In anticipation of upcoming budget hearings, last week members of the Scotts Valley City Council discussed capital improvement priorities for next fiscal year, as well as the next five years, as detailed in the “Five-year Capital Improvement Plan” submitted by Interim Public Works Director Steve Hammack.

“Could it be? Yes it could. Something’s coming, something good…” Tony sings with a floating falsetto, played by San Lorenzo Valley High School’s very own junior, Jack Calden. His expressions illuminate center stage and he excitedly sings his centerpiece solo for the legendary musical, West Side Story.

Despite Santa Cruz County’s reputation as one of the least affordable places to live in the state, if not the country, real alarm has been expressed at recent Scotts Valley City Council meetings about the housing boom the city is facing in the not too distant future.  Public comment at city council meetings has included emotional criticism and strong recommendations of caution- that the small town character of Scotts Valley is directly threatened by actual and proposed housing developments.

For Scotts Valley Police Officer John Hohmann the chance to race police cars on a speedway to raise money for Special Olympics was an idea long in the making.

The County Board of Supervisors struggled last week finding the right balance between protecting the environment and protecting neighbors from the smell of marijuana grows, yet not giving incentives to illegal growers and the black market with overly restrictive regulations and red tape.

 A minor injury vehicle crash directly in front of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District office at Lomond Street and Highway 9 in downtown Boulder Creek the afternoon of April 4th resulted in one driver walking away from his overturned pickup, and another driver taken away in hand cuffs under suspicion of allegedly driving under the influence.  

The AmeriCorps Gold 1 Team helped victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico prior to coming here to support the Valley Women’s Club’s Native Habitat Restoration Program for the San Lorenzo Valley.  On April 7, each of the 11 young men and women received a certificate of appreciation from the California Legislature, presented to them by Assemblyman Mark Stone at the VWC event held in their honor. Stone thanked the Valley Women’s Club as well, noting volunteerism is good for the community.

After discussing the accomplishments of his first term and the priorities of his second term as a guest speaker at the North County Democratic Club meeting last week, Hart’s campaign pitch made it clear why he believes he would be a very difficult candidate to challenge in a general election.

The new sign hangs outside, “Wild Roots,” and for store owner Bob Locatelli this is just the beginning of telling his own story. On April 2, the formerly New Leaf grocery stores in Felton and Boulder Creek, officially became entirely independent stores under the name Wild Roots Market.