Newsbriefs
Putah Creek Wildlife Area Closed to All Public AccessDue to Wragg FireThe Putah Creek Wildlife Area in Solano County will be closed until further notice due to impacts from the Wragg Fire. The Wragg Fire has burned 8,051 acres in Napa, Solano and Yolo counties, including the entire Putah Creek Wildlife Area.The closure affects all public uses including, but not limited to, hunting, fishing, hiking and nature viewing. The closure is intended to allow the landscape and wildlife to recover, minimize erosion, and ensure public safety. As a result of the fire, potential hazards such as loose rocks and falling tree branches exist in the area. CDFW will reassess the Putah Creek Wildlife Area in spring 2016 to determine if it is suitable for public access. Putah Creek Wildlife Area is located in Solano County just east of Lake Berryessa.Felton Fire Protection District Budget for Fiscal year 2015-2016The district will meet on Monday, September 14, at 7:00 p.m. at 131 Kirby St., Felton, for the public to discuss the new budget.For more information call 335-4422Wind Acre Farm Floral opens in Scotts ValleyAs the owner and principal designer of the new Wind Acre Farm Floral, Erin Schwartz uses locally grown flowers and botanicals to create custom floral arrangements for any occasion. Wind Acre Farm Floral offers a spectrum of services from everyday arrangements to special orders for weddings, private parties, and corporate events. “I’ve always loved to create beautiful things for people to enjoy. Making others happy feels good to me and that really is my inspiration,” says Schwartz. Prior to opening Wind Acre Farm Floral, Schwartz worked under established local florists and trained with floral designers in the Los Angeles and Seattle areas. She also attended interior design school where she specialized in floral arrangements for home and office settings. Wind Acre Farm Floral is located on Glen Canyon Road in Scotts Valley. For more information call 212-9032Man reported taking pictures of nude childSanta Cruz Police Department ask or help in identifying man that was reportedly taking pictures of a naked 7-year old girl in a public shower near the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf on July 13. The suspect is described as a white male about 5 feet 8” with medium build. He appears to be 65-70 years old with white hair. He was wearing a cowboy hat and sleeveless shirt at the time of the incident.Anyone with information relative to the suspect’s identity is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit (831) 420-5820Teen injured at Garden of Eden in Henry Cowell ParkOn August 4, a teenage female dove off of a hill into the Garden of Eden pond in Henry Cowell Park. The water in the pond was very low. The diver injured her back and feet which required a Cal Fire helicopter to provide rescue services, said a dispatch person at Felton Fire Department Protection District.“Usually the local people know how dangerous it is to dive into the Garden of Eden during a drought. It is the people from out of the area who get hurt,” said the dispatch person.
Santa Cruz Mountains wildfire quelled quickly
A fire that grew to a half-acre in the Santa Cruz Mountains was extinguished quickly Friday morning before it could threaten the nearby communities of Boulder Creek and Brookdale, authorities said.
The fire broke out before 6:30am, said Ben Lomond Fire Protection District Chief Stacie...
County Appeals to Governor After Wildfire Cleanup Contractor Vanishes
Following a litany of resident testimony from wildfire victims on Tuesday, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors became convinced a cleanup contractor that made a quarter-billion dollars in the wake of wildfire destruction left another disaster behind.
They voted unanimously to reach out to...
Park Review: A rainy day at the park
Joe: It is extraordinarily heartening to see the renaissance the local playgrounds of the San Lorenzo Valley have experienced in the past decade or so.
Floyd Protests in Felton
Protests erupted throughout the country in response to the killing of George Floyd on May 25th. Unrest against racist violence in the police force have ranged from peaceful to riots and looting throughout United States, and have even taken place in the UK, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Germany, and Denmark. While this worldwide phenomenon develops, it’s also occurring across Santa Cruz County. We had our own moment in the spotlight, as a photo of the Santa Cruz City Police Chief, Andy Mills, kneeling during a protest has gone viral. Many groups of protestors have gathered these past few days at the clock tower in Santa Cruz, marched down Pacific Avenue, Cedar, Soquel, and Water Streets. Protests have moved into our valley as well. On May 31st, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., a march took place from the Felton Covered Bridge Park to the intersection of Highway 9 and Graham Hill Road. Look for an article in next week’s edition for further coverage.
SVPD captain named city’s top employee
Scotts Valley Mayor Derek Timm at the Feb. 17 City Council meeting recognized Scotts Valley Police Department Capt. Mike Dean as the City Employee of 2020.
“He has epitomized excellence and exceptional service in a year that tested everyone, myself included,” Timm said. “He provided...
News Briefs | Published Sept. 26, 2025
Music at Skypark wraps up 16th season this Sunday
The free outdoor Music at Skypark concert series concludes its 16th season this Sunday, Sept. 28,...