The risks of improper debris burningImproper debris burning can quickly escalate into a wildfire, endangering communities and natural habitats. Recognizing and mitigating these risks through safe debris burning practices is crucial for preventing potential disasters and preserving our environment.
Before burning debris, you need to secure a burn permit from your local fire station or air district and confirm that there are no current burning restrictions in your area.



Burning Debris ResponsiblyFollow the steps below to make sure you’re burning landscape debris safely, effectively, and responsibly.

1Assess weather conditions
Keep a close eye on weather conditions and the dryness of surrounding vegetation. It’s safer to postpone debris burning during windy or very dry conditions to avoid accidental wildfire spread.
2Check burn day regulations
To find out if outdoor burning is allowed on a particular day, you must contact your local air quality management district. They provide daily updates on burn day status, ensuring that burning is conducted safely and in accordance with air quality regulations.
3Gather permissible burning materials
Only dry, natural vegetation that has grown on your property may be burned in open piles. This is subject to local ordinances, which may have additional restrictions. It’s important to note that burning household trash or garbage outdoors is strictly prohibited at residences.
4Create small debris piles
Limit piles to 4 feet by 4 feet to manage the burn easily.

5Limit pile diameterDo not exceed a 4-foot diameter to ensure control over the fire.


6Clear your surroundings
Remove all flammable materials within 10 feet of the pile to prevent unintended spreading.
7Have safety equipment handy
Keep water and a shovel nearby to extinguish the fire if necessary.
8Supervise the fire constantly
A responsible adult must be present to monitor the fire until it is completely out.

1. ARREST MADE IN LARGE BAY AREA RETAIL THEFT OPERATION

 
On March 11, the California Highway Patrol announced the arrest of Claudia Ivet Cruzbarragan, 41, in connection with an organized retail theft ring. The Golden Gate Division Organized Retail Crime Task Force launched an investigation in July 2024, uncovering a fencing operation in Oakland. On February 27, 2025, officers executed a search warrant at a residence and two storage units, recovering stolen merchandise worth over $779,000. Cruzbarragan, who had an outstanding warrant from a prior search, was taken into custody. On March 3, the Alameda County District Attorney filed formal charges, including organized retail crime, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy.
 

1. CHP HALTS DANGEROUS MOTORCYCLE TAKEOVER IN OCEANSIDE

 
On March 8, officers from the CHP Oceanside area office were called into action due to hazardous conduct by a large group of motorcyclists on Interstates 5 and 805. The officers issued 30 citations on misdemeanor charges, including reckless driving, obstructing traffic, and being an active sideshow spectator.  All 30 motorcycles involved in the sideshow were impounded. The incident unfolded around 8 a.m. when the group entered northbound I-805. Their dangerous stunts and careless driving slowed traffic for over 24 miles. By 8:30 a.m., the group exited from I-5 in Solana Beach. CHP officers directed the motorcyclists into a parking lot, where they were cited and released.
 

1. MERCED OFFICERS SEIZE 350 POUNDS OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA ALONG WITH $70,000 IN CASH

 
On March 6, a Central Division CHP K-9 officer conducted an enforcement stop on northbound I-5 in Merced County for a traffic violation. The officer smelled marijuana and noticed signs of possible criminal activity. K-9 “Shei” alerted to narcotics, leading to a search that uncovered 350 pounds of illegal marijuana and $70,000 in cash. The driver was charged with illegal marijuana sales, transporting marijuana across counties, and money laundering.
 

1. 3 DUI ARRESTS AND 3 GUN SEIZURES IN SOLANO AREA

 
In the past week, CHP officers in the Solano Area have been busy arresting three individuals suspected of impaired driving. In those cases, three illegal firearms were also seized!
 
On the 1st of March, our diligent officers conducted a wellness check after finding a parked car on the shoulder. After an inspection, the driver was detained on suspicion of DUI. During the inventory of the vehicle, a loaded firearm was discovered with no identifiable serial number. The driver faced charges of both impaired driving and weapons offenses.
 
Similarly, on the 7th of March, another individual was taken into custody on grounds of suspected DUI. A loaded handgun was discovered during the vehicle inventory. The driver, already with a criminal record, was booked on charges of DUI and illegal possession of a firearm, among other weapons violations.
 
Finally, on the 8th of March, yet another driver was arrested where DUI was suspected. A loaded handgun was also retrieved from the vehicle. The driver, a convicted felon, was charged with DUI and possession of an illegal firearm.
 

1. CHP CELEBRATES WOMEN IN THE DEPARTMENT

 
On International Women’s Day, March 8th, the CHP proudly recognized and celebrated the incredible women – both in uniform and professional staff – who help uphold the mission of the California Highway Patrol: Safety, Service, and Security. From patrolling our highways to dispatching calls, investigating crashes, managing critical operations, and supporting our communities, these dedicated professionals play a vital role in keeping California safe. For more information about a rewarding and life-changing career with the CHP, visit our website or sign up for the upcoming CHP hiring seminaronline on Tuesday, March 18.
 
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
 

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QUINCY, CA — Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest Mount Hough Ranger Districts plan to start pile burning operations tomorrow near Silver Lake, conditions permitting.
The goal is to treat approximately 500 acres of piles in the Silver Lake and Black Gulch area, between Bucks Lake Wilderness and the community of Meadow Valley.  Ignitions are expected to start tomorrow, continue through Friday, go into patrol status for Saturday and Sunday, resuming ignitions Monday, March 24 and continuing through Wednesday, March 26.
Smoke is expected to be visible from Meadow Valley, Quincy, Tollgate and the surrounding area, but is not expected to have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities.
Short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected in Meadow Valley, Quincy, along Bucks Lake and Silver Lake roads, and neighboring forest roads.  Visibility on roads in the project areas may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles. 
Plumas County Fire Safe Council is helping fund this pile burning operation through a grant from Cal Fire, with work being done by firefighters from the Plumas National Forest and Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression, Inc.
There will be increased firefighting equipment traffic in the area.  Drivers should use caution, watch for fire equipment exiting and entering area roadways, and possible slow traffic.
If weather conditions become unfavorable, including increased or gusty winds in the area, burning will stop until conditions improve.  Firefighters will be monitoring conditions throughout the entire operation.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Friends gather at Midtown Coffee in Quincy on Friday mornings. Above photo shows the addition of Jack.

ALL THAT GREAT SERVICE comes from Pauline and Glen!

​GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELE-MENT UPDATE was discussed during a Public Hearing at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting March 4th in Downieville. Planning Director Brandon Pangman introduced the project stating all local jurisdictions are required to have a general plan and the Housing Element has to be updated every five years. The Housing Element is a five-year outlook for housing needs of Sierra County. With declining population, the minimum amount of housing the state requires is two. Pangman said the Housing Element has become much more complicated with more mandates every time they update, which he called pretty frustrating. He introduced Consultant Gary Price of Price Consulting Services who also works with the City of Loyalton. Price offered a bulk deal to the City and County to save them money. Gary called the process the State requires as “one size fits all”. He stated the Project was kicked off in June 2024, where they conducted surveys and worked to get the resolution that was to be adopted before the Board. Once adopted, Price stated they will send it back to the State which will put the County in a good position to apply for grants. Pangman gave some statistics on housing in the area stating median price is over $320,000. About 12% of the population have extremely low incomes. There were 65 building permits issued over the last ten years, 38 building permits for new housing units. He added there was a need for more workforce housing. Sierra County has an over 50% vacancy rate with seasonal housing so there’s not a huge demand for housing, but it needed to be distributed along all income levels. The State requires the two housing units be for low and very low, income residents. Board Chair Lee Adams opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. The Resolution was adopted as presented.

A PUBLIC HEARING for Sierra City Traffic Survey Results was held March 4th during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Downieville. Board Chair Lee Adams stated they had sent a letter to legislators, CHP and CalTrans and was happy to report that CalTrans and CHP representatives as well as Senator Megan Dahle’s representative Yolanda Cookson and Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick’s representative Mark Mezzano, were present for this hearing. Supervisor Paul Roen was absent due to a family emergency. Public Works Director Bryan Davey gave a brief background on the item, stating Caltrans did a traffic survey back in July. Results led Caltrans to believe several speed zones needed to be changed in and around Sierra City. Davey said they have had several consultations with Caltrans and expressed concerns about locations and pedestrian facilities within the community are extremely deficient as well as the design of the highway through Sierra City. He stated their primary concern is safety to drivers, pedestrians, domesticated and wild animals. Davey added the school bus stops on the highway in the community, and many driveways back out onto the highway. He stated a portion of the code allows communities to have a public hearing and Caltrans will take all the concerns under review. AB 43 and AB 1938 were discussed and hoped the legislators attending would help to change the exemption for state highways that go through communities. Adams told the audience that all letters submitted were part of the record that will go to Caltrans. Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher laid out his concerns which included, the roadway is not suitable for higher speeds, shoulders are narrow, blind intersection and corners, numerous driveways with multiple access points, and high pedestrian and bicycle traffic. He added current conditions do not support a higher speed limit. He was thankful they don’t have a lot of accidents in that area, but felt there would be a risk for increased accidents at higher speed limits. CHP Lieutenant Jose Alatorre stated one of the biggest concerns is driver behavior and the most effective way is with enforcement and roadway design. He said raising the speed limit does not make a road safer or more efficient. Caltrans does not set speeds based on conditions and after talking to them felt they would reconsider. He conducted his own independent survey measuring speeds and it was pretty much in line with Caltrans. Alatorre stated there was some flexibility in a couple roadway designs and signage and was excited to see what they bring back.
From Caltrans, Traffic Safety Branch Chief Mary Bokova said they understand all of the concerns and tried to explain what they are dealing with, calling the speed zone justification process a “broken system” because it doesn’t work. They were hopeful AB 43 would work in the community’s favor and stated the best they could do would be low-cost improvements. She said they were doing everything they could to lower speed zones and felt they have some options by Wild Plum to lower it to 50 mph for both directions or 50 mph southbound and 45 mph northbound rather than changing it to 55 mph. Chief of Safety Programs & Safe Systems Officer Fernando Rivera stated they would take the concerns into consideration. He said they were also going to drive the area that afternoon. Other Caltrans representatives were Traffic Safety Engineer Darryl Chambers who has been with Caltrans for 20 years and made his whole career in traffic safety and Jeremy Linder a Public Information Officer for District 3 who covers Sierra County and a good liaison with the department.
Adams opened the public comment for the audience to speak. Many Sierra City residents as well as a couple from Sierraville spoke out against the proposed speed increases. Some of the points made included, the fire department’s ability to get out to emergencies with firefighters already doing traffic control. Visibility difficulty was brought up due to curves in the road. Sierra City was called a senior community with historic buildings right on the highway’s edge. Residents asked for greater enforcement. They wanted pressure on legislators to fix the system. It was stated Highway 49 is not a freeway. Highway 49 was designed to discover the Sierra Nevadas and bring people to communities like Sierra City. The economy depends on a lower speed limit. Some called this a quality of life issue, and encouraged Caltrans to walk the road in Sierra City. When Interstate 80 is closed, residents have a line of cars going through Highway 49 and the public library parking backs out at the bottom of the blind corner. Cookson said she is a Nevada City resident and shares Hwy 49. As a neighboring resident, she was there to support and felt this will happen with other towns and wanted to be able to partner together. She has lived in the district for over 20 years and been the representative for Dahle the last 6 years. Cookson stated they are most proud of “raising rural voices”. Both legislators are from small communities, so they understand where Sierra City is coming from. Cookson vacations in Sierra County and will be supporting Sierraville next. Mezzano stated he would take all points raised back to Hadwick and wants to find out why the legislation changed, adding they want to give power back to communities and laws get changed by the legislature. He will be back on the 18th for Sierraville’s public hearing. He noted over 40 people in the audience and said the power of the people will make things happen. More Sierra City residents were attending online as well.
Supervisor Lila Heuer who also lives in Sierra City stated Caltrans wants to help but it’s not just Caltrans. She said they are going to forward letters, emails, and voicemails on to the legislators and Caltrans to see if the speed limit proposal can be stopped. She added it’s “our chance to change the law” and are looking for more towns to join them. She thanked everyone for coming.

A REVOCATION OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT #965 was discussed during a Public Hearing at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held March 4th in Downieville. Planning Director Brandon Pangman explained that the property originally identified as “Coppins Meadow Lodge” located at 804 Fibreboard Road near Webber Lake obtained its Special Use Permit in 1994 along with building permits and successfully operated until 2002. The property has changed several hands since then and had unpermitted structural alterations to the main building and other unpermitted work done on the property, There has also been a considerable amount of grading done without grading permits. Pangman was concerned that large dirt piles may partially obstruct wetlands. He stated the property is listed for sale. The main lodge has had walls taken out, staircases relocated with extensive remodeling. There have been applications for three of the eight projects with noted violations and all are incomplete and property has been retagged repeatedly. Pangman said there were a lot of unknowns, calling it beautiful construction that appears safe, but is yet to be determined. He added the building must meet codes at the time you get the permit. The public hearing was opened with no comments and the owner was not present. The resolution to revoke the Special Use Permit as recommended by the Sierra County Planning Commission, pursuant to Sierra County Code Section 20.05.200 was passed unanimously. 

THE REOPENING of Loyalton Middle School was discussed at a Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, February 26th at the Loyalton Elementary School. District Superintendent Sean Snider led the discussion to the group of parents and community members.He stated the CDS (County District School) Code had to be reopened for the middle school and would become active on July 1st. Snider gave out handouts for the meeting and one was a timeline for the reopening, which the school board approved on February 11th. He said the Middle School Committee consisting of parents, administrators and teachers would hammer out the fine details. Snider stated there was a lot to be done and many questions like who would be the school secretary and administrators? What type of electives, PE, and how will they get meals. Snider said the High School does not stand to lose any teachers, as numbers are based on the amount of kids from 9-12. They would need to start advertising teacher positions and would like to start sooner than in April, adding right now is prime hiring season.
He opened the meeting up for conversation. It was asked if 6th grade would be an inclusive classroom. Snider stated there are middle schools that have an inclusive 6th grade classroom and 7th and 8th move around. Current 6th grade teacher Laurie Petterson stated true middle school moves from class to class with a good transition to get used to change and one subject per teacher. From the audience it was stated, “We all want this, but are worried if we can make this happen by August.” Questions were asked about maintenance and custodial, and some felt biggest concerns are the little pieces that run things. Snider assured the group that he wouldn’t want his name on something that doesn’t run right. Special Education Teacher Miranda Prakash asked where people would go who are currently in the portables to be used for the middle school. Snider was looking into options and stated there might be an opportunity to partner with Eastern Plumas Health Care and use some of their portables. He stated he would like 5-6 portable classrooms for the middle school. School drop-off and pick-up was another question.
School Board President Kelly Champion stated this first year may have a lot of growing pains that will work into something better. 3rd grade teacher Annie Tipton commented not wanting growing pains at the expense of three grade levels of kids. High School teacher Caleb Dorsey asked the odds this will work? Snider stated he is an eternal optimist and felt it is doable, and will generate additional revenues. Parents stated if the middle school doesn’t happen, something needed to change and asked what the alternatives were. One mother stated she didn’t feel her kids were safe at the high school. Dorsey wanted this to work and suggested tapping into people who have had middle school experience, like past Middle School Principal Mike Filippini. Parent Mike Rahe suggested maybe not biting off the whole chunk for the first year and just do 6th grade next year and work on the middle school problems at the high school. It was asked how the District plans to get teachers to come here and suggested incentives. Snider agreed and said Plumas County is having financial problems and may have to lay off teachers, so there may be local teachers needing positions.
Prakash really wanted a middle school, but doesn’t know how they will get it done to benefit students, adding it seemed very rushed. It was asked, if it doesn’t happen this year, will they keep trying to get a middle school up and running? Snider stated he and the board are very committed, adding there are financial incentives to get this done. He said they are looking for ways to increase revenues and this is another way. Dorsey felt they needed to be competitive enough to get good teachers, as this will affect kids in the rest of their schooling. Snider stated he would be out recruiting and expand hiring range beyond the local area. Snider ended the meeting by stating he appreciated everyone’s time, openness and commitment and would keep everyone posted.

SEPARATING THE OFFICES of County Auditor, Treasurer, and Tax Collector was introduced and suggested to waive the first reading of the ordinance at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on March 4th. Board Chair Lee Adams explained the Board held a workshop on February 11th and directed the separation of offices due to the upcoming retirement of Van Maddox the current County Auditor/Treasurer/Tax Collector. The separation of offices would not go into effect until June 25, 2025. Any increase in the budget would become a general fund expense for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Supervisor Sharon Dryden stated they had spent several hours talking about these offices, wanting the public to know this decision was not taken hastily. Adams agreed and stated Maddox came to the County with some unique qualifications and there was some concern at combining the offices back then. Maddox felt this was a good idea and made sense to separate the offices. The ordinance amending Section 5.04.130 (F)(1)(c)(ii) passed unanimously.
Assistant Treasurer/Tax Collector Jenny Varn was appointed as the Sierra County Treasurer/Tax Collector effective June 25, 2025. Personnel will begin the recruitment process to fill the upcoming vacancy of the County Auditor position.

by Melinda Myers



Rabbits are year-round and frequent visitors to gardens and landscapes. As children, we read about and adored these furry critters. This love of rabbits often faded as we grew older and experienced damage to our gardens and landscapes. Employing various management strategies allows us to co-exist with these cute yet voracious members of our community.


Rabbits eat a wide range of plants including flowers, vegetables, and weeds throughout the spring and summer.  As these plants fade in fall, they begin dining on trees and shrubs. You may find bark gnawed, evergreen needles nibbled, and branches, stems and buds clipped off the plants. 


Their sharp teeth make a clean cut much like a bypass pruner at a 45-degree angle. Rabbit damage usually occurs within three feet of the ground where they can easily reach and dine on the plants. Look for tracks and droppings, often called pellets, if additional clues are needed.  The pellets are little, round, hard, and usually yellowy brown to green.


Our landscapes provide the perfect habitat for rabbits. They tend to concentrate in open grassy areas that have patches of desirable cover like brush piles, shrubs, and gardens that provide an escape from predators.


These short-lived mammals tend to be very productive, giving birth to two to six litters of four or more babies in a season. Diseases, weather, predators, hunters, and cars help limit the number of surviving offspring.


Start by removing hiding places like brush piles, weed patches, and stone piles that provide places for rabbits to live and hide. Work with your neighbors who may not realize they are housing rabbits feeding in both of your yards. Leave a few weeds and perhaps some clover in the lawn as an alternate food source for them.


You will find lists of rabbit-resistant plants, but as gardeners know they will eat just about any plants when populations are high and food is scarce. Protecting key gardens and plants will help reduce the risk of damage and increase your enjoyment.


Fencing is an effective management strategy but may not be practical or aesthetically pleasing. When employing fencing, be sure it is high enough to keep rabbits out and the openings are 1 inch or less. A 3-foot-tall fence with an outward baffle at the top or one 4-foot tall is more effective. Secure the fence tight to the ground or bury the bottom few inches to prevent rabbits from crawling under. Check the gate, adding flaps and sweeps as needed to prevent rabbits from gaining access to the garden.


Use 4-foot-tall cylinders of hardware cloth around young trees and shrubs to prevent damage.  Place the cylinder several inches away from the trunk and bury the bottom few inches in the soil to prevent rabbit and vole damage.


Repellents are a less obtrusive option and more practical for many gardeners. Select a product labeled for rabbit control and preferably an organic option like Plantskydd (plantskydd.com). This odor-based repellent is rain and snow resistant so you will need to reapply less often. Whenever possible, apply repellents before the rabbits begin feeding and follow the label directions for the best results.


Evaluate and adapt your landscape design as needed and continually monitor for damage. Employ various strategies to help reduce rabbit damage while boosting your enjoyment and the garden’s productivity.


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 and was commissioned by Tree World Plant Care for her expertise in writing this article. Her website is www.MelindaMyers.com. 


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Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick, who serves the 1st Assembly District, reports that the California Department of Transportation is considering an increase to speed limits on portions of highways 89 and 49 in Sierraville. These highways serve as access routes to the southern portion of Plumas County. An increase is also proposed for Highway 49 in Sierra City.
Following recent traffic studies, said Hadwick, Caltrans has determined that the current speed limits in these areas are too low. Speed limits are typically set at the 85th percentile of actual driving speeds.
“In many Sierra County communities, state highways function as local main streets and driveways,” said Hadwick. “I’m concerned that higher speed limits could impact the tranquility and safety of these Sierra communities.” A public hearing is set for Tuesday, March 18, at 10 a.m. in the Loyalton Social Hall. More information is available online.
“I am committed to ensuring Caltrans hears residents’ voices and prioritizes community safety,” said Hadwick.
Information provided by Office of Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick

What: The California Agricultural Coalition, including the California Farm Bureau, California Cotton Ginners & Growers Association, California Association of Winegrape Growers and Western Tree Nut Association, will host a press conference to discuss the group’s key agricultural priorities for the upcoming legislative year.


Who: Speakers will include:

• Shannon Douglass, President, California Farm Bureau

• Michael Miiller, Director of Government Relations, California Association of Winegrape Growers

• Roger Isom, President/CEO, California Cotton Ginners & Growers Association and Western Tree Nut Association

When: Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. PT


Where: West side of the California State Capitol (10th and N Streets), Sacramento


Why: Speakers will address critical issues impacting California agriculture:

• California faces an alarming trend toward farm consolidation. The state lost farms and farmland at 7,387 farms – a 10.5% decrease – between 2017 and 2022, with irrigated lands decreasing by more than 120,000 acres during that time frame.
• California’s regulatory costs create a competitive disadvantage for the farmers growing a majority of the country’s fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables. According to a recent study, regulatory compliance costs on farmers have surged by 1,366% since 2006, with a 63.7% increase since 2017.
• California farmers and ranchers play an important role in the state’s ability to meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals, with working lands already an important solution to reaching climate goals. Agriculture programs lead the list of the most efficient cap and trade programs, so continued Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds in support of agriculture programs provides a good ROI.
• Senate Bill 628, authored by Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and co-sponsored by the California Farm Bureau and the California Association of Winegrape Growers, increases the take-home pay for agricultural employees and delivers millions of dollars into hard-pressed economies in rural California by investing in agricultural employees through an employer payroll tax credit. Under SB 628, only after employees have been scheduled and paid overtime wages can employers earn a payroll tax credit to help cover the labor cost increases from overtime. 

The press conference is scheduled to coincide with California Agriculture Day at the Capitol.


About California Farm Bureau: The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 26,000­­­ members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.8 million Farm Bureau members.         

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WASHINGTON – Today Representative Kevin Kiley (R-CA) issued the following statement regarding the Newsom Administration's stunning admission that Medicaid in the state, known as Medi-Cal, is insolvent. The Newsom Administration is seeking a $3.44 billion loan after the costs of covering undocumented immigrants ballooned to $9.5 billion this year.
 
“Governor Newsom's reckless policy of offering Medi-Cal to every illegal immigrant in the state is jeopardizing access for legal California residents. If the Legislature refuses to rein Newsom in, we are prepared to do so in Congress,” said Rep. Kiley.
 
Earlier this year, Rep. Kiley introduced the No Medicaid for Illegal Immigrants Act to ensure that taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits are preserved for those who lawfully qualify, prioritizing the needs of American citizens and legal residents while promoting fairness and fiscal responsibility. 
 
READ MORE:
 
LA TIMES: Cost of undocumented healthcare in California is billions over estimates, pressuring Democrats to consider cuts
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Benefits Of the Flexible Water Management Strategy Outlined in A New Report
OROVILLE, Calif. – A new report released today shows that changes to reservoir operations at Lake Oroville and New Bullards Bar Reservoir can further reduce flood risk for communities along the Yuba and Feather rivers during extreme atmospheric river storm events and potentially benefit water supply during drier periods. The approach, known as Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations, or FIRO, uses improved monitoring, weather, and runoff projections to build more flexibility and efficiency into reservoir operations.
In the largest FIRO assessment to date, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and Yuba Water Agency (Yuba Water) partnered with the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Engineering Research and Development Center to evaluate if FIRO could be implemented at both reservoirs to reduce downstream flood risk without negatively impacting water supplies. Lake Oroville is managed by DWR and New Bullards Bar is managed by Yuba Water.
Using historical forecasts, reservoir storage and river flow data, scientists found that FIRO, combined with a planned second spillway at New Bullards Bar, could provide additional flood storage capacity in the Yuba-Feather system and reduce downstream peak flows during prolonged storms like the 1986 and 1997 floods that devastated Yuba County.
“California’s reservoirs play a critical role in safeguarding our communities from floods and maintaining our state’s water supply, especially as we continue to see more extreme weather events in the form of larger, wetter, and more frequent storms and longer, more severe periods of drought,” said DWR’s State Climatologist Dr. Michael Anderson. “The Yuba-Feather FIRO Viability Assessment is an important step toward improving flood protection to communities downstream while managing California’s valuable water resources for decades to come.”
The Yuba and Feather rivers originate in the Sierra Nevada and join at Marysville and Yuba City before flowing into the Sacramento River. With significant watershed runoff making both rivers prone to flooding, Lake Oroville and New Bullards Bar play a critical role in managing river flows, especially as the state sees more intense atmospheric river storms.
“Through the partnerships between research, forecasting, and reservoir operations organizations, the Yuba-Feather FIRO Viability Assessment has helped advance the integration of atmospheric river forecasting that enables FIRO to be viable at Oroville and New Bullards Bar,” said F. Martin (Marty) Ralph, founding director of the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography. “CW3E's state-of-the-art weather model is tailored to atmospheric river forecasting and aided by extra weather observations offshore using aircraft and ocean observations as part of Atmospheric River Reconnaissance.”
While reducing flood risk is the top priority, FIRO can also improve California’s ability to provide a reliable water supply for communities and agriculture.
“This is a critical step towards making more floodwaters available for groundwater recharge when we see extremely wet storms,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “FIRO drives tighter coordination between reservoir operators and water districts downstream, creating opportunities to use reservoir releases to build up our groundwater reserves for dry years.”
Realizing The Full Benefits of FIRO With a Second Spillway at New Bullards Bar DamTo fully realize the benefits of FIRO, Yuba Water is planning operational changes, continued atmospheric river monitoring, and the construction of a new Atmospheric River Control (ARC) Spillway at New Bullards Bar. The second spillway will have gates 31.5 feet lower than the dam’s existing spillway gates, allowing the agency to release water before large, threatening storms hit, when there is enough downstream channel capacity to handle the flows.
“The ARC Spillway will help realize the full benefits of FIRO in our region by reducing peak flows downstream and decreasing stress on our levee system during large atmospheric river events,” explained Yuba Water’s Director of Resource Planning John James. "With both FIRO and the ARC Spillway, we’re essentially gaining the amount of flood storage that would historically only be created through building additional infrastructure. In this case, we’re enhancing existing infrastructure and using the latest in science and technology to modernize flood operations and improve public safety.”
The ARC Spillway project is currently at 100 percent design with Yuba Water actively pursuing state and federal grant funding. Yuba Water anticipates construction could begin as soon as 2027. The existing spillway capacity at Oroville Dam is already adequate to fully realize the benefits of FIRO. 
Next Step: Incorporating FIRO Into Water Control Manual UpdatesIn the wetter winter months, both DWR and Yuba Water are required to draw down their reservoirs to ensure there’s enough flood storage space, known as the flood pool, to handle possible storms. These requirements are outlined in each reservoir’s water control manual, which USACE oversees.
Since advanced weather forecasting tools give dam operators more notice of incoming storms, water releases to reduce flood risk may begin earlier using FIRO, providing additional storage capacity to capture increased runoff into reservoirs. As storm systems pass and dry conditions return, releases from reservoirs can be reduced, potentially benefitting water supply.
Both agencies are working with the USACE Sacramento District to update their water control manuals. While FIRO and the water control manual are separate processes, the final viability assessment can help inform the water control manual process. The updates will ensure both reservoirs continue to comply with federal flood control guidelines while potentially adding flexibility to make operational decisions based on improved forecasting. Public meetings for the water control manual updates are on track to begin this year.
“The Yuba-Feather FIRO Viability Assessment, which the ERDC supported, is an important step toward formalizing our district's use of improved weather forecasts for strategic water management decisions at New Bullards Bar and Oroville reservoirs,” said Jenny Fromm, the USACE Sacramento District’s chief of water management. “As we consider including aspects of the report in water control manual updates for these non-USACE-owned reservoirs, public participation in the process will be another essential part of our efforts to decrease flood risk and improve drought resilience.”
FIRO is being implemented successfully at Lake Mendocino in the Russian River watershed in Northern California and will soon be integrated into operations at Prado Damin the Santa Ana River watershed in Southern California. As the largest and most complex FIRO assessment to date and the first with a primary goal of reducing flood risk, the Yuba-Feather FIRO Program continues establishing FIRO’s benefit in California as an important part of a comprehensive water management and resilience strategy.
Additional Resources

• Digital photos of Lake Oroville
• Digital photos and b-roll of New Bullards Bar Reservoir
• Atmospheric river storm graphics
• Yuba-Feather FIRO project partner information

• 
  
• Study measured fatal injuries from both intentional causes, as well as unintentional accidents, over 5 years.
• Alpine County emerged as the most dangerous; Sierra the least.
• Infographic included.

A recent study by MyBioSource has identified Alpine County as the most dangerous county in California, in terms of injury-related fatalities. The analysis, which examined data from 2020 to 2024, found that Alpine County experienced a dramatic increase of 99 deaths per 100,000 people, the highest rise of any county in the state.
The study measured fatal injuries from both intentional causes, such as homicides and suicides, as well as unintentional accidents, including motor vehicle crashes, falls, and other preventable incidents. The findings highlight a concerning trend, with several rural counties experiencing a sharp increase in fatalities over the past five years.
Counties With the Most Significant Rise in Injury-Related Deaths 
Beyond Alpine County, several others have seen a steep climb in injury-related deaths. The top 5 counties with the highest increases in fatal injury rates per 100,000 people over five years include:

1. Alpine County: +99
2. Trinity County: +34
3. Mendocino County: +29
4. San Francisco County: +22
5. Lake County: +19

Several counties ranked among the most dangerous are sparsely populated rural areas, where access to emergency medical services may be limited, potentially exacerbating fatal outcomes. 

On the other hand, the 5 safest counties in the state are:
​Sierra: -43;
Colusa: -13;
Plumas: -12;
Tuolumne: -6;
Humboldt: -5.

States With the Highest Increase in Injury Deaths 
When analyzed on a state level, the study found that West Virginia had the most significant increase in injury-related fatalities, rising by 23 deaths per 100,000 people over five years. This aligns with data showing a continued struggle with high rates of opioid-related deaths, workplace injuries, and motor vehicle accidents. The top five states with the most substantial increases in injury-related deaths were: 
1. West Virginia: +23 per 100,000
2. Louisiana: +20 per 100,000
3. Tennessee: +19 per 100,000
4. Delaware: +17 per 100,000
5. Maine: +17 per 100,000 
Notably, Southern and Appalachian states dominate the list, pointing to potential regional factors such as higher rates of workplace accidents, firearm-related deaths, and drug overdoses. California emerged in 25th place overall, with an increase of 9 per 100,000 people.
Infographic showing state rankings
“The study underscores the need for improved safety measures, enhanced access to emergency healthcare, and targeted public health interventions to reduce fatal injuries across the U.S.”, says a spokesperson for MyBioSource. 
Methodology
Data taken from County Health Rankings comparing the change in rate of injury related deaths per 100,000 people over five years (2020-2024). Injury Deaths refer to the number of fatalities caused by injuries per 100,000 people. This measure includes both intentional injuries, such as homicide and suicide, as well as unintentional injuries, like motor vehicle accidents. The rate represents the number of occurrences (e.g., deaths, births) within a specific time frame, divided by the average population at risk during that period. Using rates enables meaningful comparisons across states and counties with varying population sizes.


Please credit MyBioSource.com with a link if you use these insights. This helps us continue to provide you with valuable content in the future.  Contact us for specific county data. Opt out of emails here.
cherry newswire | health | [email protected]

CDFW has posted its Quarterly Wolf News Updates: October - December 2024 (PDF), a new Approximate Area of Gray Wolf Activity Map (February 2025)(PDF), and an updated version of the Known Wolves - February 2025 (PDF).
CDFW's most recent Quarterly Wolf News Update: October - December 2024, highlights known packs, areas of wolf activity, a summary of wolf-livestock depredation investigations, and program communications for the quarter.;
The new map of Approximate Area of Gray Wolf Activity, reflects known wolf activity as of February 2025 based on CDFW's monitoring of the species in the state. CDFW relies on help from the public to determine the presence of new wolf activity in the state and encourages the public to report potential wolf sightings on it's Gray Wolf Sightings Report page.

Gray Wolf Sighting ReportCDFW relies on help from the public to determine if and where wolves may occur in California. Please complete the form below to submit your sighting of wolves and/or wolf sign, as well as your contact information. You may also provide photos of your sighting using the photo upload feature below. A CDFW biologist may contact you for additional information.
Please report a killed animal immediately to (530) 225-2300 or [email protected].

 CDFW Wolf Livestock Compensation GrantsUPDATE: As of October 28, 2024, CDFW is now accepting Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program applications for Direct Loss (Prong 1).
Livestock producers who have had a “confirmed” or “probable” wolf depredation on or after July 1, 2024, may submit a completed Livestock Loss Application (PDF) form to [email protected]. Wolf depredations are determined through an official investigation and documented by CDFW on a Livestock Loss Determination Form.
In 2024, the California state legislature appropriated $600,000 to CDFW to continue funding the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program (WLCP). Due to the limited funds available to support the Wolf Livestock Compensation Program, CDFW is prioritizing direct loss compensation at this time, and is not seeking applications for non-lethal deterrents (Prong 2) or pay for presence (Prong 3).
Pilot ProgramIn 2021, the California State Legislature appropriated $3 million to CDFW to develop a Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program to help minimize the impact of wolves on livestock producers based on the following areas of need (prongs): Direct livestock loss (prong 1); Nonlethal deterrents (prong 2); Pay for presence (prong 3). An interim program was launched to receive applications for Prong 1 in February 2022 and Prong 2 in May 2022. The pilot program for compensation of all three prongs launched in June 2023 and ran until funds were exhausted in March 2024.
Eligible livestock producers received 100% of the $3 million allocated by the Legislature. A total of 109 grants were awarded to producers with livestock in the following areas of known wolf activity: Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas, Tulare Counties.
Participation in the pilot program was voluntary and open to all eligible producers. Applications were processed on a first-come basis through a multi-step, tiered internal review process to confirm eligibility.
Related Forms and Documents

• Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program - Livestock Loss Application Form, October 2024 (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program Summary Report, April 2024 (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program Framework, May 2023 (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Wolf-Livestock Compensation, P4P Calculation Method (PDF)

California Wolf Stakeholder Working GroupWith the arrival of wolf OR7 into California in late 2011, CDFW began a series of actions that included informing the general public, and engaging stakeholder groups representing diverse interests. In April 2012, CDFW organized a stakeholder meeting to provide updates on the status of OR7, wolf populations outside of California, and to solicit input on recommended future actions by CDFW relative to gray wolves.
A Wolf Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) was formally convened by CDFW for development of a California Wolf Conservation Plan (Plan). The first SWG Meeting was held February 5, 2013. The SWG also formed the following subgroups: Wolf-Conservation Subgroup, Wolf-Livestock Interactions Subgroup, Wolf-Ungulate Interactions Subgroup. The SWG subgroups engaged in joint fact-finding to provide recommendations and help inform development of the Plan. CDFW provided the first comprehensive draft for SWG review in December 2014.
OR-7 – A Lone Wolf's StoryBackground
Gray Wolf (OR-7). Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.The male wolf known as “OR7” was born into the Imnaha pack in northeastern Oregon in spring 2009. He weighed approximately 90 pounds when collared with a radio transmitter by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) in February 2011. He is referred to by biologists as OR7 because he was the seventh wolf radio-collared in Oregon. His GPS collar transmitted location information to satellites daily until 2014, at which time it stopped functioning because the batteries expired. The VHF portion of his collar still transmits and he can be detected with an antenna.
OR7 left his natal pack in 2011. The dispersal of younger individuals from a pack is common. Dispersing wolves generally attempt to join other packs, carve out new territories within occupied habitat, or form their own pack in unoccupied habitat.
Dispersal – OregonOR7 dispersed from the Imnaha pack in September 2011. Between September and early November he followed an approximately southwesterly course that took him across parts of Baker, Grant, Harney, Deschutes, Lake, Klamath and Douglas counties. During that journey he crossed Interstate 84 and U.S. Routes 26, 395, 20 and 97.
Between November 8 and December 23, OR7’s movements slowed and he occupied a broad area near the crest of the southern Cascades. This area included portions of Jackson and Klamath counties and included much of the Sky Lakes Wilderness. Field work conducted by ODFW determined that OR7 visited an elk carcass and livestock carcasses (bone pile) in this area. On November 14, an animal thought likely to be OR7 was photographed by a hunter’s trail camera on public land east of Butte Falls.
In late December, OR7 left the Sky Lakes area and headed south-southwest to near Howard Prairie Lake and Oregon Route 66. He then turned eastward, ultimately crossing the Klamath River and Highway 97. On December 28, he crossed into California northeast of Dorris, a small town in Siskiyou County.
Dispersal – California


Map of OR7's path in California (PDF)(opens in new tab)
This map contains data through April 23, 2013
While visiting California, OR7 traveled in the southern Cascades, across portions of the Modoc Plateau, in the Lassen and Plumas National Forests, and as far south as Tehama, Shasta, and Butte counties. His average daily movement was approximately 15 air miles. Since animals do not typically walk in straight lines, the actual distance traveled was likely much larger.

Dispersing wolves can readily traverse most habitat types and OR7 passed through ponderosa pine forests, mixed conifer forests, lava flows, sagebrush shrublands, juniper woodlands and agricultural lands. Although he did use private lands (timberlands in particular), he traversed public lands for most of his route. No public safety incidents or agricultural losses stemming from wolf damage were reported in California while OR7 occurred here.
OR7 crossed the border from California to Oregon and back several times, finally mating and establishing a territory in Klamath and Jackson counties, Oregon in 2013. OR7 and his mate produced 3 pups in 2014. Evidence shows that they produced a second litter in 2015 but the details are unknown at this time.
On March 12/13, 2013, Wolf OR7 returned to Oregon then made a brief return to California on April 20, 2013. Again, OR7 returned to Oregon on April 23, 2013. We will not post updates while he is in Oregon. Wolves in Oregon are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Oregon does not post daily location information on wolves. For more information, please visit Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife(opens in new tab).

By Christine Souza
Facing an inconsistent supply of employees, higher costs and growing pressure due to market instability, a grower-processor in Santa Clara County’s Silicon Valley has turned to technology to boost efficiency and stay competitive in the challenging produce industry.
Tim Chiala, chief operations officer of Morgan Hill-based George Chiala Farms Inc., has invested in more technology at his family-run farming and food-processing company.
“The supply of labor fluctuates like crazy, but hopefully by adding robotics, it will give us some stability,” Chiala said. “We can’t just raise the price to our customers every year or they’re going to go someplace else. This is a way to stabilize the price instead of having huge swings and then customers leave.”

George Chiala Farms grows garlic, peppers and spinach, and sources other produce that is processed and sold as ingredients to nationally known food companies to create salsas, soups, pizza toppings and more.  
After a past crop failure of sourced onions from the Pacific Northwest, Chiala said he decided to add more automation for the processing side of the business. 
“The price went up, and we already had a contract for the finished good we were making, so we got caught in this and lost money,” he said.  
Three years ago, Chiala partnered with his childhood friend Justin Eckhardt, an engineer who worked at a robotics company for 25 years, to purchase the Auburn-based Saber Robotics and Vision Systems Inc. The two friends started an agriculture division and are testing prototype machines for processing vegetables.   
The company creates robotics, vision systems and various automation projects for companies such as Tesla, Apple and Google, as well as smaller companies, startups and medical device companies, said CEO Eckhardt. 
“We’ve always built automated solutions for different types of companies but have never really done a lot in the ag sector,” he said.
Chiala Farms is testing machines built by the company, including an automatic jalapeño de-stemmer and another with robotic arms that remove the tops, tails and peels of bulb onions. The latter has five robots and 10 cameras, and can identify onions as they’re coming down the shaker table. The machine then picks up the onions with suction cups and moves them to a set of knives, drops them into a peeler and out onto a conveyor. 
“It is really cool to watch working because there’s basically five arms working in unison,” Eckhardt said.  
The jalapeño de-stemmer uses artificial intelligence that analyzes visual data known as AI vision. AI cameras see images to detect stem location. Eckhardt said this information is fed to a set of knives that precisely cuts off the stem. 
“It’s in no time at all, like 30 to 40 milliseconds, so it’s pretty fast,” he added.
Testing and perfecting the technology is ongoing, Eckhardt said, as he troubleshoots problems such as rocks and other foreign material from the field that interfere with the machines. The farm is working on different harvesting methods to make the equipment a little more viable, he added.
“We’re still trying to perfect these new methods,” Chiala said. “Ultimately, if we start making machines that are proven and functional, rather than a farmer or processor having to come up with $1 million for new equipment, we plan to lease the technology.” 
To address labor shortages, reduce costs and improve efficiency, others in agriculture are looking for ways to add more mechanization. On the production side, work is ongoing to study the use of robotics and AI for tasks such as planting, harvesting, weeding, pest control, data analysis and transportation. 
Robotics engineer and professor Stavros Vougioukas, vice chair of the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of California, Davis, said researchers and startups have developed robotic harvester prototypes for picking strawberries and apples.  
“You have robotic harvesters that are trying to replace people, and you have harvest aids or technology that allows people to be more efficient and potentially safer when they harvest,” he said. “Most of what we harvest manually is not easy to mechanize because we are talking about crops where you need to harvest selectively.”
Machines created to harvest fragile crops, he said, must not destroy the crop but also pick in a selective and quick manner.  
“These two metrics—efficiency and speed—are extremely important,” Vougioukas said. “This is where the struggle is—to build machines that are relatively cost effective and affordable that can pick quickly.” 
Engineers at UC Davis, he said, are working on robots that aid workers by transporting boxes or trays of picked fruit. After strawberries are picked, a worker would have to walk 200 feet to deliver the tray, walk back and continue picking, he said. 
“All that time and distance is nonproductive; they spend anywhere from 15% to 30% of their time just walking,” Vougioukas said. 
In addition, the lab at the university is working on a robot harvester prototype with multiple arms, the goal of which is to develop a machine with 20 to 40 arms that will be cheap, fast and effective. 
Harvesting machines tested in the U.S. and around the globe are not yet good enough to pick 95% or 100% of the crop and pick it fast, Vougioukas said. 
“What I see coming is some companies will be successfully deploying these robots to harvest a good percentage of the crop,” he said, “and then human workers will follow and pick the rest.” 
Christine Souza is senior editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at [email protected].

​On the Beckwourth Ranger District, firefighters plan to treat approximately 388 acres of handpiles in the Mohawk Vista project near Blairsden.  Ignitions are expected to start around 9 a.m. tomorrow and continue through Thursday if weather conditions allow. 
 
On the Mount Hough Ranger District, firefighters are planning to treat piles near Keddie and in Butterfly Valley.
 
Three piles at the Cascade Trailhead near Keddie are expected to be ignited tomorrow, with burning expected to be completed by the end of the day.
 
Approximately 300 acres of piles in Butterfly Valley are planned to be treated, with ignitions starting tomorrow and continuing through Wednesday.
 
Plumas County Fire Safe Council is helping fund the operation in Butterfly Valley this week, with work being done by firefighters from the Plumas National Forest and Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression, Inc.
 
Smoke is expected to be visible from Blairsden, Graeagle, Butterfly Valley, Quincy and Keddie, but is not expected to have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities.
 
Short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected in Blairsden, Graeagle, Butterfly Valley, Keddie, Quincy, along California State Highways 70 and 89, and neighboring forest roads.  Visibility on roads in the project areas may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles. 
 
There will be increased firefighting equipment traffic in the areas mentioned.  Drivers in the area should use caution, watch for fire equipment exiting and entering area roadways, and possible slow traffic.
 

 
March 6, 2025 — Sierra Valley, CA – On March 6, farmers and ranchers gathered at the Sierra Valley Grange Hall for Sierra Valley Grower Day hosted by the University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension. The event served as a valuable opportunity for farmers and ranchers to engage with experts, gain insights into key agricultural practices, and fulfill their Continuing Education Unit (CEU) requirements.
“The event drew attendees from across the valley and beyond, featuring presentations on everything from pesticide regulations and invasive weed control to effective pasture management and rodent control strategies,” said Tracy Schohr, the Plumas, Sierra, and Butte Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor for the UC Cooperative Extension. “The event focused on addressing the urgent challenges faced by the region’s agricultural producers, providing strategies that farmers and ranchers can apply to boost their productivity and sustainability.”
Key Highlights from the Event:
-Regulatory requirements are changing this year, requiring a new online reporting process. The Plumas-Sierra Agricultural Department is available to help farmers and ranchers navigate this process.
-Tom Getts, from UC Cooperative Extension, shared crucial management strategies for controlling invasive weeds like Perennial Pepperweed, Scotch Thistle, and Palmer Amaranth in the region.  The session offered research-based techniques for tackling persistent weed species for farmers and ranchers!
-Dr. Charlie Brummer from UC Davis shared innovative solutions for enhancing pastures and rangelands in the region. He discussed new varieties for irrigated pastures, emphasizing their benefits in improving forage quality and quantity. The session also covered best practices for establishing and enhancing non-irrigated rangelands through proper seeding techniques and site preparation.
-Grazing, irrigation, and soil nutrient management are all important to pasture management, shared DJ Eastburn with UC Davis. This segment of the day gave an overview of pasture management research findings in the region, along with a “how to on soil testing,” and interpreting results to make informed soil health management decisions.
-Pesky pests that find their homes on rangelands and ag fields can cause significant economic losses. Dr. Roger Baldwin from UC Davis provided strategies that farmers and ranchers can use to manage rodent infestations, including gophers, ground squirrels, and voles.
"I am truly grateful to the expert speakers who braved the storm last week to share their invaluable knowledge with our local agricultural community," said Schohr. "Thanks to their dedication, attendees left the event armed with practical strategies they can consider to improve their farms or ranches.”
The Sierra Valley Grower Day highlights the critical role of continuous research and education offered by the UC Cooperative Extension for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. To learn more, visit https://ucanr.edu/sites/Rangelands/index.cfm. If you are interested in learning about future UC Cooperative extension events and more, sign up for their newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/b6410b4a1dd0/sofpg7zney.

 
#ICYMI: This week, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) made headlines with several notable incidents, including Governor Newsom highlighting CHP’s continued service during the Southern California wildfires, CHP K-9 uncovers 20 pounds of cocaine worth $720,000, Yreka officers discover 340 pounds of marijuana, CHP reunites with ‘Second Chance Seven’ after surviving fatal crash seven years ago and CHP fulfills the birthday wish of a lifelong admirer.
 

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

1. GOVERNOR NEWSOM RECOGNIZES CHP’S CONTINUED SERVICE DURING THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

 
On March 3, Governor Newsom thanked CHP officers and personnel for their tireless work protecting Californians after the Los Angeles wildfires. The 2025 Los Angeles wildfires began on January 7, 2025, and lasted 24 days, ending on January 31. The fires burned through Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties.
 

1. CHP K-9 UNCOVERS 20 POUNDS OF COCAINE WORTH $720,000

 
On February 28, a Central Division K-9 unit conducted a stop on a Ford F-150 on Interstate 5 in Merced County. The officer noticed several indicators that led him to believe the driver, James Churn, was engaged in criminal activity. The officer’s K-9 partner, “Shei,” was deployed on the truck's exterior, and an extensive search of the Ford revealed a sophisticated, aftermarket compartment in the truck's roof. Churn was arrested and subsequently booked into the Merced County Jail on the charges of possession of cocaine for sale and transportation of cocaine across noncontiguous counties.
 

1. YREKA OFFICERS DISCOVER 340 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA

 
On March 6, around 12:40 a.m., our Yreka officers made an enforcement stop on a pickup truck with a trailer due to a vehicle code violation on Interstate 5 at Louie Road. A subsequent investigation led to the discovery of 300 pounds of unprocessed and 40 pounds of processed marijuana within the trailer. The discovered marijuana was confiscated, and charges related to the drug violations have been recommended against the driver.
 

1. CHP REUNITES WITH ‘SECOND CHANCE SEVEN’ AFTER SURVIVING FATAL CRASH SEVEN YEARS AGO

 
Nearly seven years after surviving a severe fatal accident on Interstate 8 near Dunaway Road, the "Second Chance Seven" reconvened in the Imperial Valley, commemorating an emotional reunion with the CHP officers and first responders who were pivotal during the incident. Retired CHP El Centro officer D. Davis, Retired Officer S. Salcido, K-9 Officer L. Thomas, Captain E. Ruedas, and Public Safety Dispatcher L. Sawyer participated in the emotional reunion—recording a moment characterized by resilience, gratitude, and second opportunities through powerful photos. Today, these seven incredible siblings are thriving, and their inspiring journey is being documented for a show set to air later this year: "Second Chance Seven." Their story is one of survival, strength, and family.
 

1. CHP FULFILLS THE BIRTHDAY WISH OF A LIFELONG ADMIRER 

 
In December of 2024, the CHP received a heartfelt wish to celebrate the 60th birthday of Monica Lee, a lifelong admirer of both the CHP and the television series "Chips". Ms. Lee, from Cincinnati, Ohio, expressed her aspirations via email to Commissioner Duryee and Captain Castillo - a dream to have a photograph taken with a motorcycle officer on her upcoming visit to California in January 2025. Ms. Lee stated, “I realize this is a huge request and certainly isn’t on your radar as an important task, but it would make a lifelong dream of mine come true on my 60th birthday! You would then have a ridiculous story to tell at your next officer briefing about a lady from Ohio who never got over Erik Estrada!”
 
The proposal was well-received, with Captain Castillo contacting Ms. Lee to make arrangements. However, with the unforeseen disaster in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena communities requiring significant CHP resources, it remained uncertain whether the arrangement would proceed as planned. Captain Castillo, nevertheless, assured Ms. Lee of his efforts to make her dream come true. Upon her arrival in Santa Monica in January, Ms. Lee was overcome with joy when Captain Castillo and the West Los Angeles Motor Squad made her wish come true by celebrating her 60th birthday and capturing the long-desired photo.
 
 
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
 

(Tahoe/Truckee, Calif.) – Tahoe Forest Health System is proud to announce that it has been recognized with three prestigious Women's Choice Awards for 2025, reflecting its unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care and clinical excellence. The hospital has been honored in the following categories:
·       America's 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience: Out of 957 hospitals in the small hospital size category, Tahoe Forest Hospital ranks #39, placing it in the top 100 hospitals nationwide for patient experience, a testament to its dedication to providing outstanding care and ensuring patient satisfaction.
·       Top 1% in Obstetrics: The hospital's obstetric services have been recognized for excellence, placing it in the top 1% of hospitals offering obstetrics nationwide out of 4,675 hospitals. This accolade underscores the hospital's commitment to providing high-quality care for mothers and newborns.
·       Top 3% in Emergency Care: Tahoe Forest Hospital's emergency department has been acknowledged for its exceptional performance, ranking in the top 3 percent of hospitals offering emergency care services nationwide out of 4,675 hospitals. This award highlights the hospital's dedication to delivering timely and effective emergency medical services.
These awards are based on rigorous criteria, including patient satisfaction, clinical performance, and accreditations, ensuring that recognized hospitals meet the highest standards in healthcare.
“At Tahoe Forest Hospital our incredible staff remain dedicated to delivering an exceptional experience for our patients and their families at every step of their care journey,” said Louis Ward, Interim CEO of Tahoe Forest Health System. “These awards highlight our unwavering commitment to excellence and patient-centered care in Truckee and North Lake Tahoe. We are deeply grateful to our community for trusting us with their health and well-being.”
The Joseph Family Center for Women and Newborn Care at Tahoe Forest Hospital offers state-of-the-art facilities designed for the safety and comfort of new moms and families. Featuring private birthing and postpartum suites—each with a Jacuzzi™ tub—plus telemetry monitors for mobility during labor, the center ensures a supportive birthing experience. With a nationally recognized Baby-Friendly certification since 2010, it provides expert obstetrical and gynecological care, breastfeeding support, and a nurturing environment that fosters mother-infant bonding from the very first moments.
Tahoe Forest Hospital’s Emergency Department provides 24/7, high-quality emergency medical care with a team of board-certified physicians, skilled nurses, and advanced technology. As a designated Level III Trauma Center, the department is equipped to handle a wide range of emergencies, from minor injuries to life-threatening conditions. With a commitment to rapid response and patient-centered care, the team ensures that every patient receives expert treatment in a compassionate and efficient environment.
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About the Women's Choice Award
The Women's Choice Award is a trusted referral source, empowering women to make informed decisions by identifying the nation's best healthcare institutions based on robust criteria, including patient satisfaction, clinical excellence, and women's healthcare preferences. For more information, visit www.womenschoiceaward.com.
 
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, a Level III trauma center, three urgent care clinics, and primary and specialty healthcare clinics throughout Truckee and North Lake Tahoe, including Tahoe Forest Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, 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 technical innovation, Tahoe Forest Health System strives to be the best mountain health system in the nation. For a complete list of physician specialties and services, visit www.tfhd.com.
 
 

 
QUINCY, CA — Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest Beckwourth and Mount Hough Ranger Districts plan to start pile burning operations tomorrow at three locations, conditions permitting.
On the Beckwourth Ranger District, firefighters plan to treat approximately 388 acres of handpiles in the Mohawk Vista project near Blairsden.  Ignitions are expected to start around 9 a.m. tomorrow and continue through Thursday if weather conditions allow. 
The goal is to treat approximately 40 acres before a winter storm is forecasted to enter the area late Tuesday night.  Predicted snow is expected to help pile burning conditions Wednesday.  Operations Thursday may be affected by snow.
Smoke is expected to be visible from Blairsden, Graeagle and the surrounding area in Mohawk Valley, but is not expected to have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities.
On the Mount Hough Ranger District, firefighters are planning to treat piles near Keddie and in Butterfly Valley.
Three piles at the Cascade Trailhead near Keddie are expected to be ignited tomorrow, with burning expected to be completed by the end of the day.
Approximately 300 acres of piles in Butterfly Valley are planned to be treated, with ignitions starting tomorrow and continuing through Wednesday.
Treatments in this area are a continuation of pile burning and underburning in recent years as part of fuel reduction to help further secure the evacuation route for residents in Butterfly Valley.  Plumas County Fire Safe Council is helping fund the operation this week, with work being done by firefighters from the Plumas National Forest and Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression, Inc.
Smoke is expected to be visible from Butterfly Valley, Quincy and Keddie, but is not expected to have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities.
Short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected in Blairsden, Graeagle, Butterfly Valley, Keddie, Quincy, along California State Highways 70 and 89, and neighboring forest roads.  Visibility on roads in the project areas may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles. 
There will be increased firefighting equipment traffic in the areas mentioned.  Drivers in the area should use caution, watch for fire equipment exiting and entering area roadways, and possible slow traffic.
If weather conditions become unfavorable, including increased or gusty winds in the area, burning will stop until conditions improve.  Firefighters will be monitoring conditions throughout the entire operation.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Dr. Glenn Mollette 
Hate is a toxic emotion. Hate is a dark, negative, tumultuous, heavy, internal, disgusting, poisonous, vile feeling that that will hurt others and hurt you. Hate lashes out with ugliness spewing out words intended to cut deep into the soul of the intended target. Words are uttered with the intention of inflicting harm. The hater often will try to dress up their speech as though they are kidding. But normally, the window dressing they try to drape around their words doesn’t prevent what they say from penetrating deep into someone’s heart. Hate is not a winning way. Hate will eventually act out in violence or participate in an action that brings pain to someone. No one was hated more than Jesus. The religious leaders of that day hated him so much that they joyfully participated in all they could do him harm. They killed him as savagely and ruthlessly as anyone in human history. If you want to understand what hate is, what it does and how it acts just think about how the religious leaders made up stuff about Jesus and then promoted his barbaric death on the cross. Hate is scary because the hater will do anything, without even considering the cost or the ramifications, to assault, hurt or brutalize their intended victims. Recognizing what hate is and what hate is capable of must make us wary of the haters. You cannot play with a poisonous serpent. You can’t pet a ravenous lion or swim with the crocodiles. You will be killed. You can pray for people and try to help those with whom you can have a civilized conversation. Unfortunately, you can’t converse with a rattlesnake. You will be bitten and could easily die from such actionsYou can’t trust the Taliban, Vladimir Putin, the Mexican drug cartel and so on.  I’m sure we could all come up a with a list. Sadly, we often have to be leery of extremists who can only see their points of view. If you don’t succumb to their points of view then in their eyes you are an infidel and are worthy of death. Stay clear of these people. They are venomous and dangerous. Here are the lyrics to “Stop The Hate” that came out about a year ago. 
​Stop the hate. It’s not too late. We can’t wait any longer to stop the hate. Start to love. Look up higher than ourselves to God above. Stop the hurt. It won’t work. Stop the hate. We all bleed. We all need, help from each other to survive. It’s past time, to stop the hate. We all need some peace of mind and we know it’s way past time, to stop the hate.Stop the hate. It’s not too late. We can’t wait any longer to stop the hate. It’s past time, to stop the hate. We don’t all have to agree on everything. If and when we do disagree, can we please agree not to hate each other? Love is the greatest of all. 
​

At March 12 Virtual Event, PG&E Local Leaders Will Answer Questions and Share Available Resources
 
AUBURN, Calif. — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) invites North Valley & Sierra customers to a virtual town hall to learn more about work in their region, safety tips and customer saving programs.  
 
On Wednesday, March 12 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., PG&E experts, including Regional Vice President Joe Wilson, will provide a brief presentation during which participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.
 
The event can be accessed through the link or phone dial-in information listed below, or by visiting PG&E’s website, pge.com/webinars. 
 
RegionCountiesDateTimeLink and Dial-In
North Valley & SierraButte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, Yuba Wednesday March 125:30 – 6:30 p.m.Link: https://bit.ly/4jill4H
Or
Dial-in: 800-593-0370
Conference ID: 2324178
 
American Sign Language interpretation will be available. For the full webinar events schedule, additional information on how to join and to view past event recordings and presentation materials, visit pge.com/webinars.
Customers can find opportunities to engage with PG&E representatives in the area by visiting: pge.com/openlines »
 

 
#ICYMI: This week, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) made headlines with several notable incidents, including a Pacific Palisades looter arrested, a CHP K-9 officer arrests three and confiscates multiple firearms and drugs in Coastal Division, a high-speed pursuit leads to arrest and the recovery of a firearm in Santa Cruz, ‘Opossum’-ly the best rescue: CHP saves the day on the Bay Bridge and California Highway ‘Paw’ Patrol rescues four puppies in Fresno.
 

 
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. PACIFIC PALISADES LOOTER ARRESTED

 
On the 21st of February, our CHP West Valley area officers were alerted to a looting incident at a private residence in Pacific Palisades. Despite arriving promptly at the scene, the suspect had already fled. However, with a comprehensive description of the suspect and the vehicle the victim provided, our officers were able to trace down the vehicle's registration to an address in Valencia. Newhall personnel responded to the residence, and officers were able to apprehend the suspect. The suspect, identified as Karen Mastey, was found in possession of antique items reportedly stolen from the fire-ravaged residence. Mastey was subsequently charged with Grand Theft under Penal Code 487(a) and is currently detained at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
 

1. CHP K-9 OFFICER ARRESTS THREE AND CONFISCATES MULTIPLE FIREARMS AND DRUGS

 
On the 26th of February, an Officer from the Coastal Division K-9 unit observed a white Buick sedan disobeying various traffic laws on Northbound SR-1 near Larkin Valley Road. When the driver failed to stop, a pursuit ensued, leading us to Watsonville. The Watsonville Police Department was quick to action - successfully deploying a spike strip to halt the vehicle. Two passengers were detained, with one found to have a stolen handgun. The driver ran into a neighboring residence, yet due to exceptional efforts from CHP Coastal Air Operations, ISU officers, Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office Deputies and Watsonville police officers, a secure perimeter was established. Consequently, the individual was apprehended without further incident. Subsequent inspections led to the uncovering of multiple shotguns and an assault rifle linked to the Buick's occupants. Three individuals - a 24-year-old Watsonville man, a 17-year-old from Salinas, and a 23-year-old Watsonville male driver- are currently facing several felony charges, including felony evading and possession of stolen firearms.
 

1. PURSUIT LEADS TO ARREST AND THE RECOVERY OF A FIREARM

 
On the 23rd of February, a CHP officer in Santa Cruz observed a black BMW sedan exceeding the speed limit on Northbound Highway 1. Upon attempting to pull the vehicle over, the driver initiated a high-speed chase, which concluded within the boundaries of Santa Cruz city. For public safety concerns, the chase was terminated. Nonetheless, the vehicle later collided at the off-ramp of Southbound Highway 1 at Soquel Avenue. The two 17-year-old occupants from Watsonville were subsequently detained. During a thorough examination of the vehicle, the CHP officers recovered more than 20 pounds of cannabis merchandise intended for unauthorized sale, as well as a loaded handgun equipped with an extended magazine. Both individuals now face serious charges, including felony evading and possessing a loaded firearm with an extended magazine.
 

1. ‘OPOSSUM’-LY THE BEST RESCUE: CHP SAVES THE DAY ON THE BAY BRIDGE

 
On the morning of February 24, an observant motorist noticed an opossum marsupial attempting to traverse the upper deck of the Bay Bridge along the right shoulder and promptly notified CHP dispatch. Personnel from the CHP San Francisco Area responded to this occurrence promptly and discovered the opossum nearing Treasure Island after a substantial journey up the eastern part of the bridge. The opossum persisted in its attempts to veer westbound, at one point attempting to reverse direction and escape by moving against oncoming traffic. ‘
 
A concerned citizen who runs the East Bay non-profit animal rescue shelter, Jelly's Place, recognized the low-velocity pursuit and offered assistance. The opossum was detained and safely extricated from the hazardous location without incident. Recognition and appreciation go out to the caller who notified 911 and Julie B. for identifying and participating in rescuing this misplaced animal. We typically advise against halting on a freeway or bridge for animal rescue due to the risks presented by high-speed traffic and potentially distracted drivers. However, this situation warranted assistance from a capable, prepared individual who helped safely remove the animal from the location and now ensures it receives the necessary healthcare before being set free.
 
Following her rescue, the opossum was promptly transferred to the exceptional team at WildCare. Upon their immediate assessment of the marsupial, the professionals identified it as a female and found a pouch brimming with babies who appeared to have remained unaffected by the incident.
 

1. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY ‘PAW’ PATROL RESCUES 4 PUPPIES IN FRESNO

 
On February 27th, two officers from Fresno, recognized for their profound love of dogs, were immediately on the scene to rescue these four forsaken puppies found on the road. Following significant bonding and affectionate interaction, we are delighted to announce that Fresno Humane Services will arrange a much-needed spa day for the puppies and find them a permanent and loving home.
 
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
 

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OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert warning Californians of three popular text-based scams. These scam texts claim Californians owe past-due charges and provide fraudulent links for consumers to “resolve” the charge — the links are often a vehicle by which scammers can steal consumers’ sensitive payment data. Scammers often use the threat of a “late fee” or use words like "urgent action required" to pressure consumers into clicking the links. The California Department of Justice asks Californians to slow down and proceed with caution when faced with these types of messages. 
“California, these scammers are relentless. While text-based toll charge scams remain widespread, consumers across our state are also receiving texts claiming they owe a parking ticket charge,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Bad actors are getting more sophisticated and show little signs of slowing. I urge Californians to not click on links in texts appearing to alert consumers to overdue charges, visit only official websites, and talk to friends and family who may be unaware of these dangers.” 
If You Receive a Possible Scam Text:

• DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK. 
• File a complaint. File a complaint with the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission, and our office. Be sure to include the phone number from where the text originated and the website listed within the text.
• Delete any scam texts received. 
• Check your account using a legitimate website. 
• Secure your personal information and financial accounts. Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions, especially after suspecting a scam. Dispute any unfamiliar charges. 

TOLL CHARGE SCAMS
These texts claim consumers owe FasTrak express lane or toll charges, link to a website, and ask for online payment. This scam is designed to trick drivers into entering banking or credit card information into a website fraudulently claiming to represent tolling agencies.
FasTrak is the electronic toll collection system used on tolled bridges, lanes, and roads in California. It allows drivers to pay tolls electronically without having to stop at toll booths. FasTrak does not request payment by text with a link to a website. The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), operator of The Toll Roads in Orange County, advises account holders to verify a valid text notification by logging into their account at thetollroads.com or through The Toll Roads app. 
For all other toll agencies, please use official webpages only — you can find a list of California toll webpages below:

• The Toll Roads: https://thetollroads.com/
• Bay Area FasTrak: https://bayareafastrak.org/
• Metro ExpressLanes: https://metroexpresslanes.net/
• 91 Express Lanes: https://91expresslanes.com/
• 405 Express Lanes: https://405expresslanes.com/
• Riverside Express: https://riversideexpress.com/
• SANDAG: https://www.sandag.org/fastrak/

PARKING CHARGE SCAMS
These messages aim to scare consumers into thinking something they’ve dreaded has happened: that they’ve earned a parking ticket and have forgotten to pay it. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), an agency that scammers have imitated, does not request payment by text with a link to a website. For more information on paying a SFMTA parking citation, please visit SFMTA.com/PayCitation.
If you live or visit another city, please use the official website of that city or transportation agency.  
PACKAGE DELIVERY SCAMS 
These text messages often state that there’s an issue with your delivery and include a link to “resolve” the problem. Package delivery scams are more common over the gift giving season but can occur at any time. Delivery companies do not ask for payment to release a package or correct a delivery error — any such request is a scam. 
Consider signing up for alerts from trusted carriers like UPS, FedEx, or USPS. These alerts will notify you of package updates directly from the source. 
Attorney General Bonta is committed to enforcing consumer protections in the state of California and speaking out for consumer protections nationwide — this includes working to put a stop to illegal and annoying robocalls, which are often a vehicle for scams. Last year, Attorney General Bonta, as part of the nationwide Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, joined the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in sending a warning letter to a telecom company responsible for transmitting suspected illegal robocall traffic and issued a warning letter to a company that allegedly sent New Hampshire residents scam election robocalls during the New Hampshire primary election. 

In the face of proposed federal budget cuts, Medicaid—one of the most crucial social safety nets in the United States—is under attack. These cuts not only jeopardize the healthcare coverage of millions of low-income Americans but also put essential programs like In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) at risk. IHSS workers, the caregivers who provide vital assistance to elderly and disabled individuals, are staring down the possibility of devastating wage and benefit reductions. The threat is real, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

With the proposed cuts, and what’s at stake, policymakers in Washington are considering drastic reductions in Medicaid funding under the guise of fiscal responsibility. Some of the most concerning proposals include: turning medicaid into a block grant program which would cap federal contributions to state Medicaid programs, regardless of growing needs or emergency situations, like the COVID-19 pandemic. It would also impose work requirements by making Medicaid contingent on employment, these proposals could strip coverage from some of the most vulnerable individuals, including those with disabilities and seniors who cannot work.
As far as repealing protections for enrollees, regulations that ensure continued coverage for those in need could be rolled back, making it more difficult for people to maintain their Medicaid eligibility. And regarding provider taxes, states rely on provider and insurer taxes to help cover Medicaid costs. Reducing these revenue streams could lead to service cuts and lower provider payments.
These measures are designed to limit government spending but ultimately threaten the well-being of millions who depend on Medicaid for basic healthcare services. Medicaid funds a significant portion of long-term care services, including IHSS. These services help people with daily living tasks such as eating, bathing, and managing medications, allowing them to live at home instead of institutionalized care. In California alone, over 15 million people rely on Medicaid, which funds 56% of IHSS services. Without sufficient Medicaid funding, clients and loved ones risk losing critical in-home care and care providers face reductions in wages and benefits. Essential services such as meal preparation, transportation, and personal care would be drastically diminished. The loss of these services would disproportionately impact the elderly, disabled, and low-income families who already struggle to access adequate healthcare.
IHSS providers are the backbone of in-home care, offering essential services that keep people out of nursing homes and hospitals. However, administrative attacks on their benefits threaten their ability to continue their work. A ruling from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) aims to prohibit automatic deductions of union dues and health benefits from IHSS workers’ paychecks. This move could weaken unions that advocate for higher wages and better conditions, further exacerbating workforce shortages in the caregiving sector.
Without fair wages and job protections, fewer people will be willing or able to take on these demanding yet essential caregiving roles. This, in turn, will create a crisis in long-term care services, leaving some of society’s most vulnerable individuals without the support they need.
The threat to Medicaid is not a new one. In 2017, advocates successfully blocked attempts to gut the program—and they’re ready to fight again. Organizations like United Domestic Workers (UDW) are leading mobilization efforts to protect Medicaid and IHSS, urging community members to call and visit lawmakers to demand that Medicaid remains fully funded, educate other community members about the real-life impact of Medicaid cuts, and attend rallies and lobbying events to show public support for Medicaid.
Upcoming mobilization efforts include lobbying visits, legislative receptions, hearings on bargaining agreements, and direct engagement with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. These actions are critical in ensuring that Medicaid funding is preserved and that IHSS workers can continue their vital work without fear of wage and benefit reductions.
Medicaid is more than just a government program—it’s a lifeline for millions of Americans. Any cut to Medicaid funding puts lives at risk, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations, including low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. We have seen what happens when funding is slashed—reduced care hours, lower provider wages, and ultimately, a decline in the quality of life for those who depend on these services. The message is clear: the fight to protect Medicaid is a fight for human dignity, economic stability, and equitable healthcare access.
Now is the time to act. Contact your representatives, educate your community, and stand with caregivers to ensure that Medicaid remains fully funded. Because when we protect Medicaid, we protect people. 

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