​FILING PETITIONS IN LIEU OF FILING FEES for the June 5, 2018 Statewide Direct Primary Election, as of Tuesday, January 9th: 

Sierra County Supervisor, District 2: Incumbent Peter Heubner and Docia Bostrom, retired from Sierra County Treasurer’s Office
Sierra County Supervisor, District 5: Incumbent Scott Schlefstein and Sharon Dryden, Trustee Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District
Sierra County Sheriff: Incumbent Sierra County Sheriff Tim Standley and Sierra County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mike Fisher
Sierra County District Attorney/Public Administrator upon retirement of Larry Allen: Sandra Groven, Probation Specialist/Drug Court Coordinator and David Garner of Butte County
Sierra Superior Court Judge: Incumbent Sierra Superior Court Judge Yvette Durant and J. Lon Cooper, Sierra County Public Defender. 
Offices not contested: Sierra County Assessor Laura Marshall, Sierra County Clerk-Recorder Heather Foster and Sierra County Auditor/Treasurer/Tax Collector Van Maddox are all running for re-election.
The period for filing a petition in-lieu of filing fee for County Offices is December 14, 2017 through February 7, 2018.
The filing period for Declarations of Candidacy and Nomination Papers for all candidates is February 12, 2018 through March 9, 2018.
If the incumbent to any of the above offices does not file nomination papers, the time frame for filing extends to March 14, 2018 for other candidates. (Excludes Incumbent)
Persons interested in filing for any of the above offices should contact the Sierra County Clerk-Recorder Office for candidate qualifications and information: P.O. Drawer D, 100 Courthouse Square, Room 11, Downieville, CA 95936; (530) 289-3295; 
clerk-recorder@sierracounty.ca.gov

Just wanted to share the attached photo with all of you to help us remind everyone how dangerous downed power lines can be.


This is a photo of a tree that fell on one of our lines in the Homewood-Timberland area late this morning along Finch Lane/Sugar Pine Road interrupting power to about 10 customers.  Fortunately, no one tried to touch the downed power line, and crews are on site now making repairs.


With these wind storms continuing through tomorrow, thought this would be a good safety reminder.


Stay safe out there!


Kathy


Kathy Carter | Liberty Utilities  Contractor

 
The Sierra Schools Foundation recently awarded nearly $20,000 in educational grants to teachers in the Sierra-Plumas Unified School District—with most of those relating to the sciences and arts.
The following grants were awarded for project expenses organized by the following teachers:
Downieville School:

• STEAM Enrichment, $5,180, Maire McDermid
• Downieville Greenhouse, $225, Maire McDermid
• Crocker Art Field Trip, $287, Maire McDermid
• STEM Sea Perch Navy Competition, Robin Bolle
• Spring Musical for Dance and Vocal Workshops, $2,500, Lynn Fillo

Loyalton Elementary School:

• Sierra Nevada Journeys Family Science Night, $400, Andrea Ceresola
• Discovery Museum Field Trip, $820, Ann Fisher
• National Lava Beds Field Trip, $2,600, Joanna Haug
• UNR Planetarium Field Trip, $500, Erin Folchi

Loyalton High School

• Peace Mediation Project, $1,850, Megan Meschery
• Sound of Music Field Trip, $800, Susan Baker
• Lassen Volcanic National Park, $2,050, Jason Adams
• UNR’s Black Rock Press Field Trip, $300, Laura Calabrese
• Agriculture Program Camera, $550, Cali Griffin
• Math Escape Room, $400, Sue Gressel
• Teacher at Home with iPad Pro, $1,000, Adrienne Anila

To receive an SSF grant, teachers or school administrators prepare a grant application that is submitted for review by the SSF board. Two grant cycles are administered each school year, one for each semester.
Jenna Holland, SSF president, said, “Twice a year we are excited to see the innovative ways that teachers are conveying concepts and standards to their students. We are so thankful for our donors who make this all possible.”
 SSF bases grant decisions on its Roots and Boots Initiative, which encourages students to explore, appreciate and preserve their rural roots and the remote and rural landscapes that shaped them, while also providing them with the “boots,” or skills, training and experiences to walk into their future prepared and inspired for what is ahead.  

On January 23rd at 5:40 a.m. on the Beckwourth Calpine Road north on Money Road, Tanner McKay, 21 of Quincy was driving his 2004 Dodge southbound at a stated speed of approximately 55 mph. As the Dodge rounded a curve in the roadway, it encountered black ice. McKay lost control and the Dodge slid towards the embankment on the east side of the road. The Dodge slid down the embankment, where it overturned severl times before coming to rest on its left side. McKay and his passengers, Brandon McGarity, 19 and Matthew McGarity, 22 of Portola and Ethan Nyberg, 21 of Quincy, called 911 and CHP arrived a short time later to assist.


On January 23rd at 6;51 on Beckwourth Calpine Road south of Valle Vista Drive, Sara Collins, 26 of Portola was driving a 1998 GMC Suburban southbound at a speed of 68 mph. At the time there was a heavy layer of fog in the area which caused the roadway to freeze. Collins was traveling through a sweeping left hand curve in the roadway and her vehicle lost traction and slid. Collins attempted to regain control but was unable to and the vehicle left the roadway, overturned and came to rest on its wheels. Following the collision all parties, Dehlyla Essler, 6, Keith Stewart 22, Aurora Conway, 13, John Dickie, 10 all of Portola and Tyler Jay Gorsuch, 29 of Truckee all self extricated from the vehicle. Alcohol or drugs are not a factor in the collision and all parties were restrained in the vehicle.

Like clockwork, people are composing their lists of New Year’s resolutions, and at the same time they’re ending this year with some of the same problems, frustrations or worries of past years.  They want to take a brighter outlook and ride those resolutions to a higher quality of life in the New Year – but inevitably, familiar issues get them down year after year.
How can this New Year be different? How can you stay more positive and hopeful despite problems that won’t go away when the big ball drops in Times Square?
“Making laughter a part of your every-day life is the answer. When life gets tough, laughter begins,” says Lee Volpe (www.LeeVolpe.com), a humorist and author of Black Sheep Tries Bleach: Humorous Stories to Ease Life’s Growing Pains.
 “We all have humor inside us. It is so healthy to use it in a variety of ways. When you really deconstruct some things in your life that may be problems or annoyances, you can creatively come at them with laughter, and your whole outlook changes.”  
Mentally and physically, the benefits of laughter are many, Volpe says, and she lists five of those benefits that can help you make 2018 a happier New Year:
• Reduces stress. Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones. such as cortisol and epinephrine (adrenaline), and it boosts the immune system. Science has further shown that after a good laugh, muscles can be relaxed for up to 45 minutes. “Laughter is a free stress-management strategy, and in today’s pressurized, problem-filled world, there’s a big premium on that,” Volpe says. “Laughter is often the best kind of therapy.” 
• Burns calories. Everybody wants to lose weight in the New Year, right? “Laugh hard enough and you may be able to skip some gym visits – and who doesn’t want to do that,” Volpe says. Studies show that a good stream of laughter can burn 40 calories in 30 minutes. “I saw where you really can burn 75 calories in 30 minutes by banging your head against a wall,” Volpe says. “Knock yourself out.” 
• Becomes a coping mechanism. Laughter makes us feel good. Instead of complaining about life’s frustrations, trying to laugh about them helps. “Humor helps you keep a positive outlook through difficult situations,” Volpe says. “When something extremely frustrating or depressing occurs, try to take the longer view and envision that one day you’ll be able to look back on it and laugh. But why not laugh right now? You also feel stronger. This approach will also make you better equipped to deal with future negative events less stressfully.”
• Brings people together, strengthens relationships. Laughter connects us with others. You can’t enjoy a laugh with other people unless you take the time to engage with them. “It improves the quality of social interaction you have with your friends, co-workers, and acquaintances,” Volpe says. “The old saying is, ‘Laughter is contagious.’ If you bring more laughter into your life, you can help others around you to laugh more and reap the benefits of humor, which in turns helps them with their problems. It makes other people happy, because it’s very infectious, just like anger is.”


“We all need more laughter with the way the world is these days,” Volpe says. “Maybe you can start by laughing at your own New Year’s resolutions list. For a lot of people it turns out to be a joke anyway. And it doesn’t have to be a new year to start a new day, a new outlook, for yourself.”




About Lee Volpe
Lee Volpe  (www.LeeVolpe.com) is the author of Black Sheep Tries Bleach: Humorous Stories to Ease Life’s Growing Pains. After a short career as an actress, Lee found her voice as a humorist, and has never looked back. Since 2011, she has been making a name for herself professionally as an honest, Laugh Out Loud (LOL) humor writer, dealing with daily life and relatable situations. Applauded for saying what most are thinking, Lee has the unique ability of finding wit in the way and amusement in the angle. Marcia Corbino of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune described Lee as “Erma Bombeck meets Sex and the City.”

A “HOMECOMING” for former residents of the Loyalton Mobilehome Park turned out to be at the status conference over the park held at Sierra Superior Court in Downieville January 12th at 2 p.m.
The small group was well represented by Herb Whitaker, Managing Attorney for Legal Services of Northern California.
Former residents at the status conference, who had been denied the $3,000, were past self-appointed manager and said having used an unpermitted fireplace in violation, Jim Rimmer who now is employed at Chewy.com in Reno; Brian Caudle who was refused for a timely vacate and said to trespass onto the property twice; Mark Black, David Black, Lisa Melton who are said trespassed onto the property and Mark is said to have made multiple attempts to collect multiple payments by claiming to act on behalf of other occupants; Tita Cleghorn, denied for unpermitted fireplace; Valerie Robertson use of unpermitted fireplace and trespass; Kevin Pagal whose unit was said to be vacant since the Receiver took control of the property and was “essentially a junkyard, full of abandoned vehicles, piles of scrap metal, tires, junk and other debris.” Not seen at the hearing were Megan Misigal, denied because it was a vacant unit; Lynette Canepa, Michael Acutt, Mariah Arney for refusal to timely vacate.
Herb Whitaker was there for clients to present claims on relocation yet stated the emphasis was value gained by the move.  He stated clients did vacate and received benefits which was “very helpful.” He, too, spoke of a lack of housing and not even hotel rooms which were tied up. He was there to ask specifically for those individuals denied funds and to review their claims.  Eighteen residents were paid $23,000. Eight were denied and for two, the judge would have to recuse himself. Whitaker said they were denied for wood burning stoves and as claim jumpers. One was “just hanging on” and needed funds to relocate.
Adams felt they could work something out and took a break in the hall. The judge stated he would have to be recused on two residents and a further hearing date of February 9th at 11 a.m. was set “to whittle down names.”

CONCERNING LOYALTON MOBILE

HOME PARK, a status conference was held at Sierra Superior Court in Downieville on January 12th at 2 p.m. Also present was Joseph F. Larmour, attorney with Prentice Long & Eperson and Judge Charles Ervin presiding.
Judge Ervin stated he can’t go anywhere without “snide comments” about the status of the park and stated he’d not inspected it but it’s hard not to notice the debris. He asked Mark Adams, Esq. President, California Receivership Group, PBC, for a better understanding of what’s going on.
Adams was “happy to address” it.  He spoke on where the property is headed in terms  of economic 
aspect.  He spoke highly of the cooperation with County Counsel yet not all in agreement but cooperation to get things done. He spoke of it being “no small matter to cover relocations.” He called the next round with approval “no easier but harder.” Financing, he said would help with further financing . He doubted this would be the last request for funds. He said the County had agreed to subordinate property taxes. Judge Ervin asked it it had been forgiven as discussions had not happened. Adams answered he’d pay as much due to the County as he can. The eventual  plan for development or project should be over and above, he said.
Adams spoke of physical removal, contamination and “horrible environment costs.”  The good news, he reported was Supervisor Paul Roen as “public spirited,” to commit to removal before funding. Adams said Roen’s “ready to start immediately.”  He spoke of showing the lender the community project with the County and Roen. Adams spoke of a long list of receivables, stating “It does cost money.”
He told Judge Ervin his vision stating Loyalton is “much stronger” economically than expected. He told of the co-gen going onstream and in ​the process of 24 new jobs but questioned where people would live. He told of not a lot of affordable housing but 51 pads for mobile homes at the mobilehome park. He suggested a complex easily with good, manufactured housing which could be affordable and getting to a point to find a developer who knows how to buy manufactured homes. He called it a realistic process to support job generators.
Judge Ervin agreed, stating, it “does sound as an attainable vision.”
Adams continued, the site has pads and it would take a talk to Planning on getting the site set up.
Funding for removal of the debris within the former park was approved only to learn the County Department of Health wants an environmental consultant who wasn't available to inspect until this week.
Receiver Mark Adams is confident, “I fully expect we'll still be done by the 31st and the haul out crew is standing by, ready to go.” 

Releases ‘Tax Help for the Cannabis Industry’ Video Series

 
Sacramento – The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) has produced a three-part video series to help individuals who operate cannabis-based businesses learn about their tax responsibilities.
 
On January 1, 2018, two new cannabis taxes took effect – a cultivation tax and an excise tax. In addition, businesses that make retail sales of cannabis and cannabis products are required to report and pay sales and use tax. These videos will provide general information on the tax requirements for cannabis retailers, distributors, cultivators, and manufacturers. They also explain how to register for a cannabis tax permit and seller’s permit, how to determine if sales are taxable, how to calculate the proper tax rate, when to use or accept a resale certificate, and how to file returns and maintain adequate records.
 
The three-part video series includes:
Tax Help for the Cannabis Retailer
Tax Help for the Cannabis Distributor
Tax Help for the Cannabis Cultivator or Manufacturer
 
For more information about topics covered in these videos, email CDTFACannabisHelp@cdtfa.ca.gov, or view Tax Guide for Cannabis Businesses on the CDTFA website. For more information, call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time), except state holidays.
 
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Important Notice: Recent legislation created the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to administer the taxes and fees previously collected by the Board of Equalization, with the exception of Property Tax, Alcoholic Beverage Tax and Insurance Tax. Additional information concerning this recent change can be found at www.boe.ca.gov and at www.cdtfa.ca.gov. For more information on other taxes and fees in California, visit the California Tax Service Center.
 
Note: This video series is intended to provide general information regarding the application of tax and will not serve as a basis for relief of liability under Revenue and Taxation Code sections 6596 and 55045. Changes in law or regulations may occur. If there is a conflict between the content of these videos and the law, decisions will be based upon the law and not the videos. For specific help, please contact the CDTFA at 1-800-400-7115.
 
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AT LOYALTON’S LIBRARY, volunteer Virginia Roberts stands next to the new computers, chairs and priner/copier/fax machine.

Dear Community Members and friends:
We live in such a beautiful place, with exceptional people. Our small rural communities are held together by the individuals that live and work here and so many of you volunteer your time and resources to make this place better for all of us. I’m proud to say that I grew up here, and am truly grateful to raise my children in such an incredible community.
Thank you for your generous donations! We were able to complete several grants this year. We provided the Loyalton Volunteer Fire Department with carbon monoxide detection equipment, and a new medical bag equipped with supplies. We also supplied the Loyalton Library with new computers, office chairs and a new printer/copier/fax machine. In addition, we also bought some new bakeware for the Loyalton Elementary School cafeteria.

​We are a dedicated group of people that love our local communities and seek to be an agent of positive change in our rural area. The grants we offer are entirely funded by people who live in our beautiful Sierra County. Would you please consider a donation to the Sierra Valley Community Foundation? All our board members are volunteers, so you can be assured that every dollar you donate will go to fund local projects.
Thank you for your consideration. We consider it an honor to be part of this local community and look forward to helping in the future.
Sincerely,
Rebekah Perez, Chair

​ABIGAIL PRUITT, 13, owner-designer of “Pruitt Puppets,” was featured at Loyalton Senior Center on Tuesday, January 9th. 
Abigail lives in Chilcoot and attends Cold Springs Middle School. She’s been making her marionette puppets four years after having seen similar ones at a crafts show. All scarf materials to make the puppets are upcycles from thrift stores. Once manipulated, the puppets appear to come to life and take on unique personalities, dancing and stepping high to the delight of their audiences. Besides making the puppets, Abigail is a member of the Young Entrepreneur Syndicate “YES” which works with University of Nevada professors. She is  also a member of the Swim Team.