​Jeff McCollum, Chief of Sierra County Fire Protection District #1 has decided to take a break from the District Chief positon which oversees the Sierraville, Sattley, and Calpine Volunteer Fire Departments.   The District also provides medical aid and fire protection to Verdi CA, Long Valley, Sierra Brooks, and communities and ranches adjacent to Loyalton through service agreements with the City of Loyalton and Truckee Meadows Fire District.
McCollum was asked to be District Chief in 2013 and assumed command in 2014.  His rein has been highlighted by significant upgrades in the fleet, communications system, and equipment available to the volunteers.   “There is now a seatbelt in every truck we own” stated McCollum in jest.   But the comment does reflect the notable improvement in the fleet.    Other highlights include a recent purchase of a mobile compressed air/ light tower that enhances the capabilities of all the departments in Sierra Valley when coupled with a similar unit stationed in Vinton and owed by Sierra Valley Fire Department. 
McCollum and his wife Tami will continue as volunteers. Additionally, Jeff will manage radios, repeaters, and help with fleet oversight.  
Mick Connelly, a former fire fighter in Stockton Fire Department and current resident of Calpine, will step up as Interim District Chief.   Connelly has been with the District for 4 years as a Division Chief responsible for training, recruitment, and retention.   The Board of Commissioners asked Connelly to take on the District Chief role for a 6 month to 1 year period to “see how the shoe fit”.  
“We can’t express enough our appreciation to Jeff for his leadership and untold number of volunteered hours over his 6 year term”, said Commissioner Rick Maddalena.   “He can stand proud of his accomplishments.”      “We welcome Mick to this new role and pledge our support to help him be equally successful” added Maddalena.
 

Plumas and Sierra Counties, CA – Recently, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has become aware of a number of reports regarding “mysterious and unsolicited seeds from China and others parts of Asia”. The seed packages, often labeled as jewelry, toys, etc., are being shipped to homeowners throughout the U.S., including Plumas and Sierra Counties. The CDFA is communicating with the United States Department of Agriculture to determine any necessary actions for shipments received in California.

In the meantime, the Plumas and Sierra Counties Department of Agriculture is instructing residents not to open, plant, or dispose of any unsolicited seed packets received, but to contact our office. Invasive species can devastate the environment, displace or destroy native plants and insects, severely damage crops, and poison livestock. Taking steps to prevent their introduction is the most effective way to protect our agricultural industry and the environment.
We encourage recipients of these seeds to contact our office at (530) 283-6365 for arrangement to collect, isolate, and properly store the seed. If you have planted the seeds, please contact our office for additional direction.
Plumas-Sierra Counties Department of Agriculture 208 Fairground Road
Quincy, CA 95971
(530) 283-6265 (timgibson@countyofplumas.com) 

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Tragic fire strikes Plumas Crisis Intervention and Resource Center in Quincy
Photo by Carlos Ramirez via Kathy Michael
Story by Sierra Business Council <info@sierrabusiness.org>​
​On Wednesday, July 29th, a fire raged through Quincy, burning several structures including several homes, the brewing operations for Quintopia Brewing Company, the costume and prop building for our local community theatre and children's drama program, and the building for Plumas Crisis Intervention and Resource Center (PCIRC).

Sadly, PCIRC's home office, their entire supply for the local food bank, and their supply of PPE slated for distribution in the county were all lost in the fire.

Our hearts go out to our friends and partners at PCIRC and everyone impacted by this tragedy in Quincy. Throughout the Sierra there are countless examples of tenacity, grit, and community in the face of adversity through fire, but that doesn't make it any less devastating when it happens.

Please join us in supporting the PCIRC's recovery efforts. To donate to the PCIRC and other impacted organizations, please follow the links below.

 Plumas Crisis Intervention and Resource Center

PCIRC provides direct services to many vulnerable people throughout Plumas County, who need their support now more than ever. Despite losing their own home just yesterday, PCIRC is already open remotely. If you're in need of emergency services, please contact Cathy at highsierragrants@yahoo.com or (530) 591-5697. 

If you're able to help, the most immediate need is financial. Here's how to donate:

• Preferred: Send checks to PCIRC c/o Ohana House, PO Box 3005, Quincy, CA 95971
• Preferred: Donate at Plumas Bank or U.S. Bank
• Donate through PayPal on PCIRC's website: pcirc1.org/donate

Quintopia Brewing Company Mutual Aid

 
 
Contribute to Quintopia Mutual Aid: gf.me/u/yjftfn
West End Theatre and dramaworks


The West End Theatre and dramaworks support community theatre and offer youth empowerment programs through drama. They lost their 30-year collection of costumes, sets, and props in the fire.

• Donate to help them rebuild: westendtheatre.us/fire.html

 
Van Maddox, Sierra County Treasurer-Tax Collector reminds miners, boat owners and others with unsecured taxable property that the unsecured tax bills for 2020-21 must be paid by August 31.  “Avoid the 10% penalty that attaches if the payment is not received timely.”  California does not have a grace period but August 31 postmarks are accepted. 
 
Unsecured property taxes are assessed on mining claims, equipment, boats, airplanes, structures on public lands such as summer homes, and other types of personal property and possessory interests.  The bills are mailed in July and are due in one installment on August 31 each year.
 
Please contact the Tax Collector’s Office at 289-3286 or email: collector@sierracounty.ca.gov if you have questions or need more information.
 
COVID19: In light of recent developments, including the new guidance from the Governor of the State of California, and as a precautionary measure to help slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID19), the Sierra County Treasurer-Tax Collector will not be providing services to the public on a walk-in basis. We will provide service at the counter for tax payers and those needing to complete the Affidavit of Assessment Work Notice or Notice of Intent to Hold, by appointment only. Requests can be made by calling 530-289-3286 or email collector@sierracounty.ca.gov Members of the public must adhere to the following requirements for the duration of their appointment:
 
·      Avoid entering the Courthouse if you have a cough or fever
·      Maintain a minimum six-foot distance from one another
·      Please wear your face covering

Emergency Repairs Necessitate Intermittent Eastbound Lane Closures
 
NEVADA COUNTY – Caltrans is alerting motorists and truck drivers of anticipated delays on eastbound Interstate 80 this week from Boca to Floriston for emergency guardrail repairs.
 
Maintenance crews will be replacing damaged guardrail between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Interstate 80 eastbound lane reductions will be in effect during these periods for the safety of highway workers.
 
During guardrail repair periods, permit load trucks may expect delays on Interstate 80 from Boca to Floriston. Caltrans will be coordinating with the California Highway Patrol to safely guide permit load trucks through the work zone. Motorists should also anticipate travel delays in the area and slow for work zones.
 
Weather or unexpected events may delay or prolong the work. Caltrans advises motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert.” The department will issue updates on Twitter @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.

 
By Dr. Glenn Mollette
 
I understand and affirm that black lives matter. Some of my dearest friends are black people. I love them and they matter. There are many black people, who I do not know, but they matter just the same. 
 
Red people matter. Yellow people matter. Brown people matter. White people matter. 
 
Coalminers, butchers, factory workers, plumbers, bakers, carpenters, waiters, cooks, physicians, attorneys, politicians, ditch diggers, ministers, writers, journalists, actors, sports heroes, laboratory researchers, pharmaceutical companies, nurses, secretaries, schoolteachers, EMTs, veterans, and service men and women, representing us in our branches of service, matter.   Of course, the list goes on and on. Do any of these people not matter? They all matter.
 
Do I matter? I finally figured out that I really do matter when I understood that God only made one of me. He made me and he didn't make me to be somebody else. Being me was the greatest thing in the world, for me. Embracing me, has totally liberated me and given me a whole new freedom to enjoy life. I matter. My wife and children and grandchildren matter. My siblings, friends, neighbors and acquaintances are just like me. They are all unique individuals and they matter. 
 
I'm trying to keep all my body parts working. My legs, lungs, liver, kidneys, feet, hands, eyes, heart, etc. It's not easy and I'm always doing maintenance. Could I live with one arm? A neighbor who taught school and who was one of the greatest people I knew growing up taught classes and refereed basketball with one arm. He was an inspiring human being.  I have another friend who does life very well with one real leg and one artificial leg. Truthfully, all body parts matter. 
 
We can make it without some body parts but most of us don't want to. Which body part doesn't matter to you? They all matter and it's important to keep them working in harmony as long as possible. A harmonious healthy body is a beautiful body and seemingly can do almost anything. If a doctor determines cancer is in a part of your body then it requires attention and removal in order to save your life. A body can't live long with a growing cancer. Often poisoned organs have to be aggressively removed to save the body.  Standing by and patiently watching to see what the cancer does next will most surely lead to death. 
 
What body part doesn't matter? They all matter. What human being does not matter? All matter. As we affirm that black lives matter, we have to ask if there is anyone who doesn't matter? Are there humans who are less significant? Less deserving? Is there any human being who should ever by classified as second or third rate? No, not one. 
 
We've heard before that, "Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world." May all discrimination of any kind end on our planet. May injustices toward anyone because of skin color be held in abomination. May no one be allowed to treat others obscenely or inhumanely without severe repercussion. 
 
Who doesn't matter? You matter. We all matter. 


 

WASHINGTON – The first child to die of heatstroke in a car this year sneaked outside his family’s home, climbed into the family car, and became trapped.  More than half of the hot car deaths in 2020 have happened the same way.  NHTSA urgently asks you to encourage your viewers and readers to always keep their cars locked in the garage or driveway—even if they don’t have children of their own. 


With more parents and children at home right now, the risk that unlocked vehicles pose is real – and urgent. Please help us spread the word and protect children in your community.


Online Resources 


https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/heatstroke
www.noheatstroke.org
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JULY 28, 2020 — The U.S. Census Bureau announced that it will begin emailing households in low-responding areas to encourage them to respond to the 2020 Census.

“These emails are a final reminder for people to respond to the 2020 Census on their own,” said Northern and Central California spokesperson Marna Davis with the U.S. Census Bureau. “Census takers will begin visiting households that have not yet responded to the census on August 11, 2020.”  
The emails will alert households in low-response areas that time is running out and their response to the 2020 Census is important for their communities. The email messages will invite people to respond online at 2020census.gov.
People who receive the email and haven’t already responded should click on the link provided and complete the census online. It’s easy, safe and important.
The emails will go to all households that the Census Bureau has contact information for in census block groups with a response rate lower than 50%. This will include households who may have already responded.
The email messages will come from 2020census@subscriptions.census.gov and will give recipients the option to opt out of receiving future messages. The Census Bureau is also considering sending text messages to areas that have low response. 
Households have until October 31 to respond to the 2020 Census. However, census takers will begin following up with households nationwide next month.
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