Zayante Fire Protection District at Loch Lomond with SkyLife Fire Departments Local News 

Zayante Fire Seeks Community Support

By Robin Musitelli Zayante Fire Department is struggling. The San Lorenzo Valley’s second largest department geographically but poorest in tax revenue, is fighting to keep a financial fire from getting out of control and will soon face a new threat — consolidation. As mountain residents know, our local fire departments are much more than fire responders. They are intrinsically valuable… Read More
Felton Fire Department Fire Local News 

Felton Fire Protection District Board of Directors Notice of Vacancy

The Felton Fire Protection District Board of Directors has posted a Notice of Vacancy. Applications are due January 8, 2024. The position to be filled is for a term ending December 2024. The seat will go to election in November 2024 for a new 4-year term. Applications are available at the Felton Fire Protection District Office located at: 131 Kirby… Read More
Jobs Local News 

Loch Lomond Recreation Area Seeks Chief Ranger

Career opportunity in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Deadline to apply: Thursday, January 18, 2024. The Chief Ranger position is open at the Loch Lomond Recreation Area. The City of Santa Cruz Water Department is seeking individuals with skills in parks and natural resources management and administration to apply. Responsibilities include managing daily operations and staff, budgeting, and planning safety and… Read More
Holidays Local News Valley People 

San Lorenzo Valley Cookie Project Delivers a Little Joy

Holiday cookie baking project brings joy to those in need. Ryan Okrant and Valley Churches team up to deliver care packages in the Santa Cruz Mountains. By Ryan Okrant My mother and her friends began the original Cookie Project in the late 80s in conjunction with Valley Churches United (VCU). Volunteers baked all kinds of cookies then gathered together to… Read More
Felton covered Bridge park pump track Local News Parks 

Felton Pump Track Proposal Headed to Board of Supervisors

The Felton Pump Track proposal will be up for vote at the next Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, December 12. The board will vote on whether or not to give Santa Cruz County Parks Department leaders the go-ahead to begin the process of implementing the track. View the supervisors’ agenda packet after it posts by noon on… 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
Economy Election 2024 Local News 

Proposed Sales Tax Increase for Unincorporated Santa Cruz County

Measure slated for the March 5, 2024 Primary Election. In a move to bridge a shortfall in the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 passed by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in June, the Board voted unanimously on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 to place a half-cent sales tax measure on the March 5, 2024 Primary Election ballot. The… Read More
Downtown Ben Lomond Government Local News Politics 

Creating a Community Forum Requires SLV to ‘Choose Our Own Adventure’

By Jayme Ackemann Last month, I asked you to consider whether a Community Council (or forum) would help San Lorenzo Valley navigate tough conversations and policy decisions. This month I will tell you how to establish one and what a Community Council might do. A forum would function something like a city council — something we lack in the San… Read More
Brian Frus San Lorenzo Valley Water District Local News Valley People Water 

Brian Frus Appointed Interim General Manager at SLV Water District

Felton resident and registered civil engineer Brian Frus has been named as Interim General Manager for the San Lorenzo Valley Water District, replacing Rick Rogers, who retired this month after serving the District for 48 years. Brian told the San Lorenzo Valley Post, “My recent experience in Monterey County taught me the importance of sound water policy and regional resource… Read More
camp joy gardens Farms Gardening Local News 

Gathering in the Harvest at Camp Joy Gardens

By Julie Horner The comice pears have come in at Camp Joy Gardens. Windfall apples from several varieties of trees fill the air with a syrupy headiness; stalks of reddish-rose colored amaranth and fading sunflowers blaze against a cloudless blue sky; and pumpkins peek from their leafy umbrage. Towhee Nelson, daughter of Camp Joy founder Jim Nelson, grew up on… Read More