First Alert Marks Anniversary of Groundbreaking Legislation
With Reminder to Replace Expiring Carbon Monoxide Alarms
 
(Aurora, Ill.) July 30, 2018 – From Adelanto to Zzyzx, Californians have been protected for years, thanks to 2011 legislation that brought carbon monoxide (CO) protection to the forefront of home safety.
 
In 2011, the California Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Protection Act (Senate Bill 183) went into effect, requiring CO alarms in newly constructed single- and two-family homes, as well as all existing single-family homes. Since then, the law has been expanded to cover all multi-family dwellings. As a result, CO alarms have helped save countless lives, and a majority of states have followed suit with similar legislation and code adoption.
 
However, alarms don’t last forever, and seven years after this groundbreaking legislation, First Alert, the most trusted brand in home safety*, along with health and safety officials, have issued a timely reminder to the public: the need to replace CO alarms as they approach expiration.
 
As part of its ongoing education efforts, First Alert is partnering with fire departments and safety organizations throughout the country to bring awareness to the importance of replacing alarms as they expire.
 
“The California Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act marked a turning point for protection for California residents, but with busy lives and other priorities, it’s easy to take life-saving measures like installing CO alarms for granted once they’ve been implemented,” said Tarsila Wey, director of marketing for First Alert, a leader in residential fire and CO detection devices. “The anniversary of this act is a timely reminder of the importance of protecting what matters most, and an ideal opportunity for us to celebrate the lives that have been saved over the past seven years by making safety a top priority.”
 
Known as the “silent killer,” CO is a colorless and odorless gas that is impossible to detect without a sensing device. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, CO poisoning is a leading cause of accidental poisoning in the United States and is responsible for an average of 450 deaths each year. Any fuel-burning appliance, including heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, appliances and cooking sources using coal, wood, or petroleum products, are all potential sources of CO. It’s critical to have appliances inspected by certified licensed technicians, educate loved ones on the dangers of carbon monoxide, and develop a family escape plan in the event of a CO emergency.
 
CO poisoning can cause symptoms such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, chest pain and vomiting that mimic those of many other illnesses, making it difficult to diagnose. In severe poisoning cases, victims can experience disorientation, unconsciousness, long-term neurological disabilities, cardiorespiratory failure or death.
 
While alarm lifespans may vary by model and manufacturer, back in 2011, a properly maintained CO alarm had a lifespan of approximately five to seven years. Therefore, CO alarms installed when California’s CO law came into effect are likely now due for replacement. As an extra safety measure, most First Alert CO alarms feature end-of-life warning to alert residents to the need for replacement. The end-of-life signal differs significantly from the 85-decibel horn heard in an emergency or during regular testing of the alarm. It also differs from the low-battery chirp, and usually consists of 3-5 short sounds. Check the back of the alarm, as well as the alarm’s user manual, for specific information on these different signals.
 
“If you can’t think of the last time you installed a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm, chances are, it’s time to replace your old ones,” Wey said. “Installing new alarms, testing them regularly and having and practicing an escape plan are important measures you can take to help protect your family and home. First Alert offers the most advanced CO sensing technologies and latest safety features available, in hardwired, wall mount plug-in and tabletop versions.”
 
The last few years have seen significant advancements in technology, extending the lifespans of some to CO alarms to 10 years. First Alert offers 10-year sealed battery CO alarms that eliminate the need for battery replacements. First Alert’s extensive safety portfolio also includes other CO alarm models to meet the needs of any household. For example, battery-powered tabletop models like the CO710 feature a 10-year battery and digital temperature display, with an easy-to-read, backlit LED screen. Other options offer both smoke and CO protection, such as the PRC710V, which offers voice alerts to inform consumers of the location of the specific danger. Another option is the plug-in CO605 model, which plugs into any standard electrical outlet and offers a battery back-up in case of power outages.
 
In addition to replacing CO alarms as they reach expiration, Wey recommends the following tips and tools for keeping yourself and loved ones safer from the dangers of carbon monoxide:
 
Important Safety Steps
 
·        Install alarms. CO alarms are the only way to detect this poisonous gas. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends installing alarms on every level of the home and near each sleeping area for maximum protection. Also make sure the alarms are installed at least 15 feet away from sources of CO to reduce the possibility of nuisance alarms. It is also important to test alarm monthly and change batteries every six months, unless the alarm is powered by a sealed, 10-year battery.
 
·        Test alarms regularly. All First Alert alarms are equipped with a test/silence button for easy testing.
 

• Never use generators indoors. In the case of a power outage, portable electric generators must be used outside only (at least 15 feet from your home). Never use them inside the home, in a garage or in any confined area that can allow CO to collect. And, be careful to follow operating instructions closely. Also, refrain from using charcoal grills, camp stoves and other similar devices indoors.

 

• Be mindful of the garage. Never leave a vehicle running inside an attached garage, even if the door is open, it is hazardous, as CO can leak into the home.

 

• Have fuel-burning appliances inspected regularly. Arrange for a professional inspection of all fuel-burning appliances (such as furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers, water heaters and space heaters) annually.

 

• Plan Your Escape –To develop an effective escape plan, walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Identify two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Practice your home emergency escape plan at least twice a year and make sure to plan a meeting spot. That way, if there is an emergency, everyone knows where to meet.

 

• Call 911. If an alarm sounds, leave the home immediately and move to fresh air. Then call 911 and do not go back into the home until the home is inspected and cleared.

 
For more information on fire and carbon monoxide safety, visit www.firstalert.com.
 
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*First Alert Brand Trust Survey, February 2018 – Results are based on the responses of 1,000 adults, ages 25 and older, living in the United States who completed an online survey, February 15-19, 2018. Results are statistically significant at a 95 percent confidence level and can be generalized to the entire adult population in the United States within those statistical parameters. For more information or a copy of the complete survey results, contact Tim Young at LCWA: 312/565-4628 or tyoung@lcwa.com.
 
About BRK Brands, Inc.
BRK Brands, Inc. (Aurora, IL), is a fully owned subsidiary of Newell Brands. For 60 years, BRK Brands, Inc. has been the manufacturer of First Alert®-branded home-safety products, the most trusted and recognized safety brand in America. BRK® Brands designs and develops innovative safety solutions including Tundra™ Fire Extinguishing Spray, Onelink by First Alert smart home products, a comprehensive line of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladders to protect what matters most.  Such products are also marketed under the BRK Electronics® brand, The Professional Standard for the builder and contractor audiences.  BRK Brands, Inc. products are found in more than 30 countries worldwide.  
About Newell Brands 
Newell Brands (NYSE: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Dymo®, EXPO®, Parker®, Elmer’s®, Coleman®, Jostens®, Marmot®, Rawlings®, Oster®, Sunbeam®, FoodSaver®, Mr. Coffee®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Graco®, Baby Jogger®, NUK®, Calphalon®, Rubbermaid®, Contigo®, First Alert®, Waddington and Yankee Candle®. For hundreds of millions of consumers, Newell Brands makes life better every day, where they live, learn, work and play.

CITY OF LOYALTON  started its July 17th meeting with a moment of silence over the air crash that day which took the life of Peter Jackson, a partner with Jeffery Naughton  who had just met with city officials to look at building ordinances in the past week for a business license for Evexia Science, commercial cannabis activity, adult use retail, adult and medical use wholesale distribution, adult and medical use delivery and adult and medical use manufacturing.
Jeffery Naughton made the presentation and told how he’s been running a medical marijuana collective in Truckee “five years without incident.” He told of developing cannabis brands, tablets, and showed samples to manufacture, including chocolate bars and gummies, distributed statewide in California. He told of proposing soda pops infused with cannabis and starting a small approach yet acknowledged “a lot of emotion in cannabis stuff.” He told how the State was “crazy,” and was “super heavily regulated” at the state level and how Prop. 64 narrowly passed. Sierra County was dead but it was a tie in Loyalton, 177 -177. He stated they have to comply and keep kids out with special labeling and testing. “Loyalton is a good place to come and do this,” he stated with 4-6 jobs. In six months, he said it’d be 10-12 jobs with plans for more on Main Street with a regular store front. He stressed they’d been asked to do just an adult only use store for those over 21 like a liquor/pharmacy with access restricted, to show ID and check in.
He explained retail “not super crazy” and to attract from Truckee people who will drive here. He told how a previous Loyalton council voted in February 2013 for no medical marijuana allowed but “out of respect” would come back to help sick people. There is no medical piece in the retail piece.
Mayor Marin was interested in the public’s opinion, and would call for a special meeting.
Naughton said they’d close their shop in Truckee which had decided to take the delivery-only model and delete manufacturing. Unless they manufacture, he said, all expenses are not tax deductible and from a tax perspective, they link the two businesses together. “The market is here; now it’s new, take advantage of it,” he said. He told of a 3,000 sq. foot building with equipment of stainless steel but was stopped by the mayor who “didn’t want to get into this now.”
City Bookkeeper Tracy Smith asked Truckee’s stance and asked about Loyalton’s. Naughton said when the city didn’t take action (with its vote), it defaulted to California guidelines and “couldn’t deny us.”
In the audience, County Supervisor Paul Roen said it can move forward, state-mandated requirements establish fees, and advised to engage the lawyer before the meeting.
Eileen Benson spoke from the audience when she advised Naughton to work on his presentation and the biggest impact is revenue gained for the city.
Naughton told how revenue is had in taxation, to raise taxes and with the vote of the people framework is set up.
The mayor again stopped  the conversation and “will get into specifics.” He introduced East Sierra Valley Chamber of Commerce President Mike Welbourn, who spoke on the default, calling it strictly a California oriented business or State of California law, stating, “You’re running a rogue State,” saying it’s illegal 
under federal law.
Phyllis DeMartini asked, “Why Loyalton?” Naughton stated Loyalton defaulted to State guidelines and told how he loved northern Sierra. Phyllis replied, “Podunk Loyalton didn’t take action.” Naughton told of Prop. 64 results with the county passing it and the city hav​ing a dead tie. He called a default to the State the “absolute smartest thing especially for small cities.”
under federal law.

________________________________

INDEMNIFICATION FEES and wood stove permits gained heavy discussion at Loyalton City Council when Councilwoman Joy Markum recommended they waive the city’s $259 fee and charge a  permit fee of $99 or waive both. It concerned a new Woodstove and Fireplace Change-out Program. Mayor Mark Marin said there is no charge from the county. Joy wanted to “keep us kosher as County people.” In the audience, Phyllis DeMartini talked “not just for this item,” but Plumas County charges $99 and no indemnification and went to the vendor and was told $159 permit and $259 for indemnification charge passed to the consumer. She talked of no permit fee to replace roofs if no sheeting, no comparison to Plumas County’s inspection fee of $99. She wanted to know the policy and to get it straight. Bookkeeper Tracy Smith asked why not do our own inspections? “Revenue is the point,” she said. Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen suggested waiving all but the permit fee, with fees covered in the program. He wanted to follow the process and to get as many stoves replaced as possible.
Joy moved to waive indemnification fees but to charge a $99 inspection and permit fee and it passed.

SIERRA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE was contacted for assistance by a camper 5.2 miles down Dog Valley Road toward the crystal mines, Verdi on July 9th at 11:42 p.m. The camper reported two mountain lions outside his tent. They had a delayed response. The camper made it to his vehicle and advised they could cancel the response.

CHP REPORTS:
On July 12, 2018 at 4:20 p.m. Sergey Eremeev, 33 of Truckee was driving his Mercedes sedan northbound on SR-89 north of Bear Valley Road at approximately 55 mph. He claimed two deer ran out in front of him causing him to brake and unsafely turn to the left. This caused the vehicle to swerve out of control in a northwesterly direction across the southbound lane and up an embankment that paralleled the west side of SR-89. The vehicle struck and knocked over a snowplow marker just prior to overturning upon the southbound shoulder. The vehicle came to rest on its roof upon the southbound shoulder. Eremeev was wearing his seatbelt and only suffered minor injuries which did not require transport to a hospital after receiving medical care on scene.

On July 18th, on 9:25 p.m., John Doe* was driving a Subaru Impreza westbound on SR-70 just west of the intersection of SR-284 (Frenchman Lake Road), at an unknown speed. 
Tonya Heil, 52 of Portola was driving a 2017 Ford Focus eastbound on SR-70, west of Mr. Doe at an unknown speed. For an unknown reason, Mrs. Heil allowed her vehicle to cross the solid, parallel center line and into the path of Mr. Doe. Mr. Doe attempted to avoid a collision by swerving the right shoulder but his vehicle was struck in the left front and left doors by Mrs. Heil’s vehicle, which caused major passenger compartment intrusion to the Subaru. Mr. Doe succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Mrs. Heil was transported by air ambulance to Renown Medical Center for the injuries she sustained in this collision. The cause of this collision is still under investigation.
* Party #2 is referred to as “John Doe” as next of kin notification has not been confirmed at this time.

On July 22nd, at 6:25 p.m., Joseph Dupre, 52 of Reno was driving his 2015 Fiat southbound on US-395 north of Country Lane in Lassen County at a speed unsafe for the rainy conditions and while he was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. Due to Dupre’s level of intoxication, he lost control of his vehicle and it traveled off the east roadway edge and into the median where it struck a large sagebrush and the vehicle became buried in soft mud. Dupre was uninjured and was subsequently arrested during the course of the collision investigation.

On August 7th at approximately 8:07 p.m., Darshini Shaw, 28 of San Francisco was driving her Mini Cooper northbound on SR-89 approaching the intersection with SR-49 in Sierraville. Shikar Patel, 29 and Rutvi Patel, 28, both of San Francisco, were passengers. 
Louis Siqueido, 71, of Calpine was driving his  2001 Ford southbound on SR-49 approaching the intersection with SR-89. For unknown reasons, Shaw did not stop at the stop sign controlling northbound traffic at the intersection of SR-89 and SR-49. Shaw continued northbound, straight through the intersection directly into the path of Siqueido’s Ford. The front of the Ford collided with the right side of the Mini, The vehicles came to rest just northwest of the intersection. Siqueido called 911 and reported the collision. Shaw suffered internal injuries, Shikar suffered back injuries and Rutvi Patel suffered internal injuries and were transported to Renown Medical Center in Reno
Siqueido was not injured.


California’s most pressing tobacco control issue: the alarming public health issue of flavored tobacco products in California, particularly among youth. 
Flavored tobacco products have become the mostly commonly used tobacco product among California middle school and high school students.  
Tobacco companies are using appealing flavors and deceptive-looking products to market them to youth and hook kids to harmful tobacco products that are a start for a life-long addiction to nicotine.

Wednesday, August 8, 2018


Over 14,000 firefighters are on the front lines of 15 large wildfires across California. To date, these fires have burned over 644,000 acres and damaged or destroyed over 2,000 structures. Although many evacuation orders were lifted yesterday evening, more than 15,000 residents remain under evacuation. The Mendocino Complex is now the largest fire in state history, and the Carr Fire is now the 12th largest.


Sunny, warm and dry conditions continue across most of the state, with temperatures averaging 10-15 above normal in many areas. Humidity will drop into the teens and single digits in many places during the day, and poor recovery is expected overnight. There will be a potential for wet thunderstorms in the southern desert beginning today. 


Even though you completed your defensible space, or even if you didn’t get to all of it, there are some things you need to keep up on to help give your home a fighting chance when a wildfire strikes! Clear your roof and gutters of leaves, pine needles and other tree debris. Sweep and rake around your home to remove any dead yard waste and remove dead plants. Clean decks and patios to remove anything that could potentially ignite from an ember. For more on things you can do, click here.


Fires of Interest: 


Carr Fire, Shasta County (more info…)
Whiskeytown & Redding
•  173,522 acres, 47% contained
•  Evacuations and road closures in place
•  3,600 residents evacuated
• 1,077 residences destroyed, 191 residences damaged
•  Carr is the 6th most destructive fire, 13th most deadly and is now 12th largest fire in state history
•  CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 1 (Gouvea) in unified command with City of Redding FD (Kreider) USFS (Pechota)


Mendocino Complex, Mendocino/Lake County
• 300,086 total acres, 47% contained
• 75 residences destroyed, 12 residences damaged
• 12,000 residents under evacuation orders
• The Mendocino Complex fire is the largest wildfire in state history
• CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 2 (Kavanaugh) in unified command with NORCAL IMT-1 (McGowan)


River Fire (more info…)
Hopland
• 48,920 acres, 81% contained
• Road closures in place


Ranch Fire (more info…)
Ukiah
• 251,166 acres, 46% contained
• Evacuations and road closures in place


Holy Fire, Orange County (more info…)
Holy Jim Canyon, Cleveland National Forest
•  4,129 acres, 5% contained
•  Structures threatened


Murphy Fire, Plumas County **NEW**
Belden
• 50 acres brush, timber, 0% contained


Five Fire, King County
Kettleman Hills Area
•  2,995 acres, 95% contained


Ferguson Fire, Mariposa County (more info…)
Yosemite National Park
• 94,992 acres, 43% contained
• Evacuations and road closures remain in effect
• CA Fed IMT-3 (von Tillow) in command


Eel Fire, Mendocino County (more info…)
East of Covelo
• 972 acres, 85% contained
 
Cranston Fire, Riverside County (more info…)
Hemet
•  13,139 acres, 96% contained


Donnell Fire, Tuolumne County (more info…)
Near Hwy 108, Donnell Lake area
•  13,814 acres, 5% contained


Georges Fire, Inyo County (more info…)
Lone Pine
•  2,883 acres, 70% contained


Horse Creek Fire, Tulare County (more info…)
John Krebs Wilderness Area
•  34 acres, 90% contained


Valley Fire, San Bernardino County (more info…)
Yucaipa
•  1,350 acres, 30% contained


Natchez Fire, Del Norte County (more info…)
Southeast of Cave Junction, OR
•  10,859 acres, 40% contained


Eagle Fire, Modoc County (more info…)
South of Cedarville
•  2,100 acres, 95% contained


Owens Fire, Mono County (more info…)
North of Mammoth Lake
•  312 acres, 98% contained
Wagner Fire, Mariposa County **FINAL**
East of Coulterville 
• 22 acres, 100% contained


Parrot Fire, Calaveras County **FINAL**
South of Vallecito
• 136 acres, 100% contained


Whaleback Fire, Lassen County (more info…) **FINAL**
West of Spaulding (Eagle Lake)
• 18,703 acres, 100% contained
•  Unified command USFS NorCal Team 1 (Coots)

We’re back again for our 4th year hosting the Downieville Mountain Brewfest, Saturday, August 11, 2018, from 2-6 PM, in beautiful historic downtown Downieville on Highway 49 where the Downie and the North Yuba Rivers meet.  No better place to be on a hot, August day!
If you’re hoppy and you know it, drink craft beer!  Come to taste some of the finest craft beer from Northern California and beyond. Featuring 26 brewing companies that will be pouring some of their tastiest brews. Enjoy the Chicago-style blues music of Bob Mora & The Third Degree Blues Band from Rough & Ready, California.  Savor the variety of delicious food choices that will also available to purchase. 
Go to: www.downievillebrewfest.com for more information and a complete list of participating brewing companies.  Also visit the Facebook event page: Downieville Mountain Brewfest 2018 for all the latest updates. Tickets are $30 and available through: www.brownpapertickets.com or in Downieville at several local business locations; Downieville Day Spa, Yuba Gallery and Vintage Gal Antiques.  Tickets at the door will cost $40.  You must have a photo ID to taste, and there is no charge for non-tasters or designated drivers.  Shuttle service will be available from the nearby campgrounds for $5 each direction.  Please no dogs in the Brewfest area.
Sponsored by Downieville Improvement Group. All proceeds generated from the Brewfest will benefit local community projects. DIG funded the construction of the gazebo in Gold Rush Park from the first two successful Brewfest events and now working toward painting the Downieville Community Hall.  

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the House passed three pieces of legislation to expand access to Health Savings Accounts (HSA), lower healthcare premiums, and foster innovation in medical technology. H.R. 6199, the Restoring Access to Medication and Modernizing Health Savings Accounts Act, H.R. 6311, the Increasing Access to Lower Premium Plans and Expanding Health Savings Accounts Act, and H.R. 184, the Protect Medical Innovation Act, were all passed by the House and will be sent to the Senate for consideration. 
 
LaMalfa said: “America leads the world in medical technology when it’s allowed to. We should be doing all that we can to support further innovation so patients can utilize the latest advances that come from the innovators in this country. The Affordable Care Act’s misguided medical device tax only stifles the growth of new technology and suppresses the industry’s job market while raising the price tag at the doctor’s office and passing it onto the patient. Healthcare should be more affordable, not even more expensive than it already is. The package of bills we passed this week permanently eliminate the costly medical device tax, modernize Health Savings Accounts so patients can use them more effectively, and allow families the ability to select a lower premium plan that’s right for them. We need policies that drive costs down, provide more healthcare options, and increase access to new, life-saving therapies. That’s what this package of bills seeks to do.”
 
What the bills do:
 

• H.R. 6199 – Modernizes HSA rules to improve access for patients, including allowing over-the-counter medicines, feminine products, and certain physical activities to be paid for using HSA dollars.
• H.R. 6311 – Provides more choice by allowing “bronze” and “catastrophic” plans to be eligible for an HSA, provides relief from premium increases by delaying the Affordable Care Act’s tax on health insurers for an additional 2 years, and allows more people to qualify for an HSA account.
• H.R. 184 – permanently repeals the Affordable Care Act’s job and innovation killing 2.3% excise tax on importers and manufacturers of medical devices.

 
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
 
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Hello, Jan.
 

 
 

 
The unbelievable devastation wrought by the Northern California fires of 2017 has given way to an inspiring rebirth. Santa Rosa, ground zero for the damage, is alive with the sound of skill saws and the constant rapping of hammers, as homeowners – by the thousands – rebuild their lives and homes. 
 
Those fires are mercifully out, but their effects will be far reaching and spread across the entire state. In their aftermath, another set of problems is smoldering in Sacramento, challenging utility ratepayers, the insured, and taxpayers for years to come.
 
The legislature has established a committee to look at a bill offering solutions to our wildfire problem and the costs and liabilities for fire damages. That sounds good until you remember this is the same legislature that didn’t invest in adequate forest management, even as the state’s general fund grew by tens of billions of dollars in the past six years. That sounds good until you remember that this legislature is fixated on plastic straw banning and a thousand other trivialities. That sounds good until you remember that Governor Brown, who will ultimately sign any committee-generated legislation, is more concerned with preventing .0001 degree fluctuations in global temperature 100 years from now and European popularity than he is with the actual pressing issues affecting Californians.
 
With that in mind, here’s one easy prediction from the committee: Your costs are going up.
 
You will pay, one way or another. Your electricity rates – already about 60-percent higher than the rest of the nation – will go up, as the state lets the utility responsible for the fires pass costs along to you.
 
Your insurance rates – already skyrocketing for rural homeowners looking for fire hazard insurance – will shoot even higher to cover increased costs pushed on them by the state.
 
Your taxes, already the highest in the nation, will only push higher as the committee and Governor decide that what has really been fueling our fire epidemic is taxpayers keeping too much of their money. Look for some surcharge or other way to milk taxpayers as a “solution” to California wildfires. Maybe even a reintroduction and expansion of the illegal fire tax that was supposed to help with wildfires in the first place (how did that work out?).
 
In California, every problem is an opportunity to put more fees, charges, and other costs on the backs of the people working harder than ever but falling farther behind. 
 
This state took in billions of extra, unanticipated revenue this year alone. Governor Brown has an obsession with the High-Speed Rail, which will burn billions of taxpayer dollars in perpetuity. That’s real money that could do good if it isn’t wasted by irresponsible Sacramento politicians.  So here’s a novel idea: Put our existing resources where they will actually count.
 
Instead of High-Speed Rail, how about High-Speed Public Safety? Governor Brown and the committee members should commit to providing CalFire every resource it needs to quickly implement the California Fire Plan, a ready-to-go, comprehensive roadmap to slashing California’s fire risk for Fall of 2018. This plan shows that CalFire already knows what to do, it just doesn’t have the resources to do it. This project should be paid for with existing money, to protect every Californian from the infernos that too-often wreck property and steal lives.
 
We will never stop lightning strikes and sparks, and every hot, dry area with trees will have fires. But we can do a far better job than we have done at managing our forests and cutting down risks, all without burning taxpayers and ratepayers in the process. Let’s hope Governor Brown and the committee members agree.
 
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.

SIERRA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE was contacted for assistance by a camper 5.2 miles down Dog Valley Road toward the crystal mines, Verdi on July 9th at 11:42 p.m. The camper reported two mountain lions outside his tent. They had a delayed response. The camper made it to his vehicle and advised they could cancel the response.

CHP REPORTS:
On July 12, 2018 at 4:20 p.m. Sergey Eremeev, 33 of Truckee was driving his Mercedes sedan northbound n SR-89 north of Bear Valley Road at approximately 55 mph. He claimed two deer ran out in front of him causing him to brake and unsafely turn to the left. This caused the vehicle to swerve out of control in a northwesterly direction across the southbound lane and up an embankment that paralleled the west side of SR-89. The vehicle struck and knocked over a snowplow marker just prior to overturning upon the southbound shoulder. The vehicle came to rest on its roof upon the southbound shoulder. Eremeev was wearing his seatbelt and only suffered minor injuries which did not require transport to a hospital after receiving medical care on scene.

On July 18th, on 9:25 p.m., John Doe* was driving a Subaru Impreza westbound on SR-70 just west of the intersection of SR-284 (Frenchman Lake Road), at an unknown speed. 
Tonya Heil, 52 of Portola was driving a 2017 Ford Focus eastbound on SR-70, west of Mr. Doe at an unknown speed. For an unknown reason, Mrs. Heil allowed her vehicle to cross the solid, parallel center line and into the path of Mr. Doe. Mr. Doe attempted to avoid a collision by swerving the right shoulder but his vehicle was struck in the left front and left doors by Mrs. Heil’s vehicle, which caused major passenger compartment intrusion to the Subaru. Mr. Doe succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Mrs. Heil was transported by air ambulance to Renown Medical Center for the injuries she sustained in this collision. The cause of this collision is still under investigation.
* Party #2 is referred to as “John Doe” as next of kin notification has not been confirmed at this time.

On July 22nd, at 6:25 p.m., Joseph Dupre, 52 of Reno was driving his 2015 Fiat southbound on US-395 north of Country Lane in Lassen County at a speed unsafe for the rainy conditions and while he was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. Due to Dupre’s level of intoxication, he lost control of his vehicle and it traveled off the east roadway edge and into the median where it struck a large sagebrush and the vehicle became buried in soft mud. Dupre was uninjured and was subsequently arrested during the course of the collision investigation.


California’s most pressing tobacco control issue: the alarming public health issue of flavored tobacco products in California, particularly among youth. 
Flavored tobacco products have become the mostly commonly used tobacco product among California middle school and high school students.  
Tobacco companies are using appealing flavors and deceptive-looking products to market them to youth and hook kids to harmful tobacco products that are a start for a life-long addiction to nicotine.

 
Plumas National Forest – Fire Restrictions
 
QUINCY, Calif. – Fire restrictions are effective July 21, 2018, within the Plumas National Forest (public land) according to Barbara Drake, Acting Forest Supervisor.
Fire Restrictions

1. You may not build, maintain, attend, or use a fire, campfire or stove fire except in the Designated Recreation Sites in Attachment A of the PNF Forest Order #05-11-00-18-07 even with a valid California Campfire Permit. 
2. Note: campfires must be built within agency installed & approved fire pits.

 
However, lanterns and portable stoves (includes propane campfire units) using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed as long as the forest visitor has a valid California Campfire Permit (http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ ) or from Forest Service offices during normal business hours (M-F; 8-4:30). 

1. No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, Designated Recreation Site (Attachment A), or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
2. No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame.

Some people may be exempt from these restrictions if they have been specifically allowed by the Forest Service via a permit or approved plan of operations or if they are a member of any Federal, State, local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of official duty.
Persons with a Special Use Permit from the Forest Service for a recreation residence on the PNF are exempt from #1 & 2 above, while they are at their recreation residence.
Information about private land fire restrictions (regulated by the CA Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)) may be found at: http://www.calfire.ca.gov .
-more-
 
 
Woodcutting
Woodcutting is currently allowed within the Plumas National Forest (public land) if the daily fire indices permit.  To determine if woodcutting is permitted on a given day, call (800) 847-7766 prior to cutting wood.  A recorded message will notify woodcutters if the next day is hoot-owl (no cutting after 1 pm), open all day (no restrictions), or no woodcutting allowed that day.
            Note: call before 4:30 pm on the day you plan to cut as the message is updated for
the following day at about that time.
Questions about fire restrictions, designated recreation sites and firewood cutting on the Plumas National Forest (public land) may be directed to local Plumas National Forest Service offices including: 

• Supervisor’s Office - (530) 283-2050
• Beckwourth Ranger District (Portola/Milford area) - (530) 836-2575
• Feather River Ranger District (Oroville /Challenge area) - (530) 534-6500
• Mt. Hough Ranger District (Quincy/Greenville area) - (530) 283-0555

 
For more information about the Plumas National Forest visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/plumas and www.Facebook.com/usfsplumas.
 
Key Points:
1.     Plumas National Forest (public land) fire restrictions are effective July 21, 2018.  Campfires allowed in designated recreation sites only.
2.   Woodcutting may be allowed depending on the daily fire danger; call (800) 847-7766 before 4:30 pm daily.
3.   Information about private land fire restrictions may be found at: http://www.calfire.ca.gov .
###
 
 

 
DOWNIEVILLE, CALIF. - One lucky winner will roll away with a special “Tower to Town” edition Santa Cruz Bronson in the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship’s (SBTS) annual $5-Bucks-a-Foot fundraising campaign running from July 20-August 20, 2018. The annual campaign seeks to fund trail building and maintenance in the “Lost Sierra” of California, the region home to the world-famous Downieville Classic mountain bike race.
 
“Downieville is our spiritual home-away-from-home,” said Santa Cruz Bicycles CEO Joe Graney, who contributed the fundraiser’s $8,200 top prize. “The SBTS folks build some of the best trails in the world, and we’re stoked to support their efforts with the new Bronson—the perfect weapon for these trails.”
 
In a new twist to the $5-Bucks-a-Foot formula, Santa Cruz’s design team created a special “Tower to Town” (T2T) bike graphic touting the newly-opened bike-legal route that runs from 8,578-foot perch of the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout tower and drops some 7,000 feet (with a little up-and-down thrown in) to the town of Downieville on what’s one of the longest singletrack descents in North America.
 
Donors can sponsor one-foot sections of trail for $5 with each foot earning an entry to win the bike. The more feet bought, the greater the chances of winning.
 
The T2T route includes newly bike-legal trails like the Sierra Overlook and the Gold Valley Rim Trails as well as long-established courses that include the Sunrise, Butcher Ranch, Pauley Creek, and Big Boulder Trails, as well as the First, Second, and Third Divide Trails.
 
The T2T special edition Bronson is valued at $8,199 and includes the company’s XO1 build spec, Santa Cruz’s Reserve carbon wheels and a Fox 36 fork.
 
The $5 Bucks a Foot campaign starts Friday July 20 and ends Monday August 20, with  the winner to be announced on SBTS and Santa Cruz social media channels on Tuesday, August 21. Funds raised will be used to leverage grants for building and maintaining trails in the region.
 

​Sierraville, Calif.  – Green Forest Service wildland fire engines mobilized with lights flashing down a smoke-filled forest road to a report of a vegetation fire near Little Truckee Summit. Truckee Hotshots filed out of the crew buggies, grabbed their tools, and prepared drip torches. The vegetation fire that these crews prepared to engage, is in fact, not a wildfire. Fire managers set a prescribed fire under safe conditions to provide Tahoe National Forest East Zone wildland fire engine crews from Truckee and Sierraville and the Truckee Hotshots a valuable training opportunity.
 
Crews utilized this live fire to train and demonstrate their proficiency with wildfire suppression tactics in preparation for the fire season.  “We train like we fight fire,” said Shawn Burt, Sierraville Ranger District Battalion Chief. Training together and being proficient with tactics and equipment improves the effectiveness and safety of responses.
 
“The value in training under live fire conditions is that it gives the crews a better perspective to learn more about fire behavior. They observe up close, how fire interacts with the landscape and how it responds to fuels, weather, and topography. Crews can then adjust their tactics in real time accordingly, to learn how they can better protect life, property, and resources when an actual wildfire ignites,” explained Joe Griffin, Truckee Ranger District Battalion Chief.
 
A secondary benefit to this carefully planned live fire training is that it allowed Fuels managers to reintroduce fire into the ecosystem within the prescribed burn unit. Prescribed fire increases forest resiliency by reducing the accumulation of fuels, which improves forest health.
 
Fire managers and resources prepare year round to respond to natural and human caused wildfire, as well as other all-risk incidents, that occur every year in the Tahoe National Forest and nationally. On the East Zone, in Truckee and Sierraville, a total of four prevention techs in patrol trucks, five engine crews and the Truckee Hotshots conduct training that enables crews to effectively and safely respond, manage, and assist with all-risk incidents. This provides greater protection for public safety and natural resources. 
 
In addition to the live fire training at Little Truckee Summit, wildland fire crews trained under live fire conditions for all-risk incidents at the Grass Valley Emergency Command Center. Practicing with vehicle and dumpster fires enhance their capabilities with SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) use when responding to incidents such as these.
Firefighting is inherently dangerous and all fire personnel are provided with basic medical training. Firefighters may also be Emergency Medical Technicians. Fire crews frequently practice scenarios to be able to assist during a medical incident both on and off the fireline.
Firefighters attend classes and refreshers covering subjects such as weather and fire behavior, chainsaw operation, portable pumps to provide water to fires, maps and compass, radio communication, and leadership. A culture of learning is fostered by reviewing lessons learned from past incidents, as well as studying fires where a firefighter fatality occurred.
Forest Service fire crews cross-train with other local Fire agencies to improve communication and efficiency during mutual aid responses. USFS fire crews are a national resource and respond to local incidents as well as national ones where they will fight fire alongside other agencies all over the country.
“Train like your life depends on it.” is a statement that holds true for the Tahoe National Forest firefighters and fire managers so that after responding to any type of incident, from wildfires to vehicle and dumpster fires, and medical incidents, everyone goes home. The public can also help their community and firefighters by preparing for wildfire and practicing responsible fire safety. For more info, check out readyforwildfire.org and preventwildfireca.org.
 
Media Inquiries can be directed to: Meredith Anello, manello@fs.fed.us, (530) 587-3558 #242
                       
For more information about the Tahoe National Forest, go to www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe. Join the conversation by following us on Twitter at twitter.com/Tahoe_NF and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TahoeNF.
###
 

State Public Health Officer Urges Pregnant Women to get Immunized
 
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today
Pertussis, better known as whooping cough, claimed the life of a San Bernardino County infant. This is the first confirmed infant death from the disease since 2016, when two deaths occurred.
 
“This baby’s death is a tragedy for the family and for California as a community, as this is a preventable disease,” said Dr. Karen Smith, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. "This serves as a grim reminder that whooping cough is always present in our communities, and immunizations are the first line of defense."
 
Each year, 50-200 California infants are hospitalized with pertussis. CDPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that expectant mothers receive the whooping cough booster shot (also called Tdap, or tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine) at the earliest opportunity between 27 and 36 weeks of every pregnancy, even if previously immunized. Getting immunized during pregnancy boosts a mother’s immunity and passes on protective antibodies directly to their babies before birth. This helps protect newborns until they are old enough to begin receiving their own whooping cough immunizations at 6 to 8 weeks of age.
 
“No baby should have to be hospitalized due to a vaccine-preventable disease, and certainly no baby should die,” said Dr. Smith. “To give babies the best protection, I urge all pregnant women to get vaccinated against whooping cough as early as possible during the third trimester of every pregnancy.”


To avoid the spread of whooping cough, CDPH also recommends that:
·      Parents immunize their babies against whooping cough as soon as possible. The first dose is recommended at two months of age, but can be given as early as six weeks of age.
·      California 7th grade students receive the whooping cough booster, Tdap.

• Adults receive a whooping cough booster once in their lives.

 
The symptoms of whooping cough vary by age. For children, whooping cough typically starts with a runny nose and cough for one to two weeks. The cough then worsens and often results in rapid coughing spells that end with a whooping sound. Young infants may not have typical whooping cough symptoms and may have no apparent cough. Parents may describe episodes in which breathing briefly stops and the infant’s face turns red or purple. For adults, whooping cough may be a cough illness that lasts for several weeks.
 
Most health plans cover Tdap immunizations, and many pharmacies offer it. Medi-Cal members may be able to get their Tdap shots at the pharmacy where they usually pick up their prescriptions. Call your health plan to learn more. If you do not have health insurance, call your local health department to find a low- or no-cost location.
 
More information about pertussis is available on CDPH’s website.
 
 
www.cdph.ca.gov
 
 
 
 

​SUSANVILLE, Calif. — Typical summer weather patterns bringing warmer, drier conditions to the area, have increased the potential for fire activity across the Forest. As a result, the Lassen National Forest announced that fire restrictions will be raised effective July 20, 2018 and will remain in effect until the end of fire season in late autumn. These restrictions will affect the use of campfires, stoves, smoking and internal combustion engines, and operating a motor vehicle on National Forest System lands.
 
While not exempt from these fire restrictions, the conditions for woodcutting on the Lassen National Forest has changed during elevated restrictions. Now with a valid Forest Service fuelwood permit, woodcutters may operate a chainsaw to cut firewood if the daily fire project activity levels allow.
 
It is the responsibility of the cutter to obtain the “Woodcutting Status” each day prior to cutting by calling (530) 257-9553.  The recorded message will be updated daily to notify potential cutters if the next day has any restrictions such as, 1 o’clock shut-down, open all day (no restrictions), or no woodcutting allowed that day.
 
Additional highlights of the restrictions in effect include:
 

• Open fires are prohibited outside of designated, developed campgrounds and camp sites, even with a valid California campfire permit. Designated Recreation Sites that are exempted from fire restrictions (Order #06-18-01 Exhibit A) are exempted because fuel management within these areas decreases the likelihood of fire start and subsequent transfer to wildland. The Caribou and Thousand Lakes Wilderness Area are exempted, the past winter has moderated the susceptibility of fuel conditions to fire slight and visitor use is low.  The designated area map for the High Lakes Recreation Area (Order # 06-18-01 Exhibit B) is also exempted because the fuel arrangement within the area decreases the likelihood of fire start and subsequent transfer to wildland.
• Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle, building or designated recreation site.
• Operating an external combustion engine, except a motor vehicle is prohibited outside designated recreation sites.
• Motor vehicles are allowed only on established Forest System roads, trails or within designated recreation sites.
• Welding and operating acetylene or other torches with an open flame is prohibited.

 
“The mix of high temperatures and winds increase fire danger,” Lassen National Forest Fire Management Officer Steve Griffin said. “The most important thing is for forest visitors to exercise caution when out in the forest.”
 
Visit the Lassen National Forest web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lassen   to learn more about fire restrictions or contact your local Forest Service office.
 
·         Forest Headquarters              (530) 257-2151
·         Almanor Ranger District        (530) 258-2141
·         Eagle Lake Ranger District     (530) 257-4188
·         Hat Creek Ranger District      (530) 336-5521
 
                                                                                                                                                  ###

 
 
 

Nancy Barrera
Realty Specialist

Forest Service
Lassen National Forest

p: 530-252-6414
nbarrera@fs.fed.us

2550 Riverside Drive
Susanville, CA 96130
www.fs.fed.us


Caring for the land and serving people

 
 




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The Summit Schoolhouse on Hwy. 70, just West of Vinton, CA, was built in 1868 and turned 150 years old this year, 2018.  Martin Meyer, of Meyer Painting, recently finished repainting the school.  The last few years took its toll on the outside of the structure, but Martin made a huge effort to preserve as much as he could, with keeping everything in tack, prior to the painting.
The school was purchased by Ed & Diane Yang, in 2015.  Ed, being a retired High School teacher, and both appreciating historic buildings, made this purchase just the right fit.  It has been their intention to have enough antique furnishings to show what the school would have looked like, in its time, but with enough conveniences to make it comfortable for their getaway place.
The school previously was located several miles East, in the Chilcoot/Summit area.  In 1884, the school was moved to its present location, where there were more school-aged children.  Many descendants still live in the area.
In 1938, a room was added to the back of the one-room school.  The extra room was need for schooling, as well as creating inside bathrooms for the boys and girls.  Later, when Jim & Katie Freedman (Reno High School teachers) purchased the school from the Summit School District, they had many restoration projects, which included turning the boys' bathroom into a shower area, adding a kitchen, refinishing the original wood floors, re-slating the roof, etc.
Last year, 2017, Summit School was one of the venues for the Sierra Valley Art and Ag Trail.  Over 430 people visited the schoolhouse, in one day.  Diane commented, "We were surprised how many, in the community, have connections to the school, through previous relatives or other means. It was touching to know there is a lot of sentiment, since it is our intention to preserve the building, as much as we can."
This year, the schoolhouse will also be part of the trail, for the one-day event, on Saturday, September 29, 2018. For information regarding the Sierra Valley Art and Ag Trail, please visit the following links:  https://www.sierravalleyartagtrail.org/ and www.facebook.com/SierraValleyArtAgTrail/.
There is a Lending Library, located in the driveway of Summit School.  Everyone is invited to borrow books and magazines, bringing them back when finished.  Through generous donations of books, Ed & Diane turned the Carriage House into a library, where they added bookcases to store the books.  The Carriage House Library will be open intermittently.  Unfortunately, in the Winter, the driveway is inaccessible and both the Driveway and Carriage House Libraries are closed.
Ed and Diane love to show the Schoolhouse to those stopping by.  It was built and run by the community where they believe it should remain available to tour, when possible.  They are happy to take part in trying to preserve a piece of history.

by Dan Weber, president, Association of Mature American Citizens


Forget about the threat of socialism or even communism; the real threat comes from those who want to foist Idiocracy down our throats. Merriam-Webster defines Idiocracy as “a form of government in which a country or territory is run by fools.” And, the madness of anti-government protests that have swept the country since the election of President Donald Trump indicate that the fools are hell bent on taking over.


The opposition certainly has a right to voice opinions, but only idiots would go to the extremes that the Never-Trumper movement has gone since Mr. Trump took office. 


A new Rasmussen survey shows that 59% of American voters fear that the opposition has become so intense it is likely to lead to widespread violence. And, almost a third of respondents in that study said they believe the country is headed for a new Civil War.


Broadcaster Denis Prager, host of The Denis Prager Show, put it this way: “This Second Civil War, fortunately, differs in another critically important way: It has thus far been largely nonviolent. But given increasing left-wing violence, such as riots, the taking over of college presidents’ offices and the illegal occupation of state capitols, nonviolence is not guaranteed to be a permanent characteristic of the Second Civil War.”


Meanwhile, strident liberal factions are now calling for the elimination of ICE, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement component of the Department of Homeland Security. Even many mainstream Democrats think that’s an ill-conceived notion; it would leave the country unprotected. It would be a lot like cutting off your nose to spite your face. 


Hand in hand with the notion of doing away with law enforcers who protect our borders is the novel idea of opening our borders and letting in anyone who might care to come into the country uninvited. Imagine the hardships that would ensue for those of us who already live here. Authoritative estimates put the number of people who would move here from another country at 100 million to 150 million or more. Where would they live? Where would they work? What would they eat? What impact would it have on crime rates?


Opposition from the right against the reign of Barack Obama was admittedly widespread during his tenure, but it was a civil opposition. There were no incidents that even approached the vicious magnitude of the attempt on the life of Rep. Steve Scalise [R-LA] and fellow Republican Congressmen out for a night of baseball last year.  A lone shooter, James Hodgkinson, who harbored violent anti-Republican views, was out to kill as many Republican lawmakers as he could on the night of June 14, 2017. He severely wounded Rep. Scalise and 2 Capitol Police officers, a congressional staffer and a lobbyist before he was shot and killed.


During Mr. Obama’s two terms in office, we didn’t have sitting Republican representatives issuing calls such as the one from Rep Maxine Waters [D-CA] last month. You’ll recall that she told her constituents “If you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd and you push back on them! And you tell them that they are not welcome, anymore, anywhere,”


And, if you don’t think the media is wittingly or unwittingly culpable in distorting the truth in order to promote a new brand of socialist anarchy, you have another think coming.


Instead of reporting the facts of a news story the way a reporter with integrity used to do in day, they prefer to put a spin on their reportage. And, more likely than not, they will spin the facts to suit ideologically liberal notions of how things should be, things such as how the country should be run.


Recently a scholarly report was published that focused on the reason public respect and support has declined for the venerable U.S. Supreme Court. The report was researched and written by two university professors, Matthew Hitt at Colorado State and Kathleen Searles at Louisiana State. Their conclusion was: “To know the Court is to love it, but to watch [TV] coverage of the Court is to dislike it.”


As commentator Michael Dempsey put it recently in a letter to the editor of the Echo Press in Alexandria, MN: “The greater problem is media bias and it's absolutely palpable. It's about opinion disguising itself as news, not from rogue websites on the Internet, but from CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN, the New York Times and the Washington Post. Watching a network news program at 5:30 has become laughable. Every night it's an anti-Trump feeding frenzy with nothing to feed on but speculation regarding the so-called Russian collusion and outright lies, distortions and deliberate omissions, as in this most recent story of children being "ripped from their mothers' arms" at the border.”


Idiocracy, indeed! 


The Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC] [https://www.amac.us] is the nation’s largest conservative senior advocacy organization

On June 30, 2018 at 3:20 p.m. Alexandra Ellis, 31, of Sparks, NV was driving a 2013 Kia westbound on Dixie Valley Road east of Carmen Road at an unknown speed, while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. 
Travis Conley, 54 of Portola was driving a 2017 Kia eastbound on Dixie Valley Road at approximately 15 mph. As Ms. Ellis circumvented a blind curve in the roadway at a speed unsafe for conditions, she allowed her  vehicle to cross the center of the roadway and the left front fender of her vehicle struck the left front fender of Conley’s vehicle. As a result of this collision, Katherina Conley, 53, of Portola, who was seated in the right front passenger seat of the 2017 Kia, and properly wearing a seatbelt, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Eastern Plumas District Hospital. Subsequent to the collision, Ms. Ellis was arrested for driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.

On July 7th at 4:52 p.m., Robert Rose, 49, of Ross, CA was driving a 1999 Chevrolet on SR-49 approaching Hamlin Lane. Rose was tired due to getting an insufficient amount of sleep the night before, while traveling during most of the day. Rose subsequently turned to the right as he “blanked out for a sec.” He traveled onto the southbound shoulder where his vehicle struck and damaged a Caltrans mile post marker. Rose was able to regain control of the vehicle and was quickly pulled over by Sierra County Sheriff Deputy K. Crawford, who had witnessed the entire incident. Rose and passenger, Wendy Loredo of Sacramento were wearing seatbelts and there were no injuries reported.

On July 8th at 8:05 p.m., on an unnamed dirt road in Chilcoot, Micah Edwards, 17 of Sierraville was riding a 1994 Honda motorcycle eastbound east of Patterson Street at an unknown speed. Ahead of Edwards was a large hole which was approximately 20 feet deep. Edwards failed to observe the hole and he subsequently drove the Honda into it causing a collision. He had major injuries and was taken to Renown in Reno. The collision remains under investigation.

On July 8th at 0050 hours, Dana Corley, Jr., 19, of Reno, NV was driving a 2015 Hyundai Elantra westbound on SR-70, at approximately 25 mph and was preparing to make a left turn onto the southbound US-395 on-ramp. Corley was driving too fast for the turn and the vehicle understeered off of the west road edge of the on-ramp and the front of the Hyundai struck a light pole. As a result of the collision, the vehicle was disabled. Corley and his two passengers, Dylan Baker, 20 of Reno, NV and Chase, of Reno, NV exited the vehicle and walked away from the scene. Corley was returned to the scene by his parents at a later time to file a collision report with CHP.



 
CAPTURE THE SUNSET WEEK is the third full week of July!  The third full week of July was selected, as more people are outdoors at sunset in mid summer, increasing the chances of catching a great, maybe award winning picture.

 
Farms, ranches, vineyards, orchards, even rural domestic properties realize that limited groundwater hurts businesses and can develop into a dysfunctional lifestyle. You don’t have to look far to see this. Pahrump, Nevada is a perfect example. Groundwater in this area receives around 20,000 acre-feet annually and uses approximately 13,000 acre-feet per year today. But the water needs of an increasing population and the need to grow more food quickly is overtaking the ability for the groundwater aquifer to refill. Pahrump has set itself up for failing to meet the water needs of tomorrow unless something changes today.  California is the same. Look at the farming communities of the Central Valley of California.
 
California is experiencing severe subsidence of the land surface, significant loss of aquifer storage,   brutal declines in the water table and an increase in pollutants in some aquifer systems. Nearly 1,000 people lost their well water in Porterville, California.  Paso Robles, California is no different. Water levels have dropped in some of the groundwater aquifers over 100 feet in recent years. It became such a big issue that an emergency action was put into effect in San Luis Obispo County. The new ordinance required any new groundwater pumping to be offset with an equal amount of reduced groundwater demand in the basin. California has responded by passing the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014. They recognize that water demand and annual water availability need to hold each other up.
 
But the “zero sum management alternative” or the notion that increasing crop yield by improving water efficiency doesn't help if you use the same amount of water. Ultimately, you will have no future because you’re still running out of water. Simply put, when there is no longer good quality groundwater to pump, there will be less food, less work and a damaged economy. Dysfunction is not what we want. We want certainty that water will be available to each of us into the future; for us, our kids and grand kids.
 
 

There is a way to accomplish this. Set your mind on making decisions that work today and protect your water needs ten years from now. This can only be done, without hardship, by understanding the limits and capacity of your aquifer system and vulnerabilities that you face. Successful farmers and management agencies need a working understanding of their groundwater supply so they know when to back off or move ahead.
 
So ask yourself, do you know your water? If you had all the data in the world but don’t understand what it is telling you or how to apply it at the right time then you are no better off than not having any information.
 
Operation Unite® believes and has demonstrated that empowering groundwater users and customers is the most important part of a groundwater monitoring program. We believe that giving you the information you need and teaching you how to use it will result in you making good solutions. Solutions that are good for business and good for the community.
 
Why don’t we get specific? Go ahead and test your groundwater supply future. Can you say “Yes” to the questions below?

1. Does your well’s water level indicate a stable, long-term trend?
2. Has your water quality rating remained healthy during the last five years?
3. Is your groundwater level recovering between pumping cycles?
4. Does your well water remain stable when the rivers and creeks stop flowing? 
5. Does your information add certainty to future water projections?

Do you need more data to accurately answer the above questions? If so, Operation Unite® can help through our scaled groundwater management programs. We have programs that provide the information that you need; individually, within a neighborhood or sub-region or community.
 
If you can say yes to the above questions, you will find success in knowing your water. If you said “No” to any of the above questions, Operation Unite® can help you generate and analyze the right data and engage the water users in making good groundwater management decisions. Our public relationship building and monitoring programs support you, start to finish.
 
Knowing your water and making decisions based on real data gives you the best opportunity for success. The consequences of your water decisions is an easy analytic for recognizing that success.
 
It will once again be nice to know that at the end of the day, all will be good.
 
Stephen Baker
Founder of Operation Unite®
Producer of Living Water® programming
Developer of the “Know Your Water®” program
530-263-1007; stevebaker@operationunite.co
​

By a unanimous vote, the 23 State of Jefferson County Committees have announced their strong opposition to Draper's 3;Way State split initiative, as proposed. Last week, Draper received news that his proposal to split California into three states, had qualified for the November ballot.


State of Jefferson (SOJ) encompasses twenty-three counties, from Mariposa in the south and Siskiyou to the North. State of Jefferson dba Citizens for Fair Representation is the largest and only movement in the state, seeking equal/fair representation for all citizens living in California's 58 County's.


California has the worst imbalance of representation in their state legislature of all 50 States. In May of 2017, Citizens for Fair Representation (CFR) filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Alex Padilla, for lack of representation and dilution of vote. In a hearing on June 14, in the United States Federal District Court, in Sacramento, Judge Kimberly Mueller, denied the states attorneys motion, to “dismiss with prejudice” CFR's case against Secretary of State Alex Padilla.


Judge Mueller has yet to rule on CFR's attorney's request, for their case to be heard before a 3;judge panel, as ruled in the case Shapiro v McManus. An action filed challenging the Constitutionality of reapportionment of Congressional and state legislature districts. Under Title 3, Section 2284, cases involving representation or dilution of vote cannot be heard by a single judge and must be heard before a 3-judge panel


Jefferson has always been about forming the 51st State and representation for all in California's 58 County's.  In January 2016, twenty-one County's filed declarations with the California Secretary of State, seeking equal/fair representation and/or to separate (not secede) from the State of California. All went ignored by their elected representatives,  leading CFR to take legal action.. Mariposa & Stanislaus  joined SOJ this year, bringing the total to 23 Counties.


State of Jefferson is in favor of splitting California into smaller, separate state(s). However, Draper's initiative does nothing to resolve the imbalance of representation, not only within the boundaries he  established for those in the 23 Jefferson Counties, but also those in Draper's two other proposed states.


Draper does not resolve the issue of the high costs incurred for candidates running for a state office. There are 11 counties in northern California, represented by (1) State Senator. Any incumbents and their opponents, must pay filing fees in each of those 11 county's in order to be on that county's election ballot. Compare this to Los Angeles County, with15 Senators representing (1) one single County and candidates only having to pay one filing fee. This deters many good people from running for office.


Draper is fully aware of SOJ's well established policy's for their new state - smaller government, part time legislature, fewer regulations, no corporate business tax, just to mention a few.  A business friendly state, where the voices of the people will be equally represented, respected and heard. In no way will this be the case in Draper's plan, that includes Jefferson's 23 County's in the same state with the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Clara County, Silicon Valley and Sacramento. 


Response By Mark Baird, Jefferson Spokesperson
“California is irreparably broken. We need to start over. It is the only way to escape the utter lack of representation suffered by the citizens of Jefferson and citizens of California.”


“Tim Draper's 3-state initiative will not accomplish this! Draper failed to consult the people in the affected counties as to their wish to be included in one of his states constructs, where Jefferson has rallied popular support in every one of its 23 counties. We know the will of our citizens. Tim Draper and his paid minions, never asked.”


“Draper's initiative fails to consider that Congress must approve by majority vote, all Article 3, Section 3 splits. The prospect of three blue states is not very appealing to us, nor will it be to Congress. Jefferson, on the other hand, proposes breaking California into two parts. We propose the addition of only one new state with true Constitutional Republic and adequate representation, which will grow with population. We propose a State Senate with equal representation for our counties, as a check on power to our State Assembly.”


“Finally, Tim Draper proposes 3 states which would be dominated by the same urban counties that currently dominate California politics. WE WILL NOT SUBMIT TO CONTINUED TYRANNY by simply adding more deck chairs to the Titanic.”


“The people of Jefferson demand Liberty with adequate representation within a state of our own making and we will settle for nothing less. We the People of the State of Jefferson created government to secure out Liberty and our Rights. We will fight to secure that Liberty. The Time Has Come for 51 States.”


Contact


Terry Gherardi
State of Jefferson dba Citizens for Fair Representation
530-677-4294
liberty_x@sbcglobal.net


    

 
Sacramento, Ca – June 13, 2018--Funding for fire protection planning, education and fuels reduction projects in California
 
California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) will be re-opening its $5.45 million grant competition for 2018 Fire Prevention Grants Program for funding for fire prevention education, planning and hazardous fuels reduction projects.
The 30 day extension will encourage applicants to utilize CAL FIRE’s 2018 CCI grants to meet the match requirement.
Applications submitted during the first round may be revised or left as-is.
Approximately $5.45 million are available in two grant programs:
 
State Fire Assistance “SFA and SMG” Grant Program
• $4.15 million in funding available
• Funds are available for all fire prevention activities including training, planning, hazardous fuel treatment, and fire prevention education.
• Projects must be located in California or the Tahoe region of Nevada.
• The maximum amount that can be requested has been increased from $200,000 to $250,000
• The match requirement is 100% or dollar-for-dollar.
 
Tree Mortality “TMG” Grant Program
• $1.3 million in funding available
• Funds are available for all fire prevention activities including training, planning, hazardous fuel treatment, and fire prevention education.
• Projects are restricted to the 10 ear marked “Tree Mortality Counties” Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Placer, Tulare and Tuolumne.
• The maximum amount that can be requested has been increased from $130,000 to $300,000.
• The match requirement is 25%.
 
Acknowledgements
This grant program and publication are funded in full by the U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region under the terms of Grant numbers 17-DG-11052012-122, 17-DG-11052012-139, and 17-DG-11052012-147. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Forest Service. CFSC is an equal opportunity provider.                                    ​

AAA’s Tipsy Tow aims to keep impaired drivers off the road
WALNUT CREEK. July 2, 2018. AAA wants YOU to keep your independence this Fourth of July. To discourage patriotic party goes from driving impaired, the safety advocate is offering a free tow and ride home with its Tipsy Tow service.

“Increased traffic combined with celebrations that commonly involve alcohol makes the Fourth of July one of the most dangerous days on the road of the year,” said Michael Blasky, spokesman for AAA Northern California. “We want drivers to think twice about getting behind the wheel if they’re impaired, while offering them a resource they can rely on if they find themselves in a precarious situation.”

AAA offers the following tips for Fourth of July road safety:

• Avoid distractions. Designate a passenger to respond to calls, texts and navigate if you have one. Otherwise, focus on driving.
• Be patient. The majority of Americans will drive to their Independence Day destinations. Avoid peak commute times such as late afternoon and early evening if possible.  
• Pledge to drive drug and alcohol free. Impairment plays a major role in holiday crashes. AAA urges drivers to pledge to drive safe and sober.

In an effort to make roads safer for everyone, AAA is offering its Tipsy Tow service beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, and running through 6 a.m. Thursday, July 5. To use the service, drivers, passengers, party hosts, bartenders and/or restaurant and resort managers should all 1-800-AAA-HELP (1-800-222-4357) during the service period and state that they need a Tipsy Tow.

Although Uncle Sam’s favorite Americans are AAA members, you don’t need to be a AAA member to request a Tipsy Tow. AAA will provide free 10 miles of towing for a driver, one passenger and their vehicle. Any additional miles are subject to a standard towing rate. AAA does not accept reservations for Tipsy Tow. The service does not include roadside assistance.

AAA estimates that a first-time DUI conviction can cost a motorist more than $10,000 in fines, penalties, legal fees and increased insurance costs.

AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 100 years ago. Visit AAA.com.



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