News

Beginning in January, major changes are set to take effect at all branches of the Santa Cruz Public Library System that will lead to longer hours and newer equipment, but at the cost of job cuts and fewer full-time library workers.

The Community Holiday Tree next to Walgreens in Scotts Valley is now illuminated, and families across the region have plenty of memories to share, following the successful Light Up the Night festivities Dec. 3 at the Scotts Valley Community Center. Corinne Coleman, a teacher at...

The City of Santa Cruz Water Department announced that because of this week’s storm, the Loch Lomond Reservoir in Lompico filled to capacity early Wedesday and began spilling into Newell Creek.Newell Creek flows through Ben Lomond to the San Lorenzo River. Loch Lomond Reservoir spills at 577.3 feet elevation. At this time in January 2016 the lake was at 558.70 feet elevation. The reservoir was reopened to public recreation last March after being closed in October 2013 because of low water levels.Loch Lomond Reservoir is the City of Santa Cruz’s only drinking water reservoir and holds 2.8 billion gallons of water, or about one year’s worth of drinking water for city residents.Though much of the state continues to suffer from drought, Santa Cruz County received normal rainfall in 2016, which filled the reservoir and provided relief from two consecutive years of water rationing.“Having a full reservoir is a great start to the new year,” said Rosemary Menard, Santa Cruz water director. “Though it’s too early to tell how this water year will be classified, whether it will be a normal or wet year, we are off to a promising start.”

Michael Tyner Alsbury

As the historic Brookdale Lodge gets ready to reopen later this year, a new art installation by local famed muralist John Cerney is taking shape.

This month I’m responding to inquiries about Scotts Valley parks and street maintenance and repairs. City Hall improvements are also in process. 2022 has largely been a rebuilding year in Public Works. In late 2021 the City reinstated the Maintenance Division Manager position. This position...

Work continued this week to protect Scotts Valley and surrounding communities against the threat of wildfire, in a project involving two different state agencies. The California Conservation Corps and Caltrans came together for the initiative meant to eliminate chances for fire to spark along Highway...

 If you are a visitor to Felton and want to know where to go, you might check out the Santa Cruz County’s web page to read about the local parks. It describes The Felton Covered Bridge Park as being “one of the few left in the state!” It says: you can “walk on the path, picnic or BBQ, play volleyball, use the playground, or one of the large, grassy areas.” It also promises that fishing with proper licenses is allowed and that restrooms are available.” You will also be told that the park is open from 8:00 a.m. to sunset and there are 32 parking spaces available.Maybe you plan to pick up supplies at the Safeway grocery store across the street from the park for a family BBQ. If so, you may have a hard time in locating the BBQ facilities once you arrive at the park.A 35 year resident of San Lorenzo Valley, Feltonian Ken Lewis is disappointed that he can no longer take his family to the Felton Covered Bridge Park to BBQ. Although he can still walk his dog there usually twice per day, he can no longer use the BBQ pits. They have been removed.Lewis believes that high level of vandalism and misuse of the park equipment is the reason why the BBQ pits were removed along with two of the park tables at either end of the park. Lewis said that he called Bruce McPherson’s office (5th District Supervisor) and talked to his assistant Robin Musitelli about the park issues.Lewis notes that there are many people who appear to be over indulging in alcohol and taking drugs who become belligerent when spoken to. He said he has seen the sheriff’s deputies approach them, but does not see the problem go away. “It is just disappointing for lack of enforcement. We need someone there all day writing citations,” he said.Lewis laments the irresponsible show of public drunkenness and the use of hard drugs. He recognizes that only about 20% of the homeless or near homeless from the Felton or San Lorenzo valley fit that description.

Highway 9 to close at Jaye’s Slide for utility work Highway 9 at Jaye’s Slide (PM 8.8) in Ben Lomond will be closed in both directions for utility work on Friday, July 28, from 9pm-6am, and Friday, Aug. 4, from 8am-8pm. Jaye’s Slide is located on...