NEWSBRIEFS-October 23

State’s Top 500 Tax Delinquencies Total $160 Million
The Franchise Tax Board published its Top 500 Delinquent List which includes individuals and businesses that collectively owe the state more than $160 million in income tax.
In August, FTB sent letters to taxpayers scheduled to appear on the list. Of these taxpayers, 158 made arrangements to pay their tax debt. Another 286 individuals and 56 businesses did not, resulting in their inclusion on the list.
The Top 500 list is published in April and October. Since the list’s inception in October 2007, FTB has collected more than $469 million from delinquent taxpayers.
Delinquent taxpayers face an array of consequences which can include any professional or occupational licenses held by delinquent taxpayers to be noted on the list and may be suspended until the tax bill is resolved. The state may also suspend the delinquent taxpayer’s driver’s license until the tax bill is resolved. State agencies are prohibited from entering into contracts for the acquisition of goods or services with listed taxpayers.
FTB publishes the names and titles of principal corporate officers of corporations on the list.
FTB removes a taxpayer from the list once the debt is paid, or once the taxpayer agrees to make payments under an approved agreement or compromise. Tax debts for people who have filed for bankruptcy protection are not included on the list.
Individual taxpayers on the list can call 888.426.8555 to resolve their accounts. Business taxpayers can call 888.426.8751.
The Board of Equalization has a similar list of the state’s top sales and use tax debtors, which is updated quarterly.
Democratic Women’s Club of Santa Cruz County will sponsor a luncheon program
On Friday, October 23, 2015, the Democratic Women’s Club of Santa Cruz County will sponsor a luncheon program on the work of the Santa Cruz Water Supply Advisory Committee.
Mike Rotkin, DWC Co-Chair, former Mayor, and member of the City’s Water Supply Advisory Committee, will present the water supply plan that was unanimously adopted by the WSAC. He will explain how it will address our community’s water needs for the next couple of decades.
Lunch will be at 11:30 a.m.; Program at Noon. Open to the Public. Lunch is $8 with RSVP, or $10 at the door.
The location is the Santa Cruz Police Department Community Room at 155 Center St., Santa Cruz. To RSVP, contact Carol Fuller at 423-2356 or

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Shigella outbreak in Santa Clara County
Santa Cruz County Public Health Communicable Disease Unit is currently investigating suspect cases of Shigella that may be linked to the current Shigella outbreak in Santa ClaraCounty. Since Saturday, October 17, over 40 individuals have become acutely ill with fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea and have been reported to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.
All of these individuals ate at Mariscos San Juan Restaurant #3 at 205 N. 4th Street in San Jose on Friday or Saturday on October 16th or 17th. Most of the ill persons reported to SCCPHD have required hospital admission, of which 12 required admissions to intensive care.
It is suspected that these cases represent only a small proportion of the total cases. Thus far, at least 15 of the reported cases are laboratory confirmed with Shigella (shigellosis). An investigation of this Shigella outbreak is underway, and lab results from additional cases are expected to arrive daily.
The restaurant was closed on the morning of Sunday, October 18^th, by SCCPHD and the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, and it will remain closed until the safety of the public can be assured. It is suspected that the disease was spread by an infected food handler, but all possible sources of contamination are currently being investigated.
Shigellosis is a diarrheal disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Symptoms of shigellosis typically start within 3 hours to 2 days after exposure and include: diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, abdominal pain, tenesmus (a painful sensation of needing to pass stools even when bowels are empty), and vomiting.
It is spread by eating or drinking something that has come into contact with stool of a person infected with Shigella. For example, food may become contaminated if it has been prepared by an infected food handler; water may be contaminated by infected fecal matter; or hands can be contaminated while changing the diaper of an infected child, or caring for an infected person.
In persons with healthy immune systems, symptoms usually last about 5 to 7 days. Persons with diarrhea usually recover completely, although it may be several months before their bowel habits are entirely normal. Shigella can be very serious and in rare cases, fatal. Patients with severe diarrhea or vomiting may become dehydrated and require immediate medical attention to prevent shock.
If you ate at Mariscos San Juan Restaurant #3 at 205 N. 4th Street in San Jose on Friday or Saturday, October 16th or 17th, and you had sudden onset of diarrhea and fever within 3 hours to 2 days after eating there, please seek medical attention so that you can be tested and, if your symptoms are severe, receive treatment.
California Survey Sees Lower Rate of Illegal Tobacco Sales to Minors in 2015
California Department of Public Health Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith said that a survey has found that the California rate of illegal tobacco sales to minors has decreased. According to the 2015 Youth Tobacco Purchase Survey, illegal tobacco sales to minors at retail outlets occurred at a rate of 7.6 percent, compared to last year’s rate of 9 percent.
When the state first started monitoring illegal sales of tobacco in 1997, teens participating in the survey were able to buy tobacco products during 21.7 percent of tobacco purchase attempts. “For seven consecutive years, the rate of illegal tobacco sales to minors has remained under 10 percent. However, the Healthy People 2020 target is to reduce this to five percent or less, which indicates that California still has room for considerable progress. I’m concerned that too many stores, especially certain types such as tobacco-only stores and convenience stores, are willing to illegally sell tobacco products to youth,” Smith said.
This annual survey of illegal sales of cigarettes to minors is conducted to gauge the rate of illegal tobacco sales across California and to comply with the Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement Act.
All U.S. states and territories are required to assess their rate of illegal sales of tobacco to youth, pursuant to the Federal Synar Amendment. Besides conducting the annual survey, the California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch conducts ongoing illegal sales compliance checks.
The survey of 733 stores throughout the state is conducted by monitoring more than 100 youth who are sent to retail outlets to attempt to purchase tobacco products. California retailers caught selling tobacco products to minors during these enforcement operations may be subject to fines up to $6,000 for repeated violations.
State’s Top 500 Tax Delinquencies Total $160 Million
The Franchise Tax Board published its Top 500 Delinquent List which includes individuals and businesses that collectively owe the state more than $160 million in income tax.
In August, FTB sent letters to taxpayers scheduled to appear on the list. Of these taxpayers, 158 made arrangements to pay their tax debt. Another 286 individuals and 56 businesses did not, resulting in their inclusion on the list.
The Top 500 list is published in April and October. Since the list’s inception in October 2007, FTB has collected more than $469 million from delinquent taxpayers.
Delinquent taxpayers face an array of consequences which can include suspension of any professional or occupational licenses held by delinquent taxpayers until the tax bill is resolved.
The state may suspend the delinquent taxpayer’s driver’s license until the tax bill is resolved. Additionally, State agencies are prohibited from entering into contracts for the acquisition of goods or services with listed taxpayers.
FTB publishes the names and titles of principal corporate officers of corporations on the list.
FTB removes a taxpayer from the list once the debt is paid, or once the taxpayer agrees to make payments under an approved agreement or compromise. Tax debts for people who have filed for bankruptcy protection are not included on the list.
Individual taxpayers on the list can call 888.426.8555 to resolve their accounts. Business taxpayers can call 888.426.8751.
The Board of Equalization has a similar list of the state’s top sales and use tax debtors, which is updated quarterly.
Road closure
On Monday and Tuesday, October 26 and 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Graham Hill Road will be closed to both directions of traffic. Motorists will be rerouted to Lockwood Lane and Mt. Hermon Road. Motorists can take Highway 9 between San LorenzoValley and Santa Cruz.
Access to Santa Cruz County Juvenile Hall, Ponderosa Lodge, Roaring Camp Railroads, RedtreeIndustrial Park, San Lorenzo Lumber, Summit Road, and Grand View Avenue will be permitted during the road closure.
East Zayante Road has one-way traffic control on weekdays through October 27.
Both road closure events are because the roads need to be sealed. According to San Lorenzo Valley Water District, it was deemed to be more efficient and have less impact to traffic to do both construction projects simultaneously.
Puzzled about Medicare Options? Free Forums on Medicare Options for 2016
Now is the time for Medicare beneficiaries to compare plans, make sure they have the right health and prescription drug coverage for 2016, and potentially save money.
The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) of Senior Network Services has scheduled two, no-cost educational forums for San LorenzoValley and ScottsValley residents:
●     October 29, 1:30 to 3:30, HighlandsParkSeniorCenter, Ben Lomond
●     November 12, 1:00 to 3:00, ScottsValley Branch Library, ScottsValley
Free of charge. No reservations required. First come, first seated.
For a complete schedule of the HICAP Medicare open enrollment forums, call 462-5510, or go to our website at www.seniornetworkservices.org.
SCOTTS VALLEY SPORTSMEN’S CLUB RECEIVES $50,000 GRANT FROM THE NRA FOUNDATION
The Scotts Valley Sportsmen’s Club announced that they are the recipients of a $50,000 grant from the National Rifle Association Foundation. The grant money will be used to upgrade the range and buildings.
SVSC is a private club that sponsors organized rifle and pistol shooting, as well as individual range use. Fostering safe handling and proper care of firearms, and improved marksmanship are priorities. The club promotes training and safety classes geared towards youth and women, as well as traditional events such as the Civilian Marksmanship Program and Santa Cruz Muzzleloaders black powder shoots.
“The Scotts Valley Sportsmen’s Club is the home range of the Scotts Valley Police Department,” said Steve Trebbe, Secretary, SVSC. For more information: www.scottsvalleysportsmen.com