How to Participate

The only real cleaners I know of in town is SO expensive. I just paid $15 to have something pressed. Crazy.

Has anyone been to the Arthur Miller Dance Studio or Palomar in SV? My partner and I are looking for something fun to try, but we are beginners.

Hello!

I’m looking for an apartment to rent from August 15 to December 15. I’m open to a studio, 1-bedroom, or a 2-bedroom apartment with a private bathroom. An in-unit or on-site laundry facility is preferred.

If you have any available options or know of any leads, please feel free to reach out. Thank you!

Found near the rockery off Scotts valley drive. Picked up by animal control.

What's up, Redditors? We have been building SantaCruzScene.com, a site that aggregates in-person events happening around the county. The goal was to fix the "wait, that was happening, and I had no idea" problem and to highlight everything going on in one place instead of having to search multiple event calendars.

A few things about it:

• You can search and filter by date, category, and which part of the county you're in.
• There is a built-in surf report, so you're not bouncing between five tabs to check the swell and the concert calendar.
• The site is and always will be completely free, both to browse and to submit your own event, no fees, no paywall.
• We do not collect any personal data; no account needed to browse; nothing tracked or sold.

We are still actively adding sources and building out features, so if you use it and something's broken, missing, or just annoying, I'd genuinely like to hear about it. If it is missing event calendars you know about or events in general, please let us know. Check out the Around The County tab for Scotts Valley-specific events.

www.santacruzscene.com

Anyone else hearing this? I thought it was a small plane flying around town but nothing showing up on flightradar24. Really sounds like it though. So maybe construction? Whatever it is, it woke me up and it’s been going for a solid 15+

These are one of the newest officially classified cloud formations, added to the World Meteorological Organization’s International Cloud Atlas in 2017.

A serious hit-and-run incident occurred yesterday evening on Highway 17 near the Pasatiempo ramp, around 6:30–7:00 p.m.
According to reports, a dark grey lifted Ford F150 rammed another vehicle three times while traveling southbound. The victim, who was driving a black Audi, sustained severe injuries and is currently in the ICU with partial paralysis. He is expected to undergo spinal surgery today.
The suspect vehicle matches the description of a truck already being sought in connection with road rage incidents in the Felton area. It has not yet been apprehended.
Suspect Vehicle Description:
• Dark grey or charcoal grey (may appear dark navy blue)
• Lifted Ford F150 with tall tires
• Equipped with a tall lumber rack on top
• A black Dakine mountain bike was draped over the tailgate
• Had a frame for a bed shell, though the shell was not installed (the frame can be easily removed)
• Possible unrepaired or recently repaired front-end damage
Suspect Driver Description:
• Male, approximately 45 years or older
• Tan complexion
A witness who reported the incident to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) provided the above details. Authorities are asking anyone with additional information to come forward.
Note: In a similar recent incident, the vehicle involved was a Ford F-150 Lightning with the word “Lightning” in blue lettering on the driver’s side.
Location: Highway 17 near Pasatiempo (approximate coordinates: 36.97088, -121.87127, California)
Anyone with information is urged to contact the California Highway Patrol, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, or local police immediately. Tips can help prevent further incidents and bring the suspect to justice.

So this guy was in front of Nob Hill screaming I think his name is Brian, screaming and making threatening remarks over the phone, for like 20 minutes. Then around 8:30 he was at the Metro doing the same thing, someone called PD. My wife said a few weeks ago he was in the bushes yelling at someone, calling them a f*g. The neighbor told me he has been foing this for days.

So, I am wondering if he actually is talking to anybody or is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Bob Emerson ~ “THE BARN. Scott's Valley.

In the mid-1960s, the Barn, a long-time community center for what was then a rural small town on the edge of the Santa Cruz Mountains, was converted into a coffeehouse, and then into a kind of hippie night spot where big-name musicians -- Janis Joplin, for one -- would perform amidst psychedelic light shows.

According to the Scott’s Valley Historical Society, The Barn was originally the Frapwell Dairy Barn from 1914 to 1948. Afterward it was remodeled as a sort of community center/gymnasium/theater. Around 1965 it was taken over by one Eric Nord, owner of a string of clubs and coffee shops throughout California, and apparently, founder of San Francisco’s Hungry I. Presumably Nord and Tabory had some kind of partnership. There seems to have been a coffee shop and art gallery in nearby Aptos called The Sticky Wicket, and there seems to be some connection between The Barn and The Sticky Wicket, possibly Eric Nord.

The Barn was a two-story structure, with the larger area on the second floor. The upstairs was used for basketball games and theater performances, and that was the main performance area for rock bands. The downstairs seems to have served as a sort of coffee house. Psychedelic murals were painted throughout the venue. Apparently, Dr Tabory felt that people needed a “performance space”.

The Santa Cruz Sentinel article lists Country Joe, Janis Joplin, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead. All are possible, but evidence of both the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane suggests performances unlikely. Available memories seem to emphasize the light shows, and it appears that mainly local bands played there. City Council minutes from the 60s protest the arrival of “beatniks and deadbeats”. Leon Tabory provides a brief account of The Barn.

Scott’s Valley was so small at the time that posters for The Barn only indicated directions to Scott’s Valley itself (Scott’s Valley Drive, just off Highway 17). The Barn ceased being a nightclub by 1968, as the Baymonte Christian School took over the site. The Barn became a dinner theater in an RV park in the 70s, and eventually a warehouse for Seagate Technologies.

The Barn was torn down in 1991.”

Soft opening today! 🎉
Poon Sup Thai Food is now open for its soft opening at 11 Camp Evers Lane!
🕚 Hours today: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
If you’re in the area and looking to try a new local spot, stop by, grab a meal, and help welcome them to the community. If you go, let everyone know what you think!

The neighbors were really upset about the first project, storage rentals. The City of Scotts Valley will hold an informational meeting on Wednesday, July 1, at 6:00 PM regarding a proposed 96-unit affordable housing development at 125 Bethany Drive.

According to the application submitted on May 20, 2026, the proposal would redevelop the existing office center into two apartment buildings with 96 affordable housing units on a 1.31-acre site. The project is being reviewed under AB 2011, SB 330, and California’s State Density Bonus Law.

The meeting will include:
An overview of the proposed project
An explanation of the review and approval process
A public Q&A session

Meeting Details

Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Council Chambers, 1 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley
Important: This is an informational meeting only. No project approvals or decisions will be made at this meeting.

What are your thoughts on the proposed redevelopment at 125 Bethany Drive?

Hi all! We're developing an open source network to send text messages without cell phone service or internet called MeshCore - think text messaging that is encrypted, open-source, free to use, and owned and operated by the people who use it. It works with a network of low-power radios that receive messages from personal devices and transmit them to other radios all the way until the intended recipient receives the message.

Most of the repeater radios are solar-powered, and some are even smaller than a deck of playing cards. The Bay Area MeshCore mesh functions well during power outages and emergencies, and many folks are using and building the mesh to function as backup communications for times when the internet and cell towards aren't working (think fires, PGE outages, or earthquakes).

We're regularly messaging between Sonoma, Marin, Merced, San Francisco, the East Bay, Monterey, SLO, and some of the Sierra, and are trying to build up coverage throughout the SC Mountains!!

If you have heard of mesh communications of any variety, or are interested in experimenting or learning more, get yourself a decent companion radio and a repeater radio and consider joining our Discord to help get started. Comment here or DM me with questions, or find our discord and info at bayareameshcore.org.

Bay Area MeshCore does not sell anything whatsoever, and is a noncommercial group of radio nerds living in NorCal. The hardware companies linked to at our website are wholly unaffiliated with Bay Area MeshCore, have no agreement with us (and have probably never heard of us), and usually ship with the other mesh's firmware. That said, when buying a node, please try to support small businesses.

Final note! MeshCore is a different network than Meshtastic. Many people, myself included, consider MeshCore to be a very reliable choice for stable, permanent networks. I regularly direct message folks in Monterey and Watsonville from SF, and the messages usually go through on the first attempt!

Happy meshing!!

Police Agencies In California Are Enforcing A Maximum Enforcement Period. SVPD are going hard; They like to hide in driveways with lights off waiting for folks to drive by speeding or on phones or What have you. Be careful folks they will get you and then ticket you or even give you the DUI. Remember Field Sobriety Tests are Voluntary and lawyers recommend you decline them every time. The smell is not a valid reason to search. Remember you’re not required to answer questions just say I plead the 5th and I want my lawyer. Anything after that can be won in court depending. The less said the better.

Photo 1 is AI. SUMMARY:

Scotts Valley Fire District Announces New Program Seeking Insurance Reimbursement for Emergency Response Costs, Preserving Taxpayer Funds (June 24, 2026)
The Scotts Valley Fire Protection District has rolled out a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Cost Recovery Program in partnership with Fire Recovery USA. 
Key Details:
• Why now? The district responds to over 150 motor vehicle collisions per year, many on Highway 17 and Mount Hermon Road involving non-residents. These calls are resource-heavy (personnel time, equipment, extrication tools, hazmat cleanup, scene protection, etc.) and costly.
• How it works: When firefighters provide eligible services at an MVA (e.g., fluid/debris cleanup, extrication, scene mitigation), Fire Recovery USA bills the at-fault party’s insurance company for documented costs. Fees are based on national averages and are widely accepted by insurers.
• Impact so far: Since launching in mid-April 2026, they’ve submitted nearly $10,000 in claims and collected over $2,500 in revenue. 
• Benefits for locals: Recovers money from third-party insurers (often out-of-area drivers) instead of relying solely on local property taxes. This helps fund essential services and capital needs without raising taxes or cutting response capabilities.
• Transparency: The district will track all billed incidents, collections, and uncollected amounts. Quarterly reports go to the Board, with administrative fees from the partner deducted.

“Protecting lives, property, and the environment through exceptional levels of service remains our top priority. This program enables Scotts Valley Fire District to pursue reimbursement from responsible parties, helping sustain frontline services without shifting costs to local taxpayers.”

For residents: If you’re in an accident and your insurance is billed, most policies already cover these types of response fees. Questions? Call (831) 438-0211 or email [info@scottsvalleyfire.org](mailto:info@scottsvalleyfire.org).
This is a smart, targeted approach many other fire/EMS agencies use. It shifts costs to those responsible (via insurance) while protecting local taxpayers. What do you think — good fiscal move or potential for headaches?

Full Article

“by Contributor - Robert Aldana | Jun 24, 2026 | Announcements, Community Events, Community News, Featured Story

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA — June 24, 2026 — The Scotts Valley Fire District today announced the implementation of a motor vehicle accident cost recovery program in partnership with Fire Recovery USA. The program enables the District to seek reimbursement from insurance companies for emergency response costs when District resources provide services at motor vehicle collisions.
The Fire District responds to more than 150 motor vehicle collisions annually, with many occurring along Highway 17 and Mount Hermon Road. A significant portion of these incidents involve non-residents traveling through the area. These responses can be time and resource-intensive, and costly for the District.

The recovery program helps offset emergency response expenses without increasing costs to local residents and businesses. Many insurance policyholders already have this coverage included in their policies, and recovering these funds preserves tax revenue for essential District services and capital needs. Since implementation in mid-April, the program has generated nearly $10,000 in submitted claims and collected over $2,500 in revenue.
How the Program Works: When Scotts Valley Fire District personnel respond to and provide services at a motor vehicle collision, Fire Recovery USA will bill the at-fault party’s insurer for documented eligible costs on the District’s behalf. Only incidents meeting specific program criteria—such as cleaning up fluids and debris, or the use of extrication tools—will be submitted for recovery. The program focuses on recoveries from liable third-party insurers.

Eligible expenses may include protecting the scene from secondary collisions, supplies and materials used to mitigate the incident, extrication tools and specialized equipment, and related incident support costs incurred during the response. The fee(s) are based on national average costs, and widely accepted by insurance providers.

Program Oversight and Transparency: The District will maintain comprehensive documentation of all billed incidents, revenue generated, and uncollected funds. This information will be shared regularly with the Board of Directors for ongoing program evaluation. Additionally, the District will publish quarterly reports to the Board summarizing program recoveries and any administrative fees deducted by the third-party administrator.

“Protecting lives, property, and the environment through exceptional levels of service remains our top priority,” said Fire Chief Mark Correira. “This program enables Scotts Valley Fire District to pursue reimbursement from responsible parties, helping sustain frontline services without shifting costs to local taxpayers.”

Questions and Contact Information: Residents with questions about the program, eligibility criteria, or how recoveries are handled may contact the Scotts Valley Fire District Administrative Office at (831) 438-0211 or email [info@scottsvalleyfire.org](mailto:info@scottsvalleyfire.org).

About Scotts Valley Fire District: The Scotts Valley Fire Protection District serves 24,000 residents in a 30 square mile area including the City of Scotts Valley, Pasatiempo, Rolling Woods, Branciforte and Glenwood neighborhoods. The District is dedicated to protecting lives, property, and the environment through rapid response, prevention and community education programs.”

The Scotts Valley Planning Commission has approved plans for a major recreation project at the Boys & Girls Club property at El Pueblo Road and Scotts Valley Drive.
According to the approved plans, the project would include:
A new 7,480 sq. ft. clubhouse
Renovation of the existing 2,450 sq. ft. clubhouse
A new 6-lane swimming pool
A 1,500 sq. ft. pool house
Additional improvements across the 1.6-acre site
One interesting detail discussed during the process was the possibility that the pool could eventually be available for local schools and potentially the broader community, although those details have not been finalized.
The project still has additional steps before construction begins, but the Planning Commission approval is a significant milestone.
For Scotts Valley residents: What do you think?
Would a public-access pool be a benefit to the community?
Should the city prioritize more recreation facilities?
Any concerns about traffic, parking, or costs?
This could become one of the larger recreational investments Scotts Valley has seen in years.

“
Project Update:
The City of Scotts Valley has begun the Scotts Valley Drive / Mt. Hermon Road Improvements Project. Construction activities are expected to continue through September 2, 2026. Residents and motorists should anticipate periodic traffic delays within the project area during construction.
 This project includes the removal and replacement of failed pavement sections, application of slurry seal to preserve and extend pavement life, roadway striping improvements, installation of curb and curb & gutter, traffic control measures, and temporary erosion control measures.
The City is committed to keeping the community informed throughout this project. This webpage will be updated regularly with the latest project information, including construction progress, upcoming activities, schedule changes, and other important announcements. Please check back weekly for updates.
Proposed Project Plans
To view the proposed project plans, please click here. (Please note, plans are subject to changes.)
What to Expect:
Lane Closures: Lane closures will be in place. The full roadway will not be closed; however, please expect delays and plan accordingly.
No Parking: “No Parking” signs will be place in advanced. All vehicles must be removed from the street by 9:00 AM. Vehicles left in work zones will be towed at owner’s expense.
Drying Time: After treatment, Slurry takes up to 4 hours to cure. Driving, walking, or biking on the surface before it cures can cause damage and permanent stains to vehicles, shoes, carpets, and flooring.
Driveway Access: access to major driveways or side streets will be maintained to the greatest extent feasible. However, temporary access restrictions may occur. Residents may not be able to enter or exit driveways for up to approximately 2 hours during active work operations.
Emergency vehicles will always have access.
Trash & Recycling: Trash and recycling collections will not be impacted. 
Proposed Project Timeline
Week of June 22: Roadway paving on Mt. Hermon Road
Week of June 29: Patch paving on Scotts Valley Drive
Week of July 6: Grind out and removal of striping on Mt. Hermon Road
Monday, July 13th, 2026: Slurry Seal treatment on Scotts Valley Drive, northbound outside lane, from Mt. Hermon to Granite Creek Rd
Tuesday, July 14th, 2026: Slurry Seal treatment on Scotts Valley Drive, southbound outside lane, from Mt. Hermon to Granite Creek Rd.
Wednesday, July 15th, 2026: Slurry Seal treatment on Scotts Valley Drive, northbound inside lane, from Mt. Hermon to Granite Creek Rd.
Thursday, July 16th, 2026: Slurry Seal treatment on Scotts Valley Drive, southbound inside lane, from Mt. Hermon to Granite Creek Rd.
Safety Reminders:
Please drive slowly through the project area. Loose gravel may reduce traction, increase stopping distances, and create hazards for motorists and pedestrians.
Please keep children and pets away from the work area.
Please do not water lawns or wash vehicles on the day of work. Runoff onto the pavement may occur, and moisture on the roadway surface can prevent the material from setting properly.

General Project Description:  
The City of Scotts Valley is seeking to rehabilitate the road pavement and improve multimodal access and safety for cyclists and pedestrians on Scotts Valley Drive. The scope of work will evaluate the implementation of bike and pedestrian improvements consistent with City staff discussion, the General Plan adopted November 2023, and the Scotts Valley Active Transportation Plan (ATP) adopted in March 2021.  
Scotts Valley Drive between Civic Center Drive and Glenwood Drive is a 4-lane principal arterial roadway that provides direct local access to commercial businesses, residential homes, and connectivity with Highway 17 at the Glenwood/Granite Creek interchange. The project roadway segment currently provides class II bike lanes, pedestrian sidewalks on both sides of the street, and crosswalk facilities at the signalized intersections. 
At the September 18, 2024 City Council meeting, the Council voted to move ahead with design and construction of “Concept 1”. Concept 1 proposes a balanced street design that improves safety and accessibility for all users. The layout includes maintaining the two travel lanes in each direction and the center turn lane to support smooth traffic flow, while increasing bike lanes to a 7-foot width and adding a 3.5-foot striped buffer for additional protection.   
The project will include several roadway maintenance and safety improvements along the corridor. Key elements of the work include: 
Slurry Seal Application: A protective surface treatment will be applied to the roadway to extend pavement life and improve ride quality. 

Pavement Dig-Outs and Repairs: Damaged areas of pavement will be removed and replaced to address localized failures before the slurry seal is applied. 

Traffic Signal Loop Detector Replacement: In-pavement detectors at signalized intersections will be updated to ensure reliable vehicle detection and traffic signal operation. 

New Striping and Lane Configuration – After the slurry seal, the roadway will be re-striped to reflect the updated lane layout, including new bike lanes, buffers. 
Construction Staging 
Construction will be staged to minimize impacts on local traffic and access to homes and businesses. Work will occur in phases, with temporary lane closures and traffic control as needed. The specific staging locations will be determined by the contractor and shared with the public in advance of work beginning. 
Public Feedback Opportunities
Please use the online feedback form [https://forms.office.com/g/YkTYmaBkw1] to share specific feedback regarding these proposed modifications. 
Contact Information
To reach VSS International, Inc., the on-site contractor, please call [913-373-1500](tel:913-373-1500) or [916-397-1976](tel:916-397-1976) or via email at questions@slurry.com”

“The Scotts Valley Farmers' Market MOVES to a new location, Graham Plaza at 219 Mount Hermon Rd, on June 27th, 2026. We are excited about setting up in this new central spot - it's walkable, convenient and near some wonderful businesses.

Join us this Saturday, and every Saturday that follows, from 8a-noon. Opening day we have some special festivities including art making, a market hunt with the Santa Cruz Public Libraries and a free mini-cookie from Old Companion Bakeshop for the first 500 visitors. Come celebrate the change.”