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

By Connie Koch February 15, 2018 33 






All it takes to start a cat colony is one person's cat that isn’t spayed or neutered. Many stray and free-roaming cats in even the nicest neighborhoods will find shelter in a backyard or storage shed and deliver a litter. Abandoned or neglected cats will colonize at fast food areas and parks where food can be found in dumpsters.  It’s really sad.
Homeless cats can be found everywhere people live. Some places have only a few, like near the Starbucks on Lake Boulevard (five cats), to large colonies of maybe 100 or more cats along the river at Henderson Open Space.
Basically, homeless cats can be found everywhere from rest stops  and trailer parks to the nicest neighborhoods all over the north state.
This is a problem created by people. You know where you won’t find domestic cats?   In the wild where people don’t live.
For the cats’ safety, and to avoid cat dumping, it isn’t wise to give exact locations. But in the vicinity of the O’Brien rest stop 14 cats were killed by someone who fed them meatballs that contained antidepressants. This was done even though the cats were sterilized by volunteers and were fed and cared for by a caretaker.
I sat down with Blanca Jeffers and Pete Stiglich (aka Colonel Pete), two of the major principals (Blanca, President and Pete Chairman of the Board) in Shasta County's newly created Community Cat Care Coalition.
I have known Blanca for 10 years.  She has been my go-to person every time a feral momma cat has shown up with her babies at the various places I have lived in Shasta County.  Always ready to help get the cats trapped, neutered/spayed and released to a local colony of cats or as like the last two times, she took them back to the ranch where she works at socializing them and finding them forever homes.  She has a tag line at the end of her emails that says, "I can't fix a human, but I can fix a cat."
Pete, an Air Force Colonel with 26 years of service, initially wasn't a cat person when he retired to Cottonwood.  But when a hungry, cold and scared cat showed up at his Cottonwood ranch, his late mother took the cat in. That cat is still a resident of Pete's home, along with seven other cats that found their way into Pete's heart and home.
The Community Cat Care Coalition is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, EIN 82-3090270. It is comprised of individuals and organizations committed to improving the lives of thousands of free-roaming community cats living in Shasta County. It has no paid staff. One hundred percent of the funds raised is devoted to community cat care within the county.


Pixie, Mouse & Flurry were found in a box left on the side of a road at only 3 weeks old. All three are available for adoption. Photo by Karen Marie Hansen.
Each day thousands of community cats struggle for survival. They face starvation, abuse, illness, predators and harsh weather. Two breeding cats, plus their kittens and kittens' offspring, if not sterilized, can produce 80 million cats in 10 years. The Community Cat Care Coalition exists solely to solve this growing problem.
The Community Cat Care Coalition hopes to spay and neuter all stray and/or homeless community cats as well as offer those services to cat owners who can't afford to sterilize their cats. Using the Trap-Neuter-Return strategy, cats are trapped, sterilized and returned to their colony, moved to safer locations or adopted out. Feedings, shelters, adoption and foster care are also provided.
Pete has an answer for those who wonder why he helped form the Community Cat Care Coalition.
"There are several independent groups that have made progress in small pockets," he said. "The idea to form a coalition is to achieve large scale progress, share ideas, expertise, resources, and fund-raise."
Blanca agreed. "The smaller groups have been doing this for 10 to 30 years in some instances, and some of the original people are getting tired," she said. "Yet, there is a tremendous need to control the population of homeless cats."


Sugar, Domino and Tazz were dumped next to an office in downtown Redding. All three are available for adoption. Photo by Karen Marie Hansen.
I asked if any of the local veterinary clinics were helping. Blanca said currently they are working with one doctor who has stepped up to help, and she and Pete hope that more veterinarians will eventually get involved.
“It would make sense, now that the Coalition is a non-profit, that the veterinarians could donate one day to help spay and neuter and write it off as tax donation," Blanca said. "If we could get each veterinary clinic in the county to donate an allotted set of hours one day a week, we could get so many more community cats spayed and neutered, especially now during the kitty season.”
Pete and Blanca plan to visit local veterinary offices to brief them on the Coalition, and see what assistance they can provide.
As Pete says, “Community cats are a community problem.”
The Coalition is also in the process of working with county officials to update the Animal Control Ordinance.  Presently, it is silent with regard to addressing community cats.  A draft amendment has been provided to the Shasta County Sheriff’s Department that, among other things, requires trapped feral cats be sterilized and returned to their colonies, rather than being put down.  The draft also recommends a fund be established to be used to offset the cost of sterilizing community cats.  Hopefully, county supervisors will approve this ordinance update shortly.
I asked what their critical needs are at this time and they both had the same answer: funding and volunteers, both of which are needed so the Coalition can succeed. Volunteers are needed to help with colony identification, trapping, transportation, feeding, sheltering, adoption, foster care and veterinary assistance. Grants, special fundraising events and donations cover the cost of supplies and veterinary services.
We hope the citizens of Shasta County will join our efforts and help us all make a difference in the out of control homeless cat population. Together , we can transform our communities into a model for the ethical and humane treatment of our feline community members.
Connie Koch was raised in Santa Barbara. She moved to Redding after high school, traveled to and lived in other places, and finally returned to Redding in 2009. 
She is currently semi-retired, and works at various part-time jobs, including private in-home care for the elderly. 
In her spare time, Connie is a gifted artist who specializes in making all sizes of mirrored mosaic sculptures.
Connie is also the "mother" of two rescue cats, each of whom showed up at her doorstep at separate times, and have yet to accept each other.

Leaders in companies and organizations often face enormous demands on their time, but the best leaders realize they can’t let those demands become so overwhelming that their health suffers as a result.

“Successful leaders prioritize personal wellness, both at home and at work,” says Kerry Alison Wekelo, author of Culture Infusion: 9 Principles to Create and Maintain a Thriving Organizational Culture (www.kerryalison.com).

And those who don’t prioritize personal wellness should realize it’s not too late to make it a New Year’s resolution for 2018, she says. Plus, taking care of themselves is also a great way for leaders to inspire others throughout the organization to do the same.

“Team members will be more inclined to focus on their own well being if they see the leadership team making it a priority,” says Wekelo, who is managing director of human resources and operations for Actualize Consulting. “It’s better for the entire company when everyone strives to be physically and mentally fit.”

In her own life, Wekelo says she follows five guiding values for personal wellness. They are:

•    Breathe. Many people forget to breathe during the day, Wekelo says, though she’s not talking about breathing to stay alive. “On any given day we are going to experience moments of stress,” she says. “Focusing on taking a few long, slow breaths can help calm you down.”

•    Move. Movement is another way to take care of your well being. “Many of us are sedentary most of the day, sitting at desks then lounging at home in the evening,” she says. “We are not made to sit like this all day every day.” To get moving, you don’t need to schedule time at a gym for an aggressive workout. She suggests stretching while at your desk and taking time once an hour to get up and walk, even if it’s just to walk to somewhere else in the office. 

•    Play. Children love to play, but adults forget they need to take time to play as well, even if it’s just a game of cards or charades. “Next time you find yourself stressing, give your brain a break and call your inner child out for a play date,” Wekelo says.

•    Nourish. No matter how smoothly life is going, there will always be conflict, so you should handle it directly, openly and immediately. When you do, you will be nourishing your relationship with those employees and they will have the opportunity to nourish themselves. “Take the approach that everything is a learning opportunity and work with your employees on how to improve rather than running them into the ground and making them feel even worse,” Wekelo says. “If they know you care and support them even in hard times, you will have their loyalty.”

•    Replenish. Life gets hectic, so it’s important to set aside time for reflection, introspection, meditation or just plain quiet time. “My best ideas come from my quiet time,” Wekelo says.

“I am sure that’s why so many of the great pioneers, artists and scientists spend hours each day walking and contemplating.”
“As you consider your own personal well-being, it’s important to remember that you create your life and how you feel,” Wekelo says. “Change starts at the individual level.”


About Kerry Alison Wekelo
Kerry Alison Wekelo (www.kerryalison.com) is managing director of human resources and operations for Actualize Consulting. She also is author of Culture Infusion: 9 Principles to Create and Maintain a Thriving Organizational Culture. Among her other accomplishments, Wekelo is a yoga teacher, life coach, award-winning author of children’s books, and the founder of Zendoway, a company that encourages holistic wellness.

 

Grass Valley – Annual pilot training will begin the first week of March and continue until the Grass Valley Air Attack Base is staffed in mid-June.
Approximately 35 S2T Air Tanker pilots and 25 OV-10 Air Tactical pilots will participate in the training. Grass Valley Air Attack Base will be used as one of several pilot training facilities throughout California. Flights may occur several times a day, several days a week.
Air tankers will practice dropping water in approved areas for training purposes. This training allows pilots to simulate retardant drops and improve flight skills. Pilots must show proficiency in many emergency situations where they must react to ensure safety of the aircraft, themselves and anyone operating on the ground during a fire.
People recreating and traveling in forested or mountainous areas may see these planes flying overhead. This is not necessarily an indication of a wildfire. Both the United States Forest Service and CAL FIRE conduct control burns during this time of year which may or may not be associated with pilot training.
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Hatchery trucks from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) today began the weeklong process of stocking a half million young steelhead smolts on the Feather River near Yuba City. The 125,000 fish released Monday were the first of the fish reared from eggs rescued from the Feather River Fish Hatchery during last year's Feather River spillway failure. Plants will continue through Thursday near Yuba City.


More than a million steelhead eggs were endangered in February 2017 when silt and debris overwhelmed the hatchery water system following the spillway failure. With less than 72 hours to complete fixes on aeration and filtration systems CDFW engineers went to work to save the steelhead eggs stacked in hundreds of trays at the hatchery.


Feather River steelhead are on the state and federal list of species of concern, and the hatchery is key to maintaining the viable run in the Central Valley. The eggs in the hatchery during the Feather River spillway event represented a year-age class of steelhead.


Engineers redesigned the water in-flow system using city water for the incubating steelhead. They also brought in massive six-foot-tall charcoal filters to purify the city water and reconfigured the aeration system. These alterations made this week's release of more than 500,000 steelhead possible.


"CDFW engineers did something that had never been done successfully before on a massive scale," said Feather River Fish Hatchery Manager Anna Kastner. "The eggs were in a fragile state of incubation and could not be moved, so innovation was the only option. The use of city water for incubation paid off."


CDFW Engineers George Heise and Beth Lawson, working with hatchery personnel, pathologists and biologists, conferred on the requirements of redesigning the system.  Once agreed upon they went to work.


"Our options were limited and something had to be implemented immediately. The team told us what they needed and we went to work making it happen," Heise said.


Thousands of anglers fish these waters annually, significatnly boosting the local economy. Finding an emergency fix for the potential catastrophic loss of a year of hatchery production of steelhead was critical - recreationally, economically and biologically.


John Church, a local fisherman from Yuba City, is one of the many anglers who value and rely on steelhead fishing opportunities on the Feather River. "It's really important to me and family ... I take my daughters to the Feather River for the chance to catch a steelhead each year," he said. "It is what we go there for."

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Warren Stanley, 56, of Sacramento has just been appointed Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., where he has been serving as Acting Commissioner since 2017. Commissioner Stanley has been employed with the CHP since 1982, and is one of the distinguished few to hold every position from Officer to Commissioner within the CHP.


While working as a patrol officer, he served as a member of the Protective Services Detail and worked as a Field Training Officer. He excelled through the ranks, supervising the CHP’s Border Division Investigative Services Unit as a Lieutenant, and served as the Commander of the CHP Academy, where he was responsible for the leadership of 191 employees and the training of approximately 1,700 cadets. He promoted to the rank of Chief in 2008, and assumed command of the CHP’s Coastal Division followed by the CHP’s Southern Division. Stanley was appointed to the rank of Assistant Commissioner, Staff, in 2010, followed by the rank of Assistant Commissioner, Field, in 2012. Prior to his appointment to Commissioner, he served as the Deputy Commissioner and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the largest state law enforcement agency in the nation; a Department with more than 11,000 employees.


Commissioner Stanley released the following statement following today’s appointment:


“I would first and foremost like to thank Governor Brown for placing his trust in me and giving me this incredible opportunity to lead the California Highway Patrol. I am extremely honored and proud to accept this appointment and serve as your Commissioner. I vow to continue the CHP’s long and distinguished legacy of providing Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California, and lead a Department committed to earning the public’s trust every day.”


Commissioner Stanley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Los Angeles, and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Executive Institute.


“CHP Commissioner Stanley has served the public for more than 35 years with the California Highway Patrol, excelling at every role from patrol officer to deputy commissioner where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the CHP,” said Acting Transportation Agency Secretary Brian Annis. “Warren has led the CHP’s response in the face of some of the worst natural disasters in this state’s history. We know that under his leadership the department will continue to uphold its mission.”
Commissioner Stanley is the first African American in the history of the CHP to hold the rank of Commissioner.
# # #    

QUINCY, CA - Six Plumas National Forest employees were recently recognized by the Pacific Southwest (PSW) Regional Forester, for their life-saving actions. According to Beckwourth District Ranger, Matt Jedra, the six firefighters provided life-saving medical aid in a December 2017 emergency involving a fellow employee.
 
Regional Forester Randy Moore, presented each employee with a certificate inscribed with, “In recognition of your ability to remain calm and effective while rendering life-saving medical care to a fellow Forest Service employee. Your actions, in this unexpected and traumatic situation, reflect a notable level of training, experience, and professionalism.”
 
Employees include: Aaron Knudson, Ryan Vondriska, Regional Forester Randy Moore, Damian Rivadeneyra, Chris Voelker, Dustin Kaurich and Kyle Mitchell.
 
For information about the Plumas National Forest visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/plumas and www.Facebook.com/usfsplumas .
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The mission of the U.S. Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation's clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
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AT 9:33 A.M.:Main St. (Hwy 49) through Sierra City is currently closed due to a structure fire at 204 Main Street.  For safety purposes, PG&E was notified to cut power to the residence.  Unfortunately the only way to do this remotely is to de-energize the entire line which is from Alleghany to Sierra City and communities in between which is the reason for the current outage. 
Hwy 49/Main St. through Sierra City was open to 1-way traffic with an escort at 12:06 pm. 
 In addition to Sierra City VFD, Sierra County Fire (Sierraville & Calpine), Downieville VFD, Camptonville VFD, USFS Engine 31 out of Camptonville, and a County water truck responded along with Dep. Rust and CHP Kostik for traffic control.  PG&E also responded for the power.  Supervisor Huebner and Larry Breed from the Sierra Country Store also lent a hand.  It was another excellent coordination of mutual response and only one minor injury due to smoke inhalation, according to Sgt. Michelle Anderson. - Photos by Sheriff Tim Standley
 

WASHINGTON, DC — As flu activity reaches its highest levels in nearly a decade, it is important to take steps to prevent getting or spreading the illness. These include recognizing the signs and symptoms, and knowing when to go to the emergency department or seek care from another medical professional.

“This is a particularly dangerous flu season, and your first line of prevention is to take appropriate precautions including washing your hands and avoiding direct contact with ill people,” said Paul Kivela, MD, MBA, FACEP, president of ACEP. “The most vulnerable patients are children, baby boomers aged 50 to 64, seniors, pregnant women and those with chronic conditions. Even though the flu shot is less effective this year, it still can reduce your risk of getting the flu and having serious complications.” 
The flu shot is recommended for anyone over the age of 6 months, including pregnant women.You can avoid spreading germs by washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough and staying home from work, school or other activities if you are not well.
“Most people with flu typically do not require emergency care, but this season’s disease strain is much more active than previous years. Public health experts project that tens of thousands of people could suffer flu-related deaths. If you have emergency warning signs or complications, go to the nearest emergency department immediately,” said Dr. Kivela. 
In addition, Dr. Kivela said that emergency physicians seeing are increased cases of patients with irregular heart rhythms and heart attacks during or in the days after someone had the flu.  Some people are also developing swelling in mouth or neck, which could be serious.
Cases have been reported in 49 states for weeks and more than 6 percent of all patients at clinics and emergency departments are there because they are showing flu-like symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.
If you have a non-emergency illness, first seek help with your primary care physician or urgent care. Common flu symptoms include fever/chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache or body ache, fatigue or vomiting/diarrhea. If you have any emergency warning signs of flu, or flu-related complications, please go to the nearest ER immediately.
CDC identifies these flu emergency warning signs:
For adults:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or abdominal pain
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Swelling in the mouth or throat
• Weakness

For children: 

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In addition to the signs above, seek medical attention for an infant who shows any of these signs:

• Not able to eat
• Trouble breathing
• No tears when crying
• Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal

“If you have these warning signs, you should seek emergency care, even if your health insurance company tells you not to,” said Dr. Kivela.
Dr. Kivela added that Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield this year implemented a dangerous policy to deny insurance coverage for visits that it decides are not emergencies, leaving ER patients who thought they were having emergencies with an expensive bill.
Flu-like symptoms are among the hundreds, or in some cases several thousand, conditions that Anthem is refusing to cover.
There is nearly a 90-percent overlap between emergency and non-emergency symptoms, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. The policy is active in six states: Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire and Ohio.
Visit www.emergencycareforyou.org for more information on recognizing an emergency, choosing between the emergency department or urgent care and other topics. 
Visit www.cdc.gov/flu for specific information on the current flu season. 
Visit www.faircoverage.org learn more about Anthem’s dangerous policy. 
ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of

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