SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Becerra today joined a bipartisan multistate coalition of 43 attorneys general in a letter urging the prioritization of updates to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) electronic databases and verification methods, so that institutions can instantly check for and flag synthetic identity theft. By statute, the users of the system — namely banks and their service providers — pay fees to cover the cost of developing and operating the system. Synthetic identity theft occurs when identity thieves use real Social Security numbers, along with fictitious names and birthdates, to manufacture new identities. Currently, delays in the verification process at the SSA allow thieves an opportunity to use stolen identities before an incident is flagged. 

“The Social Security Administration should use every resource available to protect the identity of vulnerable individuals,” said Attorney General Becerra. “It’s time to move the SSA’s verification technologies into the 21st century to keep up with identity thieves who are exploiting our vulnerabilities. We urge the SSA to prioritize making its systems as nimble and strong as possible, when the funding is available from banks and others that will use the system, to combat this growing problem.”
In May 2018, Congress passed legislation directing the SSA to develop an electronic database for financial institutions to verify consumers’ information. The SSA’s current system does not allow these institutions to check identity in real time, giving fraudsters an opportunity to exploit any delay. The thieves target the most vulnerable, particularly children and recent immigrants without credit histories. This has an ongoing impact on the credit and finances of these individuals who enter the market already hobbled with poor credit and an inaccurate credit history, including fraudulent transactions. In the letter, the attorneys general advise the SSA to implement electronic signatures, or other verification methods, so that financial institutions can verify identity and flag identity theft in real time to protect these vulnerable groups from severe harm.
In the letter to the SSA, Attorney General Becerra joins the attorneys general of Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C.
Attorney General Becerra has made protecting consumers a top priority. In April 2018, he issued a consumer alert for seniors regarding fraud and identity theft. Californians who believe they are victims of identity theft should visit the Attorney General’s Identity Theft First Aid page and can take steps to limit the damage done by a thief by following the identity theft victim checklist.
A copy of the letter can be found here.

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By Glenn Mollette 
 
Will people remember you after you die? Will anybody even care? How will you be remembered?
 
I can't recall a more respected, loved and admired human than George H.W. Bush. The love and outpouring of celebrating his life was more than I've ever seen. I watched the President Kennedy funeral and recall the national horror and grief associated with his assassination. I remember when Martin Luther King was killed and the outpouring of grief that followed. We can remember these and many dark periods of sadness. President Bush of course lived a long life with many opportunities that few people will ever have. 
 
He became the 41stPresident of the United States. He was a former Congressman, CIA director, millionaire oil man, graduate of Yale and came from a family who had money and many life achievements. While much has been said about his humility you don't achieve all he did without being self-serving.  It takes some ego to run for public office. If you don't have a strong ego you can't pull off all that running for such an office involves. You have to believe in yourself. Granted - Bush could have simply maintained his work in the oil business and racked up a few more million dollars but he made millions and his desired the power of public office, even the Presidency. This in no way berates him. Somebody has to do the work and Americans and world leaders have lauded his life and success. I don't believe anyone has said anything bad about him lately on national television and they shouldn't. His life of incredible work and service is over. He has gone on to his greater reward. 
 
No one knows how they will be remembered after their death. Bad people are remembered for their evil deeds. Good people are remembered for their good works. How will you be remembered? 
 
Jesus Christ is remembered of course every day in some way. He is celebrated at Christmas, Easter, at church and in our lives of faith and devotion. He is remembered for how he lived, and what he did. He is remembered for what he called us to do in our personal lives of faith. No one has been remembered and worshipped like Jesus Christ. His life was different than most all people who are remembered. He came to serve in every way. He didn't have any money, fast boats, big houses or political clout. He lived and died to demonstrate a loving God. His life mission was to help, seek and save the lost. 

The bottom line is you will not be remembered like Jesus Christ or even George H. W. Bush. However, you can be remembered for loving people. You can be remembered for being a good mom or dad. You can be remembered for being good to your children and grandchildren. You can be remembered for being good to your parents.  You can be remembered for being a good neighbor. You can be remembered for being a good citizen and faithful to your church or synagogue. You can be remembered for your service to your community and your country.  Most importantly is to be remembered for being you. God only made one you. Just be you. Be a good you. Try to be a better you and that is all you can do.
 
Actually the world needs for you to be all that you were created to be. 
He only made one Jesus and one, "41" and he only made one you. So, be who you are and we all have room to improve. I have my work cut out being me and when we are remembered people will remember us for who we were while we were alive. Therefore, since you are reading this you are still working on how you will be remembered when time here is through. 

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. Nov. 29, 2018. “Looks great! Little full. ‘Lot of sap.” In the coming weeks, many Californians will head out to “select the most important of Christmas symbols.” In doing so, they could end up on Santa’s naughty list, especially if they don’t follow AAA’s tips to safely transport their Christmas trees this holiday season.

“Although it may be an annual tradition, transporting a Christmas tree isn’t as easy as you think,” said Michael Blasky, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “Every year, drivers break the law and damage their cars by improperly securing their Christmas trees or selecting a tree that would make Clark Griswold jealous.”

An estimated 20 million Americans who purchased a real Christmas tree in the last three years did not properly secure it to their vehicle, risking serious vehicle damage and dangerous road debris, according to a AAA survey. Vehicle damage that results from an improperly secured Christmas tree, such as scratched paint, torn door seals and distorted window frames, could cost up to $1,500 to repair. In addition to vehicle damage, Christmas trees that are not properly secured are a safety hazard for other drivers.

Drivers can stay on the nice list this year by taking the following steps to transport their Christmas trees:

Select the right sleigh. It’s best to transport a Christmas tree on top of a vehicle equipped with a roof rack. However, if you do not have a roof rack, use the bed of a pickup truck, or an SUV, van or minivan that can fit the tree inside with all doors closed. Use an old blanket to prevent paint scratches and protect the vehicle finish.

Tether your tannenbaum. Bring strong rope or nylon ratchet straps to secure the tree to your vehicle’s roof rack. Avoid the lightweight twine offered by many tree lots. Secure the tree at its bottom, center and top. Use fixed vehicle tie-down points and loop around the trunk above a lower branch, to prevent any side-to-side or front-to-rear movement. Before you leave the lot, give the tree several strong tugs from various directions to make sure it is secured in place and will not blow away.

Keep thy branches lovely. Protect the tree by wrapping it in netting before loading it. If netting is unavailable, secure loose branches with rope or twine. Always place the tree on a roof rack or in a pickup bed with the bottom of the trunk facing the front of the vehicle.

Avoid saying “Oh Fudge!” by driving carefully. Avoid highways and take city streets or back roads, if possible. Higher speeds create significant airflow that can damage your Christmas tree and challenge even the best tie-down methods.

Drivers can face hefty fines and penalties as well as jail time if an unsecured tree falls off their vehicle. Currently every state has laws that make it illegal for items to fall from a vehicle while on the road. Most states’ penalties result in fines ranging from $10 and $5,000. Drivers can prevent injuries and avoid penalties by properly securing their loads to prevent items from falling off the vehicle.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, road debris – which could include objects like improperly secured Christmas trees that fly off cars, landing on the road or on other cars – was responsible for more than 200,000 crashes that resulted in 39,000 injuries and 500 deaths over the past four years. And, about two-thirds of debris-related crashes are the result of improperly secured items falling from a vehicle. 

About AAA Northern California:
AAA has a proud history of serving Members for over 100 years. AAA is on a mission to create Members for life by unleashing the innovative spirit of 4,000 employees representing nearly 6 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska. In addition to legendary roadside assistance, AAA offers home, auto and life insurance, and extraordinary travel services. According to Via Magazine's Smart Guide, being a AAA Member can save you more than $1,200 a year. Learn more at AAA.com.

Want to spread goodwill this season? Practice in the parking lot.
 
(Alexandria, Va. – December 7, 2018) -- As we all know, the holidays are a time of giving – and giving back. Acts of generosity, such as shopping for thoughtful gifts, putting coins into the red charity bucket, donating food or toys, and volunteering at soup kitchens and homeless shelters remind us of how fortunate we are and fill us with true holiday spirit.

But do we practice that mindfulness of others’ needs when we’re parking? Look around the parking lot or garage of any busy shopping center before the holidays and you’ll witness a tense competition for close-in spots, carelessly parked vehicles, unlawful use of disabled parking placards, and numerous other parking no-no's. It’s enough to make Santa Claus cringe.

Naughty or Nice?
This season, be conscious of your own parking etiquette and the needs of others. The International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI) has compiled a quick checklist of naughty and nice parking habits: 

• Naughty: You’ve parked sloppily and over the lines, at worst taking up two spots, or at best increasing the chances that neighboring shoppers can’t get in and out safely or without dinging their cars or side mirrors.
• Nice: You’re looking out for pedestrians (especially children), pets, and other vehicles as you back out of your spot.
• Naughty: You’re walking through the parking lot texting or talking on the phone, oblivious to the cars around you. According to the National Safety Council, more than 500,000 crashes occur in parking lots and garages annually, and numbers spike during the holidays.Back in the driver’s seat, you check your phone for messages while others are waiting for your space.
• Nice: You return your shopping cart to the store or cart receptacle so it’s not rolling into cars, taking up precious parking spaces, or illegally blocking the cross -hatched zones needed by people with disabilities who use wheelchair ramps to exit their vehicles.
• Naughty: You borrow your grandfather’s disabled parking placard even though he isn’t with you. This and other abuses practiced daily deny millions of people with disabilities the ability to shop, or lead an independent life, according to the Accessible Parking Coalition.
• Nice: You park in the back of the lot where spaces are plentiful – after all, walking is healthy exercise that helps counter all that holiday overeating!
• Naughty: Going too fast around a parking facility in order to secure an open space. If no speed limit is posted, assume it’s 15 mph.
• Really Nice: When someone wants that parking spot you’ve coveted, you smile and gesture for him or her to take it, knowing another space will free up soon.

“There’s no quicker route to getting into the spirit of the season than putting someone else’s needs before your own – and no easier way to start than in the parking lot,” says Shawn Conrad, CEO of IPMI.

Conrad’s best advice? “Allowing extra time to find a spot during the holidays will make it even easier to be a safe, considerate, and courteous parker.” 

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SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced that he has joined a bipartisan working group of 40 state attorneys general seeking to end illegal robocalls. The coalition is reviewing the technology that major telecommunications companies are pursuing to combat illegal robocalls, and is working to ensure that consumer protection remains the companies’ highest priority.
“As families gather around the dinner table each night, they shouldn’t be bombarded by unwanted robocalls,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Robocalls made from fake numbers are more than just a nuisance – they’re illegal. We should be doing everything in our power to eliminate these types of calls, which far too often lead to identify theft and financial loss. Consumers and their personal information continue to be at risk, so we are working with our industry partners to provide every landline and wireless customer with access to free and effective call-blocking tools.”
Robocalls are the number-one consumer complaint reported to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The California Attorney General’s Office is a leader on this issue, pressing the FCC and telecommunications companies, as recently as last year, to do even more by providing call-blocking technology to consumers. Since it was formed, the multistate group has had in-depth meetings with several major telecom companies. These productive meetings have led to greater information sharing about the technological capabilities currently in existence or development to fight these calls.
Attorney General Becerra and his colleagues are working to:

• Develop a detailed understanding of what is technologically feasible to minimize unwanted robocalls and illegal telemarketing;
• Engage the major telecom companies to encourage them to expedite the best possible solutions for consumers; and
• Determine whether states should make further recommendations to the FCC.

Attorney General Becerra is committed to protecting consumers as a top priority. Since assuming office, he has announced a $53.25 million judgement against Dish Network after it engaged in illegal telemarketing calls to consumers on the Do Not Call registry; a $33 million multi-state settlement with Johnson and Johnson marketing over-the-counter medicines that failed to meet quality standards; a $586 million multi-state settlement with Western Union for wire fraud scams; and a record $18.5 million multi-state settlement with Target, in response to allegations that over 40 million customers had their payment card information compromised during the 2013 holiday season after the company failed to provide reasonable data security.



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California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) is pleased to announce 45 projects have been selected for funding for the 2018 Grants Clearinghouse Fire Prevention Program.
CFSC approved $4.795 million in federal grant funds to support wildfire risk reduction projects in at-risk communities in 30 counties across California. To view the results, click here to open the 2018 Grant Report.
The selected projects help California communities respond to the growing concern over catastrophic wildfire and exemplify efforts to create fire adapted communities. Through subgrants from CFSC, these projects provide support to implement fuel reduction projects such as community chipper programs, fuel breaks, and roadside and defensible space projects. These projects will also utilize educational tools to spread the Fire Safe message and engage community members.
Funding for the 2018 Grants Clearinghouse is provided through master grants to CFSC by the Cooperative Fire Program of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Department of Agriculture, Pacific Southwest Region. These State Fire Assistance and Tree Mortality grants provide $4,795,000 for subgrants to support:
• Hazardous fuels reduction and maintenance projects on non-federal land
• Community Wildfire Protection Plans and other plans or assessments • Prevention and mitigation education and outreach opportunities.
In addition to the federal funds, the projects will utilize over $5.5 million in matching funds, both in-kind and cash contributions. This generous support demonstrates the value of collaboration and partnerships among agencies and organizations to create Fire Adapted Communities. Many of the matching funds are from CAL FIRE’s 2018 California Climate Investments grant program which will enable recipients to expand and broaden their grant project scope. Congratulations to the Fire Safe Councils, resource conservation districts, fire protection agencies, and other organizations whose projects were selected for funding! 

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SACRAMENTO – With the holidays coming up quickly, the California Lottery urges its players and retail partners to gift responsibly. This means NOT selling or gifting lottery products to minors!
       
The California Lottery is again proud to participate in the annual National Holiday Campaign to increase public awareness about the serious issue of youth gambling. The campaign is in partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling and McGill University’s International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors. Each participating state lottery offers additional outreach strategies to discourage the gifting of lottery tickets to minors during the holiday season while raising awareness about youth gambling.
 
The California Lottery’s “gift responsibly” campaign is a part of its responsible gaming program that strives to uphold the highest standards for the sale of its products. The California Lottery was the first in the country to receive the highest responsible gaming certification and recertification from the World Lottery Association (WLA) for its programs. The Lottery also promotes the statewide Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) on its products and communication channels. The campaign reminds players that Lottery tickets are meant to be played and purchased by individuals who are 18 years or older. Campaign messaging can be found on the Lottery’s social media channels, electronic-point-of-sale and its websites.  Further, the California Lottery reminds players, as well as its network of more than 23,000 retailers, that the sale of Lottery products to anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited by law. This public awareness campaign stresses that Scratchers® aren’t toys and highlights the serious issue of youth gambling.
     
The Lottery holds the highest recertification from the WLA for its Responsible Gaming programs. As a WLA Level Four recipient, the Lottery has demonstrated that responsible gaming principles are part of its day-to-day operations and that these programs continue to improve.
 
         For more information on the NCPG’s Lottery Holiday Campaign please visit http://www.ncpgambling.org/programs-resources/programs/holiday-lottery-campaign/ and to read more about the Lottery’s responsible gaming program please visitwww.californialottery.com.
 
 
 
The California Lottery is a $6 billion enterprise based in Sacramento. It is one of the few state agencies that is a revenue generator, not accepting taxpayer dollars from the State’s General Fund. Its mission is to provide supplemental funding to California schools while simultaneously supporting local communities. In FY 2017-18, the Lottery created 93 new millionaires. Ninety-five cents of every dollar spent by our players goes back to local communities in the form of contributions to public schools and colleges, prizes and retail compensation. The California Lottery urges its customers to play responsibly and within their budgets. If you feel you have a gambling problem, or know someone who does, you can get help at 1-800-GAMBLER.
 
www.calottery.com
 

​LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met November 20th with a lengthy agenda which was cut short when Mayor Mark Marin stated, “The water and sewer guy (John Cussins) wants to wait for a report.”
What City Clerk Kathy LeBlanc noted as should have been under announcements, but was discussed later, Council member Joy Markum wanted the council to write a letter to Caltrans for the Merttons taking over their easement on Main Street. Kathy remembered Chamber of Commerce Mike Welbourn was going to write the letter. Joy stated, “Let’s just write it. I will write it.”
The mayor  then stated he’d talked to law enforcement who “cannot write tickets.” He stated stop signs aren’t the right size and lines are not on the street. Council member Nancy Rogers added they “don’t have money.”
In financials approval, the mayor questioned Streets maintenance and rehabilitation of $4,000, Total Highway Users Tax total contracted services, asking “What did we do?” Bookkeeper Tracy Smith explained it was monthly money from the state, “Strictly for roads and streets.” Total received from government was $11,138 gross profit; net income was $9,873. The mayor said they’d try and find money to fix the signs.  Tracy told the cost of Streets total utilities costing $10,106, calling it “not cheap.” The mayor added insurance costing $3,705.
The mayor stated, with 17% of  property taxes, “The city will never survive.” He told how the county previously, “Did everything and the city gets 17%. The county did everything but water and sewer, but now does nothing any more.” He stated he knows the reasons why and citizens “should be up in arms if you want to stay incorporated.”
In the audience, Gus Donowho suggested telling the county and asking them to take the plowing. The mayor replied they “got shot down.” Gus urged, “Somebody bring it up.” Joy was “under the impression they’d been told the contracts are in city hall.” Even incorporated, she stated, they still belong to the county. Phyllis DeMartini suggested getting the 17% increased and Joy wanted to “get the community behind us.” Mayor suggested a community meeting.
The council approved $81,231.90 in bills. Not on the agenda, the mayor wanted three signatures in case one person “goes down.”
The council was to approve reconciled statements which Tracy left to get and returned with two large binders which she placed before council members.  Joy said they “can’t do it justice.”  Tracy stated, “You never did this before. It’s called internal controls.” Nancy moved to approve them but there was no second. Tracy talked of “manipulating the bookkeeper” These statements, she said were by Plumas Bank. “You guys have a problem approving but not the reports I feed.” She called it “frustrating.” She told how Mary of RCAC had talked about it and “I’m in control. Nobody’s checking me.” There were questions of just getting the information and how it can be sent by e.mail. In the audience, newly-elected council member Sarah Jackson stated it’s “easily made digital.” The motion failed, Tracy picked up the binders and left the meeting.
The Council will put the cemetery fence back out to bid since the lowest bidder did not include removal and Kathy was appalled at a second bid of $17,000 for a 60-foot fence.
It approved Rotary to move a cargo container on city property.
A business license was approved for Donald James Tidwell for Nordic Wolf Services, general handyman/repair.
The Council approved a letter of resignation from bookkeeper Tracy Smith, dated November 2nd.

 

 
By Glenn Mollette
 
Christmas is coming and wish lists vary. Here are ideas from which most can benefit.
 
Medical care for all Americans. Congress must sever ties with lobbyists working on behalf of the pharmaceutical and medical insurance companies and represent the American people. Prescription costs are too high and the government pays too much money to the drug companies for those who receive various medicines from government coverage. All Americans should be able to see a doctor and receive medical care. Working Americans should have access to affordable medical care. Retired and poor/disabled/uninsurable Americans should have access to Medicare and Medicaid. All Veterans and military should be able to choose an alternate doctor or hospital when the VA hospital and doctors are not in close proximity or are inaccessible.
 
My medical insurance company recently informed me that my doctors must always gain their consent when prescribing any kind of medicine. They not only demand final approval on any medications I might need, they frequently dictate that my doctor prescribes a medication that is less expensive. I would like to think that my doctor prescribes medicines based on his opinion that they will work.  If I decide to follow my doctor's direction and the medical insurance company doesn't agree then I will be totally out of pocket for my prescription. 
 
My wife and I were in France once and she had to see a doctor. There were doctor offices everywhere in Paris. Seeing a doctor and getting two prescriptions were less than $35. We didn't use an insurance card and a visit to the doctor and going to the pharmacy around the corner both took less than 90 minutes. France does not have socialized medicine. They are involved in controlling the costs of drugs. The life expectancy for those living in France is longer than us living in America. France's medical world is not perfect but we should take notes. 
 
Christmas will be good if Americans can have access to jobs across the country. Big cities are booming with jobs it seems but rural America does not have the same options. I suppose it will always be this way but everyone cannot live in Provo, Utah, Austin, Texas or Nashville, Tennessee. A friend of mine recently moved to Indianapolis and has job opportunities galore. The federal government must spend some of the money we give away to the Middle East on rural America. Roads, bridges, parks and investing in small companies that will locate in rural America must be a government priority. We've spent too many years nation-building throughout the planet and let Appalachia and other rural communities drown. 
 
I don't have enough space so here are musts for Americans this Christmas:
 
Small interest loans so our youth can afford to go to college. Make college as affordable as possible.
Turn Social Security around and keep our promised retirements solvent for our graying Americans. 
   
Reward the corporations who stay in America and let those who want to be out of America pay the price for abandoning us. 
 
Keep America safe with strong borders and a strong military and take care of those who do and have served our country. 
 
Insure that sane Americans can have their Colt 45 revolvers by their bedside tables when they turn out the lights and say their prayers. 
 
Finally, may we all be a little more like President George H.W. Bush who wrote newly elected President Bill Clinton a very gracious note welcoming him to the oval office and assuring him of his support saying "...that you will be 'our' President when you read this note."  He led by living the example that it doesn't hurt any of us to be respectful, gracious, decent people who help, love and encourage others. 
 
May all Americans have a Merry Christmas!