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Scotts Valley
October 4, 2025

State of the City in Scotts Valley

Scotts Valley Mayor Donna Lind has released a “State of the City” report, stating that “with hard work and community support, the city’s economy is strengthening and businesses are returning to Scotts Valley.”

New trustee in SLV schools

The San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District board last week unanimously appointed Gail Levine, retired superintendent of the Bonny Doon Elementary School District, as a new school board trustee.

New Felton Library

Plans for the new Felton Library are moving forward, with constructed expected to begin in 2018.

Boulder Creek Fire District parcel tax

The residents of the Boulder Creek Fire Protection District are invited to "Chat with the Chief," an informational coffee at the Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department, 13230 Highway 9, Boulder Creek, at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7 to get information about Measure N,  on the Nov. 8 ballots of voters in the district.

Pot growers rush to apply for licenses

The online licensing process began Monday, Sept.26, for Santa Cruz County’s several hundred cannabis growers – an anonymous arrangement meant to stimulate participation.

SV Town Center project back in play

The Scotts Valley City Council’s unanimous actions on Sept. 21 to get what has become known as the “Town Center Project” had already been decided before the meeting, according to those familiar with the process.

‘No Preference’ is fastest growing political party

When the voter registration books were closed prior to the last Presidential Election, a record number of voters – 158,641 – were registered in Santa Cruz County.

Wildfire at Loma Prieta

A fast-moving wildfire burning along a mountain ridge east of 3,700-foot Mt. Loma Prieta in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Monday afternoon darkened skies from Santa Cruz to Watsonville.Later, at 9:30 p.m. quick response from Scotts Valley and Felton firefighters prevented the possibly destructive spread of a nine-acre brush fire off Lockhart Gulch Road past the Mission Springs Conference Center, about two miles from Scotts Valley Drive.The two local fires this week underscored the heightened wildfire dangers with hot, dry fall weather, and the importance of rapid response by local firefighting crews.The fire of undetermined origin along Summit Road had spread to more than 1,500 acres by mid-day Tuesday, when Cal Fire reported it was just five percent contained.At its peak, the blaze was growing at the rate of about 150 acres per hour, with a slight northwesterly breeze sending flames away from more populated areas.According to Cal Fire, more than 500 firefighters from multiple agencies, including Scotts Valley, were on the scene.Red flames along the ridge were visible from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk amusement park. One home was destroyed, and at least 300 structures were threatened by the fire, which is near local television towers and emergency radio towers.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio transmitters on Mount Umunhum were off the air because of the fire.Evacuations occurred along Summit, Mount Madonna and Croy Ridge and other roads, using reverse 911 calls. About 300 families were evacuated in the first three hours, Cal Fire said. An evacuation center was set up at Soquel High School, the Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos, and the Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church.The fire began off Loma Prieta Road and Loma Chiquita Road, about 10 miles east of Loma Prieta Elementary School, and 10 miles north of Soquel and Aptos.Meanwhile, the Soberanes Fire in Big Sur, where several companies of local firefighters worked for weeks, was stalled at 127,000 acres, and 78 percent contained. The fire began July 22, and now ranks as the most costly (in firefighting costs) in U.S. history.Loma fire statistics as of Tuesday, 12:30 p.m.Total Fire Engines:   65Total Fire Crews:     20Total Airtankers:      6  Total Helicopters:   4Total Dozers:                        13Total Water Tenders:          10As 100-degree temperatures, winds and drought conditions persisted in the mountains this week, Cal Fire alerted all residents to be cautious during the heightened fire danger period.Cal Fire offered these fire prevention tips:Fall leaves are beautiful, but they also present a fire hazard.Don’t mow or trim dry grass on windy days.Never pull your vehicle over in dry grass.Target shoot only in approved areas, use lead ammunition only, and never at metal.Ensure campfires are allowed, and if so, be sure to extinguish them completely.Make sure all portable gasoline-powered equipment has a spark arrester.Report any suspicious activities to prevent arson.

Tons of trash collected along creeks, rivers, and beaches

Saturday, Sept. 17, was not a good day for trash. It was a great day for the San Lorenzo River and for the Monterey Bay.

Brookdale Lodge moves closer to opening this year

The owner of the historic Brookdale Lodge complex in the Santa Cruz Mountains said this week he is now hopeful of opening a completely renovated hotel with retail stores by the end of the year, and of opening the legendary Brook Room restaurant in 2017.

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Greg Wimp

Sandwich shop owner appointed to Scotts Valley Council

As Greg Wimp, the owner of multiple area Togo’s sandwich shop locations, stepped up Oct. 1 to address Scotts Valley City Council about why...