Oak Woodland prescribed burn Fire Recovery Local News 

CAL FIRE CZU Plans Controlled Burn in Oak Woodland for Post-Fire Recovery

On Friday, October 10, 2025, weather permitting, CAL FIRE CZU will conduct a controlled burn of approximately 40 acres of grass, brush, and dead trees at Locatelli Ranch in Santa Cruz County. The burn area lies within the CZU August Lightning Complex footprint, see map below. Santa Cruz County Vegetation Management Forester Scott Bullock explains, “Our aim is to clear… Read More
Aedes_aegypti mosquito Local News Uncategorized 

Invasive Aedes Aegypti Mosquito Identified in Boulder Creek 

Santa Cruz County Mosquito & Vector Control (Vector Control) has announced the detection of invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes near downtown Boulder Creek, marking the second confirmed sighting in the county. This follows a 2022 identification in the South County area. The discovery underscores the ongoing challenge of managing non-native mosquito species in California, where Aedes aegypti is not endemic but… Read More
Facetime at SLV Museum Boulder Creek History Local News 

FaceTime: Portraits from the Past at SLV Museum

A portrait exhibition titled FaceTime opened in June at the San Lorenzo Valley Museum’s Grace Episcopal Gallery in Boulder Creek. The exhibition features artwork and photographs of local residents spanning one hundred years from the 1870s to the 1970s. Alice Hesse, featured on the exhibition flyer above, graduated from Boulder Creek High School in 1921 and from UC Berkeley in… Read More
Davenport California Local News Public Safety 

New Sheriff’s Service Center to Open in Davenport

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has approved a new Sheriff’s Service Center in Davenport to enhance public safety and serve the growing needs of the North Coast community. The decision comes in response to increased visitorship following the opening of the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument and upcoming projects like the North Coast Rail Trail. To be located at… Read More
Pat Lahey Boulder Creek Frontiers Whelming the West Local News Valley People 

Boulder Creek Resident Creates a New Card Game

Frontiers: Whelming the West By Mary Andersen Boulder Creek resident Pat Lahey has developed a card game with two cofounders — Greg Finkelstein and Wade Green. In Frontiers: Whelming the West (WTW) players lead a settlement to battle and prosper on an exciting western frontier. Two to four players play 30-60 minute games rich with fun cards, cool combos, and… Read More
Northwestern Pond Turtles Lompico California Environment Local News Wildlife 

Return of the Northwestern Pond Turtle 

Threatened Species Confirmed at Lompico Pond By Julie Horner The Lompico Pond Restoration and Demonstration Project, part of the San Lorenzo Valley Native Habitat Restoration Program (SLVNHRP) from the Valley Women’s Club of San Lorenzo Valley, is celebrating the discovery of Northwestern Pond Turtle eggs at Lake Lompico, a 1-acre wide pond nestled in a quiet residential community… Read More
Valerie Mullen Felton Heart Rock Art Local News Valley People 

Courage, Dear Heart: One Felton Local’s Connection to a Beloved Landmark

By Mary Andersen On a sunny Wednesday afternoon in July, Felton resident Valerie Mullen could be found crouched beside Highway 9 south of town with a can of spray paint in hand, gently repainting one of the San Lorenzo Valley’s most quietly cherished landmarks: the Heart Rock. Tucked just south of downtown Felton, near the Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort… Read More
Reimagining Big Basin Fire Recovery Local News Parks 

Reimagining Big Basin: A Vision for Recovery 

By Mary Andersen Image above: The proposed Saddle Mountain welcome center will provide an entry to the park, welcome center and shuttle parking to access the park on weekends. The hub will will overlook a restored meadow and include a park store and bistro. Nearly five years after the CZU Lightning Complex Fire tore through California’s oldest state park, the… Read More
downtown felton california Fire Departments Local News 

Report urges Felton Fire to consider taxing residents or dissolving

About 6,000 residents in Felton Fire Protection District could soon face proposals for a new tax. (Stephen Baxter – Santa Cruz Local file) By Jesse Kathan, Santa Cruz Local This story was originally published by Santa Cruz Local. Sign up for their weekly newsletters. FELTON >> Felton residents may soon face a proposal for a new tax as local regulators pressure Felton… Read More
Tressel Fire Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department Fire Fire Departments Local News 

Multi-Agency Response Contains Tressel Fire in Boulder Creek

Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire with extention into wildland on Tressel Pass Road north of town. Ben Lomond Fire Department, Felton Fire Protection District, Scotts Valley Fire District, Santa Cruz Fire Department, CAL FIRE CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit, AMR, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Trans, and PG&E provided additional support. While the structure… Read More