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Scotts Valley
October 16, 2025

Off hours: All is Fair

If you weren’t already hip to it, this is indeed late notice. But whatever your plan for the weekend is, if it doesn’t include a trip to the Santa Cruz County Fair — change it!

Talk about money: New life expectancy figures can be misleading

You may have noticed the new data recently released from the National Center for Health Statistics that shows U.S. life expectancy is at an all-time high — nearly 78 years.

Nature friendly: Welcoming the autumnal equinox

The sun does not rise as high over my redwoods. Deciduous trees — the cottonwoods, the sycamores — are changing into their fall wardrobe of gold and glitter along the San Lorenzo River. The big-leaf maple is dressing for its show-stopping finale. Even the demonic poison oak is turning crimson.

Nature Friendly: Journey to the Forbidden Sandhills

If you have seen strange lights coming from the Quail Hollow sandhills at night and wondered if those were UFOs or American Indian camps, it was probably just Dr. Jodi McGraw. Jodi is the diva of the Forbidden Sandhills — “forbidden” because only scientists are allowed in this fragile ecosystem.

Mountain Gardener: A peek into local gardening’s past

Editor’s note: This is Part 1 of a two-part series on historical gardening.

Wine lover: A great time to start making wine

With harvest time quickly approaching, the wine-making industry is abuzz with anticipation for the 2009 harvest.

Let’s go fishin’: Loch Lomond extends season

If you missed your opportunity to visit Loch Lomond Reservoir this year, it’s not too late. The season will be extended at the lake, and its recreational area will remain open to public through Oct. 11.

Off Hours: Radio reunion brings back airtime nostalgia

The college radio station where I worked 30 years ago is celebrating a half-century of broadcasting by inviting many of the former deejays back for on-the-air guest slots. I was honored to do a turn last week.

Mountain Gardener saves plants, one garden at a time

Time flies when you’re having a good time, and that’s exactly how I feel writing my 200th column for the Press-Banner.

New Faces

Lydia DeVere Bird was born at 1:24 a.m. Aug. 17, 2009, to Megan DeVere (Christopher) and William Joseph Bird of Felton. She weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center.

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scotts valley police

Scotts Valley police promote pedestrian safety this month

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, and Scotts Valley Police Department is urging drivers to exercise extra caution to protect pedestrians. According to the National...