Opinion

When I look back on four decades of public service, there is one issue that has remained a top priority for me and the people I have had the privilege to represent in county and state government: Protecting our local environment. As a member of...

The roots of women’s retreats may be less documented, but their surge in popularity in recent decades reflects the growing emphasis on self-care, wellness and women's empowerment. Today, retreats are recognized as powerful tools for helping women disconnect from daily pressures, realign with their...

Time to say ‘No’ to more property tax measures in Scotts Valley No, No, No! No more property tax measures, Scotts Valley. Having lived in this beautiful area for over 20 years, I find myself in a situation where I feel obligated to write this...

Endorsing Bradford for Santa Cruz County supervisor Earlier this year, I had an opportunity to get to know Christopher Bradford from a unique perspective. I already knew Christopher to be a good family man and a well-known and highly respected community leader. It was when Christopher...

While pouring the dark, thick and very sticky molasses from its bottle this morning, I thought about the people who drowned during the Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919, one hundred and five years ago. On the docks of Boston Harbor, Purity Distilling company had...

My friend Evan is a computer whiz and designed my website and blog. He is often researching on the internet and forwards me interesting tidbits of information about plants whenever he comes across something exceptional. I am always amazed at what nature does to...

Seniors face burden of increasing property costs Regarding Patrick Johnston's letter on Sept. 20: I too am concerned about the increase in property taxes proposed this year, as well as affording the ever-increasing exorbitant homeowners insurance costs. I have children and grandchildren that I hope...

Editor’s Note: The first half of the interview with Chief Isaac Blum of Felton Fire Protection District (FFPD) was published on Sept. 13, 2024. The second half of that interview follows. Chief Isaac Blum was introduced to the FFPD firefighting squad in early July 2024....

What happens if you don’t pay taxes? The IRS, or FTB, writes to say you owe and you concede the amount. To remind us all that taxes are compulsory and no say on expenditures, the IRS can prosecute for tax fraud, but courts and...

Coming from a meeting with a client in Scotts Valley today, I saw a really well designed dry creek bed. I didn’t get a picture today, but I’ll go back, it was that good. How will this year’s La Niña affect our rainfall? According...