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On Wednesday, August 26, at 3:00 p.m., the Scotts Valley Water District opened their Recycled Water Fill Station. The “Station” is located behind the Scotts Valley Library at 251 Kings Village Road in Scotts Valley.According to J.M. Brown, spokesperson for SVWD, recycled water is wastewater that has been through multiple treatment processes to assure that it meets the California Department of Public Health quality and safety standards. To date, SVWD has delivered about 530 million gallons of recycled water to customers. Brown says that it is important to know that “SVWD is a regional leader in the distribution of recycled water.Scotts Valley residents may receive up to 250 gallons of recycled water per day free of charge. The pumping schedule is: 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and on Saturdays it is 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Receiving the free recycled water should defray the negative impact of drought by using the water to irrigate gardens and landscaping. Visit http:/svwd.org/your-water/recycled-water.

According to three candidates running together for three seats on the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) Board of Directors to be contested in the November election, the best way to guarantee change in the way the district conducts business is to elect all three as a slate, who will, if successful, have a majority on the five member board.

In a tight race, Scotts Valley chiropractor Aaron Hinde, a Bonny Doon resident, retained his seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Education in Trustee Area 1 by a narrow margin over challenger George Martinez.

During the month of April, Scotts Valley Police Department will conduct an enforcement operation focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law. Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This...

It would have been nice if a table had been available for the food, but Jonney Hughes explained that the maintenance people from the Santa Cruz County Department of Parks had removed the one that used to be in that spot.“They said they were going to fix the table and bring it back, but we could not see that anything was wrong with it,” explained Hughes.The picnic was spread on a cement area under the trees and the hosts sat in canvas folding chairs around a spread of sandwiches, salads, fruit and desserts. “Those of us who can, pool our money and food so we can share with others,” said Hughes.Asked what it was like to be homeless, Teresa Fitzpatrick said “I am not homeless and not all of us are. Some of us have jobs, but don’t earn much –– not enough for rent and food,” said Fitzpatrick. “We all have different stories. Some of us are retired and get social security but it’s not enough for everything so we get stuck in this wilderness,” she said.“We are people who have raised families. We are good people who have fallen on hard times. It happens,” said Fitzpatrick. “The picnic table that used to be here was like a social center where we met to eat, sew, and visit,” said Hughes. She said “we have even held memorial services here for friends who have passed away.”The New Life Church in Santa Cruz provides some help to these folks. Richard Franconi distributes food to people that has been donated by the New Life Church. He walks around the park and hands out burritos. He said “I have been doing this for 15 years. I used to give about 30 and now it is only about 10.” He gives the food to hungry people even if they are not homeless.The people at the picnic were all wearing neat, clean clothes. Lise Lafontaine said that she was one of the homeless. She is a licensed hair stylist who cannot find work. “I cut hair for these people for free,” she said as she gestured at the circled of people. “I never thought that I would become homeless because I am a professional haircutter,” said Lafontaine. “Sometimes we get to shower at the Presbyterian Church,” she said. Otherwise, they have no access to water in order to stay clean.They told their stories and when it was time for lunch, the circle of people bowed their heads while Hughes led the group in a thank you prayer. Lunch was good. It would have been nicer if the picnic table had been there.The good news is that Alan Galran from Santa Cruz County Department of Parks said that the table will be replaced within two weeks.

Now that the rains have stopped and the mud has dried, many folks’ thoughts turn to equestrian events. The upcoming month has several such local events.

Scotts Valley is signed up to a new future of dance, with a ballroom franchise set to open a location within weeks. From salsa to cumbia, swing, Viennese waltz and tango, the owners of the new Arthur Murray location are thrilled to teach local residents...