Community

In the spirit of the upcoming Big Game, Santa Cruz County Parks is bringing families together through sport with three Punt, Pass & Kick events during the first week of February. Designed for all ages—from preschoolers to grandparents—these high-energy, free events invite participants to learn...

When the curtain rises on “Frozen Jr.” at Scotts Valley Middle School, audiences will recognize the familiar snow-dusted world of Arendelle—but what they may not immediately see is the months of rehearsals and effort by kids and parents alike that brought it to life. This...

City of Scotts Valley will celebrate the reopening of the newly replaced Skypark Big Kid Playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, Jan. 31, from 11am-1pm, at Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road. The event will begin with a brief ceremony and official ribbon cutting at 11am,...

After all the fanfare surrounding his departure, former Scotts Valley Police Chief Steve Walpole Jr. only ended up spending a few days as a civilian in retirement. During an exit interview, he’d hinted to the Press Banner he might pick up a consulting gig in...

On Christmas Eve morning, as dawn broke over Boulder Creek and the last gusts of a fierce winter storm gave way to calm skies, hundreds of people poured into town wearing antlers, costumes, smiles and a shared sense of joy. By the time the final...

Each January brings a feeling of fresh motivation to Santa Cruz. While local residents attempt to adhere to their New Year’s resolutions by joining a gym, paying attention to their eating habits or finding a new hobby, the acting community celebrates the return of...

For years, Mathnasium has been on the ground to assist San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley families tackle one of the most common and stressful academic challenges: math. Now, the local learning center is taking a new step to meet students and families where...

When Monica Martinez reflects on her first year as Santa Cruz County’s Fifth District supervisor, one word comes up again and again: whirlwind. “It’s been busy,” Martinez said. “But I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish.” That sense of urgency has defined Martinez’s...

Dec. 29 was laundry day at Kitten Kornher Rescue along Highway 9 in downtown Boulder Creek. The Christmas storms (and tornado warning) were in the rear-view mirror, as the sun beamed a balmy 60-degree day into existence. A tiny black kitty named Boo lay...

This January, Park Hall will once again echo with stories of grit, ambition and larger-than-life characters who helped shape Ben Lomond and the greater San Lorenzo Valley. On Thursday, Jan. 15, Park Hall and the Ben Lomond Village Alliance (BLVA) invite the community to gather...