72.2 F
Scotts Valley
April 8, 2026

Local martial artists earn black belts

Many local martial artists were promoted to black belt during a promotion ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Shoreline Middle School in Capitola.

Sports shorts

Hoops squads play at Dad’s Club

Commentary: BC Cell tower protest only the beginning

Several Sundays ago, eight Boulder Creek residents protested in front of Verizon’s store in downtown Santa Cruz. Why did we do this? Haven’t we already won (“Cell tower application all but dead in downtown BC,” Dec. 13, page 4)? Well no actually, we have not. The application has been shelved but Verizon can come back at any time and have another hearing and get it approved. So why are we so concerned about this application? It all boils down to location.

Wrestling teams hit the mats

Scotts Valley

Plain Talk About Food: Christmas Bells

Each time I hear Craig Morrow ringing his Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell in front of the Safeway market in Felton, I am reminded that Christmastime has arrived.

Commentary: Roads, not Rail Trail, should be priority

Buried on the back page of the December 13 Press-Banner, the headline, “Local road projects get boost” (page 20), immediately caught my attention. The excellent article by Joe Shreve raises some serious concerns about the funding priorities and policies of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission.

Soccer teams open season

The winter season is underway for local high school soccer teams and Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley high schools look to make a splash.

New Faces

Abraham Michael Araujowas born at 10:02 a.m. Nov. 26, 2013 to Ann Elisabeth Broesamle and David James Stepka of Mount Hermon. He weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz.

Mountain surf team wins

The second contest of the Santa Cruz Scholastic Surf League season resulted in a win for the local Santa Cruz Mountains high school surf team made up of surfers from San Lorenzo Valley High, Scotts Valley High, and St. Francis High.

The Mountain Gardener: How to deal with frost, and winter gifts

Early on one of those freezing mornings I came across a large stand of California native toyon shrubs, every branch covered with juicy red berries. Dozens of songbirds were enjoying the feast, loading up and bracing for another cold night. You couldn't ask for a more Christmas-ey plant. Bright red and green — the Christmas colors. I made a note to put toyon on my list for gift ideas. What would be better than to give my loved ones something that feeds the birds and the spirit?

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Cal Fire firefighter looks at pile burn area

Despite high temps and pile-burning setbacks, fire officials aren’t worrying just yet

Scott Weese, a division chief with Cal Fire CZU, spends plenty of time pouring over forest-fuel-environment maps and briefing safety crews on weather conditions. The...