Blog Archives - Sierra Booster

Colon Cancer Awareness Month in March

2/28/2017

Cancer survivors, advocates, healthcare professionals and others address disease’s impact, stigma, trends, and the latest science during Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Belleville, Illinois--Feb. 28, 2017—Despite effective screening methods and treatment options, colorectal cancer remains a significant cause of disability, according to Allsup, a national provider of Social Security Disability Insurance representation, veterans disability appeal and return-to-work services. Allsup is hosting a Blog-a-Thon for Colon Cancer throughout Colon Cancer Awareness Month in March, to raise awareness of the disease and its effect on specific populations, provide a forum for diverse perspectives, and encourage screening.

Described as the second leading cause of cancer deaths by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), colon cancer is treatable when detected early. However, fewer than half of men and women over age 50 are screened as recommended. The American Cancer Society reports that inadequate communication from healthcare providers and fear and embarrassment about screening procedures contribute to the low rates.

Sharing personal stories and the real-life impacts of colon cancer, as well as the science and clinical procedures involved with the disease, the Blog-a-Thon for Colon Cancer will provide opportunities to engage in a topic not often discussed. The blogs will be a platform to continue conversations via social media.

Colon cancer survivors, health professionals and organizations including the American Cancer Society, the Colon Cancer Alliance and the Raymond Foundation will address issues related to prevention, employment, young onset, gratitude, health disparities and more.

Allsup is accepting articles for consideration to include in the All Things Disability Blog-a-Thon for Colon Cancer. If you have a personal story or professional perspective on colon cancer, and would like to submit a guest blog, contact Tai Prohaska at t.prohaska@allsupinc.com by March 15, 2017.

If you have a question about applying for SSDI visit Expert.Allsup.com.

Sanctuary State Bad Idea for California

2/28/2017

In its continued quest to lead the nation in irresponsible governance, the California State Senate is moving forward with Senate Bill (SB) 54. The bill completely dismisses the millions of citizens who follow the law and want safe communities for their families and businesses. It’s also the latest embarrassing example of the legislature’s cult-like devotion to ignoring the fundamental responsibilities of government while obsessing over issues allowing for maximum moral grandstanding.

SB 54 effectively would turn California into a “sanctuary state,” making it harder for state and local officials to turn over violent, illegal alien criminals to federal officials for deportation. California would be the safest haven for these felons and predators and would instantly become a magnet for every illegal alien criminal in the country.

We don’t need more. Even ardent supporters of the bill acknowledge that if SB 54 is passed and signed into law up to 20,000 violent criminals will be shielded in Los Angeles and Orange counties alone.

Recently ICE conducted a standard immigration sweep in Southern California that resulted in more than 160 people being taken into custody. About 120 of those detainees had been previously convicted of serious, violent crimes such as robbery, assault and sex offenses. California shouldn’t allow illegal alien rapists, murderers and gang-bangers to be sent back to your neighborhood, mine or anyone’s neighborhood to commit more crimes, but they are all but guaranteeing a new set of victims by making us a sanctuary state.

SB 54’s author said during a hearing on the bill, “Any individual, irrespective of who they are and where they come from, who commits a heinous crime, we don’t want them in our neighborhoods, don’t want them in our communities, don’t want them in our state, we don’t want them in our nation. Period.” Then, with no sense of irony, he presented a bill to protect them from deportation.

Meanwhile, the 200,000 people fleeing a potential mega-flood in Oroville are probably scratching their heads wondering why the state government is working on harboring illegal alien criminals, mandating background checks for ammunition purchases, pumping out laws and rules about a microscopic universe of transgendered, or wearing out their throats screaming about President Trump, when the state is falling apart?

Oroville threatens unimaginable damage. We haven’t built major state water storage since the late 1970s even though our population has roughly doubled since that time. That’s malfeasance.

Our roads are a crumbling mess. We pay some of the highest gas taxes for potholed streets that feel like they’re paved with cobblestones and cramped highways that stretch commutes and keep us from moving goods around the state.

Our schools continue to be some of the nation’s worst even though K-12 education spending is checking in at more than $70 billion this year, up around $25 billion since just 2011. Is this what taxpayers should expect for that massive investment?

With our dams threatening disaster, roads falling apart and schools failing our children, would your first thought as a politician be: “Quick, let’s ban plastic grocery bags!”?

Californians are getting the worst possible civic deal. They’ve got a government that is diving down the Progressive rabbit hole, reaching into every aspect of their lives and charging them an arm and a leg to do it. At the same time, government is neglecting the very basic infrastructure that every citizen depends on. With public safety, they are fighting to actually make it worse.

The once-golden state is falling apart because government is ignoring the issues of the many for the issues of the few. To help all its citizens, California must repair and expand the state’s physical capital. It’s time to get building.

Senator Ted Gaines represents the 1st Senate District, which includes all or parts of Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra and Siskiyou counties.

CalVet Honors Women Veterans

2/27/2017

6th Annual Reception Celebrates Women’s Military History Week

Sacramento – On March 8, 2017, the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) recognizes two outstanding women veterans with the annual CalVet Trailblazer Award. The Award recognizes the valuable contributions by women veterans to the United States Armed Forces and veteran communities.

“Our California women veterans are part of a long and proud legacy of military service,” said Lindsey Sin, CalVet Deputy Secretary, Women Veterans Affairs. “We are proud to celebrate and honor two incredible women who exemplify outstanding military core values and dedication to our veteran communities."

The two honorees are U.S. Army veteran Deborah Johnson of Bakersfield and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dulce Romero of Yuba City. They will be honored by CalVet at an annual reception celebrating Women’s Military History Week, recognized by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. as the third week of March. Army veteran Assemblymember Susan Eggman will serve as guest speaker for the event.

The reception will be held at Cafeteria 15L in Sacramento on March 8th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The reception, including appetizers and refreshments, is free and is open to the public thanks to the generosity of the VetFund Foundation and their corporate partners Deloitte, DLA Piper, Juniper, PG&E, USAA, and Wells Fargo.

To learn more about the honorees, please visit calvet.ca.gov/womenvets. Pre-registration for the reception is required. Register at calvet.ca.gov/womenvets or call 916-653-1402.

GOOD MORNING TRUCKEE....FEBRUARY 23RD- Photos by Tracy Smith

2/23/2017

FARMERS MONITOR STORMS’ IMPACT ON CROPS, WATER SUPPLIES

2/21/2017

Strong storms during the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend flooded farm fields, caused several dairy farms to relocate their animals and brought other impacts on California farms and ranches. The storms also added more water to an already overtaxed system, and led to renewed calls to modernize the system.

“In the long term, the surge of storms should bring an improved water outlook,” California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger said, “but it has definitely brought worries to farmers and ranchers whose land is inundated or whose crops may be at risk. We remain hopeful that weather in coming days will minimize any problems.”

Wenger noted that many reservoirs have filled and have had to release water, which underlines the need to enhance California’s water storage capacity.

“Believe it or not, there are people who think we don't need more water storage, and that we should even tear down many of the facilities we now have,” he said. “These activists don't care how many people suffer from devastating floods in winters like this. They don't care how many people suffer from water shortages during droughts.”

Wenger said California must move as quickly as possible to allocate money from the 2014 water bond, Proposition 1, to create more storage both aboveground and underground.

“Environmentalists say we can solve water problems by conserving more water and storing more underground. But we’re not able to conserve most of the water flowing through the system now—we have had to let it go. And moving water into the ground takes time. You can’t replenish groundwater if you don’t have aboveground reservoirs and canals to hold and move water to where it can effectively filter underground,” Wenger said.

Farm Bureau said farmers of a number of crops and commodities will be assessing the impact from the weekend storms, including:

• Almonds—The storms hit just as almond trees were blooming. Bees that pollinate almond blossoms don’t fly in the rain and prefer temperatures higher than 55 degrees. In addition, a number of almond trees were blown down by strong winds during the weekend. But farmers said the tree losses weren’t as bad as feared, and expressed hope pollination would still be successful.

• Berries—The rains delayed strawberry harvest along the Central and Southern California coast. Production may be temporarily reduced as farmers wait for waterlogged fields to dry and discard rain-damaged berries.

• Dairy farms—Several dairy farms located near the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers needed to move their animals to higher ground as river levels rose. Other farmers are watching river levels carefully and preparing to move their animals if needed.

• Field crops—Fall-planted grain crops that have germinated could take on too much water, which could ultimately reduce yields. Hay fields have also flooded. Soggy or flooded fields will delay planting for a number of crops.

• Grapes—Vineyards in various grape-growing regions have been flooded. Farmers say that could leave vines vulnerable to root-rot damage if they remain flooded for too long.

• Vegetables—Rains and muddy fields slowed vegetable harvest in Southern California and delayed planting in the Salinas Valley. Rain generally benefited vegetable crops in the Imperial Valley.

• Walnuts—Flooded orchards that remain waterlogged for too long could be vulnerable to root diseases that can kill trees.

• Miscellaneous—Heavy rains in foothill regions have washed out privately maintained roads, making it hard for cattle ranchers to reach their animals, and muddy pastures limit ranchers’ ability to reach herds on horseback. Pear orchards in Lake County have been flooded. Citrus fruit harvest was temporarily delayed. The storms brought large amounts of rain to Santa Barbara County farmers who have remained in severe drought. One farmer there reported losing about half an acre of avocado trees to a mudslide.

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 48,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 6.2 million Farm Bureau members.

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Be Prepared: More Storms on the Way

2/21/2017

With more wet weather on its way, PG&E reminds all customers in Sierra County to have a plan if an emergency strikes. This includes an emergency kit, a way to communicate with family members and other proactive steps to be prepared. Just as PG&E has a plan for potential disasters, the energy company urges its customers to do the same. In case of an evacuation, consider the following tips to stay safe:

Create an emergency preparedness kit that includes food and water, health and personal supplies, medication and equipment such as a portable radio and flashlights.
Keep at least a half tank of gas in your car at all times in case you need to evacuate unexpectedly. Gas stations might be closed during emergencies or even run out of fuel if there’s a rush of customers. Keep electric vehicles charged as well.
Familiarize yourself with alternate routes out of your area. If possible, identify multiple locations in different directions so you have options during an evacuation. That being said, if authorities identify a specific evacuation route, follow it. Do not take shortcuts as they may be blocked.
Be alert for road hazards such as washed-out roads or bridges and downed power lines. Do not drive into flooded areas.
If possible, leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
Keep your pets in mind when planning for emergencies. Include your pets in your practice drills. The practice can help them get used to a leash or carrier during stressful situations. Find out which kennels, shelters or veterinarians can care for your animals during an emergency. Public shelters may not accept pets because of health and safety concerns.
Establish a location where your family can reunite after evacuating. Decide on a second meeting place, in case the primary location is unusable.

PLUMAS COUNTY OUTAGE

2/21/2017

PLUMAS COUNTY OUTAGE
On Tuesday, February 21st Plumas County anticipated the possibility of a county-wide telecommunication outage to affect both wireless and landline phones. Sheriff Greg Hagwood sent out an all-county e.mail, stating, “The county is working to repair these issues as fast as possible.”
Sierra County Sheriff Tim Standley was contacted that Plumas County power was out and its three generators were not performing properly. The Sheriff asked for additional staff and was available to take all 9-1-1 calls for Plumas County if needed, stating, “We’ll do whatever we can to help our neighboring counties.”

ONE LANE ON HIGHWAY 49 SOUTH OF THE OVERLOOK

2/19/2017

Looking down into what has been called Sierra County's "Grand Canyon."

AND RETURNING TO SIERRA VALLEY.............

Harper and Chen Bill Will Give Homeowners and Renters a Tax Break

2/17/2017

New bill will help more Californians achieve the American Dream of homeownership.

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblyman Matthew Harper (R-Huntington Beach) and Assemblyman Phillip Chen (R- Diamond Bar) announced the introduction of the “American Dream Act,” which will provide a tax break to both renters and homeowners in California. Assembly Bill 1100 increases the homeowners’ property tax exemption from $7,000 to $25,000 and also increases the renters’ tax credit by a corresponding amount to provide relief to those aspiring to own a home.

“Homeowners and renters in California are paying some of the highest overall taxes in the nation,” said Assemblyman Harper. “It’s about time that the size of the homeowner’s property tax exemption kept up with the increases in cost of living. Also, I want to thank Orange County Assessor Claude Parrish for working with me to bring Assembly Bill 1100 forward.”
“High property taxes are making it impossible for too many Californians, who spent their lifetime living and working here, to stay,” said Assemblyman Chen. “This bill would provide immediate relief for millions of homeowners with an emphasis on helping those whose taxes far exceed their ability to pay.”
“The homeowner’s exemption hasn’t been increased in 40 years. Meanwhile, the cost of a median priced house has increased from $21,000 to over $450,000, and represents a home that only 30 percent of Californians can afford to purchase. California has a housing crisis and providing tax relief for homeowners and renters will unquestionably lead to enhanced economic stability,” said David Wolfe, legislative director for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Assemblyman Matthew Harper represents the 74th Assembly District; he is the former Mayor of the City of Huntington Beach. The 74th Assembly District includes the cities of Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Irvine, Laguna Woods & Laguna Beach.

SENATOR GAINES INTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT TAXPAYERS

2/16/2017

SACRAMENTO – Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado) today announced Senate Bill 11, a measure that would immediately and proactively waive penalties and interest for taxpayers when a California State Board of Equalization (BOE) system failure prevents them from making tax payments on time.

Under existing law, tax payments made after the filing deadline are subject to interest and penalty. The BOE is currently authorized to waive any penalties or interest if the late payment is due to a disaster or BOE error, however, it is the responsibility of the taxpayer to file paperwork and petition for a refund.

“This bill would grant the BOE authority to relieve California taxpayers and businesses from having to jump through hoops to settle up with the government for money they never should have owed. No paperwork, no waiting period, no lost capital,” said Senator Gaines. “Why should the government make mistakes and taxpayers have to pay the price?”

Senate Bill 11 comes on the heels of four separate BOE computer system failures over the past year, two of which occurred during peak filing deadlines leaving taxpayers unable to pay their tax bills on time.

During one of the outages, taxpayers attempted to access the BOE’s website 24,000 times. More than 600 taxpayers subsequently filed requests seeking relief of more than $600,000 in penalties imposed because of the technical glitch.

“It’s not easy for businesses to survive in this state. Besides business competitors, our employers have to navigate the strictest meal and rest period law, expansive and expensive leave rules, punishingly high workers compensation rates, exorbitant energy costs, and unemployment insurance payments that have been climbing every year because the state is in debt to the federal government,” said Senator Gaines. “The last thing any business needs is to compete against the government for tax money owed only because of a glitch in California’s IT. Computers fail, but government doesn’t have to.”

Senator Ted Gaines represents the 1st Senate District, which includes all or parts of Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra and Siskiyou counties.

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LIBERTY UTILITIES WARNING: TOUCHING LIVE WIRES MAY RESULT IN DEATH

2/16/2017

Lake Tahoe, CA February 16, 2017. In the wake of recent storms and with more severe weather inbound, Liberty Utilities is issuing a strong warning to all customers:

STAY AWAY FROM DOWNED POWER LINES. TOUCHING LIVE WIRES MAY RESULT IN DEATH.
“Unfortunately, there’s been a couple close calls with customers trying to help our crews by picking up downed power lines,” states Travis Johnson, Liberty Utilities’ VP of Operations. “One of our customers actually coiled up a live wire and zip tied it in an effort to be helpful; we’re not sure why he’s still alive.”
A photo of the coiled live wire in the Carnelian Bay area is below.
Customers are also warned that if their vehicle comes in contact with a live wire, sometimes hidden in the snow, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO EXIT YOUR VEHICLE. Please follow the following rules to be safe:
 Stay inside! The safest place is your car. If you get out and touch the ground and your vehicle at the same time, you will most likely be electrocuted.
 Warn others to stay away. Anyone who touches the vehicle may be injured. Energized soil can also electrocute someone standing near downed lines.
 Use your cell phone to call 911.
 Fire Department, police and Liberty Utilities workers will tell you when it is safe to get out of your car.
Do not assume that a downed wire is not energized, i.e., “hot”. You cannot tell by just looking at it. ALWAYS LEAVE THE DOWNED WIRE ALONE AND CALL LIBERTY UTILITIES OR 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY IF YOU BELIEVE THE SITUATION POSES IMMINENT DANGER. Warn others not to go near downed wires.
“We understand our customers’ good intentions to try to help out, but we sincerely want them to understand the very dangerous nature of downed power lines,” Johnson added. “In addition to being prepared for possible extended outages as this latest storm arrives, we remind customers to be safe around electricity.”
About Liberty Utilities Liberty Utilities Co. owns and operates regulated water, wastewater, natural gas and electric transmission and distribution utilities in 13 states, delivering responsive and reliable essential services to approximately 800,00

SENATOR GAINES VOTES AGAINST TAX-SPIKING TRANSPORTATION PROPOSAL

2/16/2017

SACRAMENTO – Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado) today issued the following statement regarding Senate Bill 1, a measure he voted against in the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing that creates permanent new taxes and fees to fund transportation infrastructure:

“Is anyone shocked that the proposed solutions to a very real transportation infrastructure crisis are more taxes and fees? It’s all Sacramento knows and it’s a tired formula that punishes taxpayers for the sins of the politicians.

“We already have some of the highest gas taxes and worst roads in the country, made even more apparent by the potholes and sinkholes from recent storms. High Speed Rail needs to be put out of its misery before families pay another penny in gas taxes. The California Department of Transportation is overstaffed by 1,500 people, wasting $500 million every year. Cut that fat before forcing people to pay a new registration fee for their cars. California diverts a billion dollars in weight fees away from transportation infrastructure every single year. Let’s put that money back into road building before shaking down commuters and businesses even more.

“Californians are getting thirty-three cents on the dollar for their transportation spending and pay about three times the national average per mile of road maintenance. That begs for regulatory reform so that meaningless red tape doesn’t get in the way of delivering infrastructure at a cost that’s fair to taxpayers. Why is it that California spends nearly $50,000 in administration per state-controlled road mile while Texas only spends $4,000? Should our bureaucracy really cost 12-times more than theirs?

“The new Washington, D.C. is proposing a massive infrastructure investment, common-sense, money-saving regulatory reforms, and cutting taxes – all at the same time. California needs to follow Washington’s lead instead of continuing to reach into hardworking taxpayers’ pockets to deliver the same pathetic results.”

Senator Ted Gaines represents the 1st Senate District, which includes all or parts of Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra and Siskiyou counties.

Presidents Day was not created to boost sales for America's retailers

2/16/2017

'The sad fact is that too many of our children don't know

who Abraham Lincoln and George Washington were'

WASHINGTON, DC - Contrary to what may be popular opinion, Presidents Day was not established to generate sales for America's retailers. But, the fact of the matter is that many of our schoolchildren can only identify Abraham Lincoln and George Washington from either TV or Presidents Day commercials. They are more likely to know that Lady Gaga headlined the half-time show at this year's Super Bowl than to appreciate what the holiday commemorates.

David Bruce Smith, an author and publisher, says "there are some who believe the reason is that there is a movement afoot to deemphasize American culture in the schools that favors a worldview. They put the blame on the emphasis placed on STEM education, which prioritizes science, technology, engineering and mathematics as a means of accomplishing that goal. After all, it leaves little room for teaching history."

Smith co-founded the Grateful American Book Prize in an effort to rejuvenate the love of history-- American history in particular. The award is presented each year to authors who seek to encourage curiosity in young learners about the events and personalities that shaped our country over the past 240 years.

As one teacher told New York Post Opinion writer Karol Markowicz: "All the pressure in lower grades is in math and English Language Arts because of the state tests and the weight that they carry."

Markowicz cites a 2014 report by the National Assessment of Educational Progress that showed "an abysmal 18 percent of American high school kids were proficient in US history." She also notes that "a 2012 story in Perspectives on History magazine by University of North Carolina professor Bruce VanSledright revealed that 88 percent of elementary school teachers considered teaching history a low priority."

But the blame cannot be placed entirely on the teachers, says Smith. "While many of our children don't know who Lincoln and Washington were, we live in the age of technology. And so it is not surprising that our schools want to prepare students for a workplace that relies on employees with math-based comprehension. However, we ignore history at a peril to our nation because knowledge of our past is the key component of good, responsible citizenship."

Writer Markowicz points out there is a national debate focused on how America is in danger of becoming "fractured." She concludes that the less our children know about "our shared history" the more divided we become.

As we prepare to celebrate Presidents Day, only nine percent of the nation's fourth graders are able to pick out a picture of Lincoln, and just 23 percent know that Washington was our first President, according to NAEP reports.

"It is interesting to note that the first two winners of the Grateful American Book Prize were Kathy Cannon Wiechman for her Civil War novel, Like a River, in 2015, and Chris Stevenson in 2016 for his novel, The Drum of Destiny. These selections are gripping accounts of the key events over which President Lincoln and President Washington presided, respectively. Their books presented those events in a way that can inspire young readers to learn to love history. The mission of our Prize is to provide an incentive for authors and publishers to produce more books like these-works that encourage our children to explore the past and become knowledgeable, productive-and proud-- citizens," says Smith.

VISTA POINT ON YUBA PASS REPAIRS

2/15/2017

Above photo of the slide by Brad Dempster

Below photos by Cal-Trans show the work being done near the Vista Point Yuba Pass. Work is being conducted around the clock to repair the damaged highway from recent storms. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it is anticipated at least one lane will be open by the weekend, if not sooner. Let’s hope Mother Nature cooperates with road workers!

AIRPLANE CRASH AT NERVINO AIRPORT FEB. 14

2/15/2017

Resulted in minor injury to the pilot. - Photo courtesy Sierra County Sheriff's Detective Mike Fisher

State Water Board LaunchesHuman Right to Water Web Portal

2/14/2017

Website Allows Access to Drinking Water Compliance Data for CA Water Systems

SACRAMENTO – Today the State Water Resources Control Board announced the launch of its Human Right to Water Portal, a new website for the public to find information related to efforts to assure that every Californian has access to safe, clean and affordable drinking water.
“This new website will serve as a valuable resource for the general public seeking drinking water compliance data on the state’s regulated water systems,” said Darrin Polhemus, deputy director for the State Water Board’s Division of Drinking Water. “Here the public will be able to see what types of contamination issues water systems are facing and what they are doing to return to compliance."
With data on more than 3,000 community, schools and day care public water systems in California, the website lets users look up their water system and see whether it complies with federal drinking water standards. The site includes an interactive map that shows the locations of 292 public water systems that are currently out of compliance with federal standards for contaminants such as nitrate and arsenic.
The website includes information on state efforts to assist local communities in addressing contamination problems and improve access to safe, affordable drinking water. In recent years, for example, smaller water systems in disadvantaged communities have returned to compliance by consolidating with larger systems. Some of these success stories are described on the website.
Users can also find other useful information, such as downloadable public water system data, reports and media on the human right to water, and an explanation of the Affordable Safe Drinking Water Initiative. The portal will be updated with new information as it becomes available, including content on drinking water affordability and accessibility.
In 2015, the “Resilient, Affordable, Safe Drinking Water for Disadvantaged Communities Framework” was created, which identified a series of measures necessary to ensure that all communities have access to safe and affordable water. Over the past two years, the state Legislature and Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. have taken important steps toward implementing the actions specified in the framework.
Some of the actions include giving the State Water Board authority to order the mandatory consolidations of public water systems that do not provide water that meets drinking water standards (Senate Bill 88, Senate Committee on Fiscal Review), as well as require failing public water systems that serve disadvantage communities to obtain State Water Board-approved managerial services to help reach compliance (SB 552, Wolk). In an effort to reduce the proliferation of public water systems, SB 1263, Wieckowski, will prevent the establishment of new, unsustainable public water systems.
The most significant remaining challenge is the lack of funding necessary to help subsidize the water rates paid by low-income residents, the costs of an administrator, and operation and maintenance of drinking water systems. On Feb 8, 2017, the State Water Board hosted a workshop on the Affordable, Safe Drinking Water Initiative, in which many stakeholders and community members voiced concerns about clean water affordability and accessibility, and discussed what implementation of a low-income rate assistance program could look like. For more information visit: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/conservation_portal/assistance/
On Sept. 25, 2012, Gov. Brown signed Assembly Bill 685, making California the first state in the nation to recognize that “every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable and accessible water...” The State Water Board adopted a resolution on Feb. 16, 2016, identifying the human right to water as a top priority and core value of the State and Regional Water Boards.
Users can access the website at: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/hr2w/index.shtml
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Caltrans to Take Advantage of Upcoming Dry Weather Forecast

2/11/2017

Slow For The Cone Zone and Be Work Zone Alert

MARYSVILLE – Caltrans advises motorists to be aware of the Caltrans employees and emergency contractors who will be working to clean up the numerous impacts to the State’s roadways stemming from the recent storm activity and heavy precipitation.

Crews will be taking advantage of dry weather to make repairs, clear mud and rock slides, remove downed trees, perform avalanche control, remove snow, clear drainage culverts and perform other maintenance and emergency repair operations on Sierra and Valley highways as well as the I-80 and I-5 freeways.

Crews work in close proximity to moving traffic. California’s “Move Over” law requires motorists who see the flashing lights of emergency vehicles or highway workers to move over one lane if it is possible and safe to do so. Motorists are strongly urged to be “Be Work Zone Alert” and to “Slow for the Cone Zone.”

Numerous mud/rock slides, slipouts (where the ground under the roadway gives way), and floodings have caused highway and lane closures in many Northern California counties. Motorists are advised to visit Caltrans QuickMap at: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov for up-to-date road conditions and road closure information. A mobile version is also available. Motorists also can use the California Highway Information Network automated phone service by calling 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).

Motorists are advised to anticipate and prepare for significant delays and traffic congestion on detour routes and through work zones. Allowing extra time for traveling, as well as additional clearance between your car and the vehicle in front of you, keeping a full tank of gas, and bringing plenty of food and water is highly recommended.

Caltrans will issue updates on Twitter @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict 3.

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Mudslide East of Colfax Closes Interstate 80

2/10/2017

Saturated hillside gives way near town of Baxter

MARYSVILLE – Caltrans advises motorists that Interstate 80 is closed from Colfax to the Highway 20/I-80 junction at Yuba Pass due to a mudslide across all lanes of the freeway at Baxter approximately 12 miles east of Colfax. The mudslide occurred just after 9:30 a.m. Friday morning, February 10, 2017. Fortunately, no vehicles were impacted by the slide.

Westbound passenger vehicles are currently being allowed to detour onto Highway 20 at Yuba Pass. Eastbound vehicles are being allowed to access Highway 20 via Highway 174 and Highway 49 as well as from Highway 70 in Marysville. Extreme traffic congestion is currently occuring in the towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City as motorists attempt to bypass the closure. Trucks are being turned at the Nevada state line with eastbound trucks turned at Applegate. Only emergency vehicles, fuel, mail and livestock trucks are being allowed to use the detour routes.

Caltrans and emergency contractor crews are working to clear the roadway of the mudslide which is eight feet deep in areas, full of downed trees, and approximately 250 feet long. It is anticipated that the eastbound lanes will be opened first with limited lanes available. However, there is no estimated time of opening and it is likely that the roadway will be impacted through the weekend of February 11-12. While clear weather is forecast for Saturday and Sunday, rain continues to fall this afternoon in the slide area which is impacting clean-up efforts.

Motorists are advised to anticipate and prepare for significant delays and traffic congestion, both on detour routes, as well as after I-80 is re-opened to traffic.

Up-to-date road conditions, including closure status, can be found on Caltrans QuickMap at: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov. A mobile version is also available. Motorists also can use the California Highway Information Network automated phone service by calling 1-800-427-ROAD (7623). Caltrans will issue updates on Twitter @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict 3.

Caltrans crews will be on all the State’s highways continuing to clean up the numerous impacts from the recent storms. Motorists are strongly urged to be “Be Work Zone Alert” and to “Slow for the Cone Zone.”

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SIERRA COUNTY CASES WEEK ENDING February 10, 2017

2/10/2017

Jeff Ketter (53) Laughlin NV. Possession of methamphetamine. Seventeen days jail, fine $835.

Paula Sylvestri (52) and Michel Sylvestri (54) Sierraville. After a contested preliminary hearing, both were ordered to stand trial on charges of a residential burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, and use of a deadly weapon (a hammer). The testimony produced at the preliminary hearing demonstrated that in September of 2016, Ms. Sylvestri decided to travel from her home in Sierrville, to their rental unit in Loyalton to confront the tenant – her aunt. She enlisted Michael to go with her, and, packing a hammer, went to the rental unit. Michael used his pass key to gain entrance to the private area of the residence, knocked on the apartment door, and lured the victim out into a hallway. At that time, Paula went after the victim, striking her in the head several times. The victim screamed for help, and the Sylvestri’s fled the scene. The victim was air lifted to Renown Hospital in Reno where she was treated and released. The Sylvestri’s remain free on bail amounts of $100,000 and $25,000.

Drew Kinzie (36) Downieville. He was sentenced on a felony false imprisonment conviction resulting from a domestic violence incident. He was placed on Three years probation, 180 days in jail, 987 days supervised release, and ordered residential re-hab for 90 days. He was also ordered to successfully complete drug court, and complete a 52 week batters program.

Thomas Stafford (29) Loyalton. He violated parole on an underlying conviction of residential burglary by absconding and possession of methamphetamine. He was ordered to serve 135 days jail, and discharged from parole supervision.

Glenn Knapp (54) Alleghany. Knapp plead guilty to battery on a domestic partner as a misdemeanor. He was placed on 18 months probation, served 5 days jail, fined $1540, and ordered to complete a 52 week batters program.

Michael Brooks (31) Loyalton. He violated parole by absconding. He was sentenced to 135 day jail, and reinstated on parole.

Ervin Krall (68) Elverta. Hunting in the wrong zone. He was fined $1055.

Hannah Ashley (35) Guerenville. Ashley pled guilty to Kidnaping, abduction of a child, and two counts of residential burglary. She will be sentenced on April 4. She remains in custody on a “no bail” hold.
According to evidence produced at the preliminary hearing, Ms. Ashley was the subject of a state-wide Amber Alert when, on October 23, she entered the house of her mother who had full custody of her infant (seven month old) son, and she abducted the child. On October 25, she was spotted by Sierra County Deputy Sheriff Nathan Rust around 6:30 in the morning heading north on highway 49. Deputy Rust attempted to stop Ms. Ashley with red lights and siren, but Ms. Ashley refused to yield, leading Deputy Rust on a chase up Highway 49 at speeds up to 90 miles per hour. Deputy Rust lost sight of the Ashley vehicle as it entered Downieville. The vehicle was later discovered abandoned in Downieville. Search teams were formed involving the California Highway Patrol, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Department, Cal-Trans, Downieville Fire Department, and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department. Around 3 PM on the 25th, Ms. Ashley was apprehended by Highway Patrol Officer Matt Sprague in downtown Downieville after a citizen recognized Ashley from the Amber Alert photos. The child was crying in a canvas bag carried by Ms. Ashley when the arrest occurred. Later in the day it was discovered that two houses in Downieville had been broken in with property missing. Testimony indicated that Ms. Ashley was wearing clothing and boots taken from the two residences when she was arrested. Ashley remains in custody in lieu of $500,000 bail.

LOCAL FLOODING -Photos by Mike Buck - Photo of Hwy 70 by Nichole

2/9/2017

LOYALTON FLOOD IN PHOTOS -Photos by Lori Wright

2/9/2017

Hard Work and Right Living Equals Singing and Dancing

2/9/2017

By Dr. Glenn Mollette

Years ago I heard a story about a butterfly that was tirelessly working to break from its cocoon. A man observed the struggling butterfly for several minutes. Feeling sorry for the soon to be flying beautiful creature, he took his pocketknife and slit the cocoon to assist its freedom. The butterfly fell out of the cocoon and flapped its wings a couple of times and died. The man's good intentions crippled and killed the butterfly preventing its own natural progression of development that would lead to its soaring through the air.

Often it's pressure, hard work and struggle that enables us to develop our internal fortitude to push forward, hang on and succeed in life. Such fortitude comes with ups and downs, pressures and failures. Eventually we develop the internal muscles and a spirit to walk on our own two feet and even to soar like the butterfly.

Muhammad Ali the famous boxer is remembered for his saying that he would float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Ali's ability to float like a butterfly came from years of strenuous workouts and punishment to become the greatest athlete of all time.

Joy, laughter and celebration come at the end of a hard day's work. Our greatest feelings of triumph come after a long period of work and struggle to finally realize an accomplishment or a success. Throughout life I have heard over and over that where there is no pain there is no gain.

I remember my dad buying a small record player when I was a kid. He bought a dozen or so records to go with it. We wore those records out. Another day came when he bought a big stereo record player that was also worn out over the years. He would work in a coal mine all week but he and my mother and another couple would often sing for two to three hours on the front porch of our house. Two to three times a week they would sing in church. Mom and Dad worked tirelessly throughout the week but at the end of the week they wanted to cut loose and sing and many churches gladly received them.

Singing and dancing comes from the soul. There has to be an internal emotion that is within the heart that desires to leap out in joyful expression. In other words you have to want to do it and feel like doing it. I am not sure how many people today feel so good that they want to sing and dance and celebrate living. Too many no longer have even a faint hum or occasional shuffle. Many Americans no longer have a twinkle in their eyes.

Many of us watch the news and we see a lot of unhappiness. We see a lot of rancor and critical, degrading talk on social media. There is too much unhappiness.

A lot of unhappiness comes from the world of religion. Where did religious entities and many churches ever get the idea that good religion means an unhappy, joyless person? A lot of Middle Eastern religious groups are all about people being glum and joyless. This is probably why some groups don't want to hear much about Jesus who told funny stories and was the life of the party.
A lot of America's problems started on April 21st, 1964 when President Lyndon Johnson declared his war on poverty. He came to Martin County, Kentucky and sat on Tom Fletcher's porch while the media captured the iconic picture that put a face on President Johnson's war on poverty. I was in Inez that day, just a child and clueless as to what it was all about. President Johnson's idea that federal dollars handed out to millions of people would solve America's poverty problems sounded good to many but it has failed. Tom Fletcher never got out of poverty nor have forty percent of the people in Martin County especially since coalmining is now essentially over in the region.

Waiting on a government check, food stamp allotment and government medical assistance does not bring much happiness to America's fifty million people living in poverty. Today the face of poverty can be found in any town in America and it's still as bleak as it was in 1964.

People must have work to do. A daily job, some work, a real paycheck, and a life to live gives meaning and from meaning is a feeling of purpose and happiness. When we feel good about ourselves we hum and sing a little, dance a little and celebrate a little.

We have to get ourselves back to feeling better. It starts with our thinking followed by our deeds and that develops our lifestyles and our destinies. Please, let's start now. Sow a good thought. Reap a good act. Sow a good act. Reap a happier lifestyle. Sow a good lifestyle. Reap a better destiny.

We can change the direction of our nation but it begins with you and me and inside the head of every American.

Glenn Mollette is a syndicated columnist and author of eleven books.
He is read in all fifty states. Visit www.glennmollette.com

SIERRA VALLEY GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT HOSTING GROUNDWATER STUDY PRESENTATION FEBRUARY 24

2/9/2017

SIERRA VALLEY, CA – February 8, 2017 – The Sierra Valley Groundwater Management District (SVGMD) board of directors is inviting the public to attend a presentation on the results of several recent groundwater studies conducted by Burkhard Bohm of Plumas Geo-Hydrology, Graeagle. The reports being presented include a compilation of existing data from older groundwater research in Sierra Valley and new studies on groundwater recharge and groundwater quality.

During the February 24 workshop, Burkhard Bohm will present highlights from several reports generated during his recent studies, including, “Inventory of Sierra Valley Wells and Groundwater Quality Conditions,” dated November 29, 2016, and “Sierra Valley Aquifer Delineation and Ground Water Flow,” dated January 20, 2017, as well as highlights from his work on the topic of Groundwater recharge and forest canopy thinning. Copies of the study reports, funded by a grant from Prop 50, can be viewed in advance of the presentation via the SVGMD website at http://sierravalleygmd.org/
Under California’s 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the Sierra Valley Groundwater Basin, currently ranked as Medium Priority, is required to have a Groundwater Sustainability Plan developed and in place by 2022.
“We are committed to involving many local residents, businesses, agricultural operators, representatives from our towns and other interested stakeholders in planning for sustainable groundwater in Sierra Valley,” said SVGMD board chairman, Einen Grandi of Loyalton. “This workshop represents an opportunity for all of us to learn more about where our groundwater comes from, about the existing wells in the basin, water quality trends and more.”
Bohm’s presentation will be followed by a discussion session, allowing attendees to follow up on points of interest.
Founded in 1989, Plumas Geo-Hydrology is a hydrology and geology consulting company serving the rural counties of the northern Sierra Nevada, northeastern California, and the urban areas in northern Nevada. Burkhard Bohm is a California Professional Geologist and Certified Hydrogeologist; he has a PhD in Hydrogeology. Bohm’s expertise includes groundwater exploration in fractured rocks and valley aquifers, solving water quality problems in wells and streams, soil and percolation tests, erosion and flooding problems, soil stability, and landslides.
The Sierra Valley Groundwater Management District was founded through a joint powers agreement between Plumas and Sierra Counties as authorized by California Senate Bill 1391 in 1980. SVGMD works to preserve and manage groundwater in the Sierra Valley basin for all beneficial uses.
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State Water Board Continues Water Conservation Regulations, Prohibitions Against Wasting Water

2/8/2017

Feb. 8, 2017

SACRAMENTO – Today the State Water Resources Control Board extended its existing water conservation regulations, which prohibit wasteful practices such as watering lawns right after rain and set a conservation mandate only for water suppliers that do not have enough water reserves to withstand three more dry years.
“These regulations have helped Californians rise to the occasion and show what they can do with conservation, while providing flexibility based on differing local water supply conditions across the state,” said Chair Felicia Marcus. “We are beyond happy that water conditions continue to improve this year, but the rainy season isn’t over yet and some areas of the state continue to suffer significant drought impacts. As glorious as the first half of the season has been, we know that weather can change quickly, and vary depending on where you are, so it is most prudent to wait a bit longer until close of the rainy season to take stock of the statewide situation and decide what to do next.”
While many parts of the state have benefited from this year’s rain and snow, other areas continue to experience the effects of drought, including Central Valley communities that still depend on water tanks and bottled water. Groundwater, the source of at least a third of California’s water supplies, remains significantly depleted in many areas. California has undergone more than five years of extreme drought with significant impacts to communities, agriculture, and fish and wildlife.
Today’s decision maintains existing conservation rules, which transitioned away from specific state-mandated conservation standards last May for urban water suppliers that could demonstrate they have enough water reserves to withstand an additional three dry years. The majority of suppliers passed this “stress test” and have not been subject to state conservation mandates. Under the extended regulation, urban water suppliers that didn’t take or didn’t pass the “stress test” and have been subject to state-set standards are given an opportunity to update their analysis.
Today’s extension also keeps in place monthly reporting of water use by urban water agencies, and reasonable prohibitions against wasteful practices such as watering lawns within 48 hours of a rainstorm, hosing off sidewalks and driveways, or overwatering landscaping to the point where water runs into the streets. Prohibitions also remain against homeowners associations taking action against homeowners trying to conserve during a declared drought, and those prohibitions are extended to cities and municipalities. The rules had been set to expire Feb. 28.
The Board also heard a report today on the statewide water savings for December 2016, which was 20.6 percent compared with water use in December 2013, an increase from both November 2016’s 18.9 percent savings and December 2015’s 18.2 percent statewide savings.
Cumulative statewide savings for June 2015 through December 2016 remains at 22.5 percent. Since June 2015, 2.43 million acre-feet of water have been saved — enough to supply more than 12 million people, close to a third of the state’s population, for a year. For more information, see the fact sheet found here.
For more information on the regulation extension, please see the fact sheet found here.
While water supplies have improved in many areas, the state’s five-year drought has underscored the need for permanent improvements in California’s long-term efficient water use and drought preparedness, as called for in Governor Brown’s May 2016 Executive Order, which set in motion new programs to make water conservation a way of life in California.
As a result of that order, the State Water Board and other State agencies released a draft plan that shifts from statewide mandatory water restrictions toward a set of long-term water-use efficiency standards that reflect California’s diverse climate, landscape, and demographic conditions. The plan also calls for permanently prohibiting wasteful practices, regular reporting by water suppliers, tightening up leaky systems, and strengthening plans for water shortages. These actions will help to ensure all communities have sufficient water supplies and are conserving water regardless of the conditions of any one year.
To learn about all the actions the state has taken to manage our water system and cope with the impacts of the drought, visit Drought.CA.Gov.

What True Democracy Looks Like

2/8/2017

                                                                                                                     Contact: Jennifer Cressy 202-225-2511
Jennifer.Cressy@mail.house.gov
Bill George 916-786-5560
Bill.George@mail.house.gov

Congressman McClintock today delivered the following remarks on the House floor:
February 7, 2017
What True Democracy Looks Like
Mr. Speaker:
    Our nation has come to a crossroads between two competing visions of the future that don’t easily reconcile. At such times as these, emotions run high.
    The good news is that our institutions are the best ever designed to resolve such political disputes. In other countries, the government is the sovereign and rights flow from it to the people. In America, the people are sovereign.
    But in America, the sovereign doesn’t govern. It hires help to govern during an election. In-between elections, the sovereign people debate how the hired help is doing. That’s the real debate: the one that goes on every day wherever Americans gather.   And after that family discussion, we decide whether to fire the hired help or keep it for another cycle.
    As long as we are TALKING WITH each other and not SHOUTING AT each other, our system works well.
    Once in our history, we stopped talking with each other. That was the election of 1860.
    That election was marked not by reconciliation, but by rioting in those regions where the opposition dominated. The opposition party refused to accept the legitimacy of the election itself. Political leaders pledged resistance to the new administration by any means necessary.   They asserted the doctrine of nullification, the notion that any dissenting state or city that opposed federal laws could simply refuse to obey them. Finally came the secession movement – the ultimate rejection of our Constitution and the rule of law.
    Have we not started down that road once again?
    Even before this election, we saw violent mobs carrying foreign flags, physically attack Americans for the sole reason that they wanted to attend a political rally for the candidate of their choice. The violence in Berkeley last week warns us that this behavior is rising.
    Some prominent elected officials are again asserting nullification by declaring their jurisdictions “sanctuaries” where federal immigration laws will simply be ignored. And in California, a formal secession movement is supported by nearly a third of the population of my own suffering state.
    I have held more than a hundred town hall meetings in my district throughout the last eight years spanning the entire life of the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements. Through all those heated debates, the police have never had to intervene. Until this weekend, in Roseville, when the Roseville Police Department determined that the size and temper of the crowd required a police escort to protect me as I left the venue.
    The vast majority of the people attempting to attend the meeting were peaceful, decent and law abiding folks sincerely opposed to President Trump, wanting to make their views known to their elected representative. But there was also a well-organized element that came to disrupt – and disrupt they did.
    In the last four elections, our country has turned dramatically away from the left. The Democrats have lost 67 House Seats, 12 Senate Seats, 10 Governors, more than 900 state legislative seats and now the Presidency. That happened in large part because those who opposed their policies talked with their neighbors about the future of our country.
    Instead of pursuing that successful example, the radical left seeks not to persuade their fellow citizens by reason, but rather to impose its views by bullying, insulting, intimidating -- and, as in Berkeley, by physically attacking -- their fellow citizens.
    This is not a tactic likely to change minds, but if it persists, it could tear down the very institutions of democracy that have served us so well for so long.
    I would ask the many sincere citizens who have been caught up with this disruptive element, do you object because the President is breaking his promises? Or do you object because he is keeping them? And if your objection is because the President is keeping the promises he made, is that not because the sovereign people – your neighbors and fellow countrymen – directed these changes over the last four elections?
    If your love of our Constitution is greater than your hatred of our President, I implore you to engage in a civil discussion with your fellow citizens. That is what true democracy looks like.