My friendship with Judge Jeff Almquist, former supervisor for District 5, goes back many years to when he and many of us worked together on logging issues, even traveling to Sacramento to speak before the Board of Forestry. He is that rare person who has the ability to see both sides.

Cougars open league with win

There has been much hype about radiation danger since the recent tragic events in Japan. Right off the bat let me dispel several common fears. As of this writing there is absolutely no need for anyone on the west coast to take potassium iodide pills to prevent thyroid cancer. There has been no significant increase in the local levels of radioactive iodine here on the West Coast, and unless conditions at the Fukushima plant radically change, it is unlikely that we will receive dangerous levels here.

EDITOR,

Every child should have the opportunity to experience the sense of pride that comes with physical accomplishment. While not every kid will excel at sports such as baseball, soccer or football, all able-bodied kids can run. And most love it.

Recently, a well-known local high school coach made the news with the announcement that he had been admitted to a hospital for treatment of viral meningitis. Thankfully, other than feeling very miserable for awhile, he has had a full recovery.

Kylie Aquino Stasch was born to Hercell Aquino (Romero) and Jared Alan Stasch of Scotts Valley at 9:39 a.m. Feb. 12, 2011. She weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces, at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center in Santa Cruz.