As gas prices creep north of $4 per gallon again, electrically powered vehicles — and the charging stations necessary to refuel them — are beginning to spring up across Scotts Valley.

A memorial celebration will be March 3 for Scotts Valley resident Dan Mazzoncini, who died at home surrounded by family after battling a heart condition.

On Dec. 10, Ricky Dahill stepped into a crosswalk to cross the street while visiting Folsom. Three weeks later, he woke up in a hospital in Sacramento. He didn’t return to his Scotts Valley home until February, and he has yet to resume his mechanic’s job with his father, Leland Dahill, at Leland’s Automotive.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. customers in Santa Cruz County received certified letters by way of the U.S. Postal Service last week describing the fees they would pay to opt out of the widespread Smart Meter program.