It’s that time of year again: flu season
Since we are rapidly approaching the flu season, I'd like to answer common questions I hear about influenza and the flu shot.
Pet Section: Mountain lions cause concern for homeowners in rural Boulder Creek
Though the grizzly bear is long extinct from the forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains, it can be easy to forget that there is still a large apex predator roaming the region in the form of the mountain lion.
Governor Newsom Announces Closure of Some Sectors
During his press conference this morning, Governor Newsom announced restrictions on indoor activities across the state. You can find more information on the state's COVID-19 website, but the basic details are below:
Commentary: Tax should remain temporary
Fans of the comedians Monty Python may recall the final, grotesque scene of "The Meaning of Life," in which a morbidly obese man gorges himself on a multicourse meal at a fancy restaurant, encouraged by an obsequious waiter played by John Cleese, only to explode after eating a tiny mint after his meal. What happens next isn't pretty.
The Mountain Gardener: Plants play starring role in holiday traditions
We all celebrate the holidays in different ways.
The Magnificent Andersons
There was something too good to be true about the Andersons. The young English couple burst upon the local social scene in the summer of 1897. “Nobody appeared to know who the J. Francis Andersons were,” recalled one gossip columnist, “but it was evident to Santa Cruzans that they possessed an abundance of the long green and were willing to spend it with lavish hands.”
Commentary: Communication needed to ensure respect, safety
I am a San Lorenzo Valley resident. I’ve lived in Santa Cruz County for 18 years and have always felt safe here. Safe as a woman, as a Jew and as a lesbian, as well as safe in general.
News Briefs | Published July 4, 2025
Tree removal leads to temporary closure on Big Basin Highway
Caltrans will temporarily close a section of southbound Highway 236 (Big Basin Highway) left on...