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.

A Santa Cruz native and Scotts Valley resident for over 15 years hopes to bring his passion for community service to his position on the board of trustees for the Scotts Valley Unified School District.

As a horticultural consultant and certified master arborist, Ruth Stiles has gained experience working with water efficiency in the landscape setting. It was her interest in water efficiency that first prompted her to apply for an appointed position to the Scotts Valley Water District (SVWD) board of directors in December 2014 after Jay Mosley vacated the seat. Now, Stiles is up for re-election this November to continue as a board of director for SVWD.

In a contested race for three seats on the Scotts Valley Water District Board of Directors, Dave Hodgin is the longest serving incumbent running for his fourth term on the board. Initially appointed to the board in 2003, Hodgin has seen the district through rate increases, drought and a collapsed well.

The town of Felton is 150 years old, and townsfolk are gearing up to throw a grand anniversary bash. The town party will include historical presentations of Felton's early days, which will be on display at Felton Community Hall and the Felton Fire Station, 4 bands, dancing, various other entertainment and of course, lots of local food and drink, shopping, kids events, crafts and more.