Work Continues at Various Locations in Placer and Nevada Counties
PLACER/NEVADA COUNTIES – Caltrans is reminding motorists of lane closures and delays along Interstate 80 (I-80) as emergency repair work continues in various locations in both Placer and Nevada Counties. Here is the breakdown for next week: Eastbound I-80
Westbound I-80
Caltrans will monitor all delays to ensure the maximum delay will not exceed more than two hours. So far average delays are around 5 to 10 minutes for each location. The schedule is subject to change or be delayed due to weather, availability of materials or other unexpected events. Caltrans performed an extensive field review of the I-80 corridor earlier this year and found an unprecedented amount of damage. Several areas exhibit moderate to high levels of rutting due to chain wear and need immediate repair. Five emergency contracts were executed for the repairs, totaling $84.4 million. The primary contractors are Teichert, Vanguard Construction, Dees Burke Engineering Constructors, Granite Construction, and Q&D Construction. The extended lane closures will help to minimize the duration of the project, speeding completion and improve workers’ safety. The climate in the area also provides a limited temperature window to perform the needed repairs. Caltrans District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Caltrans reminds motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert” and slow in construction zones for the safety of travelers and crews performing these improvements. The department will issue construction updates on X @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play. | CleanCA.com | CleanWaterCA.com | #BeWorkZoneAlert | X | Facebook | YouTube | PROPOSITION 13: When it was passed, Proposition 13 cut property taxes in half. And since 1978, the legitimate “above the line” property tax on your home has never increased by more than 2% a year, the maximum allowed by Prop. 13
Proposition 13 limits property taxes to 1% of your home’s purchase price and prohibits tax increases of more than 2% per year unless the property is sold. Proposition 13 requires a two-thirds vote to impose new taxes, including parcel taxes and bond debt. Constitutional Amendments are advancing in Sacramento that would create exceptions to Proposition 13’s two-thirds rule. If even one is passed, it will lead to new tax hikes that could cost each individual homeowner thousands of dollars each year. We need Proposition 13. Everyone votes on these taxes, but only homeowners pay them - the very reason for the two-thirds rule. Defeat the Democrat’s two Prop 13 repeal bills (ACA 1 and ACA 13) while passing the California Taxpayer Protection Initiative to permanently strengthen and protect Prop 13. For more information, please check out Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association at www.hjta.org * * * * * OUR FAMILY has been here nearly 75 years, having come to Sierra County in 1949. That makes us newcomers compared to the Sierra County Historical Society Board of Directors. Suzi Schoensee comes from a pioneer family who homesteaded at Charcoal flat, Sattley and Beckwourth in the 1850s, ‘60s and ‘70s. She worked 32 years as the first Speech and Language Therapist, creating the program for Sierra County Office of Education. Her Sattley home sits across Highway 49 from where her great-great grandfather had a hotel in the 1800s. Jan Hamilton comes from an Italian pioneer family who settled near Downieville in 1859. During her 35-year career in the Sierra County Superior Court, she worked with records from 1852 forward which ignited her drive to preserve local history. Jan is a lifetime member of the Sierra County Historical Society and served as board president the past 3-1/2 years. Mary Nourse is a retired Downieville School teacher who has lived in Sierra City 50 years. She trained students in oral history interviewing and research and supervised creation of murals, drama productions and museum exhibits. Scott Mathieson is a geologist who visited Sierra County 48 years until he and his wife made the good decision of buying a home in Sierra City five years ago. They love the rich history and geology and particularly appreciate the contrasts between the two sides of the county. Scott joined the board 4 years ago. James Connolly’s dedication to Sierra County began as a boy when he stayed at a U.S. Forest Service cabin with his family and is now an owner of historical properties. He has an extensive knowledge of local history and a passion to preserve it. He currently serves on the board. ONE MORE Sierra County Historical Society member is Tom Butt who recently acquired the 1883 Sierra City School. He is a historic architect and former mayor of Richmond, CA., recognized by California Preservation Foundation as “Legislator of the Year,” and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from California Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for work in historic preservation, He was a founder and serves on the nonprofit boards of East Brother Light Station, Inc. and Rosie the Riveter Trust, the nonprofit partner of Rosie the Riveter WWII Homefront National Historical Park. He is owner of multiple historic properties. (Washington, D.C.) – Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Executive Vice Chair Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) released the following statements in response to recommendations by the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission in their report released yesterday. “This report highlights what we already know, we must take a proactive approach in combatting catastrophic wildfires,” said Chairman Newhouse. “It’s time for Congress to take immediate action by empowering local officials with the tools and resources they need to prevent and combat wildfires plaguing their communities.” “Our fires are getting bigger, hotter, and more aggressive than ever before,” said Executive Vice Chair LaMalfa. “Today, fire seasons routinely destroy more than 8 million acres annually, and in the last 10 years three fire seasons have consumed over 10 million acres. Our forests are so overgrown and dry that they’ve turned into a tinderbox, one spark away from erupting in flames. Residents in my district, Western Caucus, and the Wildland Fire Commission know what needs to be done. We must remove the barriers that bar active forest management to minimize the risk of wildfire.” Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties. ### Dr. Glenn Mollette Do you worry about going to hell? Will you burn there in hell’s fire? Will you be in the hands of the Devil? Hell may be a place where people are locked into a room with endless Presidential candidates hollering and speaking over each other to the point that nothing makes much sense and everybody ends up sounding crazier and crazier. I accept what Jesus taught about heaven and hell. He actually talked more about hell than he did heaven. Hell is described as a very sad place of pain and suffering. I certainly do not want to leave my body and go somewhere worse. I have chosen to go to the better of the two places and I am trusting in Jesus to get me there. As you know there is plenty of hell on earth. Why would we want to leave the hell of earth and go to more hell? A dear friend told me recently about his sweet wife being in Intensive Care in Alabama. She has battled multiple sclerosis for 20 years. All the medication she takes has impacted her heart. She recently had a heart attack and is now intubated. “MS sucks,” my friend said. Most of us have watched loved ones die from lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, dementia, diabetes, and various neurological diseases. It’s hell for the person and hell for the loved ones. Most likely if we live long enough, we will all go through some form of severe suffering. You might die suddenly and escape the long valley of suffering or you may not. Being intubated, struggling to breath, walk, talk, and eat is not a way any of us want to spend our days. So where is hell? There’s plenty of it on planet earth. Almost 2 billion people live in poverty. Many of these people have to walk somewhere every day for just a bucket of water. Every day, millions are desperate for medical care but have access to none. Millions of Americans are homeless. Six million more immigrants have entered our country over the last three years. So, there is more homelessness, poverty, misery, and hell in the streets of America than ever before. Life and planet earth are great if you are relatively healthy, have a place to sleep, food to eat, and a little money to spend. However, health can change fast and often does. The point is there are lots of suffering people and suffering caregivers. Do everything you can to be kind to people. Give them a smile. A good word. A good deed. Be helpful when you can. You will appreciate it when it’s your turn to suffer. Many people are suffering in hell every day. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Sierra County District Attorney Sandra A. Groven District Attorney Sandy Marshall Administrative Assistant Victim Witness CRIMINAL CASE UPDATE JULY-SEPTEMBER 2023 People v. Ben Christopher Beeler (23CR0041) On July 25, 2023, Ben Christopher Beeler was convicted of violating Penal Code section 25850(a), possession of a loaded firearm in a public place. He was placed on one year probation, forfeited his gun, and ordered to pay fines of $1,015.00. People v. Joel Randolph Miner (22CR0085) On July 27, 2023, Joel Randolph Miner was convicted of violating Penal Code section 594, vandalism. He was ordered to serve 38 days in jail, placed on one year probation, and ordered to pay a fine of $625.00. People v. Glenda Rae Garcia (22CR0058) On August 8, 2023, Glenda Rae Garcia was convicted of violating Vehicle Code section 23110(a), throwing an object at a moving vehicle. She was placed on one year probation, ordered to pay restitution of $667.94, and a pay a fine of $315.00. People v. Kayla Marie Seeland (23CR0039) On August 8, 2023, Kayla Marie Seeland was convicted of violating Vehicle Code section 23103/23103.5, reckless driving, alcohol related She was placed on one year probation, ordered to take a DUI class and pay a fine of $948.00. People v. Danielle Lin Browning (22CR0080) On August 10, 2023, Danielle Lin Browning was convicted of violating Penal Code section 496, receiving stolen property. She was ordered to spend 9 days in jail, placed on two years probation, ordered to pay a fine of $400.00. People v. Robert Lee Wilson Boone (23CR0056) On August 24, 2023, Robert Lee Wilson Boone was convicted of violating Penal Code section 25400, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, and Health and Safety Code section 11550, under the influence of methamphetamine. He was placed on one year probation People v. Joseph William Sawyer (23CR0062) On August 24, 2023, Joseph William Sawyer was convicted of violating Penal Code section 496, receiving stolen property and Health and Safety Code section 11550, under the influence of methamphetamine. He was ordered to spend 85 days in jail, placed on 2 years formal probation, fine payments were suspended. People v. Raymond Patrick Preckwinkle (23CR0003 and 23CR0050) On September 5, 2023, Raymond Patrick Preckwinkle was convicted of violating Vehicle Code section 23152, driving under the influence and Vehicle Code section 14601.1, driving on a suspended license. He was ordered to spend 2 days in jail, placed on three years probation, ordered to complete a DUI class. He was ordered to pay fines totalling $3,261.00. People v. Mikkel Joseph Schwiesow (23CR0053) On September 5, 2023, Mikkel Joseph Schwiesow was convicted of violating Health and Safety Code section 11550, under the influence of methamphetamine. He was ordered to spend 2 days in jail, placed on one year probation and ordered to pay a fine of $1,015.00. People v. Victoria Elaine Trenerry (22CR0017) On September 5, 2023, Victoria Elaine Trenerry was convicted of violating Vehicle Code section 23152, driving under the influence. She was ordered to serve 2 days in jail, placed on 3 years probation, ordered to complete a DUI class, and pay a fine of $1,856. People v. Zachariah Thomaslytle Wright (22CR0074) On September 19, 2023, Zachariah Thomaslytle Wright was convicted of violating Vehicle Code section 14601.1, driving on a suspended license and failing to appear as ordered. He was ordered to spend 14 days in jail, placed on one year probation, and ordered to pay a fine of $1,405.00. People v. Gary Tyson Haren (23CR0006) On September 21, 2023, Gary Tyson Haren was convicted of violating Penal Code section 29800, felon in possession of a firearm, Penal Code section 30305, felon in possession of ammunition, Penal Code section 21810, possession of metal knuckles and Penal Code section 21510, possession of a switchblade knife. He was sentenced to 3 years 4 months in State Prison. People v. Nathan Paul Bowman (22CR0111) On September 21, 2023, Nathan Paul Bowman, was found in violation of his probation. He was ordered to serve 90 days in jail. People v. Stuart Cunvin Boesch (22CR0066) On September 21, 2023 Stuart Cunvin Boesch was found in violation of his probation. He was ordered to serve 6 months in jail. People v. Jason Michael Moore (21CR0053) On September 21, 2023, Jason Michael Moore was found in violation of his probation. He was ordered to serve 120 days in jail. CDFW’s Cannabis Enforcement Program Targets Illegal Operations on Public and Private Lands9/27/2023 Wildlife officers with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) spearheaded several enforcement investigations in August and September. From Sept. 4-8, MET officers targeted several illegal cannabis operations on rural private lands in Shasta, Tehama and Sutter counties. Officers received a tip from a hunter who stumbled on one of the trespass grow sites and reported it. As a result, MET officers eradicated more than 5,500 illegal plants, arrested four suspects, seized several firearms including one stolen handgun, dismantled several water diversions and removed thousands of pounds of trash. Support was provided from CDFW’s Air Services and K9 Units, as well as the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Eradication and Prevention of Illicit Cannabis (EPIC) task force. “Many recreationists who venture into California’s backcountry are our best eyes and ears for reporting poaching, pollution and illegal cannabis cultivation on public land,” said Nathaniel Arnold, Acting Chief of Enforcement for CDFW. “These enforcement actions not only provide public and consumer safety, but they also combat the illegal cannabis supply chain. I could not be more proud of these dedicated officers.” With information received through CDFW’s confidential CALTIP program, MET officers conducted an operation on CDFW property at the Putah Creek Wildlife Area in Solano County on Aug. 24. With assistance from CDFW’s Air Services Unit and Unpiloted Aircraft System (drones), officers eradicated 809 illegal cannabis plants, airlifted 1,140 pounds of trash from the area, dismantled an illegal water diversion, seized one loaded assault rifle, and removed an assortment of chemicals and fertilizers found near a tributary. Support was provided by the Solano County Sheriff’s Office. On Aug. 9-11, MET officers conducted operations on U.S. Forest Service land in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. During the week, officers dismantled multiple illegal water diversions, seized multiple containers of restricted pesticides and documented dozens of environmental crimes. Officers also eradicated 5,967 cannabis plants, destroyed over 157 pounds of processed cannabis, and removed 1,970 pounds of trash, 300 pounds of fertilizer and 1,780 feet of irrigation pipe. Five suspects were arrested, one was armed with a handgun and one was armed with an assault rifle. Assistance was provided by the DOJ’s EPIC task force. Developed in 2013, MET was CDFW’s first statewide special operations law enforcement team with the primary duty to protect public safety and California’s natural resources, particularly those threatened by environmental crimes associated with illegal cannabis cultivation on public lands. CALTIP is a confidential secret witness program that encourages the public to provide CDFW with information leading to the arrest of poachers and polluters. If you have information about such a violation, call 888 334-CALTIP (888 334-2258), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more about illegal cannabis grows on public land. ### Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator in the EEO Office at (916) 902-9097, or send an email to [email protected]. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately. Governor should reject bills that weaken Medicare, raise costs and threaten public safety.
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (Yuba City) is calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to veto four pieces of legislation sent to him by Democratic lawmakers. The four bills, SB 81, SB 553, SB 770 and SB 799 would make life harder for already-struggling Californians by weakening Medicare, raising costs on employers and threatening public safety. “With crime and the cost of living continuing to soar, life in California is hard enough,” said Gallagher. “The last thing people need is a set of radical bills from out-of-touch politicians in Sacramento making things even harder.” In four letters to Newsom urging him to reject the bills, Gallagher highlighted the problems with each proposal and offered alternative solutions:
Newsom has until October 14 to sign or veto the legislation. The letters to Newsom are available here: Motorists Should Use State Routes 49 and 174 as Detours
Correction: Large trucks are directed to only use SR-49 as an alternate route. NEVADA COUNTY – Caltrans is reminding motorists that State Route 20 (SR-20) is now closed 17 miles east of Nevada City in Nevada County, as construction work continues on the Omega Curves Project. The Lowell Hill segment is scheduled to be closed, between the Omega Overlook and Bear Valley through Sunday, October 1 at 7 p.m. Motorists traveling between Nevada City and Interstate 80 will use State Route-49 (SR-49) and State Route -174 as alternate routes. Large trucks are directed to only use SR-49. Construction crews are grading and paving the road, constructing tie-in locations to divert the traveling public from the current roadway to the new alignment. So far there has been no signification delays and work is currently on schedule. During the closure the California Highway Patrol will be on site, with access for emergency vehicles only. In the event of an emergency CHP will communicate with crews on sight and take appropriate action. Once work is complete the closure will move 6 miles west to the White Cloud segment, between the White Cloud U.S. Forest Service and Campground and Washington Road, Sunday, October 1 at 7 p.m. to Friday, October 6 at noon. The schedule is subject to change or be delayed due to weather, availability of materials or other unexpected events. The work is part of the $54.6 million Omega Curves Project, which will improve safety and reduce collisions on SR-20 by realigning curves on two non-continuous segments near White Cloud and Lowell Hill, widening shoulders, improving the highway’s sight distance, and adding designated left-turn lanes near Conservation Road and Washington Road. In addition, three turnouts will be added where slow-moving vehicles can allow motorists to safely pass, while also serving as traffic-enforcement locations for the CHP. Granite Construction, Inc. of Sacramento is the prime contractor for the Omega Curves safety project, which is expected to be completed this fall. For project updates, please visit www.OmegaCurves20.com. Caltrans District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Caltrans reminds motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert” and slow in construction zones for the safety of travelers and crews performing these improvements. The department will issue construction updates on X @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play. FAIRFAX, Va. - The National Rifle Association released the following statement on California Gov. Newsom's signing of gun control:
"The NRA condemns the legislation enacted by Gov. Newsom. It is a blatant and egregious attack on the rights of law-abiding Californians and a calculated maneuver to dismantle the Second Amendment. Newsom’s consistent attacks on the constitutional rights of the citizens while ignoring criminals are converting California into a beacon for violence and lawlessness. During his press conference today, Newsom likened the excise tax to a 'sin tax,' exposing his prejudice on legal firearm ownership. It is an attempt to penalize citizens for exercising their constitutional rights. The NRA vows to fight these oppressive laws, standing firm with the majority of Americans in opposition to Newsom’s draconian initiatives." –NRA Western Regional Director Dan Reid SB 2 creates subjective criteria for the issuance of carry permits, allowing authorities to arbitrarily deny applicants, increases “gun-free zones”, and imposes restrictions on permit holders. SB 452 insists on implementing microstamping technology already struck down by a federal court, targeting non-microstamped semi-automatic pistols and prohibiting the replacement of a microstamping component unless it is replaced with another “valid” one. Lastly, AB 28 imposes an 11% excise tax on the sales price of all firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition, unjustly burdening law-abiding gun owners with special taxes and discouraging them from practicing to be safe and proficient with their firearms for self-defense, competition, and hunting. FOR MORE INFORMATION NRA Public Affairs [email protected] (703) 267 3820 Incorporated in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's longest-standing civil rights organization. Together with our millions of members, we're proud defenders of history's patriots and diligent protectors of the Second Amendment. Follow the NRA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. SACRAMENTO — Today, Attorney General Bonta’s legislation, Senate Bill 2, which was cosponsored by Governor Gavin Newsom, and authored by Senator Anthony Portantino, was signed into law. The bill strengthens California’s concealed carry weapons (CCW) law in a manner consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court decision in New York Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. The law, which goes into effect on January 1, 2024, will further protect the public safety of Californians by providing objective criteria governing who may obtain a CCW license, limiting the possession of firearms in certain sensitive locations, and advancing safety through stronger training requirements on the safe handling and storage of firearms for those who seek CCW licenses. Gun violence remains a growing threat to public safety throughout the nation. In 2020, gunshot wounds became the leading cause of death for children aged 1-17 nationwide and in 2021, more Americans died from firearm-related injuries than any other year on record. In 2021 and 2022, there were over 48,000 firearm-related deaths nationwide each year, more than 130 per day on average. SB 2 strengthens communities’ ability to respond to these threats by requiring stronger vetting and safety training to carry weapons in public and by designating vital community spaces like parks and playgrounds as off-limits to weapons throughout the state.
“Addressing gun violence is critical to protecting public safety; we cannot pretend that they are distinct problems,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “In California, we won’t settle for inaction when it comes to saving lives. Senate Bill 2 will help prevent violence by ensuring that dangerous individuals may not carry concealed guns in public and prohibiting the carry of dangerous weapons in sensitive places where our children gather. With this law, we are boldly advancing California’s successful, data-driven strategy to prevent gun violence and save lives. I sponsored Senate Bill 2 to provide stronger protections for our communities, and am grateful for the partnership demonstrated by author Senator Portantino and our Governor as together we enact this law to better protect California residents.” “I am grateful for Governor Newsom’s bold leadership on gun safety and thank him for signing SB 2,” said Senator Portantino. “I was proud to partner with the Governor, Attorney General Bonta and amazing grassroots activists across California on this needed effort to strengthen our existing concealed permit laws and to ensure that Californians are made safer from gun violence. SB 2 is constitutional and consistent with the Supreme Court’s guidance in the Bruen decision. When SB 2 is implemented, it will certainly increase public safety and I believe save lives.” Already in 2023, the United States has suffered over 500 mass shootings, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Although the United States is an outlier when compared to gun violence in other wealthy nations, states with strong gun violence protections in place suffer fewer gun-related deaths. Despite having one of the lowest rates of gun-related deaths in the nation, California is not immune to this uniquely American problem, and has a strong interest in maintaining laws that protect the safety of its citizens. Research shows that strong firearm licensing laws are effective. States that have weakened these laws have experienced an up to 15% increase in violent crime rates a decade after implementation. While the United States Supreme Court has concluded that the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution imposes some restrictions on states’ ability to regulate firearms, it has also recognized that the Second Amendment allows states to adopt a variety of gun regulations. For example, the Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized that states may restrict the carrying of firearms in “sensitive places” and that states may prohibit individuals who are not law-abiding, responsible citizens from carrying firearms in public. SB 2 builds on those principles and improves California’s existing CCW license law by:
SACRAMENTO – Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) is pleased to announce approximately $45 million has been awarded to improve sustainable groundwater use and storage through the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program. The following grantees received funding:
“It’s important for the state to help newly formed local groundwater agencies understand and carefully manage their aquifers without burying local landowners and ratepayers in expensive new mandated costs,” stated Dahle. DWR is awarding $187 million in grants to improve sustainable groundwater use and storage. The funding will support 103 individual projects in 32 groundwater sub-basins overall, including those areas that affect Tribes and underrepresented communities. Click here for more information on funding. Learn more about Senator Dahle’s legislative priorities on his website. # # # Senator Brian Dahle represents California's 1st Senate District, which contains all or portions of 11 counties, including Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Sierra, Siskiyou, and Shasta. Also serving deferred areas of Tehama, Butte, Colusa, and Glenn counties. Stop California Politicians from Imposing a New Mileage Tax.
<63b49b79e77820df3359377b_Stop the Mileage Tax 1920x1080.jpg>“California’s greedy politicians have already imposed the highest GAS TAX and CAR TAX in the nation on drivers, and now they want to impose a new MILEAGE TAX to charge us PER MILE we drive to get more of our money!” warns Carl DeMaio, Chairman of Reform California. The California Mileage Tax proposal would require tracking every driver’s mileage and charging them four cents per mile they drive. That is the equivalent of an 80-cent-per-gallon hike in the gas tax! The typical California driver will be forced to pay $600-800 a year in higher taxes just to drive on poorly maintained freeways they already paid for with the original gas and sales taxes! When you add the new MILEAGE TAX to the existing GAS TAX and CAR TAX, the typical two-car family will end up paying more than $3000 in taxes a year for just the privilege of driving in California – not including the cost of the car itself! The Mileage Tax is also an invasion of our privacy – as it would include a tracking requirement that is still being determined by government bureaucrats. Proposed tracking methods include using transponders installed on every car to use of tracking Apps to be installed on cell phones of every driver to simply requiring individuals get their odometer readings inspected annually. Join the Fight: Stop the Mileage Tax Carl DeMaio and Reform California are leading the fight to BLOCK the California Mileage Tax. Our first battle in blocking the tax statewide is to oppose the pilot phase of the Mileage Tax that is being conducted in San Diego County. Our goal is to generate a massive rebellion of taxpayers and drivers to punish any politician that backs the imposition of the Mileage Tax – even as a pilot project. If we create a public uproar during the pilot phase, California politicians will likely back down from imposing the tax statewide. At the same time as we are fighting the pilot phase, we are organizing a grassroots rebellion statewide to oppose the Mileage Tax. We plan to make the Mileage Tax a key issue in every close race for local and state office in the upcoming election! MUSIC! The drum corps and music students marched under direction of music teacher, Owen McIntosh ENJOYING THE HOMECOMING PARADE - Residents of Loyalton's Skilled Nursing Facility got in on the action.
SACRAMENTO – After repeated efforts by Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) and California Senate Republicans to address the homeowners’ insurance crisis in this state, Governor Gavin Newsom and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara finally announced some actions today to mitigate the crisis. “I am encouraged to see the governor and Insurance Commissioner taking the insurance crisis seriously,” said Leader Jones. “While Californians needed them(Newsom and Lara) to act on this crisis years ago, I’m glad that Commissioner Lara has now heeded the Republican Caucus’ advice to act on his existing authority rather than just waiting for a legislative deal to emerge." In August, California Senate Republicans sent a letter on behalf of their constituents demanding that both the governor and insurance commissioner take immediate action to fix the state’s broken homeowners’ insurance crisis. “The people of California need a stable insurance market and today’s executive order, along with the commissioner’s plan of action, is a step towards stabilizing the market,” LeaderJones continued. “I renew our invitation to partner with him moving forward and again invite him to come speak to our caucus about any progress being made. Californians need to have affordable access to protect their homes from natural elements of earth, wind, and fire – and those who are facing increased costs today sure will remember this promise made on the 21st day of September.” In addition to the effort by all Senate Republicans, Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber), who represents many constituents who have been financially impacted by this crisis, last week blasted the state’s top insurance official for delaying action. “I’ve fought for better protections for homeowners for years,” Dahle said at the time. “Californians are suffering unjustly, and deserve strong and empathetic leadership right now.” ### Senator Brian W. Jones represents the 40th Senate District which includes the Cities of Escondido, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, San Diego City communities of Carmel Mountain Ranch, Mira Mesa, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasquitos, Scripps Ranch, Sorrento Valley, and University City, along with the San Diego County unincorporated communities of 4S Ranch, Alpine, Bonsall, Fallbrook, Lakeside, Pine Valley, Rainbow, Ramona, and Valley Center. Senator Brian Dahle represents California's 1st Senate District, which contains all or portions of 11 counties, including Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Sierra, Siskiyou, and Shasta. Also serving deferred areas of Tehama, Butte, Colusa, and Glenn Counties. Dr. Glenn Mollette If you can’t afford a new car now, it’s not going to get easier. Supposedly the average new car price in America is “about” $30,000 according to ftc.gov. Be wary of the preposition “about.” It gets tougher all the time to walk out of a dealership with a new car that has very many bells and whistles for under $35,000. The average payment for a new car is $700 according to bankrate.com. A more reasonable car payment means you have to have a sizable down payment or receive a lot of credit on your trade-in. Many Americans are financing their cars for 72 months and they are often worn out when traded. Often there is still some balance owed that is refinanced in the new deal. This creates an ongoing financial hardship for millions of Americans. Millions of Americans struggle with bad credit ratings which impacts their car loan deal. In most parts of America, you have to have a car. There are some locations in our country where you can make it with buses and trains but that is a small section of America. If you live on the East coast between NYC and Washington, D.C. then you might be able to survive without a car. If you live in Tomahawk, Kentucky you must have a car. The United Auto Workers are striking for better pay and benefits. Many of the plant employees are making over $30 an hour but lower tier employees are making less than $20 an hour for the same kind of work. The UAW is asking to end a tier system which pays employees less for doing the same work. UAW wants their pay increased by 36% over the next four years. They also are tired of working 60-to-80-hour weeks just to survive. They are asking for a four day or 32-hour work week but paid for 40 hours. They also want the defined benefit pension reinstated for all the employees. General Motors ended its defined benefit pension January 1, 2007. They are also asking for better medical insurance for the lower tier employees. The UAW says the big three gave up cost of living adjustments during the 2008 financial crisis when GM and Chrysler went bankrupt. The UAW says that this has resulted in a tremendous pay decrease for the auto workers. The 401k retirement plan is going to be the best that American companies are going to offer going forward. In the old days many companies offered defined benefit plans. If you worked 30 years then you were promised a certain retirement wage. The big three auto makers once had such benefits but they will never go back to that because they know it’s unsustainable. If a company will match or pay even half of what you pay into your 401K then you are doing well. We all surely hope for the best for our all concerned. Everybody has to make money. I hope they can get the best deal possible. In the meantime, most of us will be shopping around to see what we can afford. Paying an extra 36% percent or whatever it might be for a new car will be difficult for most Americans. Visit GlennMollette.Com. Find his books and music on Amazon.Com Read Uncommon Sense or Spiritual Chocolate for the Christmas Season, , The Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states. CA Politicians Enact New Crazy Bans to Raise Your Costs and Disrupt Your LifeSupport the Campaign to Block the Natural Gas Ban in CA As we continue to wage a statewide campaign to block California’s costly ban on all natural gas appliances (and the even more costly and intrusive home retrofit mandates), our state’s liberal politicians are expanding their list of absurd bans! Before we get to the list of crazy new bans being enacted, this reinforces WHY we MUST WIN this campaign to block the ban on and costly retrofit mandate ($30k per homeowner) to remove natural gas appliances in homes! By punishing politicians on the natural gas appliance ban, we believe it will send a message that Californians are sick of the other costly and intrusive bans! That’s why winning this fight is so crucial – so please contribute to the fight today! Support the Campaign to Block the Natural Gas Ban in CA Costly Bans Being Enacted in California Here’s what they banned in just this recent session of the state legislature: Grass Lawns (AB 1572): This bill begins the outright ban on grass lawns in California by banning them for all commercial, retail, industrial, and governmental parcels and buildings. While there is no implementation date for single family homes (for now), HOA’s are also banned from having grass in common areas! This imposes an enormous cost for landscaping changes – and experts say it will backfire by negatively impacting air quality. Plastic Cards (SB 728): Small businesses will be negatively impacted by this bill that imposes fines of up to $10,000 per day if a business uses pre-paid plastic gift cards! This virtue-signaling bill will not help the environment, but it will inconvenience small businesses and customers alike! Just so you know the plastic bag ban from 2014 actually INCREASED plastic waste by replacing thin bags with heavy duty bags for 10-cents a pop. Per capita bag waste went from 8 pounds per person to 11 pound per person in 2021 in CA! Food Bans (AB 418): Continuing their nanny state mindset, CA politicians have banned Skittles and other colored candy that use Red Dye No. 3 and other additives. Perris CA banned stores from putting “junk food” in their checkout aisles – leading two major stores to announce they would close in that jurisdiction. Up next: bans on sugary drinks to minors! Bans in Process: CA Democrats pushed several bills to next year to ban a number of things including: Police K9 dogs (because they are “racist”), solitary confinement in prison, etc. CA Democrats are phasing in bans on the sale of gas-powered cars, gas-powered leaf blowers, youth tackle football, criminal background checks for employers and landlords, smoking outside, etc. Natural Gas Appliances: The Biden Administration has swung into overdrive to issue a variety of new regulatory mandates that will help CA politicians win court approval of their costly and intrusive natural gas appliance bans.
The BAN EVERYTHING mindset of liberal politicians will only continue to expand until we make a stand on just ONE of these items and punish politicians at the ballot box! That’s why our fight against the Natural Gas Appliance Bans in California is so crucial! It is no longer about just one ban – but all of them. That’s why we MUST CONTINUE our fight against the costly and crazy natural gas appliance bans at the ballot box! Support the Campaign to Block the Natural Gas Ban in CA Here's what's being proposed under this mandate:
Here's how much it will cost you:
How we can fight back: A campaign led by Reform California, Reform Local Government PAC, and a coalition of local taxpayer watchdog groups has been launched to BLOCK this costly and crazy proposal. The campaign to block these mandates includes alerting voters in target areas, recruiting and supporting candidates for office who oppose the retrofit mandates, threatening recalls against elected officials who support the mandates, and organizing ballot measure drives to stop any new mandates from taking effect. We were not expecting to have to fight this costly and unfair proposal – so please chip in a contribution to our campaign TODAY so we can mount effective opposition to it! The Natural Gas Bans and Retrofit Mandates Are Spreading Across CA! Help Us Stop This Before It’s Too Late! SHARE TO FACEBOOKSHARE TO TWITTERFORWARD EMAIL Forest Service News Release
Dixie Fire Community Protection & Swain Mountain Experimental Forest Vegetation Management Project Scoping Period Sept. 18- Oct. 18, 2023 SUSANVILLE, CA, September 18, 2023 — The Lassen National Forest begins a 30-day scoping period today through October 18, 2023, for the Dixie Fire Community Protection and Swain Mountain Experimental Forest Vegetation Management Project. The proposed project is designed to support postfire recovery and restoration in the areas burned by the 2021 Dixie Fire within the wildland urban interface, extended community protection zones, and the Swain Mountain Experimental Forest. The Pacific Southwest Research Station and the Lassen National Forest are proposing to implement a variety of vegetation and fuel treatments designed to maintain or promote desired stand structure, reduce fuel loads, increase resilience of surviving forest stands to future disturbance, and facilitate forest recovery through reforestation and natural regeneration. These are intended to reduce the risk of wildfire impacts to communities and critical infrastructure, reduce the potential for future extreme fire behavior, and provide an opportunity to address relevant research objectives in the Swain Mountain Experimental Forest. The proposed project area includes approximately 48,390 acres of National Forest System lands in Butte, Lassen, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama counties and is located within the Almanor, Hat Creek, and Eagle Lake ranger districts. It is concentrated around several community areas including Baccala Ranch, Bogart Work Center, Canyon dam, Chester, Coon Hollow, Humbug Valley, Old Station, Prattville, Silver Lake, Warner Valley, the Swain Mountain Experimental Forest, and Jennie Springs research area. See attached map of project area. Public involvement is a key element of the land management planning process and your input in this process will help identify if there are issues associated with the project area as well as inform the development of the proposed action. You can view more information about this project athttps://www.fs.usda.gov/project/lassen/?project=63425. The public is invited to attend a virtual meeting to learn more about the project on September 28, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Information about the meeting, including a meeting link can be found on the project’s webpage. This meeting can also be attended in person at the Almanor Ranger District, 900 E. Hwy 36, Chester, CA 96020. Submit your comments electronically to: [email protected] in a format such as an e-mail message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc, .docx). Please include “Dixie Fire Community Protection” in the subject line. Written comments may be mailed to: Deb Bumpus, Forest Supervisor, 2550 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130, or faxed to (530) 252-6428. For those submitting hand-delivered comments, you may do so at the Lassen National Forest Supervisors Office, 2550 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130 during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal Holidays. If you have additional questions about the Dixie Fire Community Protection & Swain Mountain Experimental Forest Vegetation Management Project, please contact Frank Heide, Project Leader at (530) 258-7129 or by email at [email protected] with the subject line “Dixie Fire Community Protection”. For the latest news and information about the Lassen National Forest, follow us on Facebook@LassenNationalForest or X (formally known as Twitter) @LassenNF. ### SACRAMENTO – While insurance providers flee the state, the Democratic lawmakers announced they will not take immediate action despite the number of homeowners losing insurance coverage across California. In response to the inaction, Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) issued the following statement: “I am deeply disappointed Commissioner Lara and Democratic lawmakers, who were a part of closed-door discussions, decided to hold off on negotiations with insurance companies. I’ve fought for better protections for homeowners for years. Californians are suffering unjustly, and deserve strong and empathetic leadership right now. The volume of homeowners being dropped is inexcusable and he has the power to fix this‚” stated Dahle. Senator Dahle joined his Republican colleagues and sent a letter to Insurance Commissioner Lara demanding action to address the crisis. His efforts to improve forest management, fund fuel reduction to reduce wildfire risks, and save communities from devastating wildfires include the following. Learn more about Senator Dahle’s efforts to improve and protect California communities. · AB 2048 (Dahle, 2014) Allows for a homeowner who loses their home due to a natural disaster to be able to file with the Department to be exempt from paying the fee if their home is deemed uninhabitable. · AB 2029 (Dahle, 2016) Extended the sunset of the Forest Fire Prevention Pilot Program that allows landowners to strategically thin up to 300 acres of land without a Timber Harvest Plan for trees less than 24 inches in stump diameter. · SB 495 (Dahle, 2022) Would have required the state Air Resources Board to consider and account for greenhouse gas emissions from wildfires and forest fires in the state’s scoping plan. (Defeated in Senate Environmental Quality Committee). Earlier this year‚ Senator Dahle introduced SB 542 to help alleviate excessive taxation on payments to Zogg Fire victims, meaning settlement payments awarded to victims would not be subject to state income taxes. Ultimately‚ the bill’s language was incorporated into the 2023-2024 budget signed by the governor. Additionally, Senator Brian Dahle called for an investigation into the Zogg and Dixie Fires and whether PG&E had done fire hardening work previously promised and paid for by ratepayers. # # # Senator Brian Dahle represents California's 1st Senate District, which contains all or portions of 11 counties, including Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Sierra, Siskiyou, and Shasta. Also serving deferred areas of Tehama, Butte, Colusa, and Glenn counties. Dahle Blasts Commissioner’s Delay on Fixing Homeowners’ Insurance Crisis SACRAMENTO – While insurance providers flee the state, the Democratic lawmakers announced they will not take immediate action despite the number of homeowners losing insurance coverage across California. In response to the inaction, Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) issued the following statement: “I am deeply disappointed Commissioner Lara and Democratic lawmakers, who were a part of closed-door discussions, decided to hold off on negotiations with insurance companies. I’ve fought for better protections for homeowners for years. Californians are suffering unjustly, and deserve strong and empathetic leadership right now. The volume of homeowners being dropped is inexcusable and he has the power to fix this‚” stated Dahle. Senator Dahle joined his Republican colleagues and sent a letter to Insurance Commissioner Lara demanding action to address the crisis. His efforts to improve forest management, fund fuel reduction to reduce wildfire risks, and save communities from devastating wildfires include the following. Learn more about Senator Dahle’s efforts to improve and protect California communities. · AB 2048 (Dahle, 2014) Allows for a homeowner who loses their home due to a natural disaster to be able to file with the Department to be exempt from paying the fee if their home is deemed uninhabitable. · AB 2029 (Dahle, 2016) Extended the sunset of the Forest Fire Prevention Pilot Program that allows landowners to strategically thin up to 300 acres of land without a Timber Harvest Plan for trees less than 24 inches in stump diameter. · SB 495 (Dahle, 2022) Would have required the state Air Resources Board to consider and account for greenhouse gas emissions from wildfires and forest fires in the state’s scoping plan. (Defeated in Senate Environmental Quality Committee). Earlier this year‚ Senator Dahle introduced SB 542 to help alleviate excessive taxation on payments to Zogg Fire victims, meaning settlement payments awarded to victims would not be subject to state income taxes. Ultimately‚ the bill’s language was incorporated into the 2023-2024 budget signed by the governor. Additionally, Senator Brian Dahle called for an investigation into the Zogg and Dixie Fires and whether PG&E had done fire hardening work previously promised and paid for by ratepayers. # # # Senator Brian Dahle represents California's 1st Senate District, which contains all or portions of 11 counties, including Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Sierra, Siskiyou, and Shasta. Also serving deferred areas of Tehama, Butte, Colusa, and Glenn counties. Dahle Blasts Commissioner’s Delay on Fixing Homeowners’ Insurance Crisis SACRAMENTO – While insurance providers flee the state, the Democratic lawmakers announced they will not take immediate action despite the number of homeowners losing insurance coverage across California. In response to the inaction, Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) issued the following statement: “I am deeply disappointed Commissioner Lara and Democratic lawmakers, who were a part of closed-door discussions, decided to hold off on negotiations with insurance companies. I’ve fought for better protections for homeowners for years. Californians are suffering unjustly, and deserve strong and empathetic leadership right now. The volume of homeowners being dropped is inexcusable and he has the power to fix this‚” stated Dahle. Senator Dahle joined his Republican colleagues and sent a letter to Insurance Commissioner Lara demanding action to address the crisis. His efforts to improve forest management, fund fuel reduction to reduce wildfire risks, and save communities from devastating wildfires include the following. Learn more about Senator Dahle’s efforts to improve and protect California communities. · AB 2048 (Dahle, 2014) Allows for a homeowner who loses their home due to a natural disaster to be able to file with the Department to be exempt from paying the fee if their home is deemed uninhabitable. · AB 2029 (Dahle, 2016) Extended the sunset of the Forest Fire Prevention Pilot Program that allows landowners to strategically thin up to 300 acres of land without a Timber Harvest Plan for trees less than 24 inches in stump diameter. · SB 495 (Dahle, 2022) Would have required the state Air Resources Board to consider and account for greenhouse gas emissions from wildfires and forest fires in the state’s scoping plan. (Defeated in Senate Environmental Quality Committee). Earlier this year‚ Senator Dahle introduced SB 542 to help alleviate excessive taxation on payments to Zogg Fire victims, meaning settlement payments awarded to victims would not be subject to state income taxes. Ultimately‚ the bill’s language was incorporated into the 2023-2024 budget signed by the governor. Additionally, Senator Brian Dahle called for an investigation into the Zogg and Dixie Fires and whether PG&E had done fire hardening work previously promised and paid for by ratepayers. # # # Senator Brian Dahle represents California's 1st Senate District, which contains all or portions of 11 counties, including Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Sierra, Siskiyou, and Shasta. Also serving deferred areas of Tehama, Butte, Colusa, and Glenn counties. Dahle Blasts Commissioner’s Delay on Fixing Homeowners’ Insurance Crisis SACRAMENTO – While insurance providers flee the state, the Democratic lawmakers announced they will not take immediate action despite the number of homeowners losing insurance coverage across California. In response to the inaction, Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) issued the following statement: “I am deeply disappointed Commissioner Lara and Democratic lawmakers, who were a part of closed-door discussions, decided to hold off on negotiations with insurance companies. I’ve fought for better protections for homeowners for years. Californians are suffering unjustly, and deserve strong and empathetic leadership right now. The volume of homeowners being dropped is inexcusable and he has the power to fix this‚” stated Dahle. Senator Dahle joined his Republican colleagues and sent a letter to Insurance Commissioner Lara demanding action to address the crisis. His efforts to improve forest management, fund fuel reduction to reduce wildfire risks, and save communities from devastating wildfires include the following. Learn more about Senator Dahle’s efforts to improve and protect California communities. · AB 2048 (Dahle, 2014) Allows for a homeowner who loses their home due to a natural disaster to be able to file with the Department to be exempt from paying the fee if their home is deemed uninhabitable. · AB 2029 (Dahle, 2016) Extended the sunset of the Forest Fire Prevention Pilot Program that allows landowners to strategically thin up to 300 acres of land without a Timber Harvest Plan for trees less than 24 inches in stump diameter. · SB 495 (Dahle, 2022) Would have required the state Air Resources Board to consider and account for greenhouse gas emissions from wildfires and forest fires in the state’s scoping plan. (Defeated in Senate Environmental Quality Committee). Earlier this year‚ Senator Dahle introduced SB 542 to help alleviate excessive taxation on payments to Zogg Fire victims, meaning settlement payments awarded to victims would not be subject to state income taxes. Ultimately‚ the bill’s language was incorporated into the 2023-2024 budget signed by the governor. Additionally, Senator Brian Dahle called for an investigation into the Zogg and Dixie Fires and whether PG&E had done fire hardening work previously promised and paid for by ratepayers. # # # Senator Brian Dahle represents California's 1st Senate District, which contains all or portions of 11 counties, including Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Sierra, Siskiyou, and Shasta. Also serving deferred areas of Tehama, Butte, Colusa, and Glenn counties. |