News

This early March, Scotts Valley city officials gave sighs of relief when voters approved Measure Z, an increased sales tax to support the slowly spiraling city funds.  However, shortly after the last Press Banner editorial on the matter, the shelter in place order began and decimated two of the city’s largest resources for revenue, sales tax and hotel tax.  While the city won’t understand the effect of SIP on sales tax until later in the month (sales goes through the County first, then the City), the City Council is already aware of large drops in hotel tax.  Due to these current circumstances, despite the passing of Measure Z and rigorous City Council efforts to support local business (like the Economic Recovery Subcommittee, temporary outdoor seating, and Restart Toolkits), the City of Scotts Valley’s is moving toward budget cuts.

Bonny Doon residents should soon enjoy smoother drives, as the Santa Cruz County Department of Public Works recently announced work to repair damaged roadways up the mountain.

Mari Rossi, a Scotts Valley philanthropist, just offered the Santa Cruz Boys and Girls Club a challenge grant, to match up to 50,000 dollars for a new portable classroom outside of their clubhouse off Scotts Valley Drive.  On top of providing school lunches for needy children throughout Scotts Valley, Rossi has been working with the Boys and Girls Club for a couple of years.  Rossi exclaimed, “If kids are hungry, they can’t learn! You’d be surprised how many food insecure kids we have, even though we live in an affluent community.”  When asked about the motivation for her philanthropy, Rossi answers with her simple slogan, “Our kids, our future.”

Local ice cream chain The Penny Ice Creamery has announced it will be joining mixed-use development The Hangar at Skypark in Scotts Valley. They hope to win over the taste buds of local residents through the 262 Mount Hermon Rd. site, as they have...

A rundown Felton house under scrutiny from neighbors and law enforcement was declared uninhabitable this week, and its remaining residents were ordered to move out within 36 hours.

As part of the Press-Banner's election coverage, each candidate running for local office in the Nov. 4 election will be highlighted. This week's focus will be on the race for Scotts Valley City Council.