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RCRC opposes Senate Bill 1404, authored by Senator Henry Stern (D-Calabasas), which seeks to go back on agreements made in the 2017 Cap-and-Trade reauthorization by reinstating the State Responsibility Area (SRA) fee. Specifically, SB 1404 would remove the suspension of the SRA fee from state law and reinstate it beginning in 2027 until at least 2031. The SRA fee was first instituted in 2011 and was discontinued in 2017 by the California Legislature on the condition of continuing the Cap-and-Trade program, now known as Cap-and-Invest. The fee assessed up to $150 for each habitable structure on a parcel that is within a state responsibility area, with the money going to CAL FIRE. California’s residents in the wildland urban interface (WUI) are already grappling with affordability issues surrounding property insurance and home hardening. Beyond that, implementation of the original SRA fee was a logistical and administrative disaster. Homeowners who did not even live in the SRA were routinely charged fees, while upfront costs to launch the program approached $15 million—nearly 19 percent of the total revenue of the program. Additionally, many rural county residents already pay for local fire services, even if they have no CAL FIRE presence in their areas at all. RCRC strongly opposes SB 1404 because it further increases concerns over affordability for California residents in the WUI, by levying this fee again. Additionally, reinstituting the SRA is a wholesale violation of the 2017 Cap-and-Trade agreement, especially when the proposed new version would fund other projects that do not reduce greenhouse gas emissions. SB 1404 will be heard next Tuesday, April 14, in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. RCRC’s most recent letter, in coalition with CSAC, can be found HERE. For additional information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Staci Heaton. Letter Seeks Full Transparency on Taxpayer-Funded “California Brand Campaign” SACRAMENTO — Assemblyman David Tangipa (R-Fresno), Vice Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, is demanding answers from Governor Gavin Newsom over a $19 million taxpayer-funded public relations contract to rebrand California. In a letter sent Wednesday, Tangipa requested full disclosure of the contract between the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and global PR firm Edelman, along with all competing bids and scoring documents used in the selection process. “Maybe if Newsom actually delivered on his promises to build housing, fix homelessness, and lower costs, California wouldn’t have the reputation it has today,” Tangipa said. “Instead, he’s spending millions in taxpayer dollars on a PR campaign to cover up his failures.” The proposed “California Brand Campaign” would include:
“After blowing $37 million on a communications office, the administration is spending another $19 million to help rebuild his own reputation,” Tangipa added. “Meanwhile, the Governor is running billion-dollar budget deficits. Zero transparency. Zero accountability. Zero oversight.” Tangipa is requesting that the administration provide all documents by April 16 and send a representative from GO-Biz to testify before the Assembly Budget Committee. “Californians are struggling with high costs and real challenges,” Tangipa said. “The focus should be on results, not a taxpayer-funded campaign to improve his image.” Click here to view the full letter.  Late spring and early summer are peak times for California’s deer herds to give birth to fawns, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is issuing a reminder to well-intentioned residents and visitors to not interact with the baby deer – even if they find one that appears to be abandoned or hungry. Adult female deer regularly stash their fawns in tall grass or brush for as long as a day while they are out foraging for food. “Every year we receive calls from concerned individuals and families about fawns and other young wildlife that appear to be abandoned or in distress,” said Jeff Stoddard, Wildlife Program Manager from CDFW’s Northern Region. “Our direction most often is to stay clear of the animal so the mother feels safe to return and so your presence does not attract unwanted attention to the fawn by people or other animals. In almost every case, the mother returns after dark or when it appears quiet and the mother feels safe to do so.” Each year, CDFW and wildlife rehabilitation facilities are called to assist with fawns that have been removed from the wild by local residents and those recreating outdoors. The fawns lack the survival skills their mothers would have taught them and cannot be released back into the wild. Long-term captivity in zoos or other wildlife sanctuaries is unlikely due to limited space availability. Consequently, the fawns are often euthanized. Only a limited number of wildlife rehabilitation facilities are permitted to accept fawns. Due to disease concerns, it is not recommended to move fawns outside of their home county. If a fawn is found on a road or another dangerous location, it is often better to use a towel or blanket and move the animal a short distance to suitable vegetation and allow it to reunite with its mother. A doe will not abandon her fawn merely because it has been touched by a person. It is both illegal and unethical to feed deer and keep deer in your personal possession. Both crimes are misdemeanors, each subject to penalties of up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail. Learn more about the dangers and consequences of feeding deer in the following video: CDFW Reminds Californians Why It’s Illegal to Feed Deer. To report an injured, sick or suspected orphaned fawn, contact your local CDFW regional office directly. ### WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (April 9, 2026) - California gas prices rose with the national average this week as crude oil prices remain fluid. A gallon of regular gas is averaging $5.92 across the state. That price is three cents higher than last week and 99 cents higher than last year. Meanwhile, the national average rose eight cents to $4.16. The last time the national average reached that price was in early August of 2022. “Crude oil prices remain high, even as they’ve fluctuated in recent days following the announcement of a 2-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran,” said AAA Mountain West Group spokesperson Julian Paredes. “The price for a barrel of crude dropped below $100 but then rose again, highlighting the volatility of oil markets and fluidity of geopolitical events.” Fuel Prices Around the State:
AAA Shares Tips to Help Drivers Save on Gas Saving on Gas: AAA members can save at the pump by signing up for Shell Fuel Rewards®. Members who register now through April 30 will get 35¢/gallon off their first fill at participating Shell stations, and all AAA Fuel Rewards members will save 10¢/gallon during that time period, which is an additional 5¢/gallon compared to the standard Fuel Rewards discount. Avoid Speeding: Fuel economy peaks at around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Driving the recommended speed limit can increase fuel economy between 7 and 14 percent. Regular vs. Premium: Pay close attention to the words “recommended” and “required.” If regular gas is recommended for your vehicle, that’s all you need. Choosing premium when your car doesn’t require it will only cost you money and doesn’t improve fuel economy. Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle (e.g., trunk, cargo area, etc.) as weight increases the amount of effort it takes to move the vehicle. Avoid Excessive Idling: When idling, car engines use up to one-half gallons of fuel per hour. Warm engines take about 10 seconds worth of fuel to restart. Shut off your engine when stopped for more than a minute and if it's safe to do so. Check Tire Pressure and Align Tires: Maintaining proper tire pressure reduces your tire's friction with the road. Less friction means less energy is needed to move, resulting in using less gas. Proper inflation can improve gas mileage by 0.6 percent on average. Oil Market Dynamics At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell $1.26 to settle at $100.12 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 5.5 million barrels from the previous week. At 461.6 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 0.1% above 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 41 cents. In California, the average price is 46 cents. State Stats Gas The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($5.89), Hawaii ($5.50), Washington ($5.36), Oregon ($4.96), Nevada ($4.94), Arizona ($4.68), Alaska ($4.59), Idaho ($4.26), Illinois ($4.26), and Florida ($4.23). The nation's top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Oklahoma ($3.27), Kansas ($3.33), Nebraska ($3.42), North Dakota ($3.43), Iowa ($3.48), Missouri ($3.48), South Dakota ($3.52), Arkansas ($3.52), Minnesota ($3.54), and Georgia ($3.70). Electric The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (53 cents), Hawaii (51 cents), Alaska (49 cents), New Hampshire (47 cents), Louisiana (47 cents), California (46 cents), South Carolina (46 cents), New Jersey (45 cents), Arkansas (44 cents), and Nevada (43 cents). The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (29 cents), Missouri (32 cents), Utah (33 cents), Nebraska (33 cents), Iowa (33 cents), Maryland (33 cents), Vermont (34 cents), South Dakota (35 cents), Delaware (36 cents), and New Mexico (37 cents). Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA Mobile App, now available on CarPlay. Find current fuel prices at gasprices.aaa.com. Find local news releases at mwg.aaa.com/news/press-release. About AAA Mountain West Group AAA Mountain West Group is one of the most trusted membership organizations, proudly serving over 6.8 million Members across Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, Utah, and Wyoming. Named one of Forbes’ Most Trusted Companies in America, 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.  As a follow up to the video message on Medicaid cuts through the H.R.1 legislation delivered earlier this year, Doug McCoy, CEO, shared a positive report on the sustainability of Eastern Plumas Health Care. Unlike many rural hospitals that are at high risk of closing, EPHC is thriving. “I’m very pleased to continue to report that EPHC is in a very good position. We have spent a lot of time over the last several years making sure that we’re able to continue to provide services and grow services as we’re going forward. Specifically in the last 90 days, we have taken a look at what the impacts are going to be for EPHC which are significant over the next 5 to 7 years,” stated McCoy. With a strategic plan already employed to mitigate these impacts, McCoy is pleased to report that starting in fiscal year 2028, EPHC has been able to mitigate all of those cut reductions. “We can ensure that we don’t have any service interruptions or issues going forward. We’re very excited and I appreciate the work done by our board of directors and our leadership team,” said McCoy. With the addition of Senior Life Solutions, the rehabilitation program, and CalAIM Community Care, services keep expanding. McCoy stated, “We added seven new providers in 2025. So as part of our mitigation strategy, we are not reducing services, we’re growing services.” He further stated, “Our mitigation strategy to offset those cuts does not come with the loss of any personnel or any impacts to any of the services we’re currently providing” How did EPHC accomplish this monumental feat? It was through a series of specific initiatives from reestablishing different contracts for better pricing, leveraging technology, to reinstating MRI services that gave EPHC the ability to continue with their strategic growth plan. The significant cuts anticipated for 2028 will not negatively impact operations for EPHC. “We have eliminated the risk for cut reductions, and we will be stronger than ever to be able to continue to service you and provide even more services as we’re going forward into the future,” said McCoy. The video message can be viewed on ephc.org, or by scanning the QR code below. The community is encouraged to contact Doug McCoy at [email protected] for any questions or concerns. Your home, your community, your California
Sacramento, CA — Today, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) launched its annual home hardening and defensible space media and education campaign prompting Californians to take action to prepare their homes and property for wildfire. Featuring updated assets for 2026, this campaign encourages residents to act now to protect their homes and property from the growing year-round wildfire threat. Simple actions—such as mowing grass, trimming trees, removing dead vegetation, and using noncombustible hardscape materials near structures—can make a significant difference in reducing wildfire risk. “Preparedness starts at home, but it doesn’t end there. When neighbors, communities, and local partners come together, we build a stronger, more resilient California that is better prepared for wildfire,” said CAL FIRE Director and Fire Chief, Joe Tyler. “Data shows that when homes are hardened and defensible space is maintained, the risk of wildfire damage drops significantly. When more Californians take these steps, it strengthens the safety and resilience of our communities.” Wildfires can expose homes in three primary ways: direct flame, radiant heat, and flying embers. Embers can travel up to a mile or more, igniting vulnerable areas such as roofs, vents, decks, and gutters. That is why preparing both your home and the surrounding area is critical. Home hardening involves using fire-resistant and noncombustible materials to reduce a structure’s vulnerability to ignition. This can include upgrading roofs, vents, windows, and siding, as well as enclosing eaves and removing potential ember entry points. Many effective home hardening measures can be completed at low cost, such as sealing gaps, installing ember-resistant vents, and maintaining gutters free of debris. In addition to hardening structures, creating defensible space is essential. Defensible space is the buffer around a home that helps slow or stop the spread of wildfire and reduces the chance of ignition from embers or flames. This space is divided into three zones:
CAL FIRE emphasizes that wildfire preparedness is a shared responsibility and encourages all Californians to take action now. Through this campaign, CAL FIRE is highlighting the importance of home hardening and defensible space as the most effective ways for individuals and families to reduce wildfire risk. By taking proactive steps, Californians can significantly improve their home’s chance of surviving a wildfire while also helping protect their communities and first responders. To learn more about how to harden your home and create defensible space, visit ReadyforWildfire.org. To view, customize and download assets from this campaign to share, check out the Home Hardening and Defensible Space Toolkit. ### CAL FIRE Communications | 715 P St. | Sacramento, CA 95814 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice Following today’s federal arrests of several individuals involved in a massive Southern California hospice fraud scheme, Assemblywoman Alexandra M. Macedo (R-Tulare), who spearheaded the discovery of the rampant fraud in “ground zero” of hospice care fraud, released the following: “Hospice care is a sacred promise of dignity for patients and families during their most vulnerable final days. To see that promise exploited by criminals is not just a fiscal crime, it is a moral failure. “While federal authorities are finally bringing these bad actors to justice, the vacuum of leadership in Sacramento remains deafening. Governor Newsom has repeatedly failed to implement the emergency regulations and guardrails necessary to protect California families from being preyed upon. “I am grateful for the federal oversight, which is finally providing the accountability that our state government has neglected. We will not stop until every taxpayer dollar intended for end-of-life care is protected, and those who abuse the system are held accountable.” EDITOR/PRODUCERS: There are 818 hospices in LA County (more than New York and Florida combined), while the rest of the state has 707 hospice agencies. The Los Angeles live discharge rate is 26 percent compared to an 11 percent national average. These high numbers are indicators of fraud. To view the 2022 State Auditor report on hospice care, please click here. # # # New data shows rising costs are forcing families out, and they’re better off when they leave SACRAMENTO — Families are leaving California because they cannot afford to stay. New data from the University of California, California Policy Lab, finds that Californians who leave the state pay less for housing and are more likely to own a home. On average, movers relocate to places where housing costs are $672 less per month. That’s not the California Dream. That’s the California Nightmare. And it’s not just low-income families leaving. More Californians are exiting from higher-income communities because they’re still struggling to keep up with rising costs. If this trend continues, the consequences will be severe. California is on track to lose 3–4 congressional seats in the next decade. The state’s tax base will shrink. Fewer workers. Fewer families. Less opportunity. And it didn’t happen by accident. Governor Newsom and Sacramento Democrats passed the policies driving these costs, higher taxes, higher energy prices, and more barriers to building housing. The bottom line: People aren’t leaving because they want to; they’re leaving because they can’t afford to stay. Record Hot, Dry March Wipes Out California Snowpack, Leaving No Measurable Snow for April Survey4/1/2026 Apr 01, 2026 DWR today conducted the fourth snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the critical April snow survey at Phillips Station and found no measurable snow, a stark indicator of how record‑hot March temperatures and high‑elevation rain have erased the Sierra Nevada snowpack months ahead of schedule. The combination of warm storms and unusually hot temperatures rapidly melted what remained of this year’s already sparse snowpack. Statewide, the snowpack is now just 18 percent of average for this date, according to the automated snow sensor network. Today’s results are the second lowest April measurement on record for Phillips Station, largely because there was still some visible snow on the ground. By contrast, the lowest April reading occurred in 2015 when no snow was present at the site. Although DWR and its partners in the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program are completing additional surveys across the Sierra Nevada, preliminary data indicates this year’s April 1 snowpack is the second lowest on record. The April measurement is a critical marker for water managers across the state, as it is typically when the snowpack reaches its maximum volume and begins to melt. However, this year’s extremely hot and dry conditions throughout the month of March, along with a warm atmospheric river system in late February, initiated snowmelt several weeks ahead of schedule. According to automated sensors across the Sierra Nevada, this year’s statewide snowpack likely reached its peak on or near February 24. “It feels like we skipped spring this year and dropped straight into a summer heatwave,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “What should be gradual snowmelt happened suddenly weeks ago. To me, this is another reminder that aging water systems need to be retrofit for more volatile precipitation patterns. We’re seeing fewer, warmer storms and shorter wet seasons. Future water supplies will depend upon our ability to capture water when it’s available and manage it more efficiently.” DWR’s water supply forecasts use data from the April 1 snowpack to calculate how much snowmelt runoff will eventually make its way into California’s rivers and reservoirs. This information is critical for reservoir managers, who must balance flood control and water supply goals through the winter and depend on snowmelt to slowly refill reservoirs as demand increases during the dry season. Given the unprecedented heatwave across the West in March, DWR and its partners expanded monitoring efforts to better track this year’s rapid snowmelt, including 100 additional mid-month snow surveys across 18 critical watersheds. The California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program has also been working closely with partner agencies to monitor the snowmelt and ensure water managers have the information they need to make informed water management decisions. DWR has focused efforts over the past five years to understand and track how snowpack accumulation and melt translates into water supply, which has aided efforts to forecast runoff in new extreme climate conditions. New snow hydrology modeling in key watersheds gives DWR better insights into the changing physical state of the snowpack. Expanding data collection efforts with Airborne Snow Observatories Inc. and academic research partners, including UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab, now also allow DWR to consider factors like changes in soil moisture and snowpack temperature in its runoff forecasts. “What makes this year stand out is the disconnect between precipitation and snowpack,” said Andy Reising, manager of DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit. “We received near-average precipitation in many parts of the state, but much of it fell as rain instead of snow. That led to one of the lowest April snowpacks on record and one of the earliest peaks we’ve seen in decades — conditions that make forecasting runoff more complex.” Although some additional snow is forecasted to arrive in the coming days, it is not likely to make up for the rapid snowmelt and hot, dry March. In the Northern Sierra Nevada, where the state’s largest water supply reservoirs are located, the snowpack is just 6 percent of average. Measuring California’s snowpack is a key component of water management. On average, California’s snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs. Its natural ability to store water is why California’s snowpack is often referred to as California's “frozen reservoir.” The data and measurements collected from DWR and its partners with the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program help inform the water supply and snowmelt runoff forecasts, known as the Bulletin 120, that help water managers plan for how much water will eventually reach state reservoirs in the spring and summer. This information is also a key piece in calculating State Water Project allocation updates each month. Learn more about how snow melt makes its way into State Water Project reservoirs each spring. DWR conducts four or five snow surveys at Phillips Station each winter near the first of each month, January through April and, if necessary, May. For California’s current hydrological conditions, visit https://cww.water.ca.gov Additional Resources
 For decades, the U.S. Forest Service has been conducting large logging projects on public lands, telling the public that these mechanical thinning and post-fire logging timber sales will curb and stop wildfires so they will not reach towns. But several major wildfire tragedies and a lot of new science over the past decade have shown the Forest Service’s approach to be not just misguided and ineffective, but counter-productive and dangerous. Dr. Chad Hanson, wildfire scientist with the John Muir Project and author of the book “Smokescreen” will discuss why the focus of the Forest Service and Congress on logging mature and old trees, and post-fire clearcutting in forest wildlands is putting communities at greater risk. Dr. Hanson will describe a different path forward, one that will be far better for forest ecosystems, and will help save homes and lives from wildfires. Chico: Wednesday April 22nd Doors 6pm/ Event 6:30pm Pageant Theater 351 E. 6th St. Quincy: Thursday April 23rd Doors 6pm/ Event 6:30pm Quincy Library 445 Jackson St. Free admission, donations accepted. Q&A to follow talk. Presented by John Muir Project, Plumas Forest Project and Feather River Action!  REDDING – Caltrans will start the final season of work on the Cromberg Combined Rehabilitation project, which will completely restore the roadway, and improve ride quality on State Route (SR) 70 in Plumas County. The project also includes shoulder widening, new guard railing, bridge rail, upgrades to existing ADA facilities, drainage improvements and the addition of numerous safety features. (Location 1): Tentatively starting April 6th, there will be traffic control on SR 70 near Cromberg while drainage work begins. Motorists can anticipate traffic control Monday - Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at this location. Expected delays may extend up to 10 minutes. (Location 2): Tentatively starting April 6th, there will be traffic control on SR 70 east of Portola while roadway widening work begins. Motorists can anticipate traffic control Monday - Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at this location. Expected delays may extend up to 15 minutes. Total delay time through the project limits at both work locations may extend up to 25 minutes. The $101 million project includes 360 working days, with all days requiring traffic control. Night work will be used when feasible and safe. The entire project is expected to be completed by winter of 2026. Contractor Mercer-Fraser Company, North Region Construction and Caltrans District 2 thank the traveling public and local communities for their patience during the construction of the project. If you have gas pains when you fill up your tank now, it’s much worse for lawn care pros. Rising gas prices are like a one-two punch: the cost of getting to jobs and the cost of powering up most of those mowers, trimmers, and blowers. The national average gas price on March 30, 2026, was $3.99, according to AAA. How do lawn care pros – and how can YOU – cope with soaring fuel costs? We asked some of our more than 26,000 LawnStarter pros how they’re trying to make up for the increased cost of doing business. You can find our full report here: https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-industry/rising-gas-prices-lawn-care-impact/ 3 tips from lawn care pros:
A PUBLIC HEARING on amendments to the Sierra County General Plan, Zone Amendment and Williamson Act Contract for 222 Lemmon Canyon Road in Sierraville was held during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on March 17th. Planning Director Brandon Pangman explained his department received an application a couple years ago from property owner Lucy Blake whose land is all under the Williamson Act, to rezone 720 acres of forest land from Agriculture to Forest land use designation. Zoning has to be consistent with General Plan and cannot be in the Williamson Act and Timber Production Zone (TPZ) simultaneously. Qualifications for a TPZ includes having a timber management plan approved by a professional forester, site capability for timber grown, and compliance with local zoning. Only 562 acres met qualifications. Pangman reported it was the recommendation of the Sierra County Planning Commission that they amend the General Plan on all 720 acres and only change 562 acres to TPZ and amend Williamson Act. The new contract would delineate the areas for TPZ. The proposed changes also had to go through the Open Space Screening Committee. Pangman noted that everyone was in agreement with this approach. He stated there was a long history of agricultural and timber management on the property and felt it more practical to have split zoning.
During public comment, owner Lucy Blake explained she’s been planning to do this change for 35 years after Sierra County resident and former assessor Bill Copren suggested that land be in a TPZ. She purchased the ranch in 1988 and inherited the Williamson Act contract with it. Supervisor Sharon Dryden questioned the ranch being in a conservation easement. Blake explained the land is in an easement that allows for grazing and timber management. The Resolution on the aforementioned changes to the General Plan, Zone Amendment and Williamson Act was approved unanimously. Dryden commented she was pleased that the property will be managed well for forest health which protects the property as well as the community. A second public hearing was held during the same meeting for non-renewal of the Yost -Clark Williamson Act after it was discovered that the four parcels once commonly-owned and jointly managed as “contiguous” parcels under one contract have each subsequently been sold. Each of the four parcels are now owned by separate persons. The Board unanimously adopted the resolution to non-renew the existing contract. A notice will be served to all four property owners of the change and owners can enter into a new contract if they meet the Williamson Act qualifications, particularly acreage size. Sierra County Assessor Eric Jackson commented if any property owners were to get into another contract they would see no change in their tax base. National School Librarian Day, observed on April 4, 2026, shines a spotlight on the essential role librarians play in shaping student success. This year, the occasion arrives amid growing concern within the Plumas Unified School District (PUSD), where librarians are part of the proposed budget cuts approved during the February 11 board meeting. During the most recent PUSD board meeting on March 11, Portola High School librarian Klytia Dutton delivered a passionate public comment urging district leaders to reconsider the decision. Dutton emphasized that her advocacy was not about preserving jobs, but about protecting students. She described school libraries as inclusive spaces that serve a wide spectrum of needs. For avid readers and college-bound students, libraries offer challenging materials and enrichment opportunities. For others—those less inclined toward reading—libraries provide a welcoming environment to relax, socialize, and simply be themselves. Libraries also play a critical role in accessibility. Students who are learning English can find resources tailored to their needs, while others benefit from practical materials that support personal interests and real-world skills. Dutton shared the example of a student who used library resources to learn how to repair a motor-cycle—an illustration of how libraries empower curiosity and independence. Beyond academics, libraries offer a refuge. In the often busy and overstimulating environment of a school campus, they provide a quiet space where students can decompress and regain focus. She also highlighted the economic aspect of the debate, pointing out that librarians are among the lowest-paid staff members in the district, yet remain integral to the educational team. Closing her remarks, Dutton urged district officials to reconsider the long-term impact of the cuts. “Once something is gone,” she warned, “you will never get it back.” Portola Jr./Sr. High School’s Rotary Interact Club, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Portola, invites the community to participate in this year’s Community Read event featuring It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood. This powerful and engaging text offers insight into resilience, identity, and global perspectives—making it a meaningful read for students and community members alike. Books will be available for pickup at the PHS front office beginning March 31st (Spring Break is from April 3rd - 12th; novels can be picked up before or after these dates). The Community Read will culminate in a special Community Dinner & Fundraiser on May 29th from 6:00–7:30 PM in the PHS Library. This event will support efforts to fight schistosomiasis in Africa, a deadly parasitic disease impacting over 80 million children and causing approximately 200,000 deaths each year. Guests are invited to enjoy a South African curry and rice dining experience (suggested donation of $10), along with trivia, a book discussion, and a guest presentation from a travel nurse. All proceeds will go directly toward treatment and eradication efforts. Please RSVP for the event here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdH90TQ0_fBeWYTlLqecghwCVXWL6wYLNnCV3blFTY44YmrVA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=108875451282697105037 For questions about the event or the novel, please contact [email protected]. Join us in reading, learning, and making a global impact together.  A R E P O R T TO THE PEOPLE OF SIERRA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Sierra County Elections and Ballot Counting Process January 15th, 2026 Summary It is customary that grand jurors are invited to witness the election process that is handled by the County Elections Department. The County Elections Department is overseen by the California Registrar of Voters. Two members of the 2025-2026 Grand Jury were invited by the County Clerk-Recorder to observe the election process. The designated members were invited to observe any stage of the voting process, including Logic and Accuracy testing, and the opening and processing of mail in ballots. Processing of ballots takes place as early as October 7th and extends until Election Day on November 4th or until all ballots are tabulated and the election is certified. Background The statewide special election was approved by the State Senate and Assembly and signed by the governor on August 21, 2025. The special election was held on November 4th, 2025. In Sierra County, the election was conducted completely through mail in ballots. No polling places were designated. Ballots were mailed to registered voters on October 6th. Ballots could be returned in 1 of 3 ways: Either directly at the Sierra County Clerk’s Office, a drop box at the Loyalton City Hall Auditorium on Election Day Only, or by mail with the ballot being postmarked no later than November 4th, 2025. Methodology Information about the special election was found on the Voter Information Pamphlet and Vote by Mail Instructions. The election and ballot counting process was observed by two members of the Grand Jury on two separate dates, October 30th, 2025 and November 4th, 2025. Several members of the public from the west side of Sierra County were also present. The process of running the election was explained step-by-step by the County Clerk-Recorder. The clerk and their staff were willing and able to answer all questions asked. Election and ballot counting procedures were verified through information found on the State of California’s Secretary of State Website. Discussion The Elections Office of Sierra County is operated by the County Clerk’s Office. The Clerk’s office also serves as the clerk to the Board of Supervisors, Clerk and Recorder to the county. Any member of the public is welcome to observe the election and ballot counting process in the Sierra County Board of Supervisors Meeting room as long as posted rules are obeyed. This is the same room that the Board of Supervisors holds its public meetings with live internet access for all citizens of Sierra County to “attend” without cross county travel over the mountain pass. Because of the small size of the office, two volunteers are secured and sworn in as election officials on election night. Sierra County’s Election Procedures are created by the State with direction given to each county to follow. The Election office creates and prints the ballots with guidelines and layout provided by the state. The ballots are then mailed to all registered voters in the county. When ballots arrive at the office, the signature is verified and the ballot is marked as received in special ballot tracking software. Election employees use software to keep track of all known signatures of the registered voter. If a ballot is received without a signature, a ballot notice is sent to that registered voter. They must verify that their ballot was mailed by them and provide a signature with the notice. Checked in ballots are then stored in the appropriate box, separated by precinct and locked in a secure safe. Ballot counting computers are comprised of three separate servers: One used for creating and printing ballots, one for scanning ballots, and the last for tabulating votes. These computers are not connected to any network or internet source and can only be accessed by physically using the computer in the office. Jurors were shown each computer station and were allowed to view their operation. All election computers were connected to a battery backup, ensuring their operation even if a power outage occurred. The jurors were introduced to the Logic and Accuracy testing phase of the evening before ballots were scanned. In this testing phase, 10 ballots were marked. Four ballots were marked “Yes,” 4 ballots were marked “No,” one ballot had neither a yes or no (undervote), and one ballot had been marked with both yes and no (overvote). Jurors counted the votes and made notes of their results. The ballots were then run through the scanner, and a report was generated with the results. Jurors reviewed the report and compared the computer’s results with their own and found the results to be the same, proving that the scanner was functioning as designed. The jurors acted as members of the Logic and Accuracy board and signed off on the results. During the night, each voting precinct’s box is opened. The number of ballots is counted and compared to the number of checked in ballots, ensuring none are missing. The names of the registered voters from the envelopes are read and compared to the list of checked in ballots. Ballots are then taken to the scanner, and the votes are tallied and recorded in the computer. Results are stored on a thumb drive and given directly to a state official. As a double check, a state election official contacts a county staff member to hear a verbal total of votes. If during the counting of ballots, a ballot is found to be unreadable by the machine, a duplicate of that ballot will be created by 2 certified election officials. Ballots of this nature can contain unnecessary folds, stains or marks or any other flaw. Ballots sent in from overseas and military are duplicated due to the format of the ballot upon receipt. These ballots are duplicated onto appropriate ballots that can be read by the scanner. Findings F1. Great care and professionalism is taken by the Election Office staff in the handling and opening of ballot envelopes. F2. Election Office staff proved to be highly knowledgeable of the ballot counting and election process. F3. The Election Office performs the task of ballot counting accurately, with many redundancies to ensure that each ballot is counted exactly once. F4. The ballots are stored in a locked safe in the County offices when they are not being processed by Election Office Staff. F5. The Elections Office invites and provides opportunity for any member of the public to view the actual processing of the sorting and processing ballots in the Sierra County offices in Downieville. F6. A commendation is warranted for the staff of the Sierra County Elections Office for their tireless and diligent work in ensuring the efficient, friendly and public implementation of the State of California mandated election process in this election. Recommendations The Sierra County Grand Jury Recommends that: R1. The Head of the Elections Office pursue and strive to implement, within the appropriate State Election practices and budget constraints, the opportunity for any member of the public to view the actual process of sorting and processing ballots via existing teleconferencing services in the Downieville Board of Supervisors room without unwelcome travel expense and mountain pass safety issues. Required Responses The following responses are required, pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05: -Regarding Recommendation R1, the County-Clerk Recorder shall respond in writing to the presiding judge of the superior court within (60) days of the release of this release of this report. SACRAMENTO - Following the failure of AB 1686 in the Assembly Public Safety Committee, Assemblymember Lackey (R-Palmdale), a nearly 30-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol, issued the following emotional statement. AB 1686 would have allowed for a person who receives their second DUI within 10 years to be charged with a felony or misdemeanor. “Today, politics won and victims lost. For nearly three decades, I wore the uniform and lived the consequences of this committee in real time. I’ve stood on highways covered in shattered glass, with the sounds of sirens and sobbing family members – watching as families were torn apart in a single heartbreaking moment. I remember the faces. I remember the devastation. Those are the realities this committee chose to ignore. I cannot accept turning our backs on victims. I will not stop fighting - because no family should have to face that tragedy.” Sacramento, CA — CAL FIRE - Office of the State Fire Marshal this month marked a milestone in community wildfire preparedness, announcing completion of the first five-year cycle of the Subdivision Review Program. The statewide program identifies communities at higher wildfire risk due to limited evacuation options. “By giving our communities detailed, neighborhood-level insights, this initiative strengthens our ability to help local leaders and residents improve evacuation planning in some of California’s most vulnerable areas,” State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant said. “Completing this first five-year cycle is a significant milestone in improving safety for families who live in high fire-risk regions and reflects our strong partnership with local governments across the state.” The program identifies neighborhoods in high fire-risk areas with only one access route. Communities without a secondary road face increased danger during fast-moving wildfires. Every five years, beginning in 2021, the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection works with the state fire marshal to survey cities, counties and fire districts. The program focuses on developments with more than 30 homes that lack a second evacuation route, as required by Public Resources Code 4290.5, established by AB 2911 (Friedman, 2018). “The Subdivision Review Program reflects the state’s commitment to safeguarding California communities,” board member J. Lopez said. “By identifying neighborhoods with limited evacuation routes and partnering with local agencies, we are helping ensure the resources and planning tools needed to protect families in high fire-risk areas.” The final survey of the initial cycle was recently completed in Newport Beach. Berlant joined CAL FIRE staff in the field, observing how the program evaluates community access and wildfire risk. “This program reinforces the importance of coordinated planning between local fire agencies and the state,” Newport Beach Fire Marshal James Gillespie said. “The insights gained help us better understand evacuation challenges and continue improving protections for our residents. We urge every household to take simple preparedness steps: know your routes, have a go-bag ready and follow official alerts during emergencies.” Since the program began, CAL FIRE has completed 2,430 in-person fire safety surveys statewide. In 2025 alone, 202 surveys were conducted in partnership with 30 local jurisdictions, demonstrating strong coordination to enhance wildfire preparedness. Completion of the first five-year cycle strengthens California’s ability to identify vulnerable communities, support local planning and reduce wildfire risk in some of the state’s most fire-prone areas. Learn more about CAL FIRE’s Subdivision Review Program here. # # # SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Ted Gaines (Ret.), Vice Chair of the State Board of Equalization, today submitted a letter of support for Senate Bill 888 (Seyarto, R), legislation that would exclude service-connected disability compensation from the definition of “household income” when determining eligibility for the low-income exclusion under the Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption (Revenue and Taxation Code Section 205.5). “Our state has a moral obligation to honor the sacrifices of those who served by ensuring that tax policies do not undermine their financial security. SB 888 is a practical, targeted step toward that goal and aligns with California’s commitment to supporting veterans and military families.” SB 888 proposes to remove this barrier and enable more qualifying veterans and their surviving spouses to benefit from the exemption, helping them afford to stay in their homes and maintain stability in their communities. In his support letter to Senator Seyarto and members of the Legislature, BOE Vice Chair Gaines states, “I applaud Senator Seyarto for his leadership on this important issue. This commonsense reform recognizes that disability payments are earned for injuries sustained in service to our country, not discretionary or supplemental income. Including these benefits in the income calculation unfairly penalizes disabled veterans, many of whom rely primarily on Social Security and VA disability payments to make ends meet.” SB 888 is scheduled for its first hearing in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee tomorrow, March 25. # # # Senator Ted Gaines (Ret.) was elected to represent the Board of Equalization’s First District. He is a leading taxpayer advocate, defender of Prop. 13, and is committed to providing trustworthy and transparent representation for nearly ten million constituents in 34 counties of northern, eastern, and southern California. For more information, visitwww.boe.ca.gov/Gaines. Keep Tahoe Bears Wild! Spring is in the air at Lake Tahoe, and black bears are emerging from their winter dens. This includes mother bears with new cubs of the year that are only about 8 to 10 weeks old. The reproduction cycle began back in the spring of last year, yet the mother bear has only been pregnant since around Thanksgiving. If the math doesn’t add up, here’s why: Black bears have a unique reproductive cycle that allows them to mate in the spring/summer but delay true pregnancy until the fall to increase the odds of success for a healthy pregnancy and fetus. Black bears mate in the summer from June to August, and the adult females undergo a process called delayed implantation. The sperm from the male fertilizes the microscopic egg inside the female, which quickly develops into a small ball of cells called a blastocyst. At this point, the pregnancy process pauses with the blastocyst floating around in the uterus, suspending further development until the fall. This pause allows time for the female to gain the fat reserves she will need to sustain both herself and any cubs she may have during the upcoming winter hibernation, or torpor, as it’s more accurately called for bears. Hibernation is tightly related to resource availability, and bears prepare for it in the fall by entering a period called "hyperphagia" (pronounced hi·per·fay·jee·uh). This period is marked by a substantial increase in feeding activity when bears are known to consume about 25,000 calories per day. All bears experience this feeding frenzy whether pregnant or not. As natural food supplies dwindle and snow gradually blankets the Tahoe Basin, bears naturally go into hibernation to save precious energy and resources. This is because bears do not eat or drink during hibernation, nor do they urinate or defecate. Instead, they have developed the ability to live off acquired fat stores and recycle wastes back into usable proteins. During this period, their heart and metabolic rates drop significantly, and they can lose 25 to 40 percent of their body weight. The stresses of hibernation are even more pronounced for females with cubs. To prepare for hibernation, the female’s body will carry out a self-evaluation in the late fall. If she has acquired the necessary fat reserves to sustain herself and her cubs throughout the entire hibernation period, the blastocyst will implant onto the uterine wall, and the fetus will begin to develop. In other words, true pregnancy begins. If the female has not accumulated enough body fat, the pregnancy ends and the blastocyst is reabsorbed by her body. Typically before Feb. 1, a pregnant female will give birth in the den to a litter of one to four blind, naked cubs weighing less than 1 pound. The female hardly awakens from torpor during birth, becoming just alert enough to lick the cubs clean and move them into a position that keeps them warm and allows them to nurse. The cubs continue to nurse and grow, becoming more active through the remainder of hibernation. A female with new cubs of the year emerges from the den between March and May with cubs weighing around 5 to 7 pounds. Throughout the cubs’ first year, they learn everything about how to be a bear from their mother, including where to find food, and what is dangerous and to be avoided. Cubs of the year are dependent on their mothers for several months and are taught how to forage on natural foods, including grass, berries and grubs. A female with cubs will be busy caring for and teaching her new cubs and will not mate again in the summer. Cubs of the year stay with their mother through the following hibernation and their first birthday, emerging from their mother’s den again the following spring as yearlings. Newly emerged yearlings are typically 50 to 150 pounds, and though they may be a bit awkward, they are well equipped and ready to go off on their own. Mother bears, once free of these “teenagers,” will once again find a mate and breed to continue the cycle of producing cubs every other year. As omnivores, a bear’s diet is about 85 percent plant-based, with the remaining portion coming from insects, small mammals and carrion. Bears provide essential ecosystem functions, including helping to spread seeds through their scat, transporting pollen on their fur and tongues, cleaning up animals that died during the winter and aiding in nutrient cycling by digging for insects. Though seeing a female bear with her new cubs can be a very exciting experience, bears play an important role in Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem and allowing them access to human food and garbage is detrimental to natural processes and their health. When mother bears teach their cubs to access human foods, they not only continue the cycle of human food-conditioning, but the cubs are much more prone to conflict, including being hit and killed by vehicles. Cubs taught to seek human food sources do not learn how to forage naturally. Instead, once they separate from their mother, they become dependent on human food sources and pass on the same unhealthy foraging habits to their own cubs. You can support black bears during their reproductive process by giving females with cubs plenty of space and by securing attractants and human food sources that may lead new cubs down a path toward conflict. It is a shared responsibility to keep Tahoe’s bears healthy, safe, and wild! For more information about black bear reproduction and cubs, visit January / February Is Birthday Time for Bears. For more information on coexisting with bears, visit BearWise.org or TahoeBears.org. To report human-bear conflicts:
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