Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable. Tradúzcalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

Sierra Brooks CSA #5
CANCELLATION OF BOIL WATER ADVISORY October 4, 2024
On September 16, 2024, you were notified of the need to boil all tap water used for drinking and cooking purposes.
The Sierra Brooks CSA #5 Water System in conjunction with the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water has determined that, after disinfection of the entire water system, extensive flushing, and comprehensive testing of the water, your water is safe to drink. It is no longer necessary to boil your tap water or for you to consume bottled water.
For more information call:
Sierra Brooks CSA #5: Bryan Davey, Deputy Director, (530) 289-3201
SWRCB Division of Drinking Water: Terri Parham, Staff Engineer, (530) 224-2052.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by the Sierra Brooks CSA #5 in conjunction with the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water. 

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QUINCY, CA — An approximately 2-mile section of the Mills Peak Trail on the Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District is closed weekdays due to fuel reduction work occurring in the area.
The trail, popular with mountain bikers, will be closed from 6 a.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Friday until the work is completed.  Current estimates are the work will be done by the end of the day Friday, October 18, conditions permitting.  Notification will be provided when the work is complete.
Efforts will be made by timber operators to ensure the trail is clear on the weekends, but mountain bikers should use caution.
A detour is available using Forest Road 22N42 on the south end of the trail, heading east to Forest Road 22N98 then traveling north to where it intersects with the trail.
The fuel reduction and forest health restoration work occurring along the trail is the Mills Multiple Product Thinning Project.  This project is helping to protect the community of Graeagle and improve public safety in the area by reducing the risk of wildfire.
“We appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation while we continue to work on this critical project,” said Beckwourth District Ranger Mike Rahe.  “With the great fall weather we are having, we also appreciate the work by our contractor to ensure the trail is open for everyone to enjoy on the weekends.”
To learn more about this project or the Mills Peak Trail, please contact the Beckwourth Ranger District at 530-836-2575.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
Plumas National Forest



Forest Service News ReleaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 2, 2024
 
Media Contact: Tamara Schmidt
Cell: 530-927-8526
Email: [email protected]
www.fs.usda.gov/Plumas
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas
Section of Mills Peak Trail closed weekdays 
QUINCY, CA — An approximately 2-mile section of the Mills Peak Trail on the Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District is closed weekdays due to fuel reduction work occurring in the area.
The trail, popular with mountain bikers, will be closed from 6 a.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Friday until the work is completed.  Current estimates are the work will be done by the end of the day Friday, October 18, conditions permitting.  Notification will be provided when the work is complete.
Efforts will be made by timber operators to ensure the trail is clear on the weekends, but mountain bikers should use caution.
A detour is available using Forest Road 22N42 on the south end of the trail, heading east to Forest Road 22N98 then traveling north to where it intersects with the trail.
The fuel reduction and forest health restoration work occurring along the trail is the Mills Multiple Product Thinning Project.  This project is helping to protect the community of Graeagle and improve public safety in the area by reducing the risk of wildfire.
“We appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation while we continue to work on this critical project,” said Beckwourth District Ranger Mike Rahe.  “With the great fall weather we are having, we also appreciate the work by our contractor to ensure the trail is open for everyone to enjoy on the weekends.”
To learn more about this project or the Mills Peak Trail, please contact the Beckwourth Ranger District at 530-836-2575.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
Plumas National Forest



Forest Service News ReleaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 2, 2024
 
Media Contact: Tamara Schmidt
Cell: 530-927-8526
Email: [email protected]
www.fs.usda.gov/Plumas
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas
Section of Mills Peak Trail closed weekdays 
QUINCY, CA — An approximately 2-mile section of the Mills Peak Trail on the Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District is closed weekdays due to fuel reduction work occurring in the area.
The trail, popular with mountain bikers, will be closed from 6 a.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Friday until the work is completed.  Current estimates are the work will be done by the end of the day Friday, October 18, conditions permitting.  Notification will be provided when the work is complete.
Efforts will be made by timber operators to ensure the trail is clear on the weekends, but mountain bikers should use caution.
A detour is available using Forest Road 22N42 on the south end of the trail, heading east to Forest Road 22N98 then traveling north to where it intersects with the trail.
The fuel reduction and forest health restoration work occurring along the trail is the Mills Multiple Product Thinning Project.  This project is helping to protect the community of Graeagle and improve public safety in the area by reducing the risk of wildfire.
“We appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation while we continue to work on this critical project,” said Beckwourth District Ranger Mike Rahe.  “With the great fall weather we are having, we also appreciate the work by our contractor to ensure the trail is open for everyone to enjoy on the weekends.”
To learn more about this project or the Mills Peak Trail, please contact the Beckwourth Ranger District at 530-836-2575.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
Plumas National Forest


Forest Service News ReleaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 2, 2024
 
Media Contact: Tamara Schmidt
Cell: 530-927-8526
Email: [email protected]
www.fs.usda.gov/Plumas
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas
Section of Mills Peak Trail closed weekdays 
QUINCY, CA — An approximately 2-mile section of the Mills Peak Trail on the Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District is closed weekdays due to fuel reduction work occurring in the area.
The trail, popular with mountain bikers, will be closed from 6 a.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Friday until the work is completed.  Current estimates are the work will be done by the end of the day Friday, October 18, conditions permitting.  Notification will be provided when the work is complete.
Efforts will be made by timber operators to ensure the trail is clear on the weekends, but mountain bikers should use caution.
A detour is available using Forest Road 22N42 on the south end of the trail, heading east to Forest Road 22N98 then traveling north to where it intersects with the trail.
The fuel reduction and forest health restoration work occurring along the trail is the Mills Multiple Product Thinning Project.  This project is helping to protect the community of Graeagle and improve public safety in the area by reducing the risk of wildfire.
“We appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation while we continue to work on this critical project,” said Beckwourth District Ranger Mike Rahe.  “With the great fall weather we are having, we also appreciate the work by our contractor to ensure the trail is open for everyone to enjoy on the weekends.”
To learn more about this project or the Mills Peak Trail, please contact the Beckwourth Ranger District at 530-836-2575.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has been awarded $1.55 million in federal grant funding through the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety, Education, Enforcement, and Awareness Program. This year-long initiative, from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, focuses on educating the public and enforcing traffic safety laws for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
 
October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, and the CHP is fully committed to protecting those walking and cycling on California’s roadways. On October 9, the CHP will join schools nationwide in celebrating National Walk to School Day. CHP officers in plain clothes and uniform will monitor crosswalks and areas near schools to ensure pedestrian safety.
 
“Everyone deserves a safe environment to travel,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said.  “The safety of people walking and biking on our roads is a high priority.  Education is the key to building a culture of safety that protects our most vulnerable road users.”
 
When walking, it is important to use sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible as that is where drivers expect pedestrians to be.  When crossing the street, remember to look left-right-left and continue scanning as you cross. Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care for your safety.  At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
 
At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian.  It is important for drivers to follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections, especially in school zones and in neighborhoods surrounding schools.  Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.  Watch for children walking or biking in areas near a school, both on the road and the sidewalk.  Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
 
Pedestrians and bicyclists account for 21 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in California.  Of the 7,575 people killed between 2021 and 2023 in crashes throughout CHP jurisdiction, 1,568 were pedestrians and bicyclists.
 
This grant funds bicycle safety training and educational presentations to promote safe and courteous traffic safety behaviors by drivers and bicyclists, as well as safety publications, bicycle helmets, reflective gear, and other vital safety equipment. Additionally, specialized enforcement operations will focus on areas with higher bicyclist and pedestrian traffic and crashes, and officers will also conduct public awareness campaigns in communities throughout the state.
 
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
 
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

 
Today, the California Assembly supermajority passed Governor Newsom’s proposal to decrease the state’s gas supply that will result in higher prices at the pump. Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R—Palmdale) issued the following statement:
 
“Californians are working hard to put food on the table, pay the rent and keep the lights on. They are driving as much as two-hours each way to earn a paycheck.
 
“Hardworking Californians deserve better than the Governor’s experiment.
 
“The Governor should listen to his own administration. In their 87 page report, his appointees said his proposal could create artificial supply shortages, and inadvertently increase gas prices.
 
“Families are struggling with inflation and an affordability crisis. California leaders should be focused on immediately lowering costs for consumers. It can be done by suspending the $0.60 per gallon state gas tax.” 
 
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Please note: According to AAA, the current average price for a gallon of gas in California is $4.68, while the national average is $3.20.
 
 

 
PG&E Helping Customers Transition to Electric Vehicles, Preparing the Grid & Advancing EV Technology to Support a Clean Energy Future      
 
OAKLAND, Calif. — In recognition of National Drive Electric Week (Sept. 27 - Oct. 6, 2024), Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is highlighting the many ways it is helping to make electric vehicle (EV) ownership more affordable for customers. PG&E is also preparing the grid and increasing access to charging infrastructure, while partnering with the automotive industry to advance technology that will enable EVs to support California’s clean energy future.  
 
PG&E is prioritizing grid readiness and building grid capacity to accommodate new EV demand through a multiyear grid investment plan. The company is partnering with innovators across the EV industry to build the large-scale electric infrastructure needed to incorporate EV charging systems into the grid, including deploying chargers to support customers, planning to fund programs for underserved communities, and providing personalized solutions.  
 
Residential Customer Programs and Incentives 
 
PG&E’s Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program provides income-qualified customers with up to $4,000 when buying or leasing a used EV. In just over a year-and-a-half since the program’s launch, PG&E has distributed more than 6,900 rebate payments, and more than $60 million in funding is still available. The rebate will be available through 2026 or until funding runs out.   
 
“We serve a diverse population and want to ensure all of our customers have the resources they need to make EV ownership an attainable goal,” said Lydia Krefta, Director, Clean Energy Transportation for PG&E. “The Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program is a great resource that has already helped many of our underserved customers transition to electric vehicles, and we offer a number of other programs and incentives designed to help accelerate EV adoption for our residential and commercial customers.” 
 
PG&E offers a variety of tools, rebates and resources that are available to customers in multiple languages. Customers are invited to check out PG&E’s EV Savings Calculator, an online resource to browse vehicles, discover incentives, locate charging stations and more. PG&E also offers an EV Rate Comparison tool to help customers find the best rate plan for them. Other programs/incentives include: 
 

• Empower EV program offers income-eligible customers up to $2,500 in incentives to help cover the cost of installing EV-charging equipment at their single-family residences. PG&E provides a free Level 2 charger, valued at $500, to customers who meet eligibility requirements and covers up to $2,000 per eligible household for panel upgrades completed by the program’s approved electrician. Eligible customers are encouraged to enroll in the program before it closes at the end of 2024. 

 

• Multifamily Housing and Small Business EV Charger Program installs Level 1 and Level 2 EV chargers at multifamily housing units, nonprofit organizations and small businesses in select communities. For qualified customers, the charging units are installed at no cost to property owners and the program covers two years of networking and software fees. Priority communities include low-income, rural, tribal and other priority populations defined by the California Public Utilities Commission and California Air Resources Board. 

 

• Residential Charging Solutions pilot provides income-qualified customers with a $700 post-purchase rebate on approved Level 2 residential charging equipment that can utilize existing 240-volt outlets and eliminate the need for costly electrical upgrades.         

 

• Customers can reduce the total cost of EV ownership through innovative rate structures, like PG&E’s Electric Home Rate Plan for residential customers. 

 
Programs for Businesses, Communities and Schools 
 
This year, PG&E’s EV Fleet Program helped to electrify the Oakland Unified School District’s (OUSD) fleet of electric school busses, becoming the first major school district in the nation to deploy a fully electric fleet of busses. OUSD’s EV bus fleet, converted to electric by Zum, is equipped with groundbreaking vehicle-to-grid technology that enables the buses to return energy to the grid at scale when not in use.  
 
The EV Fleet Program, which is also partnering with the Angel Island-Tiberon Ferry Company to support the electrification of The Angel Island vessel, helps customers with medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in their fleets to install cost-effective charging infrastructure to save money, reduce tailpipe emissions and simplify maintenance.  
 
In addition to working with businesses and schools to help them power up their existing and future EVs, PG&E is helping to expand public charging access throughout its service area. 
 

• Through its EV Fast Charge Program, PG&E is funding and installing infrastructure at qualifying customer sites to support the expansion of publicly available fast charging stations for light-duty vehicles.  

 

• PG&E’s EV Charge Schools Pilot is installing level 2 charging stations at school facilities and educational institutions for staff, parents and students to charge their EVs. PG&E helps fund the costs of purchasing and installing the EV charging equipment and networking fees at participating schools, as well as ongoing maintenance and operations.  

 
Coming soon, PG&E will launch its fleet advisory services program aimed at providing comprehensive support to medium- and heavy-duty fleet operators to transition to electric vehicles. 
 
Advancing EV Technology 
 
Currently, one in eight electric vehicles in the nation plug into PG&E’s grid, representing over 600,000 EVs with a combined battery storage capacity (6 GW) almost three times more than the Diablo Canyon Power Plant’s generation capacity. That battery storage capacity will increase significantly as EV adoption grows in the decades ahead. PG&E is preparing the grid to quickly and safely power at least 3 million EVs by 2030, and is collaborating to pioneer technology that can harness clean energy from solar and wind generation to help power the electric grid and offset a portion of the 70% load growth projected over the next 20 years.  
 
“EVs are front and center in California’s exciting energy transformation. We are working closely with automakers and some of the world’s top innovators to advance technology that will allow EV batteries to serve as a grid resource to support peak electricity demand periods and decarbonize the economy at the lowest societal cost,” said Jason Glickman, PG&E Executive Vice President, Engineering, Planning & Strategy.   
 
PG&E is collaborating with BMW of North America, Ford Motor Company and General Motors to test cutting-edge vehicle-grid-integration (VGI) applications, and is executing the nation’s first large-scale bidirectional charging pilots which are testing multiple technologies to enable a wide range of services and study the cost-effectiveness of VGI. The bidirectional charging pilots offer upfront and ongoing participation-based incentives and provide higher upfront incentives to help reduce the affordability barrier for underserved communities.  
 
Leading by Example  
 
PG&E has committed to electrify its vehicle fleet in compliance with California’s Advanced Clean Fleets regulation with the goal to electrify 3,800 vehicles in its fleet by 2030.  
 
“This is an exciting transition and an outstanding opportunity for us to lead by example. New EVs in our fleet help us better serve our planet and provide significant cost savings for our customers over time,” said Glickman. 
 
Currently, approximately 11% of PG&E’s fleet of roughly 9,200 on-road vehicles are powered by alternative fuels including electricity. 
 
About PG&E 
 
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/. 
 
 
You can read about PG&E’s data privacy practices at PGE.com/privacy.

 
#ICYMI: A roundup of notable incidents involving the California Highway Patrol (CHP) this past week, including the arrival of a new class of cadets at the CHP Academy, a search warrant leading to an arrest in Sonoma County, a suspect arrested and fentanyl seized, a CHP helicopter rescuing six individuals, and CHP celebrating Retirees Day at the Academy.
 

 
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 accompanying assets that are available for download.
 

1. CHP WELCOMES 155 NEW CADETS DURING “PICK-UP DAY”

 
On September 23, the CHP welcomed 155 new cadets to the Academy as they began training to become officers. Known as “pick-up day,” it is the cadets’ first encounter with the CHP Academy’s recruit training officers, who will help guide them during their 26 weeks of training. As part of the ongoing recruitment campaign, the CHP has held three Academy classes simultaneously for the first time in the Department’s history. For more information about a life-changing career with the CHP, visit our website.

1. SEARCH WARRANT LEADS TO WEAPON AND ARREST IN SONOMA COUNTY

 
On September 24, officers and agents of the FBI’s Sonoma County Safe Streets Task Force served a search warrant at a Cloverdale residence as part of an ongoing federal investigation. During the search, an unregistered and illegally modified assault weapon, together with several high-capacity magazines – some of which were loaded with armor-piercing ammunition – were discovered. The suspect, Nick Pavelka, age 33, confessed to modifying the weapon and being aware that the magazines and ammunition were unlawful. A CHP officer from the Santa Rosa area task force, subsequently took Pavelka into custody. Pavelka was booked at the Sonoma County Jail on numerous charges related to weapon possession.

1. SUSPECT ARRESTED AND $227,000 WORTH OF FENTANYL SEIZED

 
On September 18, a CHP Central Division sergeant conducted an enforcement stop on an Audi Q7 on Interstate 5. The sergeant found that the driver was operating the vehicle without a license and observed several indicators hinting at the possibility of criminal activity. After being given consent from the driver to search the vehicle, the sergeant discovered roughly five pounds of fentanyl powder, with an estimated street value of approximately $227,000, concealed within a paper bag on the rear-right seat. The driver, Anthony Cruz, 24, from Oakland, California, was apprehended and transported to Fresno County Jail. He has been charged with possession of fentanyl for sale and transportation of fentanyl across non-contiguous counties.

1.  CHP’S HIGH-FLYING CREEK RESCUE

 
On September 22, CHP’s H-30 responded with Winters Fire and the Vacaville Fire Protection District, including a Helicopter Rescue Technician (HRT) from San Ramon Valley Fire on a rescue mission involving six individuals stranded on a raft in Putah Creek. Using its aerial capabilities, H-30 located the obscured raft and deployed the HRT from the San Ramon Valley Fire to the location. Access to the area by ground would have been extremely difficult and time-consuming. Everyone was successfully rescued from Putah Creek's shoreline and then handed over to the fire service personnel in attendance for obligatory medical evaluations.

1. CHP CELEBRATES RETIREES’ DAY

 
On September 27, the CHP hosted and celebrated retirees at the Academy in West Sacramento. It is of fundamental importance to recognize the invaluable dedication, service and sacrifices made by former CHP personnel. This event instills a profound sense of pride and fellowship among existing CHP employees. During this year’s celebration, retirees of 50 years were honored with a commemorative pin and extreme gratitude for their substantial contribution and service. Acknowledging retirees further strengthens the CHP's values of appreciation and respect while paying tribute to those who have served.
 
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

 


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Dr. Glenn Mollette 


In my neighborhood we have a variety of people. We have Democrats and Republicans, Independents, Libertarians, and others. People attend different churches or don’t attend church at all. We have Catholics, Baptists, Pentecostals, Jews, and more. On a new street over from me I’ve noticed several families who appear to be from India, Mexico, the Middle East, plus several new America families. I live in a diverse neighborhood.


I haven’t seen anyone out arguing or fighting. I haven’t noticed anyone hiding. For the most part, our neighborhood is quiet and people mind their own business. We have 26 houses on our street. I’m clueless about the day-by-day activities of most all of the neighbors. We see each other coming and going and that’s about it. 


Some places are not as fortunate. For example, Israel and Gaza, in particular Hamas, fight nonstop. There are ongoing words, tensions, hatred, and many killings. I’ve been to Israel once in my Iife and had an extraordinary time. I saw so many beautiful and interesting sights. I can’t imagine ever going back. Only God knows how many children are growing up in Gaza who are learning to hate Israel and that hatred will probably never go away.  


Sadly, Israel has Hezbollah to the north in Lebanon and also the Houthis in Yemen. I don’t see how Israel can fight them all especially with them receiving support from Iran. As for the United States we already have a strong Navy fleet of ships and submarines in the region. You can count on us to be involved. Wherever there is any kind of fight going on in the world, it seems that the United States will get involved on some level.  


It is tragic that Israel has so many enemies who are their neighbors. That part of the world is certainly going to become worse. 


It’s unfortunate when people of different religious, political backgrounds can’t get along and work together. 


My mother was a Democrat and my dad was Republican. I don’t remember hearing them argue about politics. We grew up in an area where people attended different churches. People disagreed about how they interpreted the Bible but I don’t recall anyone fighting about it. Of course, the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s feuded at one time not that far from us.  


Sadly, there are places in the world where Protestants and Catholics can’t get along. There are places where the Palestinians and the Jews don’t get along. 


Overall, America has been a great place for diversity. We’ve had our issues. We’ve had some very dark eras in our nation when black people were treated so very badly. Women were not treated well for far too long. Unfortunately, we still have attitudes that exist that are far from fair and respectful of all people. 


Millions of people are risking their lives to come to America. They must come legally or the sheer numbers of those coming will bring about our downfall. In the meantime, we should treat each other as we would like to be treated. 


Glenn Mollette is read in all fifty states. Find books by Glenn Mollette at Amazon.comLearn more about his books, columns and music at GlennMollette.Com. Email him at [email protected]

 
QUINCY, CA — Do you want to take a survey?
Beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, October 1, visitors to the Plumas National Forest may discover an opportunity to talk with a surveyor, answer some questions and share thoughts about their visitor experience on the forest.
This is the start of the National Visitor Use Monitoring Program survey, a year-long process that occurs on a five-year cycle on every national forest.  Surveys will take place on the Plumas National Forest through September 30, 2025.  They are being conducted in partnership with Chico State Enterprises.
Survey takers will be working in developed and dispersed recreation sites and along Forest Service roads throughout the Plumas National Forest.  They will be wearing orange vests and generally near a sign that reads “Traffic Survey Ahead”.  Surveys are conducted at various locations daily in all weather conditions.
“This is a great opportunity for those who enjoy recreating on the forest to have a conversation about their experiences,” said Acting Public Services Staff Officer Erika Brenzovich.  “Although the survey is voluntary, we would appreciate visitors taking a few moments to participate.  It’s important that we hear from local forest visitors as well as those from outside the area.  And, even if you have taken the survey before, we would love to hear from you whenever you come across a survey taker in the forest to talk about your current visit!”
The survey gathers basic visitor information.  All responses are anonymous and confidential – a name is not written anywhere on the survey.  The basic interview lasts approximately 10 to 12 minutes, with some visitors asked a few additional questions which may take around 5 minutes more.
Questions visitors are asked include where they recreated on the forest, how many people they traveled with, how long they were on the forest, and how satisfied they are with the facilities and services provided.
Information collected through the surveys will be used as part of local planning on the Plumas National Forest, regional Forest Service planning, and even by Congress.  The information also helps local communities with an interest in tourism and is an important resource for local organizations and partners with an interest in recreation.
For more information about the National Visitor Use Monitoring Program, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/nvum.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

 


 
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) proudly mark a historic milestone: 50 years since women first joined its ranks - paving the way for women in the Department.
 
On September 30, 1974, a group of 40 women reported to the CHP Academy as part of the Women Traffic Officer Program (WTOP), launched as a trial to evaluate women's fitness and capability as CHP officers. Of those women, 27 completed Academy training and were sworn in as CHP officers on January 16, 1975.
 
“On this important anniversary, we recognize the trailblazing women who first entered the CHP 50 years ago and the many women who have come after to make important contributions that help keep California safe. These officers pushed against sexism and stereotypes to prove that women can not only serve and excel in law enforcement but also play an important role in making our communities stronger and safer. We thank this vanguard group of women for their enduring legacy — defying sexism to demonstrate that gender equality behind the badge is not only the right thing to do but makes us all better off.” - Governor Gavin Newsom
 
Since that day, women have served in every aspect of the CHP, from riding motorcycles and flying aircraft to taking on detective roles. On November 17, 2020, Governor Newsom appointed Amanda L. Ray as the 16th Commissioner of the CHP, the first woman to lead the Department of more than 11,000 members.
 
"Today, we celebrate the incredible women who broke barriers and made history by joining the ranks of the California Highway Patrol 50 years ago. Their courage and resilience paved the way for future generations, not just within the CHP but across all sectors of law enforcement. These trailblazers shattered stereotypes and glass ceilings, proving that women are capable and willing to serve and protect our communities. Their legacy reminds us that when women lead, they strengthen the very fabric of our society." - First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom
 
Prior to the WTOP, women were only permitted in non-officer roles. The dedication of these trailblazing women forever changed the CHP, proving that women are equally capable of performing the duties of a CHP officer.
 
"Law enforcement is not a 'male' or 'female' profession," said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. "It is a profession of service and sacrifice. The members of this inaugural class served their communities with dedication, laying the groundwork for future generations. We owe them a great debt of gratitude."
 
Over the weekend, several members of the inaugural WTOP class reunited in Sacramento to celebrate their legacy and share stories of service. A common theme emerged: their pride in careers committed to community service and safety.
 
To mark the momentous occasion, the CHP released a video that includes conversations with members of the WTOP class and firsthand accounts of their experience 50 years ago.

The CHP continues to lead as one of the Nation’s premier law enforcement agencies. If you are considering a rewarding career in law enforcement where you will build lifelong relationships, visit www.CHPMadeForMore.com to apply. In 1974, these women walked in to accept a challenge that changed their lives and the CHP. You could be the next pioneer.
 
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
 
B-roll footage of the 50th Anniversary Gala of the Women Traffic Officer Project is available for download and use by the media here.
 

By Melinda Myers
Don’t let your vegetable and fall flower gardens succumb to hungry deer. Even if you’re lucky enough to be deer-free now, be vigilant and prepared to prevent damage as these beautiful creatures move into your landscape to dine. Here are five tactics to help you in the battle against these hungry animals.
Fencing is the best, though not always practical, way to control deer. Install a 4- to 5-foot-high fence around small garden areas. This is usually enough to keep out deer that seem to avoid small confined spaces.  The larger the area, the more likely deer will enter. Some gardeners report success surrounding their garden or landscape with strands of fishing line set at 12” and 36” above the ground.
Low voltage electric fencing or posts baited with a deer repellent are also options. Just be sure to check with your local municipality before installing this type of fencing.
Scare tactics are less effective on deer in urban environments. They are used to human scents and sounds. Many gardeners report success with motion sensor sprinklers. As the deer passes in front of the motion sensor it starts the sprinkler and sends them running. Just be sure to turn off the sprinkler when you go out to garden.
Repellents that make plants taste or smell bad to deer can also help.  You will find products containing things like garlic, hot pepper oil, and predator urine.  Apply them before the animals start feeding for the best results. And reapply as directed on the label. Look for products that are easy to apply, odorless and last a long time.
Include deer resistant plants whenever possible. Even though no plant is one hundred percent deer-proof, there are those the deer are less likely to eat. Include plants rated as rarely or seldom damaged by deer.  And be sure to provide additional protection if you include plants known to be frequently or severely damaged.
Constantly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the methods used.  Deer often change their feeding location and preferred food. And if the populations are high and the deer are hungry, they will eat just about anything. Be willing to change things up if one method is not working. Using multiple tactics will help increase your level of success.
So don’t let hungry deer stop you from gardening.  Be vigilant and persistent and send them elsewhere to dine.
Gardening expert Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For Everyone” DVD set and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio segments. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Summit Responsible Solutions for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.melindamyers.com.

SIERRA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S funding agreement for promotion of Sierra County was discussed during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on February 17th in Loyalton. The Chamber requested an additional $10,000 on top of the $35,000 that had previously been budgeted due to increases in operating and printing costs. Supervisor Lee Adams stated the TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) that is brought in by the visitor industry is huge and seemed like a small amount to pay. He hoped they would move towards more digital in the future. The resolution was approved with Supervisor Terry LeBlanc voting no. Supervisor Sharon Dryden encouraged the Sierra Valley Chamber of Commerce to  request additional funds if they had increased expenses.

EASTERN PLUMAS HEALTH CARE’S portable x-ray unit was unfortunately damaged beyond repair during night service by the vendor and requires replacement. Plumas District Hospital provided the use of their portable unit to avoid disruption of services while bids were obtained from the vendor. The EPHC Auxiliary Board approved a $100,000 contribution to the cost of a new unit which is expected to be received in six weeks. EPHC appreciates the support of PDH and thanks the Auxiliary for their generous contribution.
The Loyalton flooring project is nearing completion with the main hallways installed and the foundation concrete repaired. Work was initiated last week to repair, reseal, and re-stripe the main parking lot. 

A COMMUNITY MEETING was held on September 11th by Downieville Student Council President, Nick Martinelli, a Senior at Downieville High School in regards to public use of the playground area and field at Downieville Elementary outside of school hours. Use for the public has been denied due to increased dog waste left behind from its users. In attendance were Downieville Principal James Berardi, Sierra County Supervisor Lee Adams, Director of Public Works and Transportation Bryan Davey, and community members totaling about 25 in all. Mr. Berardi advocated the right for children to have a safe, clean play yard. The public was in full support of providing just that for its young residents but also acknowledged the struggle to find an open area for recreation with families and dogs. In an effort to have unity in the tightknit mountain town, a compromise was reached. The gates would be unlocked for public use after school hours and on weekends on a trial basis if more waste receptacles were in place, a code of conduct sign posted, and students’ signage on display. Downieville is holding an Art Drive contest. All artists, young and old are encouraged to create a poster that embodies caring correctly for a park that people, families, and dogs use. A total of 5 posters will be selected for permanent display around the playground and field along with prizes. The deadline is October 1st, and entries can be dropped off at the school. For more information, please contact Robin Bolle at 530-289-3473 ext 450 or via email at [email protected]. - Story by Hayley Price 

THE CALPINE COMMUNITY HALL Floor Leveling Project was awarded to McCuen Construction, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $238,541. The resolution was approved at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on September 17th in Loyalton. Public Works Director Bryan Davey stated they only received one bid, but were fortunate to be able to afford the bid. The project will resolve the foundational issues with the flooring, repair cosmetic issues on the walls and construct a new ADA compliant restroom and drinking fountain. McCuen was the contractor for both the Downieville Community Hall and Sierraville School projects, which Davey stated has been good to work with. The project is funded through Prop 68 Parks and Recreation Grant.

LITTLE SCHOOL HOUSE HISTORY - The land for the first school in Loyalton was purchased from “L.M. Meeker and M.E. Meeker by the Trustees of Loyalton School District of Sierra County, State California, in 1877. In 1879, after a tragic fire, a new schoolhouse was erected. The school was used until 1908, when a larger building was needed. It was then that in 1908 the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento purchased the land and school building from the Loyalton School District to use as Holy Rosary Catholic Church. The school was remodeled with the interior addition of a Choir Loft, Confessional booth and Altar. They added the Belfry. This Church was used until Father Burns began to raise money to build the “new church.” It was built and consecrated in 1955. The old Church was then used as Holy Rosary Church’s Social Hall. In 1984 the Holy Rosary Social Hall was moved to the Loyalton Historical Park as a “gift to the City of Loyalton Museum to preserve history of Loyalton and Sierra Valley.” The Little School House is considered the oldest building in Loyalton. This building had early settler’s children as students. It was a church that witnessed marriages, baptisms and funerals for Loyalton and Sierra Valley residents. As the Holy Rosary social hall, it also served in the 1950-60 as a preschool, kindergarten, first grade and had Union meetings.
This research in 2024 to discover the history to the Little School House was made very easy because Mr. Gottard’s 1985 freshman history class had four students who took the assignment to research the old school, Catholic Church and Social Hall building for the Museum. Matt Madigan, Brooke Mitchell, Landee Lynn, and Michael Jaquez went to Downieville to the Clerk’s office, had help from local historian Bill Copren in their research, went to the Sierra County School District office, interviewed Joe and Alma Grandi and got information from James J. Sinnott’s book “SIERRA VALLEY Jewel of the Sierras” to gather history. When they finished their report, they combined this information into a display at our Loyalton Milton Gottardi Museum. It was also taken to National History Day at the California State Capitol, in Sacramento. They received an excellent rating. Thank you, Mr. Gottardi, Matt Madigan, Brooke Mitchell, Landee Lynn, and Michael Jaquez, for preserving and showcasing our Loyalton and Sierra Valley Little School House History. - By Joyce Cameron

A SOFTBALL FIELD for Loyalton High School is being looked into after a Title IX complaint was filed in April 2023. Title IX is a landmark federal civil rights law in the United States that was enacted as part (Title IX) of the Education Amendments of 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from the federal government. The complaint laid out several non-compliance issues between the boy’s baseball field and the girls’ softball field (or lack thereof).
District Superintendent Sean Snider looked at options and found one that would fit between the high school boys’ field and the City of Loyalton’s Little League fields. Snider had an architect draw up some plans and held a community meeting on September 18th to review the plans. Costs and water were big factors, with suggestions of looking into grants, local help, planting sod in the fall so it has time to catch the seasonal moisture before using water, or exploring turf.
Snider stated he’d do some more research and would have another meeting on what they learned and where they are headed soon. Although this complaint was filed over a year ago, there is some optimism that Loyalton High School Softball will get a new field sometime in the near future.

SIERRA BROOKS WATER SYSTEM was discussed during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on September 17th. Public Works Director Bryan Davey reported they have issued a boil water notice for the water system in Sierra Brooks. Chloroform showed up on a test before the fire. They retested during the fire and the problem got significantly worse. He felt it was from the stress on the system during the fire. The last set of results on September 13th showed a small amount E.coli so they started the disinfection process by chlorinating the system and issuing the boil water notice. Davey said this is a problem with any untreated water system, adding it was not abnormal or out of the ordinary. 
Supervisor Sharon Dryden stated there were challenges found with the water system during the fire and felt they should look at items that weren’t included in the original project. She suggested a committee to look into the item further which will include herself, Board Chair Paul Roen, community member Tom Rowson and other community members. Supervisor Lee Adams stated they also need to look at how to extricate the County from the system and have the community operate its own system.

THE BEAR FIRE was discussed during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday, September 17th in Loyalton. District 5 Supervisor Sharon Dryden thanked everyone that was involved in the safe and orderly evacuation and gave huge gratitude to all personnel who protected homes in Sierra Brooks. She thanked the partners in the mastication project, stating this project was probably one of the largest reasons they had homes to go home to. She hoped they would use this project as an example going forward. 
Sierra County Sheriff and Office of Emergency Services Director Mike Fisher reported they submitted a claim to OES for $59,400 to try and recuperate some costs. He stated they had an after-action stakeholder meeting to go over lessons learned and one was information dissemination and the need for a public information officer during events. Fisher stated they will have additional training and it was suggested to poll Sierra County employees about different strengths they have that could be used 
in an emergency. 
Social Services Interim Director Lori McGee reported their agency had 10 calls concerning the fire. Five calls were about lodging options, one was from the press, one asked how close the fire was to Cold Springs, one from a homeowner wanting to go home and two lodg- ing complaints regarding website accessibility and response. Their response during the fire included a 24-hour on-call social worker to address fire related emergencies. The department will continue to participate in team meetings to determine service gaps and submitted a request for a benefit replacement to CalFresh participants who lost food during the power outage.
Sierraville District Ranger Rachel Hutchinson thanked Sierra County for coming into unified command with them and appreciated the partnership. She echoed Dryden comments stating they were able to keep the fire out of the community of Sierra Brooks because of the fuels project and was happy to see the work behaved just like they thought it would. Hutchinson reported on a film maker who is making a short infomercial about the fire and benefits of fuels reduction work. She said the Bear Fire was at 90% containment and crews were engaged in suppression repair. Fire cause is still under investigation.
  

Nichole Johnson
[email protected]

 
QUINCY, CA — The Plumas National Forest is shifting from Stage II to Stage I Fire Restrictions today, Friday, September 27.
The Forest has been in Stage II Fire Restrictions since July 11.
In Stage I Fire Restrictions, campfires are only allowed in specific designated recreation sites, in established campfire rings.  Sites are listed in Exhibit A of the closure order.
Smoking is only allowed within an enclosed vehicle or building, in one of the designated recreation sites listed in Exhibit A, or an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is completely clear of all flammable material.
Additionally, internal combustion engines, such as vehicles and generators, may only be used on designated roads and trails.  Boat engines are exempt.
Chainsaw use for firewood is still permitted, but woodcutters need to ensure that they are checking the Woodcutting Status each day prior to cutting by calling 1-800-847-7766.  For the latest information on the Plumas National Forest firewood cutting program, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/plumas/passes-permits/forestproducts.
Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame is prohibited.
Possession of a valid California Campfire Permit is not an exemption from the prohibitions.  However, California Campfire Permit holders can use portable campfire pits, stoves or lanterns that use gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel as long as it has a working shut-off valve and is used in an area that is at least 3 feet from any flammable materials.
California Campfire Permits are free and available at Forest Service and CAL Fire offices or online at https://permit.preventwildfiresca.org/.
“We have been fortunate this year on the Plumas National Forest that despite a more typical summer, there was only one large incident, and that is in large part thanks to the vigilance of our residents and compliance with fire restrictions,” said Plumas National Forest Acting Fire Management Officer Martin Senter. 
“While we are still seeing hot daytime temperatures, there has been enough change in fuel conditions that we can start reducing fire restrictions, but there is still a need to use caution with anything that can spark a wildfire and to make sure campfires are completely out and cold to the touch before leaving,” Senter said.  “The continued cooperation of area residents and visitors following the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions and helping us prevent human-caused wildfires this fire season is greatly appreciated.”
Area residents and visitors are also reminded that fire danger is a factor throughout the Forest, even in recently burned areas.
“We ask that anyone choosing to recreate in an area that has burned in the past 6 years not only watch for hazards, but also be careful with anything that can spark a wildfire,” Senter said. “Even areas that burned at high intensity like the Camp, North Complex and Dixie fires can burn again.”
Suspected wildfires can be reported by calling 911.
The order is formally referenced as Closure Order Number 05-11-24-03.  Violations of the prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

NEVADA CITY, Calif. (Sept. 18, 2024) --Tahoe National Forest is planning several prescribed fire projects that may be implemented during fall 2024. Projects may begin as soon as fuels and weather conditions allow.  



Each prescribed fire operation follows a specialized burn plan, where temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of vegetation and smoke dispersal conditions are considered daily. This information is used to decide if and when to burn.  


Prescribed fires help reduce fuels and overgrowth, which reduces the severity of future wildfires, restores forest health and diversity and provides added protection for surrounding communities. Smoke produced from planned prescribed burns is less than unplanned wildfires. Prescribed fire now can prevent the impacts or spread of wildfire later.  


Upcoming prescribed burn projects that may be implemented during the fall 2024 season include:  


American River Ranger District: 

• French Meadows - Up to 600 acres of pile burning and under burning near French Meadows Reservoir 
• Deadwood - Up to 1000 acres of under burning in Foresthill off Foresthill Divide Road  
• Biggie - Up to 300 acres of under burning off Mosquito Ridge Road near Placer Big Trees Grove 

Sierraville Ranger District: 

• East Zone Roadside Hazard Fuels - Up to 500 acres of under burning along Forest Service roads near Bear Valley 
• Calpine - Up to 1000 acres of under burning near the town of Calpine 
• Summit North - Up to 500 acres of under burning near Little Truckee Summit and Hwy 89 north of Truckee 

Truckee Ranger District: 

• Klosser- Up to 500 acres of under burning near Prosser Reservoir near Truckee 
• East Zone Roadside Hazard Fuels- Up to 500 acres of under burning near Stampede and Boca Reservoirs near Truckee 

Yuba River Ranger District: 

• Yuba D and A - Up to 500 acres of under burning near Yuba Pass, Hwy 49 and Gold Lakes Highway 
• Camp - Up to 500 acres of under burning near Camptonville 
• Deer Creek - Up to 500 acres of under burning near Town of Washington and Hwy 20 
• Trapper - Up to 1000 acres of pile burning off Hwy 49 near Cal-Ida 

Interested individuals can sign up to receive prescribed fire alerts and news from the Tahoe National Forest here: https://bit.ly/TahoeNews.  


News and updates are also available on Tahoe National Forest’s X or Facebook. 

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
​

By Ching Lee 


New federal rules meant to prevent organic fraud have been praised by organic farmers for helping to protect the integrity of the national organic label. But the rules have also brought unintended consequences as smaller operations struggle to keep up with the new requirements.
Those struggling include government agencies that inspect and certify farms to ensure they comply with standards of the National Organic Program.
Marin Organic Certified Agriculture, or MOCA, which is run by the Marin County Department of Agriculture, has notified its clients that it will no longer provide organic certification services for livestock handling and processing effective Nov. 30. The county’s agricultural commissioner, Joe Deviney, cited increased regulatory burdens due to the recent rule changes, which have strained the department’s staff and resources.
The irony has not been lost on Deviney, who lamented in a virtual meeting with farmers last week that “government is being pushed out by increased government regulations.”
Marin County will continue to provide organic certification services for crops. But the region’s organic dairy farmers, ranchers, creameries and livestock handlers will need to switch to any number of private certifiers.
Deviney said the department has “tried to limp along” during the rollout of the federal Origin of Livestock rule in 2022 and the Strengthening of Organic Enforcement rule earlier this year. But with the upcoming implementation of the Livestock and Poultry Standards—set to take effect in January—“we’re at a point now where we’re absolutely not able to manage the program,” he told farmers.
He noted having lost eight staff members, including four experienced people, in recent years. The lack of staffing forced the department to use independent contractors, who performed almost half of MOCA’s organic inspections last year. Relying on contractors is not a solution, Deviney said, adding the pool of qualified inspectors remains small, and training to become one is rigorous, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture requiring 2,000 hours of experience prior to performing a solo inspection.
MOCA’s high workload has impacted the department’s other mandated programs, Deviney said, including work related to pesticide regulations, farmers markets and enforcement of weights and measures.
Marin County is not alone. Deviney said other government and smaller certifiers also have ended their certification programs due to the new organic requirements, which were meant to “stop cheaters.” But the increased regulations have also been “overburdening…to the detriment of the industry,” he said. He noted states such as New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey and New Mexico have in recent years also surrendered their USDA accreditation as organic certifiers for similar reasons.
Farmers also have felt the brunt of the new rule, said Lia Sieler, executive director of Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance in Chico. Even though farmers and organic trade groups had encouraged USDA to strengthen organic enforcement, she said, they did not initially understand “the vast amount of paperwork that would go along with it”—until now.
“It seems as if it’s going above and beyond,” she said of the new rule. “Our farmers are looking at it and they’re overwhelmed—and rightfully so. It’s a lot to handle.”
Sieler said she’s particularly worried about older-generation farmers having to navigate the “astronomical amount of recordkeeping and paperwork that’s involved now” on top of needing to find a new certifier. “They’re looking at it and saying, ‘Is it even worth me keeping my farm going?’”
Albert Straus, founder of Straus Family Creamery in Petaluma, agreed the new regulations have placed “an undue burden” on smaller-scale farmers—a concern he voiced last year at the National Organic Standards Board meeting. In talking to Jennifer Tucker, deputy administrator of the National Organic Program, he said she made clear that the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule is meant to target imports, not go after small and medium-sized farmers.
Of the 13 dairies that supply milk to his creamery, at least three are certified by MOCA, including his Marin County dairy. The creamery is certified by Santa Cruz-based California Certified Organic Farmer, or CCOF. While there are other certifiers, Straus said, the bigger issue is the impact on local farms and the local food system.
“When you lose local certifiers, you lose your people,” he said. “I’m concerned about losing local support, our county support for our organic farmers and losing our critical mass of infrastructure.”
USDA, through a spokesperson, said “the organic community, including certifiers, broadly supported” the new rules, with “more than 40,000 overwhelmingly positive public comments” for the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards proposed rule.
“As the organic industry has grown, its complexity has increased, and the need for additional protections has emerged,” the department said in an email. “We are monitoring certifier implementation of these rules to ensure they are being implemented in a way that increases needed consistency between certifiers while minimizing impacts on small farms wherever possible.”
Marin County rancher Loren Poncia has used MOCA since 2008, when there weren’t as many certifiers. He said some of the problems MOCA faces are also indicative of how hard it is to do business in California. To find qualified inspectors and to pay them enough so they could afford to live here “is pretty darn hard,” he said. The new regulations now take inspectors and producers more time.
“Time is money,” he said, “and the prices of all the products go up where people just get tired of it.” He said he knows of at least two producers who have quit organic in recent years, as the lower premiums for organic products are no longer worth the cost, time and work of retaining their organic certifications.
Jennifer Beretta, whose family operates dairies in Marin and Sonoma counties, currently uses three different certifiers: MOCA, CCOF and Organic Certifiers Inc. in Carpinteria. She described their costs as “very comparable,” though she said she enjoys the “local presence” of MOCA, “knowing that you can call the office, and you get the same people.”
With the new enforcement rules, she said “some days I wonder why we are organic,” as the paperwork involved is “absolutely ridiculous.” Though the industry wanted stronger rules, she said, “USDA didn’t take into account the trickle-down effect” on smaller certifiers such as MOCA and smaller farms.
“Unfortunately, we asked for it, but we didn’t comment on how we wanted it,” Beretta said.
Sieler of Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance encouraged producers to make their voices heard through the National Organic Standards Board, whose next meeting is in October, with written comments due Sept. 30. She said the alliance is working on a survey about how dairy farmers have been impacted by the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule and plans to use it “as a conversation piece in talking with (the National Organic Program) in the future.”
Beretta said her main concern is whether other certifiers will have enough inspectors and capacity to take MOCA’s clients. Deviney said MOCA certifies about 30 livestock and dairy producers.
April Vasquez, chief certification officer and chief operating officer of CCOF, said the nonprofit “can absolutely support all the livestock operations that MOCA needs to let go,” adding that CCOF will waive transitioning producers’ new application fees and “do everything we can to support a seamless transition.”
Because the new rules require importers of organic goods to become certified, CCOF said it has seen “record numbers of new handlers, processors and importers applying for certification,” with the process for new applicants taking six months or more. “I do not see this impacting our livestock applicants,” Vasquez said.
MOCA’s livestock handling and processing clients have until Dec. 30 to either surrender their organic certification or maintain it by providing proof that they have applied for a certification with a new certifier.
(Ching Lee is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at [email protected].)

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Breast Health Free Community Talks & Screenings
www.tfhd.com
(Tahoe/Truckee, Calif.) – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Tahoe Forest Health System is proud to offer educational talks focused on breast health, screenings, and early detection. These free, informative sessions led by expert physicians aim to empower women with critical knowledge about taking control of their health and the importance of regular screenings.
Join James Schlund, MD, Board-Certified Radiologist, on Thursday, October 3rd, from 5:15 to 6:30 PM at Incline Village Community Hospital for a comprehensive discussion on the latest breast screening guidelines and risk assessment.
Another session, featuring Dr. Schlund and Cara Streit, MD, OB-GYN, will take place on Monday, October 7th, from 5:15 to 6:30 PM in Truckee at the Tahoe Forest Center for Health at 10833 Donner Pass Road. This talk will cover screening guidelines, general breast health, and hormones.
These talks are free to attend, either in person or virtually via Zoom, making it easy for all to participate. For more information or to register, visit TFHD.com/wellness-events or call (530) 587-3769.
In celebration of Breast Health Month, Tahoe Forest Health System reminds women that 50 percent of breast cancer-related deaths could be prevented with an annual mammogram. With enhanced mammography services available in both Truckee and Incline Village, scheduling a screening is easier than ever by calling (530) 582-6510. No physician order is required, and mammograms are covered by most insurance. For those without insurance, free or low-cost screenings are available.
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About Tahoe Forest Health System
Tahoe Forest Health System, which includes Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, CA, and Incline Village Community Hospital in Incline Village, NV, offers 24-hour emergency care, urgent care, primary and specialty health care clinics including Tahoe Forest Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Commission on Cancer (COC) accredited cancer center, the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center, and the Joseph Family Center for Women and Newborn Care. With a strong focus on high quality patient care, community collaboration, clinical excellence and innovation, Tahoe Forest Health System is a UC Davis Rural Center of Excellence. For a complete list of physician specialties and services, visit www.tfhd.com.
​

by Melinda Myers
 
Put fall leaves to work in your landscape. This valuable resource makes a great mulch in planting beds, adds organic matter and nutrients to the soil, provides habitat for many beneficial insects, and is insulation for ground-dwelling queen bumblebees, toads, and more. 
Leave any disease-free leaves in garden beds but pull them away from the trunks of trees and stems of shrubs. Mulch piles against trunks or stems create a moist environment that is more subject to rot and disease. It also provides a hiding place next to these plants for voles that feed on bark over winter.
Avoid thick layers of leaves, six or more inches deep, in garden beds. They can block sunlight and smother the plants below. Pull leaves off the crowns of perennials and move the excess leaves to gardens with little or no mulch.
Use your mower to recycle fall leaves that land on the lawn. As you mow the grass you’ll shred the leaves into smaller pieces. If they are the size of a quarter or smaller your lawn will be fine.  As these leaf pieces decompose, they add organic matter and nutrients to the soil.
When the lawn is overwhelmed with leaves burn a few extra calories and rake them into nearby planting beds. Whole leaves provide the best habitat for overwintering insects. Spread the leaves over the soil surface to help insulate the roots, conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and improve the soil as it breaks down.
If your garden beds are already filled with leaves or this is not practical, attach the bagger to the mower to shred and collect the excess leaves on the lawn. Only use grass clippings collected from lawns and leaves not treated with a weed killer this fall.
Dig extra shredded leaves into vacant annual flower and vegetable gardens or incorporate them into the soil as you prepare new planting beds. They will break down over winter, improving the drainage in heavy clay soils and increasing the water-holding ability in fast-draining soils.
Bag shredded leaves you want to save for next season. Tuck them out of sight for winter under trees or around the foundation of your house for added insulation.
Create compost with fall leaves, plant-based kitchen scraps, and other landscape trimmings. Do not use meat, bones or dairy that can attract rodents, charcoal ash, and human, pet or bird droppings that may contain disease organisms. Avoid diseased and insect-infested plant debris, perennial weeds, and weeds gone to seed. These can survive in compost piles that don’t produce sufficient heat to kill them and end up back in the garden in the compost.
Oak and large maple leaves make great mulches and additions to the compost pile but break down slowly. Shred them with your mower or leaf shredder first for quicker results.
You can compost black walnut, laurel, and eucalyptus leaves that contain chemicals toxic to other plants. Shred them first to speed decomposition and when they are fully decomposed the compost is safe to use in the garden.
As you begin putting the fall leaves to work in your landscape you will start considering them a gift, not a curse, from nature.
Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including 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. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
 

Essential car care after a record-breaking summer
WALNUT CREEK (Sept. 23, 2024) -   An intense summer came to a close over the weekend with the autumnal equinox. Now it’s time to think about your vehicle’s health after record-breaking summer temperatures.

AAA responded to nearly 800,000 roadside service calls across the country during the busiest periods like Fourth of July. Many of these calls were due to heat-related issues, such as battery and tire failures.

“Extreme heat shortens the service life of many essential components, and when you consider the extra strain from summer road trips, many vehicles are likely at their limit,” said John Walter, Chief Auto Repair Officer for AAA Northern California. “This makes it essential to inspect and maintain your car as the weather cools.”

AAA Northern California vehicle technicians say you may need the following fall fixes as the new season arrives:

1. Car batteries. Heat significantly shortens a car battery’s life, reducing it from the typical 3-5 years to as low as 2 years. A struggling engine start, vehicle warning lights, odd smells, or corrosion on the battery terminals are all signs of a failing battery.
   
2. Tires, belts, hoses. Hot pavement causes tires to bulge, dry out and rot, increasing the risk of blowouts, while belts and hoses can crack. Inspect rubber components for cracks, listen for noises, and monitor tire tread depth. Get hidden components checked by a technician.
   
3. Vehicle fluids. Coolant, engine oil, brake fluid, and transmission fluid are essential for your vehicle’s performance. Summer heat can cause these fluids to boil or evaporate, leading to potential damage. Keep an eye on your engine temperature gauge and top off fluids as needed. 
   

Make sure your vehicle is free from heat-related issues. AAA Auto Repair Centers or AAA Approved Auto Repair Centers can help keep you on the road with top-notch car maintenance and repair. You don't have to be a Member to use AAA Auto Repair Centers and AAA approved shops, but there are savings and benefits for being one. For more information, visit https://mwg.aaa.com/automotive. 
Equinox glare driving precautions
Around the fall equinox, drivers may experience windshield glare as the sun rises and sets directly in the east and west. This can make it challenging for drivers to see pedestrians, road signs, and traffic signals. Drivers should ensure their windshields are clean, wear polarized sunglasses, use their sun visor, and slow down during peak glare times to improve safety on the road.

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 MWG 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 MWG is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.

​THINK – AMERICA – THINK
From the Sierra Booster, October 31, 1952
 
When voting for the next President of this Nation, the voter should have the right to assume he is not voting for imperfection in either foreign or home policy, whether it be economics or any other major issue. However, this is far from the case, It is the most solemn duty of all patriotic citizens to examine the records and acquaint themselves with the facts. The past twenty year record of TRUMAN & ROOSEVELT stands as a glaring indictment of the democratic policy on all of the vital issues of this nation!
The result of this Plutocratic Bureaucracy that thinks only of political security and not of the general welfare of the nation is that we are now faced with  the gravest chaotic crises in history. The garbled meaningless phraseology which has been unleashed on this nation by the socialistic Soap Box Oratore sailing under the Democratic Banner does not by any means alter these facts and this pathetic condition.
EISENHOWER (Ike) has by past records proven not only a patriot but one of the greatest executives and diplomats of all time.
AMERICA needs a man of EISENHOWER’S proven caliber. A man who is capable of making grave decisions and delegating the proper people to the task of carrying out his orders. This Nation is faced with a titanic project in solving our present and future problems.
SOCIALISM is the brother of COMMUNISM which is lulling the American people to sleep. AMERICANS WAKE UP! The Socialistic philosophy of STEVENSON AND TRUMAN is endangering the very ramparts of FREEDOM in this nation.
For the sake of FREEDOM and AMERICA – vote for EISENHOWER and save this country from DICTATORSHIP!

NEVADA CITY, Calif. (Sept. 23, 2024) — Tahoe National Forest received $5 million to expand work on the USDA Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy. The funds will reduce wildfire risk on up to 1,432 acres adjacent to communities as part of Tahoe National Forest’s Resilient Communities and Partner Capacity Building Project. This funding will be leveraged with other federal and state opportunities to complete the entirety of these forest health projects totaling 7,587 acres and 50 miles of roadside work. 



“Reducing wildfire threat to our communities while restoring the forest to a more resilient state is our top priority,” said acting Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Beth Martinez. “We remain committed to continuing to address the wildfire crisis through implementing critical fuels reduction work across the Tahoe National Forest.” 


The Resilient Communities and Partner Capacity Building Project includes vegetation management treatments encompassing three sub-projects on the Tahoe National Forest: 

• Michigan Bluff Project: Masticate, hand thin and pile and machine pile 650 acres to remove surface and ladder fuels to create defensible space adjacent to the communities of Michigan Bluff and Foresthill. 
• South Yuba Roadside Fuel Break Project: Masticate, hand and machine pile, prescribed burn and log 364 acres along 6 miles of roads to create safe ingress and egress for three disadvantaged communities near Nevada City.
• Bonta Creek Defensible Space Project: Extract biomass and timber using tethered equipment on 418 acres to thin ladder and canopy fuels to create defensible space adjacent to the town of Sierraville. 

Funding received by the Tahoe National Forest is part of the $100 million investment via the Collaborative Wildfire Risk Reduction Program announced by the Biden-Harris Administration on Sept. 10, 2024. The Collaborative Wildfire Risk Reduction Program uses hazardous fuels funds from the Inflation Reduction Act to treat additional areas of high wildfire risk where national forests and grasslands meet homes and communities, known as the Wildland-Urban Interface. The program allows national forests, in collaboration with Tribes, communities and partners in qualifying states to build local capacity for projects to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health. 

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
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For Immediate Releas

Sacramento, CA – September 23, 2024



The California Fuels and Convenience Alliance, representing the small-family-owned businesses at the end of the fuel supply chain, will hold a press conference to voice their collective concerns with ABX2-1.


Last week, under the demand of Governor Newsom, the California State Assembly began their special session on fuel and energy costs, discussing ABX2-1 (formerly known as SB 950). This bill under review will give the California Energy Commission (CEC) more authority to impose new mandates for oil storage requirements on oil refineries in California.


The press conference will be held on Thursday, September 26th, at 9:30 AM in the Rose Garden of the California State Capitol, on the East side of the park. CFCA will be joined by several small and ethnic business organizations, seniors, veterans and prominent community leaders.


"We acknowledge the commitment to safeguarding the state’s fuel supply against potential disruptions,” stated Elizabeth Graham, CEO of CFCA. “We believe its implementation could lead to significant unintended consequences that would destabilize the fuel market, impose undue financial burdens on consumers and small business owners, exacerbate existing infrastructure and regulatory challenges, and jeopardize drivers in the Golden State and our neighboring states.”


ABX2-1 was heard in the special session on Wednesday and Thursday of last week and is headed to the California State Assembly Policy Committee for discussion this Thursday. CFCA member Tom Robinson, Robinson Oil Corporation, testified in Wednesday’s session and stated that the state cannot afford to limit the amount of fuel available to consumers, which will only make the situation worse, raising prices and causing shortages.


CFCA is calling upon legislators to work with the association and its members, other job creators and California stakeholders on alternatives that can promote greater stability in California’s fuels market without adding more costs that are ultimately shouldered by consumers at the pump.

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About CFCA
CFCA is the industry's statewide trade association representing the needs of small and minority wholesale and retail marketers of gasoline, diesel, lubricating oils, motor fuels products, and alternative fuels, including but not limited to, hydrogen, compressed natural gas, ethanol, renewable and biodiesel, and electric charging stations; transporters of those products; and retail convenience store operators. CFCA’s members serve California’s families, agriculture, police and fire, cities, construction, and all consumer goods moved by the delivery and transportation industries.
California Fuels & Convenience Alliance | 2520 Venture Oaks Way Ste. 100, Sacramento, CA 95833 | 916.646.5999 | [email protected] | www.cfca.energy