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QUINCY, Calif. — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will increase flows on portions of the North Fork Feather River on Sunday, Jan. 31, by releasing more water from the Rock Creek and Cresta dams. Those recreating in or near the on this part of the river are advised to be aware of the higher flows and to exercise caution. The higher flows, known as “pulse flows,” are done to mimic higher flows that would normally occur during typical winters and flush out sediment. PG&E will gradually increase water flows to 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) out of the Rock Creek Dam, holding the higher flows for 12 hours, starting before dawn on Jan. 31, and continuing until about 1 p.m. that day before gradually reducing flows to 100 cfs. PG&E will also increase flows below the Cresta Dam, starting by gradually increasing flows before dawn on Sunday, and release 1,000 cfs between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., before gradually reducing flows that night to 110 cfs. The two higher flows will be present along 15 miles of river between the Rock Creek Dam and the Cresta Powerhouse along Highway 70 in the Plumas National Forest in western Plumas County. Despite recent wet weather, the higher releases will still be necessary. PG&E offers the following water safety tips:
About PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 23,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com/ and pge.com/news. -30- Other campground sites will reopen for new reservations using a phased approach. Critical for Californians to recreate responsibly as the pandemic is far from over. SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With the Regional Stay at Home Order lifted for all regions in the state, California State Parks today announced the reopening of campground sites for existing reservation holders. The department will be using a phased approach to reopen other state campground sites for new reservations starting today, Jan. 28, 2021. The public is advised that not all campground sites are open to the public due to the pandemic, wildfire impacts and other issues. Additionally, group campsites remain closed. Day use outdoor areas of park units currently open to the public remain open. Updates on the phased reopening will be posted on the department's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts and on parks.ca.gov/COVID19Camping. Information will also be posted on individual park unit webpages. Reservations can be made at least two days in advance (48 hours) prior to arrival at ReserveCalifornia.com. It is important to note that the demand for camping and lodging sites sometimes exceeds the available inventory. As such, the public is advised to plan ahead, do some research and have alternate parks in mind in case the first choice is booked. As State Parks increases access to the State Park System, it is critical that Californians continue to recreate responsibly in the outdoors as the pandemic is far from over. Visitors must stay local, plan ahead to find out what is open as some park units and campgrounds remain temporarily closed, wear a face covering, practice physical distancing and avoid gatherings with people outside the immediate household. “Through this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Californians are continuing to do their part to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “Thank you to our visitors for helping reduce the exposure to the virus in the outdoors. Together we are protecting the safety of visitors and those who take care of the State Park System.” Below are the COVID-19 guidelines that State Parks has implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus in the outdoors:
Although law enforcement entities have the authority to issue citations, the expectation is that the public is responsible for adhering to the advice of public health officials, visitor guidelines and closures. The State of California recognizes the benefits of the outdoors during this challenging time of COVID-19. As such, State Parks continues working with local officials on a phased and regionally driven approach to increase access at park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved. The reopening of state park units will be made with little advance notice. Please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve for detailed information on how Californians can slow the spread of COVID-19 in the outdoors. For safety tips, please visit parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips. ### Subscribe to California State Parks News online at www.parks.ca.gov/news and click here. California State Parks and the recreational programs supported by its divisions of Boating and Waterways, Historic Preservation and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide the opportunity for families, friends, and communities to connect. Off-highway motor vehicle recreation, boating activities, horseback riding, cycling, hiking, camping, rock climbing, tours, hikes, school group enrichment, and special events are just some of the activities enjoyed in 280 park units organized into 21 field districts throughout the state. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov. Facebook I Twitter I Instagram I YouTube I Blog I Periscope I Flickr The California Arts, Culture and Entertainment Industry suffers from one of the highest unemployment rates with one- third of our sector out of work. That is more than 450,000 jobs and an estimated $45B in accumulative economic loss. That’s 30.4% of California’s creative jobs lost due to COVID.(April - July, Brooking’s Institution). Art venues including museums and theaters across California were the first to close and may be the last to re-open with billions of jobs and revenue losses. Locally The Yuba Theatre has been closed all of 2020 and Sierra County Arts Council(SCAC) has lost all event income. The Kentucky Mine museum and amphitheater have been closed. Public art and music events that support local community and business groups across our county have been cancelled. Local artists and musicians have been unable to practice their art in public and have lost performance income and sales revenue.
The Sierra County Arts Council has been grateful to the California Arts Council and to various Federal Relief programs for support and relief during the COVID crisis. SCAC has made every effort connect our artists with relief funding sources. We are pleased to announce that we have awarded grants to arts organizations that serve Sierra County through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act recognizes that the nonprofit arts industry is an important sector of America’s economy. In response to the rapidly evolving situation around the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the National Endowment for the Arts awarded 40 percent of its CARES appropriation directly to state and regional arts agencies. The National Endowment for the Arts is directing these funds to support arts organizations and their employees to endure the economic hardships caused by the forced closure of their operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding was received and administrated by the California Arts Council(CAC). As a state agency, the CAC, voted in a public meeting to direct this funding to the State Local-Partners (SLPs) for regranting on the county level. In alignment with the CAC’s public mission and commitment to racial equity, and in response to public health data and state leadership practices, funds were designated to support local arts and cultural organizations serving communities of color disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. As State-Local Partner(SLP) with the CAC, Sierra County Arts Council in partnership with Nevada County Arts Council, is pleased to announce that we have awarded CARES Relief grants to the following organizations.
We would like to give a big thank you to our partner, Eliza Tudor of Nevada County Arts Council. Her assistance was invaluable in helping Sierra County arts organizations to receive this vital funding. In breaking news, Governor Newsom is proposing $4.5 Billion for Equitable Recovery for California’s Businesses and Jobs in the 2021 Budget. The budget dedicates $25 million for a small cultural institution grant program for museums and theaters, and a $15 million to the California Arts Council (CAC), for a statewide pilot program - California Creative Corps - which will fuel positivity, regain public trust, and inspire safe and healthy behavior across California’s diverse populations through media, outreach, and an engagement campaign. The SCAC will continue in its efforts to support arts organizations and artists across Sierra County during these unprecedented times of hardship. Please check out the Artists Relief page on our website: www.sierracountyartscouncil.org or email Executive Director, B.J. Jordan at bj@sierracountyartscouncil.org for questions and assistance. Stay well and we look forward to dancing in the streets again someday. By Dr. Richard Gesker, Chief Dental Officer, UnitedHealthcare
COVID-19 has disrupted multiple aspects of daily life, including how people access dental care. That’s in part because many dental offices closed during the early part of the pandemic, and some people have stayed away since. In fact, dental care spending in the United States declined by an estimated 38% in 2020, with an additional 20% slump expected this year, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).[1] As a result, fewer people may be accessing routine dental care that may help prevent oral pain and untreated disease. Maintaining proper dental care is especially important for children, given that by age 5 nearly 50% have at least one cavity. Plus, it’s important to keep baby teeth healthy and in place to help permanent teeth come in properly. February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, a reminder for people of all ages that good oral health is important to good overall health. Here are five tips to consider: Start Early. Good oral health habits should start early. While tooth decay is largely preventable, it unfortunately ranks as the most common chronic disease among children. Recommended dental health guidelines for babies and children include:
Up Your Home Hygiene. Maintaining proper oral health at home is important year-round, but especially if COVID-19 (or other circumstances) requires delaying a trip to the dentist. Recommended dental health guidelines for adults and children include:
Consider Alternative Treatments: To help with prevention, parents should consider fluoride supplements for children, which may strengthen tooth enamel and help protect it from decay. Sealants are another option, as these plastic coatings are placed on back teeth to help protect them from decay. They are sometimes covered as a preventive service by dental plans, so ask the dentist about sealants when your child’s molars first come in. As an alternative to filling cavities, the use of silver diamine fluoride has emerged as an option to help stop cavities from worsening, especially among children and older adults with a history of tooth decay. For children with a significant number of cavities, silver diamine fluoride may be an option your dentist discusses with you. Tap into Tele-dentistry: Virtual care has become an important option for accessing health care amid COVID-19, including for dentistry. Some dentists and dental plans are making available telephone and video consultations, which offer people a starting point for advice and guidance to help select (if needed) an appropriate setting for in-person care. Dental care ranks among the most frequently avoidable emergency room visits,[2] with tele-dentistry providing a resource that may help people make more informed decisions about where to go for in-person care, such as their own dentist, another available local dentist or a primary care physician*. By considering these tips, you may help maintain or improve your own dental well-being, while also enabling young people to develop good oral health habits. *Not all dental services are eligible for tele-dentistry.  The latest storm related outage information in PG&E’s Sierra Division which includes El Dorado, Nevada, Placer and Sierra Counties. Currently we have 10,831 customers without power due to the storms. Here are a few of the large outages:
We do not have estimated times of restoration at this time. Once the weather clears and it’s safe for our crews to get out in the fields, they will be assessing damage, making repairs and getting the power back on safely and as quickly as possible. It would be great if you could remind members of the community to never touch downed wires: If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it—and keep children and animals away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 911 and by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5002. Customers can get updates on outages in their neighborhood through a variety of channels.
Good morning -
I wanted to share the latest storm related outage information in PG&E’s Sierra Division which includes El Dorado, Nevada, Placer and Sierra Counties. Currently we have 10,831 customers without power due to the storms. Here are a few of the large outages:
We do not have estimated times of restoration at this time. Once the weather clears and it’s safe for our crews to get out in the fields, they will be assessing damage, making repairs and getting the power back on safely and as quickly as possible. It would be great if you could remind members of the community to never touch downed wires: If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it—and keep children and animals away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 911 and by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5002. Customers can get updates on outages in their neighborhood through a variety of channels.
Thanks Megan Megan McFarland| Marketing & Communications| Pacific Gas & Electric California earns B in Flavored Tobacco Products, Lung Association calls on state officials to ensure the prohibition of flavored tobacco products in 2021 to end tobacco use, youth vaping and save lives - SPOKESPERSONS AVAILABLE SACRAMENTO, CA [January 27, 2021] – Even amid the pandemic, tobacco use remains a serious public health threat. In addition to tobacco-related death and disease, smoking also increases the risk of the most severe impacts of COVID-19, making ending tobacco use more important than ever. This year’s “State of Tobacco Control” report from the American Lung Association grades federal and state efforts to reduce tobacco use and calls for meaningful policies that will prevent and reduce tobacco use and save lives. The report finds that California had mixed grades on its efforts to reduce and prevent tobacco use, including e-cigarettes. Tobacco use remains the nation’s leading cause of preventable death and disease, taking an estimated 480,000 lives every year. Much like COVID-19, tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure disproportionately impacts certain communities, including communities of color, LGTBQ+ Americans and persons of lower income. To address this critical public health threat, “State of Tobacco Control” provides a roadmap for the federal and state policies needed to prevent and reduce tobacco use. This year’s 19th annual report finds that in 2021 California can take action to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products in order to support public health and save lives. The need for California to take action to protect youth from all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is more urgent than ever, with the youth vaping epidemic continuing. With 1 in 5 teens vaping, our children are becoming the next generation addicted to tobacco. Youth vaping and tobacco use overall is largely driven by flavored tobacco products, and our 19th annual report has added a new state grade calling for policies to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, flavored e-cigarettes and flavored cigars. “In California, our high school tobacco use rate is 12.7%. The surge in youth vaping combined with the fact that smoking increases the chance of severe COVID-19 symptoms, make it more important than ever for California to implement the proven measures outlined in ‘State of Tobacco Control’ to prevent and reduce tobacco use,” said American Lung Association Advocacy Director, Erica Costa. The 19th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report grades states and the federal government on policies proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use, and finds that while California has taken significant steps to reduce tobacco use, including investing in tobacco prevention and control programs and has passed strong smokefree air policies, elected officials should do more to save lives and ensure all California residents benefit from reductions in tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. This is especially the case during the pandemic. The report also explores the fact that tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure disproportionately impacts certain communities, including communities of color, LGBTQ+ Americans and persons of lower income, and outlines solutions to close this gap. California’s Grades “State of Tobacco Control” 2021 grades states and the District of Columbia in five areas that have been proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use and save lives. California received the following grades:
The American Lung Association encourages California to put in place all the public policies called for in “State of Tobacco Control.” In particular, this year’s report noted the need to focus on ending the sale of flavored tobacco products. In 2019, about 8,000 kids began vaping every day – typically with flavored e-cigarettes – setting them up for a lifetime of addiction to nicotine. Ending the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol, will not only help end youth vaping, but will also help address the disproportionate impact of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke on Black and Brown communities. Menthol cigarettes remain a key vector for tobacco-related death and disease in Black communities, with nearly 85% of Black Americans who smoke using them. “Kids follow the flavors and ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products in California is key to ending the youth e-cigarette epidemic and youth tobacco use overall. We call on legislators in Sacramento to prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol across the Golden State”, said Costa. Federal Grades Overview “State of Tobacco Control” 2021 also grades the federal government in five areas:
“State of Tobacco Control” 2021 provides an important roadmap on how states like California and the federal government can put in place the policies proven to have the greatest impact on reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. Because of COVID-19, we are all thinking more about lung health. Now is the time for lawmakers in California to act and take this opportunity to achieve lasting reductions in tobacco-related death and disease,” said Costa. ### About the American Lung Association The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. |
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