Community

Two retired San Jose Police Department officers demonstrated their strength and competitive spirit at the USPC Powerlifting Federation’s national event on July 19. Former SJPD Assistant Chief Walter Adkins, now 81, and retired Sgt. Phil Crawford, 80, both made remarkable showings in the Masters 80-plus...

Scotts Valley Police Department is participating in Operation Safe Passage, which began Aug. 7 and continues through Aug. 15. The goal of the operation is to increase the safety of students commuting to and from school at the beginning of the new school year. During...

The year 2025 marks the fifth anniversary of the CZU Fire that destroyed homes and lives and left years of heartache and turmoil in its wake. Locals are encouraged to turn away from the trauma at the “Healing Through Art & Community” event Saturday, Aug....

Danny Reber, who has served as executive director of the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce for more than a decade, will be stepping down from his position this fall to take over as the new executive director for Valley Churches United. Reber has spent more...

The advent of August means students are headed back to school, local tourist attractions are less crowded and the Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival is back. Since its start in 2001—originally known as “Art Under the Oaks”—the Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer...

Five years after the devastation and aftermath of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) invites the public to join three commemorating events acknowledging grief and loss, celebrating nature’s renewal power and highlighting the resilience of the San Lorenzo Valley community. The...

If love is best served hot, and revenge best served cold, then murder must be best served warm, doused in shaving cream and wrapped in a barber’s cape—or at least, that’s what Sweeney Todd would no doubt have you believe. Known as “The Demon Barber...

After a decade of service as the executive director of Valley Churches United, Lynn Robinson has announced that she will be retiring from that position this fall. During her tenure at the nonprofit year-round food pantry, Robinson valued the very important work of providing support...

Scotts Valley creative soul and activist Karen Kaplan is making her latest splash with dual contributions in a new book titled “Expressions of the Valley.” Her colored pencil drawing “Exploring Glenwood”—that she drew with Caran D’Ache aquarelle watercolor pencils on parchment paper—was chosen as the...

Local restaurateur and entrepreneur Mario Ibarra has announced the grand opening of two businesses in Brookdale—Brookdale Cafe & Grill and The Lounge at Brookdale Lodge. The community is invited to join the Summer Festival celebration on Sunday, July 27, from 12-8pm at 11570 Highway 9...