Infrastructure Local News 

Can You Hear Me Now? AT&T Moves to Modernize Causing Concern in Rural California

By Julie Horner For many in the Santa Cruz Mountains and other rural regions in California, AT&T’s statewide Network Modernization Effort is a hard pill to swallow. In the neighborhood of 70 individuals attended a public forum hosted by the telecommunications giant at Felton Community Hall on Wednesday night, February 28. The meeting attempted to assuage outcry at the recent… Read More
telephone landline Infrastructure 

AT&T Schedules Public Meetings to Address Discontinuation of Landlines

In January AT&T applied to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to withdraw service to its landline customers. Many in the Santa Cruz Mountains and other rural areas depend on landline telephone service during emergencies, especially when power and the internet are out and cell phones are rendered useless. The CPUC is currently holding in-person and virtual public forums for… Read More
Infrastructure Local News Wildlife 

Fall Creek Pedestrian Bridge Temporary Closure

The Fall Creek Pedestrian Bridge between Fall Creek Drive and Farmer Street at the lower walk-in entrance to the Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near San Lorenzo Valley High School will be closed from Monday, December 11 until Friday, December 22, 2023. Crews will be carrying out essential maintenance on the footbridge as part of the… Read More
Water Infrastructure Local News Water 

Big Basin Water Crisis | Receivership Hearing Scheduled 

By Christopher Bradford The ongoing issues with Big Basin Water have reached a tipping point for Boulder Creek residents, and we’re now in an emergency situation. Recently many residents went without water for weeks, and some have lost water again. The most recent outage, one of many which are increasing in frequency, was caused by a large main line leak. This… Read More
big basin water Infrastructure Local News Water 

New Developments for Big Basin Water Company Customers

By Mark Dolson Big Basin Water Company (BBWC) customers have been rocked in recent weeks by two dramatic developments in their years-long quest for a more reliable supply of water: (1) consolidation discussions between BBWC and the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) have been halted, and (2) the State of California is moving to place BBWC’s water system into… Read More
Ben Lomond Highway 9 Slide Infrastructure Local News 

Ben Lomond Neighborhood Seeks County and State Response on the Highway 9 Slide

By Mary Andersen On New Year’s Eve the first of a series of atmospheric rivers arrived in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The ensuing intense rainfall triggered a major landslide on Highway 9 in Ben Lomond near Glen Arbor Road. Ongoing storms since then have exacerbated the slide with one resident saying, “It’s been in motion virtually nonstop. Every rainstorm since… Read More
broadband Infrastructure Local News 

County Secures $500,000 Grant to Develop Broadband

The California Public Utilities Commission’s Local Area Technical Assistance program has awarded the County of Santa Cruz a $500,000 grant to develop a countywide broadband master plan. The goal of the plan would be to ensure that all residents have access to high-speed internet. The public is asked to complete an online survey as part of the public outreach process.… Read More
san lorenzo river photo by maryandersen.net Infrastructure Local News Water 

Potty Talk – A Story about San Lorenzo Valley’s Waste Management

By Jayme Ackemann Rural, small town life in the midst of the sprawling, busy Bay Area has always been part of San Lorenzo Valley’s charm. Every new acquaintance is a friend of a friend, once removed. If our kids don’t already know each other by the end of 5th grade, they are practically guaranteed to meet in Middle School. But… Read More
Fire Recovery Infrastructure Local News 

PG&E Helicopter Activity in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has responded to multiple queries regarding the low-flying helicopter activity that began on Monday in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The utility is surveying power lines using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology. The activity will continue through August 22 according to a spokesperson.   In a press statement, PG&E’s Communications Representative Mayra Tostado said,… Read More