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Santa Cruz Public Libraries has received a $20,000 gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York, the foundation established by Andrew Carnegie. The award is part of Carnegie Libraries 250, a special initiative celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence...

About 10 years ago, Philip Crawford, then 70, was part of a powerlifting team at the Scotts Valley Gym called the Baby Boomers. In January, the Santa Cruz resident, now 80, set multiple national records at a U.S. Powerlifting Coalition competition held at the same...

As Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County reaches its 50th year of serving older adults, the organization will celebrate the milestone with the 13th annual Food From the Heart Luncheon, a fundraiser supporting senior nutrition and wellness programs in the region. The Valentine-themed luncheon...

Applications are now being accepted for the City of Scotts Valley’s 2026 Citizens Academy, which offers residents an inside look at city government and local services. The application period runs through Feb. 20, with applicants to be notified of their selection status on March 6....

In the spirit of the upcoming Big Game, Santa Cruz County Parks is bringing families together through sport with three Punt, Pass & Kick events during the first week of February. Designed for all ages—from preschoolers to grandparents—these high-energy, free events invite participants to learn...

When the curtain rises on “Frozen Jr.” at Scotts Valley Middle School, audiences will recognize the familiar snow-dusted world of Arendelle—but what they may not immediately see is the months of rehearsals and effort by kids and parents alike that brought it to life. This...

City of Scotts Valley will celebrate the reopening of the newly replaced Skypark Big Kid Playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, Jan. 31, from 11am-1pm, at Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road. The event will begin with a brief ceremony and official ribbon cutting at 11am,...

After all the fanfare surrounding his departure, former Scotts Valley Police Chief Steve Walpole Jr. only ended up spending a few days as a civilian in retirement. During an exit interview, he’d hinted to the Press Banner he might pick up a consulting gig in...

On Christmas Eve morning, as dawn broke over Boulder Creek and the last gusts of a fierce winter storm gave way to calm skies, hundreds of people poured into town wearing antlers, costumes, smiles and a shared sense of joy. By the time the final...

Each January brings a feeling of fresh motivation to Santa Cruz. While local residents attempt to adhere to their New Year’s resolutions by joining a gym, paying attention to their eating habits or finding a new hobby, the acting community celebrates the return of...