In the last two years, the Scotts Valley High School varsity football team only lost one game. But on March 30, a key component of that incredible success—offensive lineman Carlton Keegan, a senior sought after by college recruiters—died in a …
Scotts Valley High juniors Ellie Raffo and Siena Wong were instrumental in launching the girls’ lacrosse program two years ago. The Falcons began as a club in 2020 that was shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year was …
Some California renters facing eviction at the end of March got a reprieve on March 31 when Acting Governor Eleni Kounalakis signed legislation that extends statewide protections tied to a state-run rental assistance program. Assembly Bill 2179 extends eviction protections …
I recently asked a colleague who lives in the San Lorenzo Valley if they’ve heard of any positive business experiences lately?  “Haven’t you heard the buzz?” they asked. “What buzz?” I fired back.  The Humble Sea Tavern in downtown Felton, …
Back in July 2021, when the Press Banner reported that Richard Myers and his wife Marianne were planning to open a ballroom dance studio in Scotts Valley, the pandemic appeared to be waning. There was a sense of eagerness at …
San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District’s Music Director Carey Liston knows the show must go on.  Despite rapid-fire setbacks for her band members ranging from elementary to high school students, Liston has somehow managed to not only maintain her current …
According to a historical inventory application, the Hessey House, aka the “pink house” at the southern entrance to Ben Lomond, is the oldest business/residence in the village. The story of the building, built by Thomas Hessey after he moved to …
SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) on Friday announced it has named Michael Tree its new CEO/General Manager. Tree has nearly three decades of experience in the public transit industry and city management, most recently as Executive Director …
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—In a busy but brisk Tuesday morning session, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved several items which could change the county’s Transient Occupancy Tax and the rules regarding the sale of flavored tobacco. The board also …
While waiting at a stoplight on Glen Arbor Road in Ben Lomond I glanced over at the long row of lovely golden yellow daffodils gracing the side of the road. Those daffodils have appeared each of the 18 years I …
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved the use of $500,000 in emergency rental assistance funds to help county renters facing eviction pay back rent. The funds—which come from the Planning and the Housing …
As visitors return to hotels, residents hit the shops again and developers move ahead with projects, Scotts Valley has found itself in the fortunate position of beating its own financial forecast—in some ways by a lot. The City now says …
Living in a tight-knit community like the San Lorenzo Valley has its advantages. When a neighbor needs assistance or a business is in trouble, locals rally to help. And when hundreds of residents lose their homes in a devastating wildfire …
Scotts Valley is required to give the state an annual update on its progress toward helping to alleviate California’s housing crunch—including on delivering affordable places to live. And while this year the results on that front weren’t great, they sure …
[Kate Kauffman Stoelting works for this publication as an ad sales representative. — editor] In the grand tradition of senior year events, San Lorenzo Valley High School and its sister school, Coast Redwood, are returning to their roots with an …
The effects of global warming and climate change have impacted a variety of ecological strata within California, and those effects are grossly evident in Santa Cruz County.  From drought conditions to an increase of red tides and seemingly year-round wildland …
After a bit of a snag in the legislative process, Congress approved a $1.4 million allocation to replace a Scotts Valley childcare facility that’s in such bad shape it’s a danger zone. Scotts Valley Vice Mayor Jim Reed remembers the …
The birds are trilling from the dense evergreens. Reggae music wafts from a Bluetooth speaker hanging on a fence behind the San Lorenzo Valley High School football field. Just beyond, a greenhouse is home to innovative studies giving students a …
Officers from the Scotts Valley Police Department and Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office are set to discuss terms of a possible settlement with a man who says he was pulled over and searched illegally. Darin Matthews says he never gave …
It was a career day for San Lorenzo Valley High junior Bella Reynolds who put on a fireworks display Tuesday afternoon with not one, but three home runs.  The standout infielder batted 3-for-4 including three solo blasts for the Cougars …
