QUINCY, CA — Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest Feather River Ranger District are planning to conduct prescribed burning operations on approximately 34 acres on the Concow Resiliency Project in the Concow Basin tomorrow, conditions permitting. 
Prescribed burning operations will be near Rim Road, with ignitions expected to start in the morning and be completed before the end of the day.  Firefighting resources from the Lassen National Forest will be a part of the prescribed burning operations, as well as contract firefighting resources and the Butte County Resource Conservation District.
The project is within the Camp Fire burn area and the prescribed burning is helping with fuel reduction and restoration of oak woodland with a grass understory.
Smoke is expected to be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Concow, Yankee Hill and Pulga.  Smoke will be visible from California State Highway 70, Paradise Ridge and the Valley.
Short duration, minor smoke impacts may occur in the area near Rim Road, Concow and neighboring forest roads.  Visibility on roads in the project area may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles. 
There will also 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 operation and will patrol the area for the next several days.
Pile burning operations on the Beckwourth and Mount Hough Ranger Districts were expected to resume this week following the Thanksgiving holiday.  Due to weather conditions and air quality concerns, planned pile burning is on hold on both Ranger Districts until conditions are more favorable for smoke dispersion in the mountains.
All three Ranger Districts had great success pile burning in November.  Beckwourth Ranger District accomplishing approximately 600 acres of pile burning in Lakes Basin.  Mount Hough Ranger District successfully treated piles at multiple sites at Bucks Lake, Antelope Lake and near Quincy.  Feather River Ranger District successfully burned 43 acres of large machine piles near Brush Creek.
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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Daniel Munch
Economist
​
USDA’s December 2024 farm income forecast confirms just how tough a year it’s been for American agriculture, with slightly revised projections offering little relief to farmers, who are losing nearly a quarter of their income in two years. Net farm income is now projected at $140.7 billion for 2024, down $6 billion (4.1%) from 2023 and $41.2 billion (22.6%) from the $181.9 billion peak in 2022. While these updated figures show a marginal improvement over September’s forecast, which projected a 4.4% decline for 2024 to $140 billion, the December revision does little to alleviate concerns about the financial pressures farmers face heading into 2025, and the overall figure masks the dramatic decline in returns for crop farmers.
When adjusted for inflation, the drop in net farm income becomes more pronounced, with a projected decline of $9.5 billion (6.3%) from 2023. Although the updated 2024 figure remains above the 20-year average, the metrics paint a challenging picture, particularly for crop producers, who face substantial revenue declines. While some sectors, most predominantly livestock, are seeing stronger receipts, the December forecast underscores that agriculture remains in the red, with few signs of immediate relief for farmers already navigating tight margins.

Crop Receipts: Declines Deepen
Crop producers will continue to bear the brunt of the economic downturn. Total crop receipts for 2024 are now projected to decline by $25 billion (9.2%) from 2023 to $246.2 billion, a slight improvement from September’s forecasted $27.7 billion drop. This marks the second straight year of significant declines in crop cash receipts, reflecting weaker global demand, falling prices and increased competition from international markets.
Corn receipts are expected to fall $16.6 billion (20.8%), exceeding the already dire September projection of a $16 billion, or 20%, decline. Soybean receipts are likewise forecast to fall $6.9 billion (12.3%), improving marginally from the previously anticipated 14.6% decline, but still representing a sharp downturn. Cotton farmers, meanwhile, face a particularly bleak outlook, with receipts forecast to decline by $1.9 billion (26.9%), a further deterioration from the 23.6% decline predicted in September.
While small gains in vegetable and melon receipts — up $1.7 billion (6.7%)—and rice receipts — up $0.2 billion (4.5%) — offer some bright spots, these increases pale in comparison to the broader losses. Farmers have been forced to contend with declining prices for major commodities, compounded by rising costs for labor, interest and other key inputs.
Livestock Receipts: Bright Spots Amid the Gloom
Livestock producers are faring comparatively better, with total receipts for animal and animal products expected to grow by $21 billion (8.4%) to $270.6 billion in 2024, an improvement over September’s 7.1% forecasted increase. Cattle and calf receipts, bolstered by higher prices, are projected to rise by $7.3 billion (7.2%), exceeding earlier predictions. Milk receipts are expected to grow by $5.3 billion (11.5%), also outpacing the 9.4% increase forecast in September. Pork producers are projected to see receipts increase modestly by $1.5 billion (5.7%), driven by both higher prices and quantities sold.
Egg producers, who initially faced grim projections earlier in the year, continue to see significant gains, with receipts now expected to rise by $7 billion (39.4%), reflecting higher prices and increased demand. However, not all sectors of the livestock industry are thriving. Turkey producers are expected to experience a $2.8 billion (43.3%) decline in receipts, worsening from September’s already bleak forecast of a 41.5% drop.
Sharp Contrasts in Commodity Profitability
USDA's metric, Farm Business Average Net Cash Income by Commodity Specialization, offers valuable insights into the financial performance of farm businesses based on their primary commodity focus. Figure 2 highlights both the change in net cash income — calculated as the difference between cash revenues and cash expenses — and the overall net cash income for farm operations specializing in major commodities between 2022 and 2024.
During this period, farm businesses specializing in soybean production experienced a significant 44% decline in net cash income, while those focused on wheat saw a 43% decline, and corn-focused operations experienced a 42% decline. In stark contrast, farm businesses specializing in cattle and calves achieved a remarkable 154% increase, while those focused on poultry saw substantial growth, with net cash income rising by 31%. Income for dairies dropped starkly between 2022 and 2023 but rose dramatically in 2024 – up 19% over 2022. These trends illustrate the dramatic variability in financial outcomes across commodity sectors, influenced by shifts in market conditions, input costs and revenue streams over the observed timeframe.

Diminishing Government Payments Lower Farm Income
Direct government payments are forecast to decline by $1.7 billion (13.6%) in 2024 to $10.6 billion, largely due to lower Dairy Margin Coverage payments resulting from stronger milk prices and the continued reduction in ad hoc disaster programs. This decline underscores diminished federal support for agricultural disaster relief at a time when farmers struggle with mounting losses. Since 2022, uncovered crop and rangeland losses have exceeded $20 billion, a figure that continues to climb as damage from recent hurricanes is assessed. Exacerbating the issue, safety net programs like Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage have become increasingly ineffective, with outdated formulas failing to provide adequate support during periods of low prices and revenue.
High Costs Persist Despite Expense Relief
Farmers are expected to spend slightly less on production in 2024, with total production expenses forecast to decline by $8 billion (1.7%) to $453.9 billion, an improvement over September’s forecasted $4.4 billion decline. Lower costs for feed, fertilizer and fuel contribute to this reduction, with feed expenses projected to fall $10.5 billion (13.2%), fertilizer expenses down $3 billion (8.4%) and fuel costs declining by $2 billion (11.3%). Given low crop prices, drops in expenses most closely associated with crop production are not unexpected.
Rising costs in key categories like labor and interest continue to offset these savings. Labor expenses are expected to rise by $3 billion (6.1%), while interest expenses climb $1.8 billion (4.1%), reflecting higher debt levels and sustained high interest rates. These rising costs add to the financial strain on farmers, who are already grappling with shrinking margins and limited liquidity.

Farm Sector Equity, and Debt on the Rise
Despite declining net farm income, USDA projects farm sector equity — the difference between assets and debt — to rise by 5.2% to $3.68 trillion in 2024, reflecting growth in real estate values. Total farm sector assets are expected to increase by 5.1% to $4.22 trillion, with real estate comprising 84% of this total. Meanwhile, farm sector debt is forecast to climb 4.5% to a record $542.5 billion, with increases in both real estate and non-real estate debt. While solvency metrics such as the debt-to-asset ratio are expected to improve slightly, reduced liquidity — indicated by a 6.9% decline in working capital — points to ongoing financial strain, particularly as debt levels continue to grow.
Conclusion: Farm Income Forecast Highlights Agriculture’s Volatility
USDA’s December report underscores the volatility of the U.S. farm economy as farmers face their second consecutive year of declining income. Net farm income in 2024 remains nearly 25% below its 2022 peak, and the minimal upward revisions since September offer little reprieve from the financial pressures farmers are enduring.
Crop producers, in particular, face dramatic declines in cash receipts, with little hope for immediate relief as global supply chain disruptions continue and prices for key commodities remain depressed. Livestock producers enjoy higher prices at the moment, but gains in this sector are uneven. Rising production costs threaten to erode profitability across the board.
With government payments shrinking and the income safety net failing to keep pace with the realities of modern agriculture, farmers are left to navigate an increasingly precarious financial landscape. As policymakers continue overdue farm bill discussions, these figures serve as a reminder that the targeted reforms that could address our farmers’ unique challenges remain stuck in the legislative process.



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The PHS Peer Improvement Movement held a door decorating contest the week before Thanksgiving Break to spread awareness on the harms of vaping and tobacco use. Each tutorial, which is a class designated for students to complete work, like a study hall, competed among each other to decorate their doors. Students were tasked with designing a door that had an original motto and were judged on creativity and the quality of the execution of their ideas reflected in the decorating. Initially, tutorials had the opportunity to place 1st or 2nd, but a 3rd place was added on after judges saw how many great designs there were. After a tough decision, the judges determined Ms. O'Reily's tutorial, who designed a "smoked" thanksgiving turkey themed door, was the 3rd place winner, while 2nd place went to Ms. Callhan's tutorial, who designed an informational door. First place went to Mrs. Henson's door, pictured above, was praised for its creative motto and design that featured frogs. Well-done, Mrs. Henson's tutorial! The door decorating contest was considered a huge success for the Peer Improvement Movement, a student-run club intending to bring positivity and awareness to their peers, and they are already planning a Christmas-themed door decorating contest and are brainstorming what subject they'd like to spread awareness on.
Great American Smokeout Door Decoration Contest
The PHS Peer Improvement Movement held a door decorating contest the week before Thanksgiving Break to spread awareness on the harms of vaping and tobacco use. Each tutorial, which is a class designated for students to complete work, like a study hall, competed among each other to decorate their doors. Students were tasked with designing a door that had an original motto and were judged on creativity and the quality of the execution of their ideas reflected in the decorating. Initially, tutorials had the opportunity to place 1st or 2nd, but a 3rd place was added on after judges saw how many great designs there were. After a tough decision, the judges determined Ms. O'Reily's tutorial, who designed a "smoked" thanksgiving turkey themed door, was the 3rd place winner, while 2nd place went to Ms. Callhan's tutorial, who designed an informational door. First place went to Mrs. Henson's door, pictured above, was praised for its creative motto and design that featured frogs. Well-done, Mrs. Henson's tutorial! The door decorating contest was considered a huge success for the Peer Improvement Movement, a student-run club intending to bring positivity and awareness to their peers, and they are already planning a Christmas-themed door decorating contest and are brainstorming what subject they'd like to spread awareness on.
Great American Smokeout Door Decoration Contest
The PHS Peer Improvement Movement held a door decorating contest the week before Thanksgiving Break to spread awareness on the harms of vaping and tobacco use. Each tutorial, which is a class designated for students to complete work, like a study hall, competed among each other to decorate their doors. Students were tasked with designing a door that had an original motto and were judged on creativity and the quality of the execution of their ideas reflected in the decorating. Initially, tutorials had the opportunity to place 1st or 2nd, but a 3rd place was added on after judges saw how many great designs there were. After a tough decision, the judges determined Ms. O'Reily's tutorial, who designed a "smoked" thanksgiving turkey themed door, was the 3rd place winner, while 2nd place went to Ms. Callhan's tutorial, who designed an informational door. First place went to Mrs. Henson's door, pictured above, was praised for its creative motto and design that featured frogs. Well-done, Mrs. Henson's tutorial! The door decorating contest was considered a huge success for the Peer Improvement Movement, a student-run club intending to bring positivity and awareness to their peers, and they are already planning a Christmas-themed door decorating contest and are brainstorming what subject they'd like to spread awareness on.

 
Holiday fun for everyone at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum as Santa Trains depart Saturday, December 7 and Fridays and Saturdays, December 13-14 and 20-21. Museum opens at 4 pm until 9 pm with trains departing at 5pm. Get you photo with Santa. Enjoy special exhibits. Delight in trains decorated with lights. And free cookies & hot drinks. You might even catch a sighting of Santa Squash. Admission is $15 per carload or $10 with three cans of non-perishable food for the local EPCAN Food Bank. For more information about this event visit santa.wplives.org or call 832-4131.
 

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

1. CHP ‘STUFFED’ THE ROADS WITH GIVING AND SAFETY DURING THANKSGIVING MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT PERIOD

 
On November 23, the CHP Oakland Area office had the honor of attendingArgent Materials’ 6th Annual Turkey Drive. This commendable community event allowed us to assist in the distribution of hundreds of turkeys and other food items to local families. The CHP’s goal is to spread a bit more joy during the holiday season by ensuring local families have additional resources during this time.
 
The CHP conducted its annual Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period on November 27 through December 1. During the 102-hour holiday enforcement effort, CHP officers made a total of 1,113 arrests for driving under the influence. 23 people lost their lives in crashes across the state within CHP jurisdiction, and of those, 6 were not wearing seatbelts. Additionally, officers issued more than 850 seatbelt citations statewide.
 

1. ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS IN FULL FORCE THIS UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON

 
On November 26, the Governor’s Office issued a news release announcing the upcoming operations by the CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force during the holiday season. To curb retail crime during the holiday shopping season, the CHP’s ORCTF regional teams in Southern California, the Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley, and Sacramento partner with retailers, loss prevention teams, and local law enforcement agencies. Governor Newsom also announced new data showing that the task force has made over 1,200 arrests, conducted 677 investigations, and recovered over $9.3 million of stolen items since January.
 

1. BORDER DIVISION’S CARGO THEFT ARRESTS 7 SUSPECTS AND RECOVERS OVER $200,000 WORTH OF SHOES

 
On November 21, a cargo load of Nike Jordan shoes valued at over $200,000 was stolen from a train container while stopped near Amboy, CA. The stolen merchandise was transferred to a U-Haul box truck. The following day, on November 22, the California Highway Patrol Border Division Cargo Theft Interdiction Program (CTIP) unit located the U-Haul in Anaheim, CA, along with a pickup truck linked to the theft. CTIP and patrol officers conducted enforcement stops on both vehicles. The operation resulted in 7 suspects arrested, the recovery of the stolen Nike cargo, and the seizure of burglary tools used in the theft. All suspects were booked into Orange County Jail for felony grand theft of cargo.
 

1. DUI SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR DUI AND DOG RESCUED IN SANTA CRUZ

 
On November 25, our Santa Cruz CHP officers responded to a single-vehicle collision on Highway 129 near Murphy Crossing. The incident involved a pick-up truck that struck a tree and a fence before stopping on the roadway. The driver of the vehicle suffered injuries and subsequently was detained for DUI. We are grateful to report that a dog in the vehicle at the time of the event survived without injuries and was safely relocated to a local shelter within Santa Cruz County.
 

1. YUBA-SUTTER AWARDS FAMILY FOR LIFE-SAVING ACTIONS

 
On November 25, a six-year-old witnessed a crash that led to an overturned car in a canal in Sutter County. The six-year-old ran inside to tell her parents, who then jumped into the canal to save a 75-year-old woman who had driven off the road. Fortunately, the 75-year-old woman sustained only minor injuries.
 
On November 26, United States Representative Douglas LaMalfa dropped off a recognition certificate to CHP’s Yuba Sutter office for the life-saving actions of six-year-old Cayleigh and her family. Officers had the privilege of showing Cayleigh one of our brand-new Dodge Charger patrol vehicles. Also, her parents not only helped save the 75-year-old woman, Robbie Carpenter, life earlier this week, but they helped save Ian Essary's life on October 13 after a wrong-way driver crashed into him on State Route 99!
 
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
 
 

 
Immediately after being sworn in to represent the 33rd Assembly District, Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo (R-Tulare) introduced Assembly Bill 41, which will increase transparency in government and help prevent gas price hikes. Macedo keeps her commitment to curb the cost of living for residents of the Central Valley.
 
“Hard-working Californians continue to struggle to pay the bills,” said Assemblywoman Macedo. “The price of everything from rent to food to the price of gas is out of control. Yet, the Newsom Administration continues to impose mandates that will increase the cost of living without transparency.”
 
“We must shine a light on the government decisions that increase our cost of living and rob us of financial stability,” Macedo added.
 
Assembly Bill 41 will require the Newsom Administration to conduct cost analyses of the regulations they impose on the driving public.
 
On November 18, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved the Low Carbon Fuel Standard regulations that may result in California drivers paying nearly $3.00 more per gallon than drivers in other states, according to a retired branch chief of CARB.
 
Currently, California drivers already pay about $1.40 more per gallon than drivers in other states. With the Newsom Administration’s vote, drivers will likely pay an additional 65 cents for each gallon of gas. The public, however, does not know for sure how much these regulations will cost as CARB officials refused to conduct a cost analysis of their mandate.
 
“It is an affront to Californians that the Newsom Administration imposed a mandate that will drive prices without telling the public the true cost.
 
“Californians especially the hard working residents of the Central Valley deserve to know the true cost impact of government programs as they are barely scraping by,” Macedo said. 

First forecast of the season based on current reservoir storage and impacts of record-setting summer heatwaves
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced an initial State Water Project (SWP) allocation forecast of five percent of requested supplies for 2025. The SWP provides water to 29 public water agencies that serve 27 million Californians.
The December initial water supply forecast is the first allocation of the new water year and is based on current reservoir storage and conservative assumptions for precipitation to come. For comparison, last year, the initial allocation for Water Year 2024 was 10 percent of requested supplies and it eventually increased to 40 percent by the end of the season.
The initial allocation forecast announced today does not take into account the series of strong storms that brought precipitation to above average across Northern California in the last two weeks of November. These storms will be taken into account along with other variables for future allocation updates. Prior to these storms, the start of the water year had been dry and warm.
“Based on long-range forecasts and the possibility of a La Niña year, the State Water Project is planning for a dry 2025 punctuated by extreme storms like we’ve seen in late November,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “We need to prepare for any scenario, and this early in the season we need to take a conservative approach to managing our water supply. Our wettest months of the season are still to come.”  
“What we do know is that we started the water year following record heat this summer and in early October that parched the landscape. We must account for dry soils in our State Water Project allocation planning and our runoff forecasts for the spring,” Nemeth said.  
Soil moisture is critical to the success of California’s water years. If the soil is too dry, snowpack runoff in the spring will absorb into the ground instead of providing water supply to the state’s reservoirs. The ability to incorporate soil moisture into runoff forecasts is one of many recent improvements for SWP operations. Investments in Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) and improved data collection through DWR’s $7 million California Stream Gage Improvement Program will also help DWR and other agencies to incorporate the best available science and data into water management decisions.
Also new this season, the SWP has revised its operating permit to allow for new tools and resources to better manage our water supply for endangered fish species and millions of Californians. Earlier this month, the SWP received a new Incidental Take Permit from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife that covers five species protected under the California Endangered Species Act, including Delta smelt, longfin smelt, white sturgeon, winter-run Chinook salmon and spring-run Chinook salmon. The new permit went into effect on November 4.
Each year, DWR provides the initial SWP allocation based on available water storage, projected water supply, and water demands. Allocations are updated monthly as snowpack, rainfall, and runoff information is assessed, with a final allocation typically determined in May or June. As the winter progresses, if California sees an increase in rain and snowfall, the allocation forecast may increase.
Historical data on SWP allocations is available at https://water.ca.gov/programs/state-water-project/management/swp-water-contractors.
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We don’t have to eat ourselves to death to enjoy the holidays. I’m including myself when I say this. I gained two pounds just from Thanksgiving day alone. I had finally lost a few pounds and presto, faster than the twinkling of an eye I gained two back.


It’s easy to do. I ate generous portions of ham and turkey, along with derby pie (two pieces), oatmeal cake and sweet potato pie. Yum yum it was so darn good! 


To show for my eating frenzy is some added weight and a high blood sugar number the next day. There are consequences to such pleasure!


If I get into my holiday rut of eating peanut butter fudge, cherry candy and every Christmas cookie that comes my way, I am certain to gain five pounds and probably more between now and New Year’s Eve. I really don’t want to look at January 1, 2025 with another resolution that includes spending all of 2025 trying to lose all the damage I did in December of 2024.


Thus, I have decided to attempt to lose a few pounds in December leading up to Christmas Eve. I’ll probably blow it on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day because my wife is a phenomenal cook and everything she makes tastes so good. Most likely on Christmas Day, I’ll gain a pound or two back, if I can really lose it. It’s just scary how I’ve lost it so many times but it keeps finding me. There has to be some kind of device that fat has implanted in me because it keeps finding where I am! 


You have to decide for yourself. Eat, drink, be merry and regret it in January or just say to heck with it and get fatter and fatter. If you don’t care, nobody else cares. It’s up to us individually.


Here’s a question for you. Do you not know of any way to celebrate December other than eating like crazy for an entire month? There are alternatives. Try singing Christmas songs or listening to Christmas music. Watch Christmas movies. Send out Christmas cards. Go to a mall somewhere or Walmart and walk for an hour or so three or four times a week. Call people and wish them Merry Christmas. Take some of those goodies to a local nursing home. Take your tree down and put it back up again, anything but eating non-stop.


It's your life and your one body that God gave to you. I’m not pointing my finger at anybody because I would have four pointing back at me.


Food is a blessed gift from God. So, enjoy your food and let’s give God thanks for every bite because so many people have so little to eat. There’s another idea, share some of your goodies with the homeless.


My hope and prayer is that our December season will be filled with joy. Enjoy it all but just know January is right around the corner. How much do you want to have to lose in 2025? How bad do you want to feel on January 1?


It’s so true that life is short and we should enjoy every day. However, shouldn’t we make some effort to try to make this brief life just a few years longer so we can enjoy a few more holidays? Of course, even if you try to eat healthy and exercise you may still die young, but maybe you will die feeling better. 


 




Dr. Glenn Mollette is read in all 50 states. Find out more at GlennMollette.com
email. [email protected]. Find his books at all book dealers and his music at all streaming platforms.

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QUINCY, CA — With a break in the weather and December just around the corner, it’s a great time to get a Christmas tree on the Plumas National Forest for the holiday season! 
Christmas tree permits for the Plumas National Forest are now available at all Forest offices or online through www.Recreation.gov/. 
Permits cost $10 and are nonrefundable.  A maximum of two permits can be purchased per household and can be used through December 31.  Permits are only valid for this year.
Each permit is valid to cut one tree and must be secured to the tree in a place visible during transport of the tree from the forest.
To purchase permits online, visit www.Recreation.gov and search for “Plumas National Forest Christmas Tree Permit”. 
The permit cost through Recreation.gov is $10.  Up to two permits can be purchased and there is a $2.50 service charge per transaction.  The purchase can be done from a computer or mobile device.  The permit must be printed to be valid and visible on the vehicle dashboard when transporting the tree.
Christmas tree permits from the Plumas National Forest are valid for use on the Forest.  It is the responsibility of the cutter to ensure they are not getting their tree from private, state or other federal lands.  Christmas trees also cannot be harvested in Congressionally-designated Wilderness Areas, active timber sales, developed recreation sites or tree plantations.
Fourth graders with a valid Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) pass can use their pass to get a free Christmas tree permit on the Plumas National Forest to enjoy with their family.
EKO passes can also be acquired by visiting https://everykidoutdoors.gov and completing the application process.  Recreation.gov has an option for EKO passholders to get their Christmas tree permit online, but there is still the $2.50 service charge for the transaction.  Just search for the national forest where you want to cut your tree, check the box for the EKO pass, enter the EKO voucher or pass number and complete the purchase information. 
Local Forest offices can answer questions regarding Christmas tree cutting, current conditions and roads.  It is recommended to call to verify that Christmas tree permits are available at the Forest Service office and methods of payment being accepted.

Beckwourth Ranger Station
23 Mohawk Hwy, Blairsden
530-836-2575
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
 
Feather River Ranger District
875 Mitchell Ave., Oroville
530-534-6500
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
 
Mount Hough Ranger District
39696 State Hwy 70, Quincy
530-283-0555
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
 
Forest Supervisor’s Office
159 Lawrence St., Quincy
530-283-2050
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – Payment Only by Check

 

Offices will be closed Thanksgiving day on Thursday, November 28. Beckwourth and Mount Hough Ranger District offices will be closed Friday, November 29.  Feather River Ranger District in Oroville and the Forest Supervisor’s Office in Quincy will be open.  Offices may also be closed midday for lunch.
Cutting a Christmas tree on the National Forest is a great holiday tradition for many families and also helps with hazardous fuels reduction by removing smaller trees from the Forest.  Following are some tips to make your experience more enjoyable.
·      Plan your trip – check the weather, bring plenty of warm clothes, water, emergency food, tire chains, shovel, a saw or axe to cut your tree, and a tarp and rope to bring it home.  Make sure you have a full tank of gas when you leave and are prepared for changing conditions in the mountains!  Also, let someone know where you are going, the route you are taking and when you plan to be back.
·      Keep vehicles on designated roads and be aware of changing weather and road conditions.  Wet dirt roads can quickly turn to mud, making it possible to get stuck and causing damage to road, soil and water resources.  If there are puddles in the road, mud flipping off the tires or you can see your ruts in the rearview mirror, consider pulling over and taking a hike to look for a tree, or turning around and finding a different area to cut your tree.
·      Cut your tree early in the season before favorite cutting areas can’t be reached because of snow.
·      Cut the tree as close to the ground and leave as little of a stump as possible.
·      Attach the permit on the tree where it will be easily visible with the tree packed or tied on your vehicle for transport home.
·      To help keep your tree fresh, cut at least one inch off the base when you get home and stand the tree in a container of water in a cool, shaded area, checking the water level daily.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas, follow the forest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
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NEVADA CITY, Calif. (Nov. 25, 2024) — The Trust for Public Land (TPL), in partnership with the Truckee River Watershed Council (TRWC), is proud to announce the transfer of Sardine Meadow to the Tahoe National Forest (TNF), marking a significant advancement in preserving the ecological health and natural beauty of this critical meadow and riparian habitat.


Decades of logging, overgrazing, and railroad construction left Sardine Meadow compromised, contributing to the spread of invasive species, erosion, and flooding. Since 2014, TPL has stewarded this nearly 600-acre property—part of the larger 1,500-acre Sardine Valley—working to preserve its natural resources and support comprehensive habitat restoration in partnership with TNF and TRWC. Now part of the Tahoe National Forest, Sardine Meadow fills a critical gap in the Sierra Nevada's public lands, where private and public ownership alternates in a checkerboard pattern.


“This transfer is a milestone for protecting California’s remarkable mountain landscapes and securing some of its most vital watersheds,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, TPL’s California Director. “Sardine Meadow is now safeguarded for generations to come, enhancing water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreational access for all who enjoy this treasured land.”


In 2021, TPL and the TRWC completed extensive restoration of the meadow, revitalizing 350 acres and restoring five miles of historic stream channels. This work reestablished natural groundwater hydrology, helping to mitigate erosion, reduce habitat loss, and address severe degradation in the watershed.


“Thanks to the work of our dedicated partners, Sardine Meadow is protected and restored,” said Rachel Hutchinson, acting Tahoe National Forest Supervisor. “This benefits not only the greater watershed but also the public, by providing recreation opportunities, drinking water, and natural defenses against drought, fire, and flood.”


 “We have a goal of 50 priority stream restoration projects over the next decade. Our projects will restore hundreds of acres of meadow and forests streams in our watershed. Together, with our partners, we will restore our watershed to protect clean water, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce extreme risks of flooding, wildfires and drought in our community,” said Sue Drake, Development Director for the Truckee River Watershed Council.


As the largest meadow in the Davies Creek watershed, Sardine Meadow lies at its heart in Sierra County, California. With its scenic landscapes and recreational appeal, Sardine Meadow is part of the nationally recognized Truckee-Little Truckee Watershed, one of the country’s “Treasured Landscapes” as designated by the National Forest Foundation. The area’s vibrant ecosystem includes habitat for species such as the willow flycatcher and Lahontan cutthroat trout.


The protection of Sardine Meadow, in combination with the surrounding lands of the Tahoe National Forest, preserves this unique natural environment. Sardine Meadow’s proximity to Truckee, CA, and nearby destinations like Stampede and Boca Reservoirs makes it an accessible area for hiking, biking, and wildlife observation.


“Our transfer of Sardine Meadow to the Tahoe National Forest not only secures a future for this remarkable mountain meadow but ensures its water resources, ecosystems, and recreational opportunities are protected for surrounding communities and future generations,” said Heidi Krolick, TPL’s Sierra Nevada Director. “The conservation of Sardine Meadow safeguards the watershed but also supports TPL’s Sierra Checkerboard Initiative, which seeks to consolidate and protect the natural beauty and cohesiveness of landscapes in the Sierra.”


When construction of the Transcontinental Railroad began in 1863, the federal government granted railroad companies ownership of every other square mile of land, keeping the intervening sections. While this allowed railroads to fund construction by selling their sections, many public sections became part of national forests. Timber companies eventually acquired close to 75% of the private land, creating a checkerboard pattern of alternating private and public ownership across the central Sierra region. The Sierra Checkerboard Initiative is a multi-year effort to consolidate and protect these fragmented lands, including Sardine Meadow.


The conservation of Sardine Meadow adds nearly 600 acres to the Sierra Checkerboard, an area of focused conservation investment by TPL, the Northern Sierra Partnership and other partners, which has led to the protection of over 120,000 acres since the program’s inception.


###


About Trust for Public Land 
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,364 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, and raised $110 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 9.4 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org


About Tahoe National Forest
Tahoe National Forest includes more than 850,000 acres of public land intermixed with 350,000 acres of private land in a checkerboard pattern. The Tahoe National Forest is responsible for managing the land for current and future generations and for a variety of uses. The forest is also one of the most popular forests for year-round recreation in the United States.


About Truckee River Watershed Council
Formed in 1996, the mission of the Truckee River Watershed Council (TRWC) is to bring the community “Together for the Truckee” to protect, enhance and restore the Truckee River watershed. TRWC believes a more sustainable tomorrow starts with the watershed. Their goal is to restore the entire 285,000-acre watershed (435 square miles)– so nature and humanity can thrive together for generations. To learn more, watch this episode from NBC Bay Area featuring the Truckee River Watershed’s work in Lower Perazzo meadow and Sardine meadow, highlighting the beauty and importance to nature and us of lush meadows in the Sierra Nevada.

Dr. Glenn Mollette 


It’s been reported that some “A-list” celebrities are considering leaving the United States because Trump was reelected President.  President Trump is a man who will serve four more years and then there will be someone else elected to take his place. The person in the White House is not forever.


Keep in mind that the pendulum swings. If Trump has a bad four years, then America would most likely elect a Democrat. Elections are not easy to predict. Just look at this past election. Many Americans including me were duped into thinking that Kamala Harris had a chance of winning. Almost every day ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN lied to the American public about the poll numbers. Or, pollsters were lying to the networks. Every day it sounded like Harris either had a very small lead or that Harris and Trump were tied. Fox news kept reporting that Trump was in the lead which started sounding like they were pulling an ABC and just making up the stats as bad as the others were. On election day we came to find out that Fox news sources must have been better since Trump won by a resounding majority all the way around. So, who knows what four years will bring?


It's insane that people want to throw temper tantrums and stomp out of the country but may the door hit your fanny on the way out. Go ahead and leave. Do you think the average American cares? 


I don’t understand how anyone can be raised up in America and become a successful movie star, entertainer or business person, make millions of dollars and maybe even billions and then cry in their cheerios. Most of these entertainers who want to pack up and leave made their money from people in the United States. They live lavish lifestyles. Sounds to me like they are very ungrateful and very spoiled. Italy, France, the United Kingdom, etc., are all great places but they aren’t the ones who elevated them to stardom and multi-millionaire statuses.


How about some gratitude? Thanksgiving would be a great time for some of these Hollywood icons to stop and give thanks for America, the Amirian people and all that America has done for them. This country is not perfect. Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, and Elon Musk are all people who have done well but they have their faults as do we all. If we tuck our tails and run out the door because leadership has changed, then how do you make an impact four years from now when it will be time to change leadership again? 


The early pilgrims sacrificed and risked their lives for America. They came here seeking religious freedom and a better life. They paid the price paving the way for these United States to become the greatest country in the world. 


Every generation has to pay a price. Our beautiful freedom and the opportunity to enjoy all that America has to offer has come as a result of the hard work of our forefathers and lives given on battle fields around the world so you and I can sit down at a table and give thanks to God and the many who have given so much for us. 


I like to visit other countries. There are some beautiful people all around the world. However, there is no place like America. We have a lot of work to do. Our new leadership has a full plate of hard work ahead of him. Pray for Donald Trump. Pray for the new leadership. Pray for this country and for each other. Give thanks every day for every opportunity that comes our way. 


May this Thanksgiving be the best ever for you and may all of us in America have an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving. 




 




Dr. Glenn Mollette is read in all 50 states. Find out more at GlennMollette.com
email. [email protected]. Find his books at all book dealers and his music at all streaming platforms.

 
 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As millions of motorists gear up for travel, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is gearing up, too. Starting at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, and running through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, the CHP will activate its annual Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP).
 
Throughout the holiday weekend, CHP officers statewide will be on patrol, promoting safe driving and ensuring seat belts are buckled.
 
“Thanksgiving is a time for togetherness, and our mission is to ensure everyone reaches their destinations safely,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “We encourage everyone to prepare their vehicles for travel, leave early to account for heavy traffic, buckle up, and never drive impaired. The well-being and safety of others starts with making good decisions behind the wheel.”
 
Last year’s Thanksgiving MEP resulted in 1,047 arrests by CHP officers for driving under the influence and 27 fatal crashes in CHP jurisdiction. Tragically, five of the 17 vehicle occupants killed in a crash were not wearing a seat belt. These sobering numbers highlight the importance of making smart, safe decisions behind the wheel.
 
The CHP urges everyone to play their part in making the holidays safe: buckle up, drive sober, refrain from speeding, and avoid distractions.
 
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest

Senate Republican Caucus celebrates gains made in adding more

women and diversity in membership
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) and all other nine members of the Senate Republican Caucus are celebrating momentous victories across the state. For the first time in a general election since 1980, Senate Republicans ousted an incumbent Democrat. Additionally, for the first time in history, the California Senate Republican Caucus has a women-majority makeup.
 
“As Californians grow increasingly frustrated with the failures of Democrat leadership, they are shifting toward Republican solutions,” said Leader Jones. “Senate Republicans are not only growing in numbers but also diversity. Heading into 2025, we’re proud to expand our caucus to 10 members, up from 8 members just one year ago. With this strengthened team, we’ll continue fighting to deliver real results and fix California.”
 
For the first time in history, the California State Senate Republican Caucus has a majority of women, with three of the six Republican women senators being Latina.
  
Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) has also won her re-election to a second term, representing the newly drawn California 19th Senate District. In 2020, she made history as the first Republican Latina elected to the State Senate.


“I’m humbled by the trust the voters of the newly redrawn SD19 have placed in me,” said Senator Ochoa Bogh. “It is a testament to the hard work we’ve done these past four years, facilitating dialogue, education, and advocacy for improving the quality of life for our region and California as a whole. We will continue to work wholeheartedly with our colleagues in an effort to create a California that is more affordable, safe, and where economic opportunity abounds.”
 
Republicans also easily held onto the heavily contested California Senate District 23 of outgoing Republican Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita).
 
"I'm thankful that our community has chosen me to represent them in the Capitol, and I look forward to bringing a pragmatic approach to solving California's many problems,” said Senator-elect Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita). “We have lots of work to do, and I'm confident Senate Republicans will be able to help fix California."
 
Valladares is a former Assemblymember who has a background in business and running a non-profit, and describes herself as a “wife, mom, and problem-solver.”
 
Newly-elected Senator Megan Dahle (R-Bieber) also won her election in a landslide victory to represent California’s 1st Senate District. A former member of the State Assembly, Dahle is a small business owner, mother of three, and an education advocate.
 
“It has been an honor to serve in the Assembly and I can’t wait to get to work in the Senate and continue fighting for our rural communities,” said Senator-elect Dahle. “Our rural families need representation in the room, and I am proud to bring that to the State Senate.”
 
Also newly elected to the Senate this month was Dr. Steven Choi (R-Irvine), who defeated a heavily backed Democrat incumbent and made history as the first Senate Republican to oust a Democrat incumbent in a Presidential general election since 1980. A former member of the State Assembly, Dr. Choi also served as the mayor of Irvine and as a professor at both the University of Southern California and UC Irvine.
 
“It is a true honor to be selected by my neighbors to represent their needs in the legislature and I aim to get started immediately making sure we pass responsible, effective legislation that makes life easier for everyday Californians,” said Senator-elect Choi. “We’ve got to roll up our sleeves and do the hard work needed to serve all Californians.”
 
Other returning members of the now 10-member Senate Republican Caucus include Leader Jones, Senators Marie Alvarado-Gil (Jackson), Shannon Grove (Bakersfield), Janet Nguyen (Huntington Beach), Roger Niello (Fair Oaks), and Kelly Seyarto (Murrieta).


###
Senator Brian W. Jones represents the 40th Senate District which includes the Cities of Escondido, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, San Diego City communities of Carmel Mountain Ranch, Mira Mesa, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasquitos, Scripps Ranch, Sorrento Valley, and University City, along with the San Diego County unincorporated communities of 4S Ranch, Alpine, Bonsall, Fallbrook, Lakeside, Pine Valley, Rainbow, Ramona, and Valley Center

Severe winter weather has been forecast for Saturday, November 23 through Wednesday, November 27. The winter weather may produce hazardous conditions and increase the potential for power outages. Poor road conditions, challenges accessing remote areas, heavy snow, falling trees, and/or the nature of repairs required may result in extended power outages. As such, it is important for you to prepare now.

Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Put together an emergency kit with flashlights, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, bottled water, warm clothing, blankets, and more.
• Store at least a 48-hour supply of non-perishable food and water.
• Plan for medical needs that a loss of power may impact. Keep a list of the nearest medical facilities, hospitals, and nearest accessible transportation. Consider creating a support network of people who can help you in the event of a disaster. Keep a contact list in your emergency kit and on your electronic device.
• Keep your cell phones and other electronic devices fully charged. Consider purchasing a back-up battery device to extend the use of your electronic devices.
• Create a plan to safely heat your home. Avoid burning coal or wood in an indoor area without proper ventilation. For carbon monoxide safety tips, please visit our Carbon Monoxide Safety page.
• Keep your contact information on file up-to-date to receive text, email, and voice notifications in the event of an outage. Call customer care at 1-800-782-2506 or click HERE to update.
• View outage updates on our outage map. See how to use our outage mapto check the status of a power outage, see how many customers are affected, and find the estimated restoration time (ERT). 
• For additional information and real-time updates, please follow us on Facebook (@LibertyUtilitiesLT) or X (@LibertyUtil_CA).
• For more helpful information, visit our Outage Tips page.

In the event of a power outage, here are some tips:

• First, check to see if the power failure is limited to your home or business. If your neighbor's power is still on, check your circuit breaker panel or fuse box. If the problem is not a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker, call Liberty to report the outage.
• Keep access to your panel clear of snow to help expedite repairs.
• If you are not in the area and your camera system or smart home devices are not working, call your internet provider first to check if communications are down. Then check Liberty’s outage map prior to calling Liberty to report an outage.
• Report power outages by calling 1-844-245-6868 or visiting the Outage Center on our web page.
• Stay at least 30 feet away from downed wires and report them by calling 1-844-245-6868. Follow the power line safety tips in our video.
• Learn how Liberty restores power and why it may take a while for your power to return.
• Liberty’s tree crews will be ready to assist linemen crews as needed in restoration efforts. During storm events, tree crews will not be cleaning up brush and debris from tree work. Clean-up will occur after storm events, and crews will only be cleaning up the brush and debris that they generate.
• ERTs may not be available right away as crews need to assess situations to determine repairs needed. Liberty will provide an ERT when available.
• ERTs are subject to change as new developments arise. Power restoration may occur before or after an ERT depending on weather, access, and repairs.

We understand that losing power is inconvenient. Liberty works hard to provide you with safe and reliable service and prepares for potential storm impacts. Additional crews assist as needed with outage response. We monitor the weather closely so we can respond accordingly. Our linemen and additional crews are staged throughout our service territory, ready to respond to outages.

In the event of an outage, our crews will work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible when safe to do so. Forecasts can change rapidly. Please stay tuned to your local news sources and take steps now to prepare for potential winter weather outages.

​THE KENTUCKY MINE TRESTLE PROJECT was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting November 19th. This project went out to bid with a $120,000 budget secured from a 2022 National Scenic Byways Program Grant. The lowest bid was $240,000. Bids are valid for 45 days, so Public Works Director Bryan Davey reached out to the Forest Service and contacted the Sierra County Historical Society for help. As of this meeting, the Historical Society raised $41,000 in donations, and are anticipating people will continue to donate until the December 1st  deadline. They asked the Board to fund whatever they couldn’t raise. Bill Copren, who is a member of the Historical Society’s Board of Directors told the Board and audience that this is the last Stamp Mill left in the world. Supervisor Lee Adams felt they would be insane to walk away and stated the County made the commitment in the 70’s to be the guardian of the Kentucky Mine. Supervisor Lila Heuer made the motion to enter into the contract with the lowest bidder contingent on funding and direction to staff to bring back at the next meeting with a budget. The motion was approved unanimously. Davey is also talking with the Forest Service about Title II funding they may be able to acquire.

THE CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) results for 2023-2024 was reported on during the joint meeting of the Sierra County Office of Education and the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District Governing Board meeting on November 12th in Loyalton. Megan Meschery stated the CAASPP purpose is to assess knowledge in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science and the English language and also to see how much students improved from the previous year. The results are used to support students over time, identify gaps in learning and data to help gather information to support student learning.The participation rate across the District for ELA was 89.5% and Math 90.5%. The State would like a 95% participation rate. ELA are for all students in grades 3-8 and 11. The results across the district show 32.97% at standard or above. State is at 47.4%. The district will be focusing on English literacy and see the greatest need in reading and writing. Over 21% were below standard in reading and over 40% were below standard in writing.Math is taken by all students in grades 3-8 and 11. The district results are 31.11% at standard or above.  State is 35.54% at standard or above. Greatest needs are in the concepts and procedures and problem solving with over 30% at below standard. Science is taken by students in 5th, 8th and one year in high school. District results are 25.68% at standard or above. State is 30.70%. Greatest need is in the area of life sciences with over 50% below standard. ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessments for California) is for all students until they are redesignated out of support services. The District 38.08% at standard or above with 8 out of 21 students at a 3 and 4 level. State 3 and 4 levels were 47.41%In comparing our district to similar districts for ELA, SPJUSD is at 32.97%, Plumas Unified is 37.58% and Fort Sage (Herlong area) is 19.17%. Math: SPJUSD is 31.11%, Plumas Unified is 24% and Fort Sage is 15.7%. Science: SPJUSD is 25.68%, Plumas Unified is 22.88%, and Fort Sage 18.76%.Next steps to address challenges will be to work hard in literacy. All schools are using Step Up To Writing curriculum and working on districtwide literacy improvement. The District needs to adopt new math curriculum. They will continue to analyze absenteeism data to determine its impact on academic achievement and increase communication to parents to have 95% participation. The District will also focus on school-wide strategies to lift tier 1 instruction and literacy.

A BOMB THREAT was found to be non-credible after an email was sent to the Sierra County Clerk Recorder’s Office threatening the Courthouse following the election. The FBI had previously issued a warning about a blanket hoax being distributed, which is what this was, according to Sheriff Mike Fisher.

LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL voted approval to collect a 12.5% Transient Occupancy Tax at its regular meeting November 19th, starting in January. That is the same amount Sierra County charges. Council member Sue McIlravy found Ordinance No. 369 was already established but it will need to be modified to reflect the new rate and to add Airbnb terminology. The tax is to be paid directly to the Clerk of the City of Loyalton. Penalties and interest will be added if the City is not paid. The motion was made by Bill Mertton, seconded by Joy Markum and approved.

Gas prices across Northern California are 4 cents cheaper ahead of Thanksgiving.


WALNUT CREEK (November 21, 2024) — AAA is proud to announce that it is now adding electric vehicle charging data to its new “Fuel Prices” website as an addition to providing the nation's leading gasoline price information. 
With nearly 2 million members living in households with one or more electric vehicles, AAA recognizes the need to track the average kilowatt-per-hour cost for all levels of public charging by state. Today’s national average for a kilowatt of electricity at a public charging station is 34 cents. At the pump, the national average for a gallon of gas dropped two cents since last week to $3.06 – matching the January 2024 low. There are now 28 states with averages below $3.
California gas prices dropped by 4 cents in the last week to about $4.48 per gallon. Californians were paying an average of $4.96 for a gallon of regular last November - a difference of 48 cents.

Unlike the gas price map, which tracks national, state, county, and metro average prices, the EV charging rate map will only supply national and state data at this point. It will also show the number of public chargers in each state. The new EV charging map represents the national and state daily average per kilowatt hour cost for all commercial/public charging (Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3/DC Fast Charging). Historical EV price data is not available at this time.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand plunged from 9.38 million b/d last week to 8.41. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks rose slightly from 206.9 million barrels to 208.9, while gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.3 million barrels daily.
Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.06, 11 cents less than a month ago and 23 cents less than a year ago.
Electric
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (21 cents), Missouri (24 cents), Nebraska (26 cents), North Dakota (27 cents), Texas (28 cents), Utah (29 cents), Vermont (30 cents,) Washington DC (30 cents), and Michigan (30 cents).
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (56 cents), West Virginia (44 cents), Montana (43 cents), New Hampshire (42 cents), South Carolina (42 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), Kentucky (41 cents), Idaho (41 cents), Alaska (41 cents), and Tennessee (40 cents).
Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA TripTik Travel Planner.
*Please note that the gas report will be off for Thanksgiving, November 28th.
###
AAA Rebrands “Gas Prices” As “Fuel Prices” By Adding EV Charging Rates
Gas prices across Northern California are 4 cents cheaper ahead of Thanksgiving.

WALNUT CREEK (November 21, 2024) — AAA is proud to announce that it is now adding electric vehicle charging data to its new “Fuel Prices” website as an addition to providing the nation's leading gasoline price information. 
With nearly 2 million members living in households with one or more electric vehicles, AAA recognizes the need to track the average kilowatt-per-hour cost for all levels of public charging by state. Today’s national average for a kilowatt of electricity at a public charging station is 34 cents. At the pump, the national average for a gallon of gas dropped two cents since last week to $3.06 – matching the January 2024 low. There are now 28 states with averages below $3.
California gas prices dropped by 4 cents in the last week to about $4.48 per gallon. Californians were paying an average of $4.96 for a gallon of regular last November - a difference of 48 cents.

Unlike the gas price map, which tracks national, state, county, and metro average prices, the EV charging rate map will only supply national and state data at this point. It will also show the number of public chargers in each state. The new EV charging map represents the national and state daily average per kilowatt hour cost for all commercial/public charging (Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3/DC Fast Charging). Historical EV price data is not available at this time.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand plunged from 9.38 million b/d last week to 8.41. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks rose slightly from 206.9 million barrels to 208.9, while gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.3 million barrels daily.
Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.06, 11 cents less than a month ago and 23 cents less than a year ago.
Electric
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (21 cents), Missouri (24 cents), Nebraska (26 cents), North Dakota (27 cents), Texas (28 cents), Utah (29 cents), Vermont (30 cents,) Washington DC (30 cents), and Michigan (30 cents).
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (56 cents), West Virginia (44 cents), Montana (43 cents), New Hampshire (42 cents), South Carolina (42 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), Kentucky (41 cents), Idaho (41 cents), Alaska (41 cents), and Tennessee (40 cents).
Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA TripTik Travel Planner.
*Please note that the gas report will be off for Thanksgiving, November 28th.
AAA Rebrands “Gas Prices” As “Fuel Prices” By Adding EV Charging Rates
Gas prices across Northern California are 4 cents cheaper ahead of Thanksgiving.

WALNUT CREEK (November 21, 2024) — AAA is proud to announce that it is now adding electric vehicle charging data to its new “Fuel Prices” website as an addition to providing the nation's leading gasoline price information. 
With nearly 2 million members living in households with one or more electric vehicles, AAA recognizes the need to track the average kilowatt-per-hour cost for all levels of public charging by state. Today’s national average for a kilowatt of electricity at a public charging station is 34 cents. At the pump, the national average for a gallon of gas dropped two cents since last week to $3.06 – matching the January 2024 low. There are now 28 states with averages below $3.
California gas prices dropped by 4 cents in the last week to about $4.48 per gallon. Californians were paying an average of $4.96 for a gallon of regular last November - a difference of 48 cents.

Unlike the gas price map, which tracks national, state, county, and metro average prices, the EV charging rate map will only supply national and state data at this point. It will also show the number of public chargers in each state. The new EV charging map represents the national and state daily average per kilowatt hour cost for all commercial/public charging (Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3/DC Fast Charging). Historical EV price data is not available at this time.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand plunged from 9.38 million b/d last week to 8.41. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks rose slightly from 206.9 million barrels to 208.9, while gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.3 million barrels daily.
Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.06, 11 cents less than a month ago and 23 cents less than a year ago.
Electric
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (21 cents), Missouri (24 cents), Nebraska (26 cents), North Dakota (27 cents), Texas (28 cents), Utah (29 cents), Vermont (30 cents,) Washington DC (30 cents), and Michigan (30 cents).
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (56 cents), West Virginia (44 cents), Montana (43 cents), New Hampshire (42 cents), South Carolina (42 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), Kentucky (41 cents), Idaho (41 cents), Alaska (41 cents), and Tennessee (40 cents).
Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA TripTik Travel Planner.
*Please note that the gas report will be off for Thanksgiving, November 28th.
 
AAA Rebrands “Gas Prices” As “Fuel Prices” By Adding EV Charging Rates
Gas prices across Northern California are 4 cents cheaper ahead of Thanksgiving.

WALNUT CREEK (November 21, 2024) — AAA is proud to announce that it is now adding electric vehicle charging data to its new “Fuel Prices” website as an addition to providing the nation's leading gasoline price information. 
With nearly 2 million members living in households with one or more electric vehicles, AAA recognizes the need to track the average kilowatt-per-hour cost for all levels of public charging by state. Today’s national average for a kilowatt of electricity at a public charging station is 34 cents. At the pump, the national average for a gallon of gas dropped two cents since last week to $3.06 – matching the January 2024 low. There are now 28 states with averages below $3.
California gas prices dropped by 4 cents in the last week to about $4.48 per gallon. Californians were paying an average of $4.96 for a gallon of regular last November - a difference of 48 cents.

Unlike the gas price map, which tracks national, state, county, and metro average prices, the EV charging rate map will only supply national and state data at this point. It will also show the number of public chargers in each state. The new EV charging map represents the national and state daily average per kilowatt hour cost for all commercial/public charging (Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3/DC Fast Charging). Historical EV price data is not available at this time.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand plunged from 9.38 million b/d last week to 8.41. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks rose slightly from 206.9 million barrels to 208.9, while gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.3 million barrels daily.
Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.06, 11 cents less than a month ago and 23 cents less than a year ago.
Electric
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (21 cents), Missouri (24 cents), Nebraska (26 cents), North Dakota (27 cents), Texas (28 cents), Utah (29 cents), Vermont (30 cents,) Washington DC (30 cents), and Michigan (30 cents).
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (56 cents), West Virginia (44 cents), Montana (43 cents), New Hampshire (42 cents), South Carolina (42 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), Kentucky (41 cents), Idaho (41 cents), Alaska (41 cents), and Tennessee (40 cents).
Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA TripTik Travel Planner.
*Please note that the gas report will be off for Thanksgiving, November 28th.
 
AAA Rebrands “Gas Prices” As “Fuel Prices” By Adding EV Charging Rates
Gas prices across Northern California are 4 cents cheaper ahead of Thanksgiving.

WALNUT CREEK (November 21, 2024) — AAA is proud to announce that it is now adding electric vehicle charging data to its new “Fuel Prices” website as an addition to providing the nation's leading gasoline price information. 
With nearly 2 million members living in households with one or more electric vehicles, AAA recognizes the need to track the average kilowatt-per-hour cost for all levels of public charging by state. Today’s national average for a kilowatt of electricity at a public charging station is 34 cents. At the pump, the national average for a gallon of gas dropped two cents since last week to $3.06 – matching the January 2024 low. There are now 28 states with averages below $3.
California gas prices dropped by 4 cents in the last week to about $4.48 per gallon. Californians were paying an average of $4.96 for a gallon of regular last November - a difference of 48 cents.

Unlike the gas price map, which tracks national, state, county, and metro average prices, the EV charging rate map will only supply national and state data at this point. It will also show the number of public chargers in each state. The new EV charging map represents the national and state daily average per kilowatt hour cost for all commercial/public charging (Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3/DC Fast Charging). Historical EV price data is not available at this time.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand plunged from 9.38 million b/d last week to 8.41. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks rose slightly from 206.9 million barrels to 208.9, while gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.3 million barrels daily.
Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.06, 11 cents less than a month ago and 23 cents less than a year ago.
Electric
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (21 cents), Missouri (24 cents), Nebraska (26 cents), North Dakota (27 cents), Texas (28 cents), Utah (29 cents), Vermont (30 cents,) Washington DC (30 cents), and Michigan (30 cents).
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (56 cents), West Virginia (44 cents), Montana (43 cents), New Hampshire (42 cents), South Carolina (42 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), Kentucky (41 cents), Idaho (41 cents), Alaska (41 cents), and Tennessee (40 cents).
Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA TripTik Travel Planner.
*Please note that the gas report will be off for Thanksgiving, November 28th.

 
On November 20, 2024, at approximately 4:20 PM, an unidentified individual was driving a grey Subaru Outback northbound on State Route 89 near Dixie Canyon Road at an unknown but estimated high rate of speed.
 
Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver allowed the vehicle to drift off the roadway onto the east dirt shoulder of SR-89. The Subaru Outback collided head-on with a large cedar tree, shearing the tree off just above its base. The vehicle came to rest in a gully east of SR-89, facing northeast, with its front end positioned above Dixie Creek.
 
Following the collision, the Subaru Outback caught fire. Tragically, the driver succumbed to their injuries, and both the individual and the vehicle were consumed by the fire.
 
The identity of the driver remains under investigation.
 
This incident is being actively investigated by the California Highway Patrol and the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the California Highway Patrol Quincy Area.
 

Forecast Calls For Several Feet of Snow, Gusty Winds and Rain in the Valley

MARYSVILLE – Caltrans is alerting motorists about several rounds of heavy snow on its way to the Sierra Nevada that could create challenging mountain travel conditions through the beginning of next week.
 
The National Weather Service is forecasting 1 to 4 feet of snow over several days with gusty winds up to 50 mph. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 4 p.m. Friday through 4 p.m. Tuesday, November 26. Snow levels are expected to start initially around 6,000 feet and lowering to 4,500 feet over the weekend.
 
Motorists should be prepared for chain controls, additional travel times and possible delays. Caltrans advises to make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas or full charge, chains, and extra supplies in the event of an emergency or if traffic is held for an extended period of time. Those supplies should include extra snacks, water, a blanket and a flashlight.
Additional rainfall between 1 and 2 inches is expected in the Sacramento Valley, with the highest amounts forecast across the northern valley and foothill locations. Motorists should be prepared for slick roads, ponding water on roadways and potential flooding onto the highway. If drivers see a flooded roadway, turn around. 
Motorists are encouraged to check Caltrans’ QuickMap before traveling for current road conditions and chain requirements or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play. Road information is also available on Caltrans’ website or by calling the California Highway Information Network automated phone service at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).
 
Caltrans District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. The department will issue updates on X @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook CaltransDistrict3.


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Greetings,
 As severe weather continues to impact Northern California, I want to ensure that all residents are aware of the latest warnings and advisories in effect for our region. Please read the following important updates regarding winter conditions, flooding risks, and wind hazards:
Winter Storm WarningFor the Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Lassen, Eastern Plumas, and Eastern Sierra Counties
From: Friday, November 22 at 10 AM PST to Saturday, November 24 at 10 PM PST

• Snow Accumulation: 1 to 2 feet above 7,000 feet and 2 to 6 inches below 7,000 feet.
• Wind Gusts: Up to 95 mph at the ridges and 50 mph around Lake Tahoe.
• Travel Impact: Hazardous travel conditions are expected, especially Friday evening.
• Lake Tahoe: Wave heights may reach 3 to 5 feet; avoid lake activities until conditions improve.

Flood WatchFor Shasta Lake Area, Northern Shasta County, and Northern Sacramento Valley
Through Saturday, November 23 at 4 AM PST

• Rainfall: 3 to 6 inches expected, with up to 8 to 12 inches possible in the foothills.
• Flood Risk: Excessive rainfall may cause flooding on roadways and in low-lying areas. Rivers, creeks, and streams may rise rapidly.
• Impact Areas: Cities of Redding, Shasta Dam, Red Bluff, Paradise, Chico, and surrounding areas.
• Precautionary Action: Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action if flooding occurs. Visit weather.gov/safety/flood for more details.

High Wind AdvisoryFor Modoc and Siskiyou Counties
Through Saturday, November 23 at 4 PM PST

• Wind Gusts: Up to 60 mph, particularly in higher elevations and exposed areas.
• Impact: Strong winds may cause tree damage, power outages, and hazardous driving conditions, especially in areas with loose debris.

Travel and Safety Recommendations:

• For Winter Storm Areas: If traveling in areas under Winter Storm Warnings, be prepared for chain control areas, hazardous road conditions, and possible closures. Carry chains, water, snacks, blankets, and a flashlight. Avoid non-highway routes during closures.
• For Flood Watch Areas: Be vigilant for rising waters on roads and near rivers. Do not drive through flooded areas. If you live in a flood-prone area, have a plan in place for evacuation if necessary.
• For Wind Advisory Areas: Secure loose objects outdoors, and exercise caution when driving, especially in high-profile vehicles.

Additional Resources:
For real-time updates, visit QuickMap (available as a free app) or check Caltrans and CHP social media pages. You can also check the 511 system for road conditions and closures by calling 5-1-1.
Please stay informed, stay safe, and take all necessary precautions during these challenging weather events. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Assemblywoman Megan Dahle
 
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