Newly-elected Mayor Randy Johnson — beginning his sixth two-year term as Scotts Valley mayor — brings experience and confidence to the position.

I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin into a family of doctors, so it was natural for me to follow in their footsteps.

The City of Santa Cruz Water Department announced that because of this week’s storm, the Loch Lomond Reservoir in Lompico filled to capacity early Wedesday and began spilling into Newell Creek.Newell Creek flows through Ben Lomond to the San Lorenzo River. Loch Lomond Reservoir spills at 577.3 feet elevation. At this time in January 2016 the lake was at 558.70 feet elevation. The reservoir was reopened to public recreation last March after being closed in October 2013 because of low water levels.Loch Lomond Reservoir is the City of Santa Cruz’s only drinking water reservoir and holds 2.8 billion gallons of water, or about one year’s worth of drinking water for city residents.Though much of the state continues to suffer from drought, Santa Cruz County received normal rainfall in 2016, which filled the reservoir and provided relief from two consecutive years of water rationing.“Having a full reservoir is a great start to the new year,” said Rosemary Menard, Santa Cruz water director. “Though it’s too early to tell how this water year will be classified, whether it will be a normal or wet year, we are off to a promising start.”

The 64-year-old Bonny Doon man decided last weekend that he needed to see a doctor. So he went online and made an appointment for Tuesday morning at the new Kaiser Permanent clinic in Scotts Valley, which was to open for the first time that day.

Fresh off of a year of touring, the San Lorenzo Valley favorite sons in the Coffis Brothers & the Mountain Men band make their third annual appearance at Don Quixote's International Music Hall in Felton Friday and Saturday, Jan. 6 – 7.

After more than 6 inches of rain fell in Scotts Valley and on mountain communities Tuesday and Wednesday, another “atmospheric river” is headed our way.The National Weather Service said the Santa Cruz Mountains could receive another six inches of rain between Saturday and Monday.“If the forecast  is realized, the hydrologic impacts of such a weather pattern are expected to be numerous and widespread,”  said forecaster Bob Benjamin.He said mudslides, power outages, and swollen rivers and streams were likely, and as was a flash flood watch.The Weekend Forecast:Saturday, Sunday: Rain, heavy at times.Send storm photos and stories of neighborhood heroes and good Samaritans to [email protected] !

By Robin Musitelli

Tanya Krause and Jenny Haruyama