Santa Cruz County’s workforce faces wage and housing pressures, report finds
Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board (WDB) has released its 2025 State of the Workforce report, offering a snapshot of local employment trends, wage data and the affordability pressures shaping the region’s economy.
While Santa Cruz County boasts a unique set of industry clusters centered...
Ember Flash named semifinalist in XPRIZE Wildfire competition
Ember Flash Aerospace, a Santa Cruz County company with deep ties in the San Lorenzo Valley, has been named a semifinalist in the XPRIZE Wildfire competition, a years-long challenge meant to inspire solutions that will stamp-out the possibility of extreme forest fires.
Zach Ackemann, who...
News Briefs | Published July 18, 2025
San Lorenzo Valley Museum launches ‘FaceTime’ portrait exhibition
San Lorenzo Valley Museum opened its new portrait exhibit, “FaceTime,” on June 20 at the Grace Episcopal Gallery in Boulder Creek. Running through Nov. 30, the exhibit showcases artwork and photographs of local residents spanning a century,...
Scotts Valley Police urge drivers to end speeding to save lives
Scotts Valley Police Department is emphasizing the importance of safe driving practices, aligning with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s NHTSA campaign: “Speeding Catches Up With You.”
Speeding remains a leading factor in traffic fatalities nationwide. In 2023, nearly 12,000 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes,...
News Briefs | Published July 11, 2025
‘Veterans’ Voices with VTC’ debuts on Santa Cruz Voice
The Veterans Transition Center (VTC) and Santa Cruz Voice have partnered to launch “Veterans’ Voices with VTC,” a compelling radio show and podcast series dedicated to sharing the powerful stories of local veterans overcoming adversity and...
New report shows ag’s impact on Santa Cruz County economy, workforce
A new report underscores how Santa Cruz County’s agricultural sector not only supports local families and the region’s economy and heritage but also provides value to the local environment and vital ecosystems.
According to the recently released “Economic Contributions of Santa Cruz County Agriculture” report,...
News Briefs | Published July 4, 2025
Tree removal leads to temporary closure on Big Basin Highway
Caltrans will temporarily close a section of southbound Highway 236 (Big Basin Highway) left on Ridge Drive in the Boulder Creek community from Tuesday, July 8, through Friday, July 11, from 9am-2pm, to safely remove...
$7M boost ignites forest resilience in Santa Cruz Mountains
Resource Conservation District (RCD) of Santa Cruz County has secured a $7 million Forest Health Grant from Cal Fire to implement an ambitious, regionally connected suite of on-the-ground forest health projects spanning public and private lands throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains.
This investment will expand...
San Lorenzo Valley Water District names Lillion as general manager
San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) Board of Directors has appointed Jason Lillion as general manager for the District.
The Board voted unanimously to appoint Lillion at its June 5 meeting. Lillion started July 1, with a base salary of $250,000.
“We’re pleased to welcome Jason...
Drainage improvement project on Highway 236 begins next week
The installation and replacement of new drainage pipes on Highway 236, from Boulder Brook Drive to Chipmunk Hollow Road in Boulder Creek, will begin on Monday, June 30.
The roadwork is expected to be completed on Friday, July 18.
A single lane closure will occur each...
Felton Fire District to review parcel tax proposal at meeting Thursday
Felton Fire Protection District (FFPD) Board of Directors has scheduled a special meeting on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m. to discuss a proposed...