The City of Scotts Valley promoted Wastewater/Recycling and Environmental Program Manager Scott Hamby earlier this year to Public Works Director, replacing Ken Anderson, who retired at the end of 2013.

“It’s great for business,” says Claire Campbell, owner of the Outback Trading Company in Felton, speaking about the First Friday Felton Art Walk. The free event joins shops, which provide the venues, with local artists who have a place to share their creative projects with the community.

Thirty new volunteer firefighters, representing fire agencies from all over Santa Cruz County, were officially recognized as graduates of the Santa Cruz County Basic Fire Academy in a ceremony held Wednesday evening at the Zayante Fire Protection District headquarters.

Fifth-grade students at Vine Hill Elementary School got a chance to put their cycling safety skills to the test on Thursday, as Ecology Action's Bike Smart youth safety program hosted the campus' first-ever safety rodeo.

Homeless and low-income children in Santa Cruz County will receive backpacks and school supplies this year through the Lynda and Kidz Backpack Project created by Lynda Hall, local mother and resident of Mount Hermon.

Law enforcement officials arrested a 52-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman at a business on the 5300 block of Scotts Valley Drive on suspicion of drug and weapons charges.

Ricky L. Rhett