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Here is a Christmas carol medley written especially for readers here in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey

Here is a list of the top salaries among local schools, governments, water districts and fire departments.

After almost two years of organizing to get a new independent charter middle school as part of the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District, a final decision is expected next month.

Putah Creek Wildlife Area Closed to All Public AccessDue to Wragg FireThe Putah Creek Wildlife Area in Solano County will be closed until further notice due to impacts from the Wragg Fire. The Wragg Fire has burned 8,051 acres in Napa, Solano and Yolo counties, including the entire Putah Creek Wildlife Area.The closure affects all public uses including, but not limited to, hunting, fishing, hiking and nature viewing. The closure is intended to allow the landscape and wildlife to recover, minimize erosion, and ensure public safety. As a result of the fire, potential hazards such as loose rocks and falling tree branches exist in the area. CDFW will reassess the Putah Creek Wildlife Area in spring 2016 to determine if it is suitable for public access. Putah Creek Wildlife Area is located in Solano County just east of Lake Berryessa.Felton Fire Protection District Budget for Fiscal year 2015-2016The district will meet on Monday, September 14, at 7:00 p.m. at 131 Kirby St., Felton, for the public to discuss the new budget.For more information call 335-4422Wind Acre Farm Floral opens in Scotts ValleyAs the owner and principal designer of the new Wind Acre Farm Floral, Erin Schwartz uses locally grown flowers and botanicals to create custom floral arrangements for any occasion. Wind Acre Farm Floral offers a spectrum of services from everyday arrangements to special orders for weddings, private parties, and corporate events.  “I’ve always loved to create beautiful things for people to enjoy. Making others happy feels good to me and that really is my inspiration,” says Schwartz.    Prior to opening Wind Acre Farm Floral, Schwartz worked under established local florists and trained with floral designers in the Los Angeles and Seattle areas. She also attended interior design school where she specialized in floral arrangements for home and office settings. Wind Acre Farm Floral is located on Glen Canyon Road in Scotts Valley.  For more information call 212-9032Man reported taking pictures of nude childSanta Cruz Police Department ask or help in identifying man that was reportedly taking pictures of a naked 7-year old girl in a public shower near the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf on July 13. The suspect is described as a white male about 5 feet 8” with medium build. He appears to be 65-70 years old with white hair. He was wearing a cowboy hat and sleeveless shirt at the time of the incident.Anyone with information relative to the suspect’s identity is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit (831) 420-5820Teen injured at Garden of Eden in Henry Cowell ParkOn August 4, a teenage female dove off of a hill into the Garden of Eden pond in Henry Cowell Park. The water in the pond was very low. The diver injured her back and feet which required a Cal Fire helicopter to provide rescue services, said a dispatch person at Felton Fire Department Protection District.“Usually the local people know how dangerous it is to dive into the Garden of Eden during a drought. It is the people from out of the area who get hurt,” said the dispatch person.