MA San Lorenzo River Felton Environment Local News Water 

SLV Water District and Use of Pesticides on Watershed Lands

By Mary Andersen The San Lorenzo Valley Water District’s (SLVWD) Integrated Pest Management Policy (IPMP) was created in response to a 2019 ban on glyphosate for district properties. That ban followed community-driven environmental and health risk concerns raised in 2017 and during the 2018 SLVWD board elections. However, the policy’s language and implementation have allowed continued use of other pesticides, such as… Read More
Backyard burn pile Fire Departments Government Local News 

Mandatory Residential Burn Permits Coming to Unincorporated Santa Cruz County

Starting December 1, 2025, residents in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County will need a CAL FIRE Residential Burn Permit to conduct any backyard debris burning. The new requirement, announced jointly by Santa Cruz County and the CAL FIRE San Mateo–Santa Cruz Unit (CAL FIRE CZU), standardizes burn regulations countywide and marks a significant shift from past practices. Residential… Read More
earthquake california november 26 2025 Earthquake Local News 

Morning Quake Near Gilroy Felt Across Bay Area and Central Coast

A 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck roughly 5 miles east of Gilroy, California at 6:16 a.m. PST on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, USGS reports. Initial readings put the quake at magnitude 4.3, later revised downward to 4.0. Within minutes of the main shock, two aftershocks occurred — a 2.7-magnitude tremor followed approximately two minutes later by a second aftershock, reported at 3.6… Read More
Shaded Fuel Break Miller Property County Park Fire Recovery Local News Parks 

Miller Property County Park Shaded Fuel Break Project

The Miller Property County Park Shaded Fuel Break Project is a collaborative effort between Santa Cruz County Parks and CAL FIRE to reduce wildfire risk, strengthen community resilience, and improve forest health along Kings Creek Road in Boulder Creek. A shaded fuel break is a strategically treated strip of forest designed to slow the spread and intensity of wildfire —… Read More
Zayante Fire Protection District Fire Departments Local News 

Grant Awarded to SLV Fire Districts for Crash Response and Extrication Improvements

The Zayante Fire Protection District announced that San Lorenzo Valley fire districts have received a $160,500 Regional Crash Response and Extrication Improvement Program grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to purchase new emergency extrication equipment. Awarded in October 2025, the grant supports: Zayante, Boulder Creek, Felton, and Ben Lomond Fire Protection Districts. The funding enables the districts… Read More
Big Basin Water Company Boulder Creek Government Local News Water 

Town Hall Meeting Scheduled for Big Basin Water Company Customers

The court-appointed receiver for Big Basin Water Company, Inc., Serviam by Wright LLP, together with Monica Martinez, Santa Cruz County Supervisor for District 5, will host a hybrid-format Town Hall meeting on Monday, Nov. 17 at 6pm to update customers on the company’s efforts to restore and stabilize water service in the region. Attorney and Project Manager Nicolas L. Jaber… Read More
spare parts joshua davis Books Community Local News 

A Community United by Reading: Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ “Our Community Reads” Program

By Mary Andersen In Santa Cruz County, something special happens each year around one book: neighbors gather, ideas buzz, and connections form. That’s the essence of the program known as Our Community Reads, run by the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries (Friends). The premise is simple yet powerful: choose a single book for a community-wide read, then hold a series… Read More
Road repair Santa Cruz Mountains Government Infrastructure Local News 

Town Hall to Focus on Road Repairs and Recovery in the San Lorenzo Valley

BEN LOMOND — San Lorenzo Valley residents will have a chance to get the latest updates on local road conditions, storm recovery efforts, and upcoming transportation projects at a public Town Hall hosted by Supervisor Monica Martinez on Thursday, November 13, at 6 pm. The event, called the District 5 “State of the Roads” Town Hall, will take place at… Read More
Santa Cruz Wharf Local News Santa Cruz 

Driver Dies After Vehicle Plunges Off Santa Cruz Wharf

Firefighters and lifeguards conduct underwater rescue; dog survives A man died Sunday morning after a minivan went over the side of the Santa Cruz Wharf and into the bay, prompting a large multi-agency water rescue effort. The incident was reported at 9:44 a.m., according to Santa Cruz Fire Battalion Chief Josh Coleman, who said the vehicle drove off the wharf… Read More