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Scotts Valley
November 9, 2026

2016 Newsmakers: Men, women and a Very Useful Engine

Tanya Krause and Jenny Haruyama

Your Health: Common types of cancer

In this article I would like to summarize information for a variety of common cancers as the second of my three-part series on the disease.

SLV-Harbor football rematch, 20 years later

Twenty years ago, they were green-and-gold and red-and-black mud-spattered teenagers locked in a furious gridiron struggle remembered simply as The Game.

New SV archery shop offers equipment, advice for beginners

Bullseye Archery, the newest archery shop in Scotts Valley, is the perfect place for hunters and beginning archers to stock up on gear and knowledge of the bowman’s art. Larry Spittler and Jeanne Burke are the owners of the shop located at 5299 Scotts Valley Drive, which opened on March 1, 2015. “We do tuning of bows, cam bows, and regular bows, and we sell any kind of bow that you could possibly want,” Spittler said, “plus the stuff to go with it.” Spittler, an archer of 40 years, said that he started practicing archery in the sixth grade after witnessing Howard Hill’s archery expedition at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco in 1964. “I did (archery) in college and 40 years later I’m going ‘I think I’d like to shoot a bow again,’ a lot of people do the same thing,” Burke said. “They come in here and they haven’t shot in years.” Bullseye has a beautiful display of bows ranging from English longbows, Australian Aborigine bows, recurve bows, and compound bows — originally called cam bows — with a small selection of crossbows as well. “The thing is don’t be afraid to try something new, if you have never tried it before,” Burke said. “Because we are very helpful, we can tell you and offer you anything.” For those interested in getting started in archery, the two main bows for beginners are the recurve bow — which is curved at the tips — and compound bows. “(Recurve bows) used to be the fastest bow 30 year ago, (and) then some engineer got the wise idea of putting pulleys and cams on the end of bows,” Spittler said. Compound bows can shoot longer distances than the recurve bow, and they usually have lighter draw weight. However, the recurve bow is more traditional and much less expensive, giving the bow wielder a sense of the device’s history and beauty. “If you are going to get started with a recurve with really good equipment then you’re looking at about $300,” Spittler explained, “in your cam bows you’re probably looking at $700.” Recurve bows are for fun, he said, while the compound bow is all about hitting the target. The shop stocks bow parts, knives, and throwing axes. It also sells a variety of targets, which are very popular items. “That’s one of the reasons why (archery is) so successful here, so many people have room to have a range in their back yard,” said Bullseye’s Store Manager Gabrielle Garrett, a regular archer since 2008. With the start of deer hunting season, the shop has recently stocked up on broad heads and other points and blunts for hunting. Bow hunters typically shoot with compound bows, but some use long bows and recurve bows as well, Garrett said. Their equipment goes fast and they have bows on consignment and old arrows that have been repaired for $2 each. “Some people would rather do that — especially for their kids who loose them and break them all the time — than pay for new arrows so we sell a lot of those and we are constantly repairing arrows and making new sets,” she said. Currently, the shop does not have an archery range or classes. “Most of the time, I tell people to go to Archery Santa Cruz because they have an indoor range and walk in instruction — or to go to the Santa Cruz Archery’s Club, but then you have to have your own equipment and they only teach classes once a month,” Garrett said. Spittler said that they would eventually like to have a shop with a range, but in the mean time he directs most people to the range at De Laviega Park, which is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. Bullseye Archery’s well-organized shop is open from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Those in need of equipment or archery advice are encouraged to stop by.

Letter: Bias unfair to police, fire crews

In recent opinion (“Trim pensions before raising taxes,” Letters, Feb. 18), it was suggested that the fire and police department take a cut in their pensions. I cannot fault the writer for his misinformation regarding the pension system, which he knows nothing about. I am a retired San Jose firefighter. The Mercury News has reported our retirement questions incorrectly. It sells papers. Because it is in print doesn't make it the truth, including my opinion. The San Jose police and fire retirement system is a private system, negotiated by the members. Firefighters and police put money into the system instead of taking salary increases — an option that was not always granted to us. Check with the San Jose Police Association and Firefighters Union for the correct facts on this subject. The Mercury is politically biased.

New Faces

Jaxton Paul Hanson was born to Pamela Joy (Rigor) and Erik Iver Hanson of Scotts Valley at 1:21 p.m. May 28, 2011, at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center in Santa Cruz. He weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce.

Stay healthy – Pork product recall

On December 22, 2015 the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said that Bellisio Foods, Inc. recalled approximately 285,264 pounds of boneless pork rib shaped patty frozen entrée products that may be adulterated with extraneous materials.

Local bowler hits pay dirt

Ben Lomond Hall of Fame bowler Sam Carter took home the winners trophy and a $20,000 prize at the annual 5-day Winter Mini-Eliminator Bowling Tournament in Las Vegas last month.

Just the Facts

This last week has been the longest month of my life. With the relentless firehose of updated COVID-19 information, shifting community expectations and rapidly-changing governmental instructions, we’ve gone from a population of residents who work at work, school at school and shop for just what’s needed to a community who works from home, schools at home and hordes toilet paper and sanitizing spray like those doomsday preppers you mock on A&E.Lines outside of Safeway at 5:30am. People fighting over Lysol and Clorox bleach. Non-essential stores closed, Starbucks stacking their tables and chairs to avoid in-store consumption and local residents carrying a digital thermometer in their purse. (Someone else is doing that besides me, right? Anyone?) The collective weight of the evolving coronavirus pandemic has displaced our societal norms with a freakishly dystopian scene, and left us wondering what might come next in the fight against this rapidly spreading illness.I don’t know what’s coming next, but I can tell you where we are as of Tuesday, March 17th at 8pm. Things will keep changing—the majority of this article may even be old news by the time you get your hands on this edition—but the Press Banner is going to publish updates, both in the print edition and online. Cuddle up to your pet, your significant other or your freshly disinfected iPhone, and let’s get the latest.Internationally: Americans who are returning to the U.S. from traveling within high-risk areas are required to fly into one of just 13 international airports. The list—and additional information on restrictions being instituted by other countries—can be found at: https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-travel-restrictions.html.Nationally: There are plenty of actions being considered and implemented, including:•    The chief of the Center for Disease Control, Dr. Robert Redfield, has agreed to provide free testing for COVID-19, regardless of insurance coverage or the ability to pay (with thanks to tough-as-nails Southern California Representative Katie Porter for backing Redfield into a corner during a Congressional hearing that left the chief sinking into his seat).•    Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin is planning to institute a payroll tax holiday, which could feed $1,000 into the pockets of every American adult within the next two weeks. Mnuchin has estimated that unemployment could reach 20% nationwide, with residents unable to afford basics like rent, food and utilities. Ideas for an additional stimulus bill are expected to be submitted to the Senate this week.•    The Senate is being told by Leader Mitch McConnell to gird their loins and pass the Coronavirus relief deal this week, after it passed the House with unanimous consent.•    Schools across the country are closing, as parents scramble to find care for their children and teachers prepare to merge into an online teaching platform.•    Social distancing is being requested, with a minimum of six feet between individuals in public spaces.•    Ohio’s governor closed voting sites due to fears of viral spread, and the most recent Democratic debate between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders was held sans audience.•    All nonessential airline travel is being discouraged, and U.S. airlines are seeking over $50 billion in bailouts. Boeing is requesting over $60 billion from the U.S. government. Locally:•    Residents of Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties are being told to shelter-in-place. Essential businesses must remain open, including:•          Healthcare operations and infrastructure (hospitals, utility PG&E)•          Grocers, farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, food banks, convenience stores, and other retailers selling food — including those that also sell products aside from food•          Food cultivation businesses (farming, fishing)•          Businesses or organizations providing social services, food or shelter to the needy•          Newspapers, television, radio and other media•          Gas stations and auto-related businesses, including repair shops•          Banks and financial institutions•          Hardware stores•          Plumbers, electricians, and other service providers that keep businesses running•          Shipping and mailing businesses•          Educational institutions — like schools — to provide distance learning and other essential functions•          Laundry services (laundromats, dry cleaning companies)•          Restaurants for delivery and take-out only•          Businesses that supply people with items required to work from home, or businesses that supply essential businesses with necessary supplies•          Businesses that ship groceries and supplies directly to homes•          Airlines, taxis, and private transportation services•          Home-based and residential care for seniors, adults and kids•          Legal and accounting services that keep businesses in compliance•          Childcare facilities, with certain stipulations, like only having groups of 12 kids together at a time•    Both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties are recommending self-isolation for people over 65, and those with serious chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems.•    Gatherings of fewer than ten people are permitted, and those who are planning large events (weddings, graduations, reunions) are asked to postpone or cancel them.•    Restaurants that have remained open are permitted to offer take-out and delivery only; no dine-in option is available.•    Santa Cruz County schools (in addition to other county schools) are currently closed through March 20th, but the word on the street is that Governor Gavin Newsom is considering extending that closure thru summer. (https://abc30.com/california-governor-gavin-newsom-warns-parents-to-be-prepared-for-schools-to-not-open-until-after-summer-break/6022808/)What can you do to help?•    Follow the recommendations of the CDC, World Health Organization (WHO) and the scientific community by practicing social distancing, staying at home as much as possible and following updated guidelines as they become available.•    Wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, wipe down surfaces with virus-killing antiseptics and keep your hands away from your face.•    Stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and try to get outside each day for some sunshine and fresh air.•    If you have symptoms of coronavirus (fever of 101 degrees or higher, dry cough, shortness of breath), follow the CDC’s recommendations: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html•    For answers to frequently asked questions, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html•    Finally—don’t publish alternative facts. If you see something online that you just have to post on Facebook, double-check the accuracy of the information to avoid spreading rumors and upping the panic quotient in our community.Look—we’ve been through a lot together. Earthquakes and mudslides, power outages and closed highways. This is difficult, but strong communities are a force of nature, and by staying informed and providing support to those who need it, we’ll make it through this, too.There is SO much more to know—we could do an entire edition on just COVID-19—but as things change, we’ll keep you updated. Be well, stay hydrated, stay at home (except for that daily dose of sunshine, exercise and Vitamin D) and wash. your. hands. 

Guest Column: Lompico, SLV water merger is in residents’ best interests

The troubled Lompico Water District, plagued by failing wells and finances, is one step closer to a merger with San Lorenzo Valley District.

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News briefs

News Briefs | Published Nov. 6, 2026

Scotts Valley water supply returns to normal San Lorenzo Valley Water District has returned the Pasatiempo No. 5 well to service, allowing water quality in...