On Aug. 3, the Scotts Valley City Council — absent Mayor Dene Bustichi — voted 4-0 to approve a plan that will allow property owners living in the city’s sand hills to obtain building permits with less red tape.

While many students and educators enjoyed three months of R-and-R, a band of teachers from the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District spent a week at Columbia University in New York City, participating in intensive courses to improve how they teach reading and writing through the Teachers College Summer Institutes.

With last year’s winners not returning, the 2011 Race Thru the Redwoods title is up for grabs. Because of recent growth related to online registration, however, race-day entries for the popular 10-kilometer race on Aug. 21 may have to be turned away.

Sheriff’s deputies have arrested the owner of a scrutinized Felton Empire Road home for allegedly being under the influence of a narcotic and for possession of narcotics for sale.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated last week in Scotts Valley for longtime Ben Lomond resident Robert “Rob” Bussell, 60, who died at home after a four-month battle with cancer.

For Scotts Valley High School 17-year-old Kendra Kannegaard, the new hardwood floor in her family’s Scotts Valley home has changed her world.