Opinion

Every Vote Counts I would like to urgently call upon my fellow citizens, indeed, I beseech you, to vote in the Nov. 3 election. Yeah, yeah, I realize the message is trite and many people don’t need to hear it. That’s fine, see you at...

You probably think of mums as boring. They’re everywhere at this time of year. Many consider them a bit of color on the front porch that you compost after they’ve finished flowering. But mums have a lot more to offer than that. Mums are in...

800 Births—What Happens When Your Hospital Is Full? If you plan to give birth in Santa Cruz, Salinas, Monterey or another Central Coast community, Watsonville Hospital belongs in your birth plan. Watsonville serves roughly 800 births annually. If labor and delivery closes, those births will still...

Well, the sun is going down earlier every day, and the leaves are definitely falling. But the students in your Scotts Valley schools are not slowing down — they are charging ahead. Ultimately, every student must own their personal success, but their growth would not...

Outside my front door are several Overdam Feather Reed Grasses that are spectacular when backlit by late afternoon sun. What’s not to love about a stunning variegated grass with white and green stripes? During the summer, pink flower plumes sway above the foliage. Now...

I represent about 150 hotel employees at Scotts Valley hotels as president of the Santa Cruz County Hotel and Lodging Association. They are outstanding ambassadors for our small town, many of whom have dedicated their careers to hospitality. Their livelihoods now face an uncertain future...

Are you drinking enough water each day? Water is one of the simplest ways to support your overall health. The average person should be drinking about 64 ounces (eight 8-ounce glasses) of water per day. However, your individual needs may vary depending on your...

Craig Winter Is Working to Make Felton, SLV Safer The tragic CZU fire was a wake-up call bringing our community together around an urgent question: What can we do now to reduce the risks of the next wildfire? It was time to act. Many of us...

Every day, community health centers ensure people can see a doctor, manage chronic illness, receive behavioral health support and get preventive care. In Santa Cruz County, that care is not an abstraction. It is a lifeline for nearly 14,000 patients served by Santa Cruz...

Hopefully, you are not panic-selling to move: California has awesome people, climate, entertainment, educational opportunities and business. For property taxes, see my “Local Tax Impact in Santa Cruz County.” IRS Capital Gains rates run 15% for couples making over $89,251 and 20% for those earning...