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Scotts Valley
September 9, 2026

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.

The straight dope: The jury is in

The recent Santa Cruz County grand jury report, “Alcohol, a Drug of Choice for Scotts Valley Teens,” provides the proverbial good news-bad news picture. Well, perhaps OK news and bad news is a better summary.

The good with the bad: Lawyers help pursue justice

In my most recent column, I covered some of the reasons people hate lawyers. This month, I promised to find reasons why lawyers aren’t utterly useless. If you ask a lawyer, most will say that they are vital to achieving justice and preserving freedom for the weak and oppressed.

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County of Santa Cruz

Workforce report highlights job growth, economic challenges in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board has released its 2026 State of the Workforce report, providing an overview of local employment trends, wage data...