Lake Tahoe, CA February 28, 2018. Liberty Utilities wants to remind customers to be prepared for
possible extended power outages due to incoming winter storms.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning and avalanche watch starting Thursday morning for the Sierra and Lake Tahoe areas citing that this weather pattern could be the biggest snowstorm of the season.
”Although we prepare for extreme weather impacts to our electric system, we remind customers that power outages may occur and we encourage them to be prepared,” said Travis Johnson, Liberty Utilities’ VP of Electric Operations.
Johnson also noted that storm-related power outages may be extended because of difficulties in identifying outage causes and crews being able to access infrastructure to make repairs.
According to Johnson, the 2017 winter storms resulted in a lot of broken poles and downed wire due to snow-heavy trees and branches that fell. Crews had difficulty seeing the broken poles, cross arms and downed wires amongst the trees due to heavy snowfall, and often couldn’t access areas because of avalanche warnings and/or unpassable roads. Crews often took snow cats or hiked into remote areas carrying wire and other equipment.
“We learned some lessons from the 2017 historic storm and have done things like stockpile more poles and wire, but if conditions make it impossible to get crews out to remote areas to identify and fix problems, customers may need to wait several hours for their power to be restored.”
Liberty Utilities offers the following advice if your power goes out:

•   If the power goes off during cold weather, keep all doors closed to keep the heat inside. Have your family dress warmly and stay together in the same room or area. Even in very cold weather, the house will stay comfortable for several hours.
•   Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible. The contents should be good for many hours if the door is kept closed.
•   Turn off all appliances, including computers and peripherals, especially those that generate heat. This helps prevent hazards or damage when service is restored.
•   Turn off all lights except one inside your home/business and one outside. The inside light lets you see and the outside light lets Liberty Utilities’ crews know when the power is back on.
•   When power has been restored, please conserve electricity in the first hours to prevent further outages on your lines. Bring up the temperature in one room of the house or in one heating zone, if you have electric space heating. We ask that you not use electric stoves and clothes dryers in the first hour after restoration.

 If you use a generator, ensure that it is outside and well ventilated. Ensure that snow does not accumulate on it.
Liberty asks that customers go to www.libertyutilities.com to get the latest information available so phone lines can remain available for emergencies only. Customers should click on the Emergencies & Outages link at the top of the homepage, where they will be directed to a real time outage map as well any emergency messages regularly updated. Customers can also access Liberty’s Twitter account by clicking on the Twitter logo on that webpage, or visiting Twitter@LibertyUtil_CA. Liberty’s website and Twitter account is accessible on mobile devices.
“We want to thank our customers in advance for their preparation planning and patience as we prepare for the impacts of this major storm, Johnson added. “Above all, we want our customers to stay safe and NEVER go near or attempt to move a downed power line even if you believe it isn’t energized. Call 9-1-1 or Liberty Utilities if you believe such a situation is dangerous and we will respond as quickly as possible.”
This broken power pole during the 2017 winter storms is difficult to see given the heavy snow and tree coverage.
About Liberty Utilities
Fallen trees during the 2017 winter storms were responsible for many downed power lines and were time-intensive to remove and repair.
Liberty Utilities Co. owns and operates regulated water, wastewater, natural gas and electric transmission and distribution utilities in 12 states, delivering responsive and reliable essential services to approximately 783,000 customers across the United States. With a local approach to management, service and support, we deliver efficient, dependable services to meet the needs of our customers. Liberty Utilities provides a superior customer experience through walk-in customer centers, locally focused conservation and energy efficiency initiatives, and programs for businesses and residential customers. We measure our performance in terms of service reliability, an enjoyable customer experience, and an unwavering dedication to public and workplace safety. Liberty Utilities currently operates in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas,
Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Texas. For more information, please visit www.LibertyUtilities.com. 

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Daniel Orr (68) Reno.  Driving with a blood alcohol level of .08or above.  Three years probation, 2 days jail, fine $1885, and attend alcohol school.
 
Scott Kirbride (63) Chilicoot.  Attempt to purchase a firearm by a person prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony conviction.  Sentencing is March 6.
 
Mark Black (48) Loyalton.  Possession of a firearm by person prohibited from possession of a firearm due to prior conviction for reckless discharge of a firearm which prohibits the possession of a firearm for 10 years.  Sentencing is March 6.
 
Nicole Brogdon (34) transit. Prole violation for failure to keep in contact with parole officer.  One hundred days jail, and reinstated on parole.
 
Richard Douglas (23) Napa.  Sentencing for residential burglary with an admission that a victim was in the residence at the time of burglary.  Four years state prison.  This case  resulted when Douglas and his co-defendant, Debra Hunt (who  is in custody pending sentencing) went to a Downieville residence late at night to collect an alleged debt.  The victims, who were home at the time, armed himself with an AR – 15 rifle and when Douglas broke a window and started to enter, Douglas was shot. 
 
Shanno Struve (43) Reno. After a contested preliminary hearing, Struve was ordered to stand trial on felony charges of resisting an officer with force and violence.  She is out custody on $20,000 bail.
 
Eric Tennant (46) transit (formerly of Loyalton).  Parole violation for failure to contact his parole officer when he was released from prison, and failure to register as an arsonist.  He was given 130 days jail and reinstated on parole.
 
Jose Vasquez-Martinez (23)  Loyalton.  Reckless driving, alcohol related.  Eighteen months probation, fine $1519, alcohol school.
 
Justin Smejda (31) Citrus Heights.  Faillure to have bear tag in possession and take of bear without tag in possession (he did have tag, but not with him at the time).  One year probation, fine $1668, and no hunting, or being in the field with hunters for one year.
 
Paul Dority (42) Grass Valley.  Assault with a deadly weapon (misdemeanor). Three years probation, two days jail, fine $2210, stay away from victim, restitution was reserved, and he is prohibited from firearm possession for ten years.
 
Peter Hatch (68) Sierra City. After a contested preliminary hearing, Hatch was ordered to stand trial on possession of child pornography with a prior conviction, and being on school grounds as a registered sex offender without permission.  He is in custody on $200,000 bail.   

​Tita’s Hideaway, the historic building in downtown Sierra City which burned on February 7th, and is shown with Derek Beverly and friend, had a tremendously colorful past. 
The structure housed a number of businesses over the years, including the Tribune newspaper,  doctor’s office, a shoe store, and even a jail. At one time it was the location of Lottie’s Boarding House.
“Queen Louis,” the last surviving Chinese in Sierra City was a friend of Lottie’s family. He was known as a very sensitive and humble man who would honor the dead with bouquets of wildflowers and serenade newcomers on his old violin.
 – Information courtesy of Mary Nourse from the 2014 Sesquicentennial Walking Tour.
Photos courtesy Derek Beverly

​IN SIERRAVILLE, the former Jean and Jerry McCaffrey house is raised for a new foundation. The house, according to Historic Houses of Sierra County in Sierra Valley, was built in 1862 or 1863. “Square nails and rough cut lumber for framings were used in construction. Sawdust from Nichols Mill was used for insulation in the original house. The addition has hand-formed cedar blocks between studs that kept the sawdust from dropping to the bottom. 
“About 1868, four more rooms were added at the rear of the house.  A carriage house was added in 1870 and this later became a garage. The original foundation was cedar ‘wheels’.
“The house changed ownership many times. It originally belonged to Mary J. Darling, then H. Nichols, followed by Amos Maxwell and Fred and Jean Dolley. The late Rita Bradley of Sattley recalled she used to play with Margie Dolley, their daughter. The next owners were Earnest Lombardi, then Freda and Robert  Ryder who sold to Richard E. and Jessie Barrington. Richard was a business partner with Chance Goodrich in the Sierraville Lumber Company and bought the property before 1950. Mrs. Barrington continued to live in the big house alone after her husband died. After her death in 1973, Jean and Jerry McCaffrey purchased the property. During their tenure, there were two weddings, a baptism and many, many civic meetings. Assemblymen, State Senators, U.S. Congressmen and a U.S. Senator had been guests, in addition to their many local friends and families.”
            Photo courtesy Rick Maddalena

‘BRAIN STORMING” turned into a Town Hall on Tuesday, February 13th as 18 Loyalton residents met at the Social Hall. City Council member Joy Markum, under suggestion of nearly-new resident, Jackie Mertton, explained the meeting was a way to express concerns and so as a City, “Can make progress.” Mertton compared it to a church revival.
Lists were prioritized and discussed. Mertton stated at City Council meetings, she’d “heard a lot of heat,” and they’d forgotten Robert’s Rules of Order.
She explained how anybody can ask the Council to consider agenda items. 
Issues listed for discussion included those from the State, building and planning, the swimming pool. 
Concerning cleaning the city via ordinance, former member Brooks Mitchell stated the City has all the backup it needs and details everything. The problem, he said, is enforcement. He called the “big thing,” a lack of revenue and no means to raise it without cooperation of private property owners.
Joe Dines mentioned the former use of volunteers and Brooks told of the umbrella insurance policy that gets “push back.” He also credited the use of church members; the Community Church with the hotel debris and the Catholic Church a “good asset” to get the community to look better.
Removing old junk cars was well discussed with its regulatory process.
Eileen Benson wanted CC&Rs for the City.
In finance discussion, Brooks stated the City had a $940,000 budget carried over the last seven years. It was urged the City “do a budget.” The lack of general accounting and added confusion were discussed. The City is two years behind on audits, according to Mertton. Brooks told of settling two lawsuits with nearly $3 million in separate accounts and how the Council has to decide on it once it gets a new member. Mertton suggested  asking for a summary report on sums of money; a budget report on each account.
Concerning PERS retirement, Brooks stated it was voted to make an offer by legal counsel and was not agreed to. Retirees rejected it, he said.
It was stated there’s “a lot of junk in town,” and previous free dump days were discussed.
Speed bumps and the electronic speed signs were another disappointing topic.
“Elections are coming up,” was a brighter subject.
Another session will be held Tuesday, March 6th at 6 p.m. at Loyalton Social Hall.

LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL held a special meeting February 15th for discussion and possible action regarding the appointment of the Loyalton City Council to fill a vacant council seat. Even before the meeting started, Councilman Mark Marin stated they couldn’t appoint anyone because they can’t have more appointed than elected members.
Once the meeting was started, Marin stated he’d talked to attorney Steve Gross who said they can’t appoint but will go to election. Marin has been suggesting he needs surgery and in the event something happens, the mayor wouldn’t be able to pay bills, etc. without a legal council. “That’s the way it stands,” he stated.
One candidate, Brooks Mitchell, questioned the decision. He asked about the government code.
Member Joy Markum    pressed that if something happened, they have two members anyway.
Marin then admitted he wasn’t voting for any candidate.
From the audience, Mark Lombardi complained it was predicated on one person’s health which is “insane,”  and talked of risk and reward.
Former councilman Ernie Teague urged the need for a fourth person for the budget and suggested they appoint.
Marin talked about an investigation, missing monies, insurance fraud, CALPers and the sewer plant settlement, indicating a former member’s fault.
Marin then made a motion to appoint Colby Russell.
Joy Markum made a motion to appoint Brooks Mitchell.
Mayor Nancy Rogers called it a “dead issue” and didn’t want to appoint.
Joy stated it “really sad,” with no way of doing anything for the community and the community suffers.

Ed’s Note: According to County Clerk Heather Foster, the City is its own election officials. It has missed the June election deadline of February 11th or calling114 days prior to the next regularly scheduled election.
A special election would cost approximately $4,500 to include number of registered voters, time and benefits for staff, postage and supplies.

 

Sierra Co. Fire Protection District #1 volunteers take a moment to memorialize the delivery of the new rescue truck with the Burton brothers at regular training Thursday, February 15. 

On Thursday Feb. 15, John Burton of Burton Fire Apparatus (Modesto CA) delivered a new light rescue truck ordered by Sierra Co. Fire Protection District #1 to the Sierraville Fire Department.  Specifications for the truck were assembled by District Chief Jeff McCollum, and Sierraville Fire Department Chief Dan Wentling.  Three competitive bids were evaluated before a contract was awarded to Burton Fire to purchase this truck built by Rosenbaurer in Lyons South Dakota.  
The rescue truck is financed by a $50,100 grant and $51,300 low interest loan from the USDA Rural Assistance Program, local mitigation funds, and a $35,000 contribution from proceeds of the “Tour de Manure” bike event sponsored by the Sierraville Fire Department.  The grant/loan package was negotiated by Fire Commissioner Rick Maddalena in full cooperation with USDA Representative Michael Velez.  “I doubt we would have been successful in this endeavor without Michael’s personal attention and ‘we can make this happen attitude,’” stated Maddalena.   
“The light rescue truck will be dedicated on June 16, 2018 at the 10th anniversary of the Tour de Manure,” said Chief Wentling.  The truck will be “branded” with the bike ride event’s logo to help celebrate the event and its contribution to supporting the finance needs of the Sierraville and Sattley Fire Departments.   
The Rosenbaurer buildup is mounted on a new 2017 Ford F550 chasse, 4x4 diesel, crew cab manufactured with an “ambulance package” featuring warning lights, serene, and high capacity electrical system to support the work lights and equipment in the box.  The box was designed to facilitate medical calls, vehicle accident extractions, and to a limited degree building collapse.  It will replace the very tired 1994 F-350 which has been a workhorse of the SCFPD #1 fleet.  
 “Although our primary mission is Structure Fire Protection, Emergency Medical Response has been our primary source of calls for service in recent years.  A large share of our calls involve vehicle or motorcycle accidents on Hwy 89 or Hwy 49 which means we are pushing the tired gas powered truck hard up a steep highway heavily laden with rescue equipment,” said Chief McCollum.
Truck delivery was made by John Burton and follows a final truck inspection in Modesto by Chief McCollum, USDA representative Michael Velez, and two additional volunteers from Sierraville in late January.  Burton’s service includes a complete orientation to the truck and its operating systems. ​“Before we let the old rescue truck go, we hope to find a suitable 4x4 diesel chassis to mount under the service box.   If we can do that, we will have parleyed the investment by recycling a great box.  That equipment would be stationed in Calpine to reinforce our District response capability,” said McCollum. 
“The entire community is invited to the “branding” on June 16th at the 10th Tour de Manure Ride” said Doug Read, creator of the funds raising event.  There will be great live music by Mike Hogan and the Simpletones, and fantastic BBQ by Lee Wright proprietor of When Pigs Fly.  -  Story and photo by SCFPD#1