towards creating a way for wildlife to cross Highway 17 without causing vehicle-animal collisions. Still in the early stages of implementing the project, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) hosted a public information meeting in Scotts Valley last week.

Patience, persistence, luck and the hard work of many people over several years have brought the dream of a new branch library in Felton to fruition. But there’s more than just a new library - the project will include a Nature Discovery Park in the wooded areas and around Bull Creek next to the new library that will be an outdoor environmental education center designed mostly for children. All this is scheduled to break ground late this summer.