News

Richard Gustavson

Imagine yourself way back in January, embarking on a trip to the 50th annual Fungus Fair at London Nelson. Perhaps you convinced a skeptical friend to join you, only to find a line wrapped around the building. And facing a choice between fungus and...

When it comes to her artistic talents, Claire Hamilton is a winner. Her recent piece of art, “Hearts at Rest,” won multiple awards at the 2024 Santa Cruz County Fair, including Best of Section and Best of Show. So it was no surprise that when...

A new report from the Civil Grand Jury takes square aim at the affordable housing crisis in Santa Cruz County and demands local planners do more to tackle the problem. The document, published June 2, finds that while municipal officials have a good understanding of...

It’s a holiday weekend. The beds are made. The silverware is polished. The windows are clean. The sidewalks are swept. The refrigerators and kitchen cabinets are full. The first guests arrive today.

Celebrations of life are filled with good stories, laughter and tears, and the celebration for Dr. Terry Hollenbeck was no exception.  On Aug. 31, friends and family, including Hollenbeck’s wife, Beth, their children and grandson, gathered to share their memories of Hollenbeck, who died on...

The sales tax added to purchases throughout Santa Cruz County rises one half-cent on Saturday, April 1.

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.

Santa Cruz County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approved the merger of the fire departments that serve Scotts Valley and Branciforte on Aug. 2. Scotts Valley Councilmember Allan Timms said he was glad to see the Scotts Valley Fire District absorb its beleaguered neighbor. “The Branciforte...