Community

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) has announced the inaugural MAH 5 Minute Film Fest, with the screening taking place on Thursday Jan. 15, at the MAH from 6-7:30pm. More than 50 qualified films were submitted, and the jurors selected the top 15...

Since 2023, Damians Ladder—a nonprofit that provides low- to no-cost small home repairs for seniors and people with disabilities in Santa Cruz County—has served hundreds of clients from Boulder Creek to Watsonville. In November 2025, the organization closed its 500th case by installing new handrails...

For Scotts Valley City Council all to be in sync, it took a quick hand-off of a mystery item by Kirsten Maure to her husband, Greg Wimp, the body’s newest member, as the Dec. 17 meeting began. It was a bag containing a Christmas sweater,...

During an event to celebrate the season, an unexpected moment of gratitude took center stage at the annual Scotts Valley Christmas Tree Lighting on the evening of Dec. 6. Scotts Valley Police Officer Nick Lipari and his K-9 partner Sam were called forward—not knowing they...

Kiwanis Club of Scotts Valley donated $17,641 to Scotts Valley Unified School District in October to help pay the District’s costs of offering music and arts programs in the local public schools. The donation represents the net proceeds from the 16th annual Music at Skypark...

While Santa Claus may still be finalizing route details with Rudolph, Dasher and Dancer or pushing employees in his workshop at the North Pole to maintain a “996” schedule ahead of the big annual deadline, a local family has been diligently hustling for weeks...

It’s one of the highlights of the holiday season for parents and children—and local residents seeking to give back to the community. And this year’s Exchange Club of Scotts Valley Presents “Light up the Night!” event on Dec. 6 did not disappoint. Kiwanis poured cider; Rotary...

For filmmaker Janaé Ballot, telling her own story was never supposed to be easy—but she didn’t expect her story to take on the twists and turns of tragedy. Born in Santa Cruz, raised in Scotts Valley and rooted in a Bay Area family that has...

Immigration enforcement actions have significant impacts on families, often leading to financial instability, housing crises, childcare disruptions and legal uncertainties. In response, Community Bridges has introduced Puentes Para Familias, an Emergency Family Aid Fund offering up to $2,500 per household to help families manage urgent...

When Scotts Valley High School alum Nate Swanepoel clinched the silver for Team USA in double-mini-trampoline at the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique World Age Group Competitions on Nov. 16, it represented a remarkable rebirth after a foot injury hobbled his airborne dreams three years...