Lauren Ann Cowden was born at 1:01 a.m. July 10, 2011, to Michelle Lynne (Mason) and Clyde Ernest Cowden of Scotts Valley. She weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center in Santa Cruz.

EDITOR,

There's nothing like the long days of summer to get you thinking you could really get used to this. The plants are blooming, the veggies are finally producing and it seems summer will go on forever.

EDITOR,

Good news has just come from the California Department of Public Health, which recently reported that the state’s adult smoking rate has hit a record low. Last year, 11.9 percent of the state’s adults smoked, down from 13.1 percent in 2009. By comparison, in 1984, 26 percent of our state’s adults smoked.

Scotts Valley Exchange Club

Unlike its students, there’s been no summer vacation for the city of Scotts Valley in 2011, as major players in the business and education community made major changes.

EDITOR,

Softball team takes home trophy