Apr 25, 2025   Advocacy   |   Water and Wildlife
The Wildlife Resources Committee, a subcommittee of the California Fish and Game Commission, is set to consider a proposal that would place coyotes under a bag limit and seasonal hunting restrictions. The proposal, which first surfaced earlier this year, was controversial due to the lack of notice to the public when it first emerged from the Committee and was forwarded to the Commission.  
 Many stakeholders are concerned about the prospect of placing a take limit on coyotes, which already pose a threat to livestock herds and can be found in close proximity to even the most suburban communities. A sharp population spike caused by such an action could severely impact public safety and ranching operations around the state.  
 The Committee is accepting written comments on the proposal through May 2, 2025. RCRC encourages concerned member counties to weigh in on the proposal. The agenda for the meeting can be found on the Commission’s website.  
For more information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate Staci Heaton.

Tags: Barbed Wire
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Access a range of DMV services at AAA branch locations
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (April 25, 2025) - With REAL ID enforcement beginning on May 7, more Californians are scheduling appointments at DMV offices to get the upgraded driver’s licenses. 
While AAA Northern California cannot process REAL ID applications, Members are reminded that many DMV partnered services can be handled at a AAA branch, providing a faster and more convenient option.
DMV offices are expected to be busy for several weeks as Californians scramble to get a REAL ID, which will be required to fly domestically and enter secure federal facilities. The TSA offers alternative federally approved documents that can be used.
“Being able to access essential DMV services at a AAA branch is among the many benefits AAA provides its Members,” said Shawn Jones, Chief Sales Officer for AAA Northern California. “Members can rely on us for these and other services which highlights the value of the AAA Membership.”
DMV services for AAA Members include the following: 

• Registration renewal
• Some title services
• Replacement registration card/stickers
• Replacement license plates and applications
• Transfer of ownership (for vehicles acquired via private party)
• Some out of state transfers
• Temporary operating permit
• And other services

DMV services at California AAA branches are available to Members only. To explore Membership options and AAA benefits including discounts, travel, roadside assistance, and more visit membership.aaa.com.

Visit our website for more information about DMV services. Find a AAA location offering DMV services here.

About AAA Northern California
AAA Northern California is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.7 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.

DON AND WENDY BERGSTROM held a quiet opening of their UGK on April 25th offering coffees and baked goods. This is under The Top Story and will be a fun success for Loyalton!

​WILDLIFE CONFLICT was discussed during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held April 15th in Loyalton. Sheriff Mike Fisher reported that California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) published a new 86-page black bear management program. He stated it was disheartening that Sierra County is being lumped into the Truckee-Tahoe region and will have to follow their management protocol even though the geographic makeup is vastly different. CDFW is using statistics from 2017-2023 and had 7,200 human-bear conflicts within that time. In 2024, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office had well over 100-150 reports of human-bear conflicts. Depredation permits and hazing are still allowed in this new program but are heavily focusing on non-lethal deterrents which include fencing, noise, and bearproof containers. From 2017-2023 depredation permits dropped from 100 to 16 statewide. Sierra County had 14 bears euthanized just last year. Fisher noted the non-lethal option is heavily favored, adding hazing can deter a bear that has not been habituated. CDFW also recommends conflict management tools like taking care of your property. Fisher encouraged residents with bear issues to make the first call to the sheriff’s office for incident tracking purposes. 
Fisher arranged a recent meeting with CDFW’s Chief of Law Enforcement Nate Arnold, Director Chuck Bonham and northern California sheriffs. He stated the one thing that resonated with him was talk on CDFW needing to partner with local agencies. He feels Sierra County needs its own game warden. Fisher stated he wasn’t interested in getting into wildlife management but CDFW does allow the Board of Supervisors to appoint a game warden to a two-year term. The game warden would work with CDFW for training and expertise but remain in Sierra County. The position would need to be funded outside the general budget. He sent an email to CDFW regarding this, and as of this meeting, had not received a response. Supervisor Sharon Dryden hoped it is paid attention to by the public because the sheriff’s department is understaffed and wildlife conflicts are taking up a huge percent of its time. She felt the position should be a CDFW responsibility. Fisher stated he envisioned this would be a cross position as a deputy sheriff and a game warden. Board Chair Lee Adams said he was concerned if they do this are they allowing CDFW to abdicate its responsibility and questioned whether there would be some liability. Fisher understood, adding he was trying to address a deficit they are already having to deal with. On Friday, April 18th both Fisher and Supervisor Paul Roen were featured on Fox40 Sacramento news network who did a story on Sierra Valley ranchers and wolf attacks which has prompted Sierra and Plumas County to issue a local state of emergency. DS Ranch in Vinton was interviewed as they have had six confirmed wolf attacks with two fatal since bringing in cattle the end of March. In the three hours they filmed, two wolves were spotted stalking calves and two were found attacked.


PLUMAS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (PUSD) was given a presentation during its regular board meeting on April 9th by Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) regarding the District’s financial situation. FCMAT’s primary mission is to help California’s local TK-14 educational agencies identify, prevent, and resolve financial, operational and data management challenges by providing management assistance and professional learning opportunities.  Mike Fine, CEO of FCMAT led the discussion. He is in his 10th year with the agency with prior work as a Chief Business Official and Superintendent. He warned the audience they were going to discuss difficult topics but added it’s the first step to getting what students need in this district. Fine said they are all in this together. He talked about fiduciary duty and went over the six components: Care, Loyalty, Disclosure, Good Faith, Prudence and Duty of Confidentiality. The tone is set at the top with ethical leadership and integrity and is the first and most important thing that establishes success. Competent leaders and effective communication are guiding principles for a school district. Fine said every dollar touched is the public’s tax dollar. When they assess risks, they have 20 indicators they look at. He stated it was unacceptable to have a late audit, but in PUSD’s case the alternative was to start all over.  Problems stem from mismanaged collective bargaining agreements, inadequate cash management, negative fund balance, mismanaged general fund, and turnover in leadership. He said the greatest risk is turnover with superintendents, adding no one will make progress when the CEO turns over every two years. Multi-year projections were inadequate and mismanaged giving the message that things were better than they were. Staffing accounts for 85% or more of the budget. Fine stated you cannot balance the budget on the 15% non-people side.
Fine said they focused on the district but felt it impossible for the Plumas County Office of Education (PCOE) not to be dysfunctional too. He stated although the situation appears to be sudden, at the level of dysfunction they have witnessed so far, this didn’t happen overnight. He told the audience it was Important for them to understand that the CBO and others pushed back but the previous superintendent didn’t let them “raise a flag,” adding it was easy to point fingers but it takes years to get to this point and predates the CBO. 
Unrestricted General Fund Ending Balance for the next three years shows 2024-2025 at -$8,727,426, 2025-2026 -$16,082,365, and 2026-2027 -$24,217,163.
Fine stated cash insolvency will start in August.  Two places to turn to would be PCOE or Plumas County Treasurer to see if they can loan some money, but Fine stated the District doesn’t have the resources to pay it back.
He said cash is king and cash shows no mercy when you don’t have it. Fine told the audience things will get worse before they get better and felt they were not going to be able to do a whole lot until the third year. PUSD’s problem is significant, the timing is difficult and there aren’t a lot of choices. The district may enter into state receivership. The formal process of receivership begins when the district requests an emergency advance apportionment from the state. The statute provides two sets of conditions of acceptance or conditions on emergency apportionments. The distinguishing characteristic of the two is the amount of the emergency apportionment requested. Type 1 is equal to or less than 200% of the district’s required reserve for economic uncertainty. PUSD will require a Type 2 apportionment which is greater than 200% of the district’s required reserve for economic uncertainty. Fine said an administrator will be given to the district and will serve under the direction of the county superintendent. The board loses authority to govern and typically the district superintendent is terminated, but since they have an interim it is not a problem. Within 30 days of assuming authority, administrator shall discuss options for resolving the fiscal problems with a variety of partners. Additionally, the administrator may implement substantial changes in the fiscal policies and practices of the district, including filing for protection under federal bankruptcy law. The return of local control occurs when the administrator’s work is complete, and a transition is made to a trustee. The return of local control is conditioned on a series of determinations and approvals, but is no less than one year following acceptance of the loan. The district will be in receivership until they can pay the loan off.
A special board meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 28th at 5:30 p.m. at Quincy High to vote on whether or not to pursue state-assisted loan funding.

 

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (April 24, 2025) - The average for a gallon of regular gasoline is slightly lower this week in California, at $4.80, down five cents since last week. A substantial 61-cent drop from the $5.41 per gallon average Californians were seeing this time last year. Although the national average of $3.17 is slightly up from last week and 5 cents higher than last month, it’s still well below what drivers were paying this year over year.

“An increase in demand – as the weather gets nicer and more people get out and about – is pushing prices up slightly,” said Doug Johnson with AAA Northern California. “The price of crude oil is also on the lower side at $62 a barrel, compared to $82 a barrel, which is what it cost one year ago.”
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased from 8.46 million b/d last week to 9.41. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 234.0 million barrels to 229.5. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 10.1 million barrels per day.
Fuel Prices Around the State: 

San Francisco: $4.98
Oakland: $4.91
San Jose: $4.89
Sacramento: $4.83
Fresno: $4.77
Stockton: $4.70Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell $1.40 to settle at $62.27 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories increased by 0.2 million barrels from the previous week. At 443.1 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 5% below the five-year average for this time of year.
EV Charging
The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 34 cents. In California it's 35 cents.
State Stats
Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.80), Hawaii ($4.51), Washington ($4.28), Oregon ($3.92), Nevada ($3.87), Alaska ($3.64), Illinois ($3.42), Arizona ($3.37), Pennsylvania ($3.35), and Idaho ($3.32).
The nation's top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.68), Oklahoma ($2.71), Texas ($2.74), Louisiana ($2.75), Alabama ($2.78), Tennessee ($2.79), South Carolina ($2.80), Arkansas ($2.80), Kentucky ($2.83), and Kansas ($2.83).
Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (55 cents), Alaska (47 cents), West Virginia (47 cents), Montana (45 cents), South Carolina (44 cents), Tennessee (43 cents), Kentucky (42 cents), Idaho (42 cents), Louisiana (41 cents), and Georgia (40 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (22 cents), Missouri (25 cents), Iowa (27 cents), Delaware (28 cents), Nebraska (28 cents), Utah (29 cents), Texas (30 cents), Maryland (30 cents), Vermont (31 cents), and North Carolina (31 cents). 
Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA Mobile App, now available on CarPlay
Fine current fuel prices at GasPrices.AAA.com.

 
CHALLENGE, Calif. — Last night firefighters responded to the La Porte Fire on the Plumas National Forest Feather River Ranger District.
The fire was reported late last night.  Firefighters from multiple agencies responded, including the Plumas National Forest, CAL FIRE Nevada, Yuba, Placer Unit, CAL FIRE Butte County Fire Department, Foothill Fire, and Dobbins Fire.  Firefighting resources worked through the night on fire suppression and work has continued today.
The La Porte Fire is located approximately a quarter of a mile north of La Porte Road near Woodleaf.  It is burning on National Forest System and private lands.  The cause is under investigation.
Currently it is approximately 15 acres with a hoselay around it.  Resources are continuing to work towards containment and control.
There has been smoke in the area, including impacts to La Porte Road last night and today.  Smoke is expected to continue to affect the area and is likely to settle overnight.
Drivers in the area on La Porte Road and nearby forest roads are asked to use caution when visibility is reduced, as well as to watch for increased firefighter traffic in the area.
The quick response by firefighters from multiple agencies helped keep this fire relatively small.  Even though conditions are still somewhat wet and there are cooler temperatures and a chance of precipitation in the forecast, area residents and visitors are asked to use caution with anything that can spark a wildfire.  Please report suspected wildfires by calling 911.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

BEY01F, a female born in the 2023 litter of the Beyem Seyo pack after being released close to where she was captured with a new collar, January 2025.
Photo:Axel Hunnicutt/CDFW

By Ching Lee
With California wolf populations expanding and attacks on livestock on the rise, the state announced this month a new phase of managing the protected species, saying it will consider allowing more aggressive forms of nonlethal hazing to deter the predators. 
But frustrated ranchers say provisions under Phase 2 of the state plan do little to address problem wolves and that they remain powerless to protect their livestock and livelihoods, even as the canines become more emboldened and increasingly venture near homes, putting people’s lives at risk.
Concerns about upticks in livestock depredations and potential wolf-human interactions prompted Modoc County in March and Sierra County earlier this month to declare local emergencies. Other Northern California counties with increased wolf activity also have considered similar measures, with Lassen County calling for state intervention. 
Modoc County Supervisor Ned Coe, who works as a California Farm Bureau field representative, said the emergency declarations came as county officials and residents realized “we had more of a potential problem with public safety than with loss of livestock.” He cited reports of wolf tracks where children play, resident wolf sightings and calves killed by wolves near people’s homes. 
“Part of the problem with them being in such close proximity to ranch homes is the wolf in the western states, where they’re protected, has developed zero fear of humans,” said Coe, himself a rancher.
 Phase 2 of the wolf plan requires confirmation of at least four breeding pairs of wolves for two consecutive years. There are now seven known wolf packs and an estimated 70 wolves roaming the state. 
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said it plans to “evaluate legal pathways” under the state and federal Endangered Species Acts “to potentially issue permits” allowing use of more aggressive nonlethal means of harassment, including shooting at wolves with rubber bullets or bean bags and chasing them away on motorized vehicles such as ATVs.   
Paul Roen, Sierra County supervisor and rancher, described Phase 2 as “just a feel-good move” by the department, as Phase 2 still does not allow lethal options to remove problem wolves. He said it’s also unclear “what kind of hoops” ranchers will have to jump through to get a permit.
CDFW spokeswoman Katie Talbot said the department does not yet have a timeline for when it will begin issuing permits, “but we are looking at this now and evaluating next steps.”
The department said it plans to release an online tool to provide more timely information about the location of GPS-collared wolves. Talbot said the tool is still in development but that it will allow ranchers to more quickly and easily monitor the movement of collared wolves. 
For now, the gray wolf’s status has not changed: It remains endangered under state and federal law and is fully protected, though CDFW said it will conduct a status review to determine if the wolf should remain on the endangered species list. 
Because of the wolf’s protected status, ranchers generally agree that their hands are tied, as they are prohibited from doing anything that could kill, harm or harass the animal without facing criminal or civil penalties. Though the law allows for the killing of a protected species in self-defense, there must be imminent threat to human life, and ranchers say there needs to be more legal clarity on what that means.
With spring calving and cattle starting to return to valley pastures, there’s concern that wolves will follow their food source to where people live.
“They’re right within the communities. They’re right outside town. They’ve been right in the yards of a couple of ranchers’ houses,” Roen said. “They’re not going anywhere because they’re now getting plenty of prime rib.”
His county’s emergency declaration urged the state to initiate regulatory changes to give California sheriffs the authority to remove specific wolves that pose a public safety threat—just as is allowed for black bears and mountain lions. 
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A newly collared wolf from the Beyem Seyo pack is released close to where she was captured by the helicopter team in January.
Photo/Malia Brytus/California Wolf ProjectMeanwhile, ranchers face mounting losses as wolf numbers grow. The state’s $3 million compensation program to reimburse ranchers for livestock kills, indirect production losses and nonlethal deterrence ran out of money less than a year after it was fully implemented. Though the state added another $600,000 last October, the program now covers only direct kills. 
CDFW’s Talbot said the department has prioritized the $600,000 for depredation only “to ensure the funds can extend as long as possible.”
That’s a problem, Siskiyou County rancher Dan Chase said, as he has had no confirmed kills, but the management changes he’s made to coexist with wolves come at a significant cost. For example, he weans calves early to avoid taking them to grazing allotments in wolf territory. That means having to find other feed. In his feed yard, he installed electric fencing with brightly colored flags, known as fladry, but they get blown over and require constant upkeep. What’s more, wolves get used to them and are not deterred, he said.
But his biggest “nemesis,” he said, is the wolves’ impact on cattle reproduction, with cows unable to breed or aborting due to stress. 
“When you look at the revenue that’s gone because of this stress factor that our cows are under, even though we do all these things as far as management, it’s catastrophic,” he said. 
A recent study by the University of California, Davis, confirmed what ranchers have said all along—that their most significant cost is not from direct livestock kills but from stress-related impacts due to wolf presence, with cattle losing weight and failing to conceive. 
“This conflict is real and escalating. People are not crying wolf,” said Ken Tate, UC Cooperative Extension specialist who co-authored the study with Tina Saitone, a specialist in livestock and rangeland economics.
The study estimated indirect costs in 2023 at $69,627 to $162,658 per wolf, or more than $1.4 million to $3.4 million. That year, there were 21 wolves reported across three packs. Tate said it was no surprise that the initial $3 million for rancher compensation was spent so quickly. Most of that money went to nonlethal measures that ranchers implemented to deter wolves, CDFW reported.
To adequately compensate producers, Tate said the department and the Legislature “need to think about orders of magnitude greater,” with program costs running $30 million to $90 million. 
The research also shows that “ranchers are funding the conservation and survival” of the state’s wolves, Tate said. Due to the state’s small elk population, most of the wolf scat collected in the study found the predators’ diet consists largely of cattle. It’s no wonder that every wolf pack is in areas with livestock grazing, he said, because the carnivores are dependent on cattle. 
Since his first encounter with wolves in February 2024, Modoc County rancher Ray Anklin said he has spent more than $100,000 on deterrence, including using electric fencing, fladry, a noisemaker and a drone for monitoring and hazing. He estimated spending more than 1,800 hours repairing fences after his cattle ran over them as they were being chased by wolves. He applied for compensation, but the state had stopped paying for deterrence. Though he also lost 10 head of cattle last year, only one was considered a confirmed wolf kill, as there was not enough carcass in the others for an investigation. 
With wolves entering new territory, Anklin said he expects there will be more wolf-human confrontations. He noted his 12-year-old daughter and a member of his crew have had recent wolf encounters. 


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A wolf from the Lassen pack approaches a bull in June 2023.
Photo/Ken Tate and Tina SaitoneSo long as wolves are an endangered species, Amaroq Weiss, senior wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, said she thinks “they deserve protections until we can get them to more sustainable levels.” She expressed disappointment that the state allocated only $600,000 last year for rancher compensation and said her organization would like to work with farm groups to lobby for more funding.  
“We acknowledge there are many ranches that are taking actions and are doing their best,” she said. “We completely support the Legislature allocating more funding so that those folks can be supported, and hopefully more folks will come on board.”
She said she’s also in favor of making available to ranchers workshops by groups such as Working Circle, a nonprofit that works with ranchers in California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington to reduce wolf-livestock conflicts. 
Lassen County rancher Wyatt Hanson said he has been “very open to ideas” on how to lessen wolf impacts. He has had wolf kills on his home ranch where his family lives and on leased land in Sierra County. He uses scare boxes and fladry as deterrence. 
Hanson said he would like the state to create a bigger budget to pay for ranchers’ indirect losses and for the money to be better managed so that it could be distributed more equitably. 
He also acknowledged some division early on within the ranching community about taking payment for wolf impacts, as “that’s just admitting that it’s OK.” Some ranchers contend that accepting compensation allows conservation groups to downplay their concerns. 
Roen, the Sierra County supervisor and rancher, said if the state does not address “the true financial impact” of wolves on livestock producers by fully funding the compensation program, the issue may end up in court. 
“We’re kind of at a crossroads,” he said. “We’ve got to see which way they want to go.”
Ching Lee is editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at [email protected].


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Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest Feather River Ranger District plan to start prescribed burning operations tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23, along Skyway near Magalia, conditions permitting.
 
Approximately 65 acres of pile burning and underburning is planned in the area located north of Magalia along the Skyway between Hupp Coutolenc Road and Casierra Drive.  The unit is north of Paradise Lake on the Plumas National Forest between the communities of Magalia and Lovelock. 
 
Prescribed burning will be on both sides of approximately 1 mile of Skyway, as well as two sections of Hupp Coutelenc Road south of Skyway.  Ignitions are expected to start around 10 a.m. and may continue through Thursday.
 
Smoke is expected to be visible from Magalia, Paradise, Chico and the Sacramento Valley, but is not expected to have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities.
 
Short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected in Magalia, Sterling City, and Lake De Sabla as well as Skyway, Hupp Coutolenc Road, Casierra Drive and along neighboring forest roads.  Visibility on roads in the project area may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles. 
 
Firefighters will make efforts to reduce smoke impacts to nearby communities.  This includes planning to stop ignitions earlier in the day and monitoring weather conditions. 
 
Area residents and visitors sensitive to smoke may want to be prepared for potential smoke impacts and take measures to reduce exposure.
 
There will be increased firefighting equipment traffic in the area.  It is recommended to use caution in the area on Skway, Hupp Coutelenc Road and Casierra Drive during the prescribed burning operation. 
 
At times firefighters will be working on ignitions along the road and temporary traffic controls will be in place as needed.  Drivers should watch for fire equipment exiting and entering roadways and possible slow traffic in the area for the next several days.
 
The area being treated is an unburned area of the Plumas National Forest threatened by the 2018 Camp Fire.  It is part of an essential fuel break. The pile burning and underburning occurring is part of critical fuel reduction work to protect area communities and residents, reducing the risk of wildfire.
 

Liberty does its due diligence on each infrastructure project, and in doing so, is compliant with local environmental rules and regulations.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) plays a key role in maintaining the area’s natural splendor and has strict rules to protect the environment. For example, the TRPA prohibits disturbing soil in most parts of the Tahoe Basin from October 15 to May 1, for various reasons, including to safeguard the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe.
The TRPA granted Liberty’s Camp Richardson overhead rebuild project a rare exception to this rule to conduct emergency work. This emergency work needed to be completed within a small window. It needed to be complete by March to avoid disturbing an eagle’s nest, but also during a period where there was sufficient snow on the ground to move equipment.  
To maximize on this exception, Liberty’s team organized several activities and completed them in just 11 days. The activities included replacing seven aging poles. Installing three new poles and replacing 3,500+ feet of primary power line. A full vegetation treatment was also performed to maintain clearance compliance, including removing nearly 50 trees and pruning about 15 others that could pose a hazard to the infrastructure. All of this was done carefully, in compliance with environmental protection measures designed to minimize impact on the sensitive environment, and with numerous environmental inspections throughout the project’s duration.
Steve Moore, Senior Manager of Operations, said, “Given the amount of work and tight time frame for this project, it was really thanks to our crews’ hard work and commitment that we were able to complete the project so quickly.”
The Camp Richardson project will improve electric service reliability and reduce wildfire risk with minimal interruption to the community during the busy operating season.
Our Company

by Melinda Myers
 
Even though your mom may say “It’s the thought that counts”, you want to find the perfect gift this Mother’s Day to express how much you appreciate all she does throughout the year.  No matter your budget, it’s possible to give mom a gift that provides days, months, and even years of joy.
 
Cut flowers rank as one of the most popular Mother’s Day gifts. No dusting and maintenance are required, and they are sure to generate a smile.  Behavioral research at Rutgers University found the gift of flowers had immediate and long-term benefits.
 
Extend her enjoyment further by helping her grow, tend, and enjoy gardening throughout the growing season. A gift certificate to her favorite garden center, hobby store, or retail location allows mom the freedom to select her own gift.  She can enjoy time shopping for something special that she wouldn’t normally buy for herself.
 
A hanging basket or container garden is another way to give mom a season of flowers and much more. Gardening helps improve health and well-being by reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, strengthening muscles, and increasing flexibility.
 
If mom likes to cook, a potted tomato, container of greens, or window box of herbs may be the perfect gift. She can grow, prepare, and boost the flavor and health benefits with fresh, flavorful, and nutrient-rich vegetables and herbs.
 
If she prefers to do her own planting, consider giving her a container, potting mix, and some seeds or plants. Add some plant labels and let her create her own container garden.
 
Update her garden tools and accessories with something colorful like the Burgon & Ball® British Meadow pruner and holster set.  This pretty and functional gift with comfort grip handles allows mom to keep gardening longer. The colorful holster keeps them right where she needs them for deadheading and pruning small branches.
 
No matter what mom’s age or fitness level is, it’s important to protect her joints when gardening. Gifting her a colorful Kneelo® kneeler or knee pads (coronatools.com) will encourage her to do just that. The bright colors make them easy to find and the shock-absorbing foam interior provides a very comfortable surface that helps reduce knee stress.
 
Add a hat to further protect mom from the heat and sun when working outdoors.  If it’s comfortable and looks good, she’s more likely to wear it. Include some sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses for added sun protection. 
 
Many mothers appreciate the gift of time.  Helping mom in her garden, working around her home, or assisting her with another hobby is a great way to spend time together and create memories while doing something mom loves.
 
Consider giving mom one of these or another gift that provides immediate and long-term enjoyment. She’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness when she opens the package, unwraps the flowers, or puts the tools and accessories to use all season long.
 
Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including the recently released Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Corona Tools for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
 

FARGO, ND, April 22, 2025—Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced $340.6 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster assistance to deliver relief to farmers, ranchers and rural communities impacted by natural disasters that have caused devastation across the country.
In support of President Trump’s January executive order, which expedited assistance to communities who were left behind by the Biden Administration, Secretary Rollins is delivering critical aid through the USDA Disaster Assistance Fund to provide immediate relief to communities that have waited far too long to receive the aid they need to recover.
“My heart goes out to the families across our great country who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses and livelihoods,” Secretary Rollins said. “As one of his first executive actions, President Trump made it a top priority for his administration to deliver fast and fair relief to communities impacted by disasters. USDA is fulfilling the President’s promise today and ensuring we are doing everything we can to support state and local efforts to rebuild these communities to be even stronger than before.”
Secretary Rollins made the announcement today in North Dakota where USDA is delivering more than $5 million to help rebuild electric infrastructure following damage from severe storms and wildfires.
USDA will also deliver $25 million in relief to North Carolina communities and $18 million to Tennessee communities impacted by hurricanes since 2022 including hurricanes Fiona, Ian, Idalia, Helene, and more. As part of this funding, USDA will use:

• $5.8 million to support economic development for enterprises and farm producers.
• $15.6 million to help rural communities rebuild key infrastructure after disasters.
• $20 million for safe drinking water, sanitary waste disposal, and electric infrastructure restoration.
• $2 million for technical assistance to towns seeking aid.

As part of today’s announcement, the Trump Administration is making key improvements to the fund, cutting bureaucratic inefficiencies that will enable USDA to put Americans first by:

• Deploying critical aid as quickly as possible;
• Ensuring funds are more responsibly and effectively managed than ever before;
• Responding immediately to a backlog of requests from communities that have sought disaster assistance in recent years; and
• Waiving limiting eligibility criteria such as income requirements, population limits and more.

The USDA Disaster Assistance Fund will provide relief directly to rural families, farmers and small business owners, helping them recover, restore and rebuild to be stronger than before. The fund will be used to repair homes, businesses, infrastructure and critical services in communities hit hardest by disaster.
Today’s announcement shows the Administration’s commitment to standing with America’s rural communities during their times of need. USDA continues to prioritize swift and effective disaster relief, ensuring that no community is left behind following natural disasters.
For more information on USDA disaster assistance programs, visit the Rural Development Disaster Assistance webpage.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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Funding helps combat the illegal sale of tobacco products to youth
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced that the California Department of Justice (DOJ) is now accepting proposals for the 2025-2026 Tobacco Grant Program, which will provide approximately $28.5 million in grant funding to eligible local agencies. The program aims to reduce the illegal sale of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to our youth. Any local public agency within the State of California that has authority to enforce tobacco-related state laws or local ordinances related to retail tobacco sales and marketing is eligible to apply. This may include police and sheriffs’ departments, district and city attorneys and county counsels, public health departments, cities, counties, and public school/college districts. Information on the application process is available at oag.ca.gov/tobaccogrants. DOJ will also hold a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, April 30 at 10:00 AM PT to provide guidance to those interested in applying for the Tobacco Grant Program. To RSVP for the webinar, please click here.
“At the California Department of Justice, we are committed to protecting our youth from the dangers posed by tobacco products. The reality is that, especially in recent years, companies have been aggressively going after our young people and attempting to turn as many of them as possible into regular customers,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I encourage local agencies to apply to the Tobacco Grant Program — it is a critical tool that allows us to collaborate and hold accountable those companies and individuals who violate our laws around tobacco products.” 
Companies target our youth by making and marketing tobacco products with a myriad of kid-friendly flavors and loading those products with nicotine, a highly addictive chemical that harms the developing brains of children and young adults. Surveys show flavored tobacco products remain the products of choice for young people. In 2024, among students reporting current e-cigarette use, 87.6% used flavored products. Tobacco usage during adolescence increases the risk for lifelong nicotine addiction and adverse health consequences. 
DOJ’s Tobacco Grant Program aims to reduce childhood addiction to tobacco products by supporting local partners who:

• Enforce the statewide flavor ban and similar local flavor ordinances.
• Prosecute and penalize retailers who violate statewide and local tobacco laws, including those who sell or market tobacco products to youth under the age of 21, including over the internet.
• Conduct retail inspections to ensure compliance.

The program is funded by Proposition 56, the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016. To date, the Tobacco Grant Program has distributed approximately $212 million in grant funding to approximately 470 grantees through a competitive process.
Attorney General Bonta remains committed to combating the illegal marketing and sale of tobacco products. Just this year, he announced a lawsuit against Flumgio Technology Inc., Berkeley Int’l Business Crew, and their founder, Mr. Zaoyu Zhu, for importing, marketing, and selling the popular FLUM brand e-cigarettes, which are illegal under California’s retail flavor ban and lack Food and Drug Administration authorization. He also announced lawsuits against two California online retailers of e-cigarettes, Ejuicesteals and E-juice Vapor, Inc., alleging that they engaged in unlawful remote sales of tobacco products and failed to verify the age of California consumers properly. Finally, Assembly Bill 3218 — his sponsored bill to help ensure the successful implementation of the flavored tobacco ban — was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom last year.

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You may view the full account of this posting, including possible attachments, in the News & Alerts section of our website at: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/promoting-healthier-california-attorney-general-bonta-announces-new-funding

 
#ICYMI: This week, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) made headlines with several notable incidents, including a task force takedown, a cliffside rescue in Big Sur, 13 pounds of trouble on the interstate, boosting traffic safety in Merced and a technology triumph.
 

 
The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each announcement. Click on the headlines or links within the paragraph to access the accompanying assets, which are available for download.
 

1. CHP TASK FORCE CRACKS DOWN: STOLEN CARS RECOVERED, FELONS ARRESTED, GUN OFF THE STREETS

 
Since launching in February 2024, the CHP Oakland Safe Streets Task Force has made significant strides in combating crime across the Bay Area—recovering 3,217 stolen vehicles, arresting 1,823 individuals, and seizing 170 illegal firearms,as announced by Governor Newsom. On April 11, CHP officers tracked two reckless dirt bike riders in the Fruitvale District with help from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Air Operations; one was arrested at a gas station, while the other fled to San Francisco and was captured after a short standoff. Both were booked on multiple charges, including felony evasion and resisting arrest. That same day, officers stopped a gray Pontiac Grand Prix with no plates near International Blvd and 64th Ave. They discovered illegal narcotics and a loaded firearm—both the parolee driver and his passenger were arrested and booked into Santa Rita Jail on multiple felony charges.
 

1. HIGH-STAKES HOIST: CHP AIR CREW RESCUES INJURED HIKER FROM BIG SUR CLIFFSIDE

 
On April 14, a CHP helicopter launched a daring hoist rescue on the Pine Ridge Trail in Big Sur after a hiker fell from a cliff and suffered serious injuries. The flight crew quickly landed to pick up a Big Sur Fire Department helicopter rescue technician, who, along with a CHP flight officer/paramedic, was lowered to the remote scene where California State Parks personnel had already located the patient. Navigating dense forest and deploying 164 feet of hoist cable, the crew skillfully maneuvered between towering trees to reach the injured hiker. After a successful extraction, the patient was flown to a landing zone and transferred to Cal Star Helicopter 5 from Salinas for further medical care.

1. HIGHWAY BUST: CHP K9 UNCOVERS 13 POUNDS OF COCAINE IN RENTAL SUV

 
On April 10, a CHP K9 unit stopped a silver 2024 Buick Enclave for a traffic violation on northbound Interstate 5 at Nees Avenue in Fresno County. The officer immediately detected a strong odor of burnt cannabis coming from the vehicle, and a probable cause search revealed approximately 13 pounds of suspected cocaine hidden in the rear cargo area. Officers arrested all three occupants at the scene and turned the case over to the Fresno High Impact Investigations Team. The suspects were later booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges of possession of cocaine for sale and transportation of cocaine across noncontiguous counties.
 

1. RIGHT SEAT, RIGHT MOVE: CHP SERGEANT ENSURES CHILD’S SAFETY ON THE SPOT

 
While driving near the CHP’s Merced Area office, Sergeant Nelda Banuelos spotted a young boy standing unrestrained in the back seat of a passing vehicle, waving at her. Recognizing the safety risk, she immediately conducted a traffic stop and discovered the child’s car seat was improperly fitted. With the CHP office just around the corner, Sgt. Banuelos—a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician—asked the driver to pull in, provided a properly fitting booster seat, and ensured it was safely and correctly installed, turning a routine drive into a lifesaving intervention.
 

1. TECH-DRIVEN TRIUMPH: CHP CAD SUPPORT TEAM EARNS TOP HONORS FOR INNOVATION

 
On April 16, the CHP’s Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) Support Team received the prestigious Team Leadership Award at the California Public Sector CIO Academy, held at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento. Presented by Government Technology during the Academy’s 20th anniversary celebration, the award recognized the team’s outstanding work in modernizing the CHP’s CAD systems—efforts that have significantly boosted operational efficiency and elevated public safety services across the state.
 
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
 

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WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (April 17, 2025) - As spring break travel winds down, gas prices are following suit, down five cents since last week. Softer demand is fueling this downward trend, and with crude as low as it’s been in a few years, drivers may continue to see lower pump prices as summer approaches. Today Californians will find an average price of $4.85, a 7 cent drop from last week.

“The current soft demand for fuel is providing a much-needed relief for drivers,” said Doug Johnson, spokesperson with AAA Northern California. “ Californians are currently seeing fuel prices on average about 60 cents lower than they were at this time last year.” 
Fuel Prices Around the State: 
San Francisco: $5.05
Oakland: $4.97
San Jose: $4.94
Sacramento: $4.90
Fresno: $4.83
Stockton: $4.76

Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose $1.14 to settle at $62.47 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories increased by 0.5 million barrels from the previous week. At 442.9 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.Quick Gas and Electricity Stats
Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.85), Hawaii ($4.51), Washington ($4.33), Oregon ($3.96), Nevada ($3.91), Alaska ($3.65), Illinois ($3.39), Arizona ($3.36), Pennsylvania ($3.36), and Idaho ($3.34).
The nation's top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.70), Tennessee ($2.70), Texas ($2.73), Oklahoma ($2.73), South Carolina ($2.74), Louisiana ($2.76), Kentucky ($2.78), Alabama ($2.78), Arkansas ($2.79), and Kansas ($2.84).
Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (55 cents), Alaska (47 cents), West Virginia (47 cents), Montana (45 cents), South Carolina (43 cents), Tennessee (42 cents), Idaho (41 cents), Kentucky (41 cents), Louisiana (40 cents), and New Hampshire (40 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (22 cents), Missouri (25 cents), Iowa (26 cents), North Dakota (26 cents), Delaware (27 cents), Nebraska (28 cents), Utah (29 cents), Texas (30 cents), Maryland (30 cents), and Vermont (31 cents).
Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA Mobile App, now available on CarPlay
Fine current fuel prices at GasPrices.AAA.com. Find local news releases at mwg.aaa.com/news/press-release. 
About AAA Northern California
AAA STATE is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.7 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.

 
#ICYMI: This week, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) made headlines with several notable incidents, including a retail crime crackdown, some high-altitude heroics, an “elite” victory, 160 cadets begin training at the CHP Academy, and a tail-wagging foot pursuit in the Central Valley.
 

 
The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each announcement. Click on the headlines to access the accompanying assets available for download.
 

1. CRACKING DOWN ON CRIME: CHP TASK FORCE DISMANTLES MULTI-COUNTY RETAIL THEFT OPERATION

 
In a breakthrough against organized retail crime, the California Highway Patrol’s Valley Division Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) recently wrapped a months-long investigation into a suspected retail theft “fence operation.” Initiated in February, the investigation led to the identification of three suspects operating in San Jose, Dixon, and Rio Linda—each found possessing stolen merchandise being resold online. In March, ORCTF investigators executed three residential search warrants and two additional warrants for storage lockers across three counties, recovering over $40,000 in suspected stolen goods. Since its launch in 2019, the CHP’s ORCTF has spearheaded more than 3,700 investigations, leading to the arrest of approximately 4,200 suspects and the recovery of over 1.3 million stolen goods valued at more than $56 million—underscoring its critical role in protecting California communities.
 

1. HIGH-ALTITUDE HEROICS: CHP AIR CREW RESCUES SNOWMOBILER IN REMOTE SIERRA CRASH

 
On April 5, a CHP Air Operations helicopter crew responded to a request from the Amador County Fire Department to assist in the rescue of an injured snowmobiler near Mud Lake, just outside Kirkwood, California. Launching from Auburn, the helicopter reached the remote, snow-covered location in under 30 minutes. After a brief aerial search, the crew located the victim on a ridge and successfully landed nearby despite the challenging terrain and deep snow. Once on-site, the flight crew provided emergency medical care before airlifting the patient to Sutter Roseville Trauma Center. This mission is one of the many life-saving rescues performed annually by the CHP’s Air Operations program, which operates a fleet of 15 helicopters and 14 fixed-wing aircraft throughout the state.
 

1. CHP RACES TO VICTORY IN BAKER TO VEGAS RELAY, TAKES FIRST PLACE FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2007

 
The CHP Elite running team sprinted to a stunning first-place finish at this year’s prestigious Baker to Vegas (B2V) relay, outpacing more than 200 teams from law enforcement agencies nationwide. This iconic event, now more than 35 years strong, challenges teams to conquer 120 miles of desert terrain across 20 stages, beginning in Baker, Calif., and finishing in Las Vegas, Nev. This B2V victory marks a significant milestone for the CHP, as it’s the first time since 2007 that the Department has claimed the top spot. Not to be outdone, the CHP’s all-women’s team, the Golden Angels, delivered an impressive performance of their own—finishing the race in 18 hours and 50 minutes to secure a proud seventh-place finish.
 

1. DAY ONE: NEW CADET CLASS BEGINS TRAINING JOURNEY

 
The CHP’s newest cadet class, CTC II-25, officially started training at the CHP Academy on April 7. This marks the beginning of a 26-week journey to become a CHP officer.  On “pick-up day,” cadets meet their Recruit Training Officers, who will guide and support them throughout their time at the CHP Academy. They also received their uniforms and gear—everything they’ll need to succeed.  Over the next several months, these cadets will take on tough training, challenging lessons, and realistic scenarios. They’ll learn what it truly means to serve and protect with Safety, Service, and Security.

Good luck to class CTC II-25—we’re cheering you on!
 

1. LOST DOG SENDS OFFICER ON A TAIL-WAGGING PURSUIT IN MODESTO

 
On April 8, a lost dog named "Spike" was seen wandering along State Route 132 bypass. An officer from the Modesto Area Office tried to rescue her, but Spike had other plans—she took off running!  What followed was a 90-minute foot chase. The officer ran so much that his watch even asked if he wanted to record his “workout.” Thankfully, Spike was safely caught with help from some caring community members.  She’s now at the county animal shelter, waiting for her forever family to take her home.
 
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
 

Dr. Glenn Mollette 


You never undo your seat belt or jump from a moving roller coaster. Nor, should you when it comes to our current Stock market. 


Eight years ago, if you bought a share of VOO or Vanguard S & P 500 ETF stock, you may have paid about $220 for the share. Today, as of this writing it’s worth $490.55. In other words, even with the fall of the stock market recently you have made good money on your investment.  A couple of weeks back it was up to $560 which means you were flying high on your profit. Still yet, you have done well. 


If you bought your share of VOO two weeks ago at $560 then you have lost $70, at least for now. You may lose some more but you have to hold tight. Don’t panic and sell now or you will have a loss. Ride it out and give the market time to settle down and rise again. If you have to cash in your stock then cash in while they are high.


Don’t invest your grocery money in stock.  This is the money you need every week for food, shelter, travel and overhead. This is not the money you spend on stock. If you do, then in two weeks you will have to sell your stock to eat and risk losing some of the money you invested. Only invest in stock what you don’t currently need for general living expenses. 


Who knows how the market will perform over the next few weeks. It’s going to be a few weeks or months before the tariffs really shape up as to what is really what. The reports are that numerous countries are coming to the table interested in making deals and playing fair with the United States. This will be good for us and them. As these deals stabilize look for the stock market to become more stable once again. If Japan, India, South Korea, Canada and Mexico all level the playing field with the United States our stock market will level out. If there are more reports of industry manufacturing coming to the United States the stock market will begin to rise again. 


Now may be a good time to buy but keep in mind the market may go down some more. If you bought VIG two weeks ago then you’ve already seen a significant drop. Keep in mind you only lose it if you sell it when the stock is down. I feel confident that the stock market will come back bigger and bolder than ever but it may take a few months or longer. 


The stock market has averaged making about ten percent over the last fifty years. This means it has had years when it made more and years when it made less. An average of ten percent is about the best you can do on your money over the long haul. 


Now is not the time to faint or jump from the roller coaster. Rely on your stable income such as Social Security, or any other stable income you may have. If you have a regular paying job you may want to stay with it a little while longer if you can and if you enjoy your work. 




 

Global Media | P.O. Box 1238 | Newburgh, IN 47629 US

Date: April 11, 2025

 
The Sweetheart of the Mountains has been a long time and beloved symbol in Plumas County. For decades, young ladies would show off their talents and work tirelessly in their communities in an effort to be crowned Sweetheart of the Mountains. While most people that can remember back to those times still have fond memories, a look back at some of the press coverage can be cringe-worthy. The PSCF Foundation, which conducts the Sweetheart of the Mountains competition, feels that in this day and age, it is more appropriate to feature young people more for their intellect than their body measurements.
 
To that end, the PSCF Foundation will be offering two scholarships for $500 and $250, as well as the title of Sweetheart of the Mountains, based on an essay discussing “Why you should become involved in your county fair”. The scholarship is open to young ladies and carries some duties, including greeting visitors at the fair and representing the Plumas Sierra County Fair in at least the Fair Parade. Entrants must also agree to a code of conduct as a representative of the Fair.
 
The deadline for returning applications is May 16, 2025.
 
Applications can be found in each of the high schools and FRC. They are also available on the Fair website at www.plumas-sierracountyfair.net, and the Fair office.