​CHP REPORTS
On October 22,2 017 at approximately 2125 hours, Kevin Gustafson, 52 of Reno, NV was driving a 2016 Dodge southbound on US-395 at a stated speed of 65 mph.
Deborah Grant, 62 of Sparks, NV was driving a 1992 GMC northbound on US-395 at an unknown speed. South of the Pozzolan Road, Gustafson began to pass a vehicle traveling ahead of him. As he made the pass, he did not see Grant in the opposing lane. The parties were unable to avoid a collision and the vehicles impacted head-on. Gustafson was able to exit his vehicle before the vehicle caught fire, avoiding more serious injury. He suffered major injury as a result of the collision and was taken to Renown Medical Center in Reno, NV.
Grant was unable to exit her vehicle. Passing motorists assisted Grant out of the vehicle, however, attempts to revive her were unsuccessful and she succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Personnel from Sierra Valley Fire, Truckee Meadows Fire, Washoe County Sheriff Department, Lassen County Sheriff Department, REMSA ambulance, Careflight and CalTrans assisted at the scene. A large number of passing motorists also assisted at the scene.
This collision is still under investigation by Quincy Area Office of the California Highway Patrol.
 
 
 
On October 28, at approximately 11:33 a.m., on SR-70 east of Maddalena Road, Samual Allen, 41, of Portola, a tow operator for Ron’s Towing was loading a broken down vehicle on his 1992 Nissan Tow Truck. While loading the vehicle it some how became dislodged from the tow truck and rolled back. After rolling off the bed of the tow truck it struck the front of a parked 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The two vehicles involved sustained minor damage as a result of the collision.

                                    
 
David Slaughter (55) Sacramento.  Slaughter pled guilty to felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, he admitted a prior (strike conviction), and admitted causing injury to two other victims.  When he is sentenced on December 8, it is expected he will receive 17 years in state prison.  This incident involved an automobile crash on April 1, of this year, that took the life of Robert Shaffer who was the Truckee football coach for many years. He remains in custody on a no-bail hold
 
            Paula Slyvestri (55) Sierraville.  She was sentenced to five years probation, one year in jail, fined $2410 for her conviction of felony battery with force likely to cause serious bodily injury.  She attacked her aunt with a hammer in Loyalton.  She was also ordered to stay away from the victim.
 
            Michael Sylvestri (58) Sierraville.  He was sentenced for a conviction of felony force likely to commit serious bodily injury (as an accessory) for driving the car where is wife (Paula) carried out an assault on Paula’s aunt.  He will spend three years on probation, fined $2410, and do 90 days in jail. He was also ordered to stay away from the victim.
 
            Melissa Parsons (26) Verdi.  Parsons was sentenced for felony battery with force likely to cause serious bodily injury for attacking the girlfriend of Parsons’ ex-boyfriend.  Parsons was placed on three years probation, committed to 90 days jail, fined $2410, ordered to stay away from victim, and attend anger management therapy.
 
            Patrick O’Rourke (32) Loyalton.  Drunk in public, ordered to complete AA sessions.
 
            Carl Adams (35) Portola.  Littering, fine $270.
 
            Justin Duncan (42) Verdi.  After conviction by jury of felony domestic violence, Duncan was sentenced to two years state prison, fined $928.
 
            David Young (28) Eugene, Oregon.  After a guilty plea of felony theft of motor vehicle and theft of a firearm, Young was sent to state prison for 2 years and fined $925.  He has warrants out of Reno Nevada, and Eugene Oregon for which he will answer.
 
            Lester Strobin (64) and Alameta Langhorne (61) Gales Orchard.  After a contested preliminary hearing, both were ordered to stand trial on felony violations of the California Elections Code.
 
            Jared Johnson (27) Truckee.  Reckless driving alcohol related.  Eighteen months probation, 2 days jail, fine $1484, and ordered to alcohol school.
 
            Alfonso Ruiz-Tapia (35) and Margarito Valencia-Andrade (47) both Mexican nationals.  Were convicted of felony cultivation of marijuana while engaged in illegal diversion of public streams.  Sentencing is set for December 8, and they both remain in custody on no-bail holds.
 
            Raymond Stayer (73) Clio.  Reckless driving, prescription drug related. Eighteen months probation, 2 days jail, fine $1484, and ordered to attend alcohol school.
 

More demolishing of unregistered 5th wheels, motor homes and trailers went on. Residents were starting to load up and move out. The storage units were opened which may be used to help residents store their belongings.

​Just after noon October 25th, Sierra County Sheriff's officials, County Supervisor Roen and Sierra County Probation arrived with Mark Adams, President and Tom Yatteau, Assistant Director of Operations of California Receivership Group, PBC at Loyalton Mobile Estates with an order to abate issued by California Housing and Community Development.
According to Supervisor Roen, they knocked on doors with no answers. With health and safety codes noted and "Respondent been provided with notieces to repair and abate the nuisance condtions, and has not done so within a reasonable time," an excavator went to work tearing at unregistered mobile home units and a front end loader lifted unregistered cars and trucks onto lowbeds and into the back of Sierra Disposal dump trucks.
The action got the attention of residents, who wandered around asking questions.
A meeting with residents was held in the parking lot at 3:30 p.m. with Mark Adams against the whirl of the excavator and continual passing of the front end loaders.
Adams told how he'd been appointed by Sierra County Superior Court, is an agent of the judge and is working for the judge as of October 18th. He called the situation of having to move "never easy," but urged residents to move, warning, "It's not safe to live here." Adams would have to stop talking at the passing of equipment and resumed, talking about a shortage of housing in Loyalton and in Sierra County and stating, "It's not up to me to find you housing." He said he'd do his best to find funds to help with moves. A close down date had not been decided but there is not flexibility about the closure.
When asked about how much time they had to move, Adams told the crowd, "It's quick; not one and not 10 days." Then he stated the park would be shut down in no more than 10 days. "You all have to find more houses," he told them. "It's not safe to live here."
Questions were asked about the disabled and the elderly and about the steps to be taken.  There were questions over the legality of the document and Adams answered, "The court felt the park is in danger."
He repeated  the ten days was a range and it wasn't safe for them. He called it an illegal mobile home park with sewage problems and electrical wiring was a huge danger. He told how the bank had abandoned it.
Adams did not want to look back. Resident, Monica Funk wouldn't be paid until the first and needed time to get qualified for other housing. "Act to protect your interest," he told her and added, "People are responsible for themselves." He told them if they don't have money for gas, he can't help with that but he can help to find housing.
"You're one match away that can take everything out," he warned.
There was a need for storage brought up and Adams "appreciated the thought." He said he'd look a the storage units which could "be done easily to protect your stuff."
But he told them "not to expect a big windfall."
The crowd had to move due to a resident yelling in a trailer and which made it hard to hear. "Yellers are not helpful," Adams said and the crowd moved further south for "the guy who disrepects all of us.".
Resident Lynette Canepa will be out of town and had concerns. Ben Gallegos questioned the time limit. "Seriously only ten days to get stuff and move out? I've lived here 42 years," he told Adams who was sorry it was happening but it was not safe.
The cars, Adams stated, were being taken to the landfill where their fluids would be drained, they'd be crushed and recycled. Several residents were late on registrations and were told to move them that night. All unregistered trailers were being crushed.
Adams said there will be letters handed out tomorrow.

On October 22,2 017 at approximately 2125 hours, Kevin Gustafson, 52 of Reno, NV was driving a 2016 Dodge southbound on US-395 at a stated speed of 65 mph.
Deborah Grant, 62 of Sparks, NV was driving a 1992 GMC northbound on US-395 at an unknown speed. South of the Pozzolan Road, Gustafson began to pass a vehicle traveling ahead of him. As he made the pass, he did not see Grant in the opposing lane. The parties were unable to avoid a collision and the vehicles impacted head-on. Gustafson was able to exit his vehicle before the vehicle caught fire, avoiding more serious injury. He suffered major injury as a result of the collision and was taken to Renown Medical Center in Reno, NV.
Grant was unable to exit her vehicle. Passing motorists assisted Grant out of the vehicle, however, attempts to revive her were unsuccessful and she succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Personnel from Sierra Valley Fire, Truckee Meadows Fire, Washoe County Sheriff Department, Lassen County Sheriff Department, REMSA ambulance, Careflight and CalTrans assisted at the scene. A large number of passing motorists also assisted at the scene.
This collision is still under investigation by Quincy Area Office of the California Highway Patrol.

 
SACRAMENTO, CA October 23, 2017.  California wildfires in September/October 2017, will be recorded as the most devastating ever to hit the state. “The Board and staff of the California Fire Safe Council send heartfelt prayers and condolences to all of those who have suffered losses of family, friends, homes, businesses and pets throughout the fire areas,” said Jerry Davies, Chair of the CFSC.
 
CFSC has been in touch with many local Fire Safe Councils throughout the fire ravaged areas in counties ranging from Riverside and Orange in the south, to Napa, Sonoma, Nevada, Mendocino, Butte, and Yuba in the north, including the city of Santa Rosa.
 
“One major message from all fire prevention seminars and events conducted by CFSC, local Fire safe Councils and the Napa Communities Firewise Foundation, has been the Ready, Set, Go program. Homeowners heeded the call to evacuate when it was given and that has saved many lives,” said Stephen Gort, Executive Director of CFSC and a Napa resident who was evacuated from his home in Circle Oaks. 
 
According to Evan Kilkus, a member of the Lake Berryessa Fire Safe Council, Atlas Peak, Soda Canyon, and Mt Veeder suffered great losses due to embers carried by heavy winds and fire storms. The City of Santa Rosa was devastated. Homes in Circle Oaks in Napa County received very little damage due to vigorous fire prevention programs conducted by Circle Oaks residents.
 
More than 8,000 homes, businesses and buildings have been destroyed, and 42 individuals have lost their lives from these fires. Tragically, the count could rise as firefighters and first responders continue their work.
 
“The weather patterns have been cooperating somewhat now and firefighters are now gaining the upper hand on the remaining fires,” explained David Shew, Staff Chief with CAL FIRE and board member of CFSC.
 
In Anaheim Hills, families are vowing to rebuild their homes damaged or destroyed by the wildfires. As the northern fires are finally contained, families will return to their damaged or destroyed homes to begin the process of filing insurance claims, and making plans to rebuild. Discussions at town hall meetings being held in Anaheim Hills and other cities around the state centers around how to better prepare for the next fires.
 
An important reminder from CFSC and local Fire Safe Councils is for homeowners to work with their local Fire Safe Councils, CAL FIRE, and their local fire departments to practice defensible space rules, search for ways to protect their homes from embers getting in, plant fire retardant vegetation and use fire retardant building materials in homes prone to wildfires.
 
There are state and federal voices calling for changes in federal law to help the USFS, Department of the Interior, and state agencies cope with major fires by not having to use their budgets for suppressing these wildfires. It is predicted that 67% of the USFS budget will be spent on wildfires by the year 2025. Congressional leaders say these  dollars could be used for local fire prevention programs if federal fire suppression was paid for with Congressional appropriations similar to the national flood program provided by FEMA.
 
Congressional appropriations to suppress fires would allow greater funding to CFSC by federal agencies to plan and implement stronger fire prevention programs in California working with the Fire Safe Councils, home and business owners, USFS, BLM, Interior Department, CAL FIRE, local fire departments and state and local government agencies.
 
For further information on the California Fire Safe Council and a list of all local Fire Safe Councils in California, please visit www.cafiresafecouncil.org

 
ON PROPOSED INCREASES IN REFUSE COLLECTION FEES AND RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING FEES 
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the City of Portola will hold a public hearing on proposed increases to the residential and commercial refuse collection fees and residential recycling fees of the City of Portola which are billed by Intermountain Disposal in accordance with its franchise agreement. The public hearing will be held on October 25, 2017 at or after the hour of 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, Portola City Hall, 35 Third Avenue, Portola, California. 
At the public hearing, any interested person may appear and be heard and/or submit written materials as to whether the proposed charges are discriminatory or excessive, or will not be sufficient under Government Code section 54515, or will not comply with any other provision of Chapter 6, stating at Government Code section 54300, of Part I of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code, or on any other matter relating to the proposed fees. Written comments submitted to the City Clerk at the address listed below prior to October 25, 2017 and received prior to the close of the public hearing on October 25, 2017 will be presented to the City Council at the public hearing. 
A copy of the proposed rates for refuse collection fees and residential recycling fees billed by Intermountain Disposal are attached to this notice. Additional cost data is available for inspection at the City Clerk’s Office, 35 Third Avenue, Portola, California. For further information on waste collection and recycling fees, contact 832-6803. 
PROPOSITION 218 –WRITTEN PROTEST 
Owners of parcels, tenants and the public may comment on the proposed fees in writing prior to, or orally during the public hearing. Consistent with the provisions of Proposition 218 (as implemented by Assembly Bill 1260) this Notice has been mailed to all property owners and tenants within the City. If you are a property owner or tenant and wish to protest the proposed fees as described in this Notice, then you must file a written protest with the City at or before the time set for the public hearing. If the party signing the protest is not shown on the last equalized assessment roll of Plumas County as the owner(s) of the parcel(s), the protest must contain, or be accompanied by, written evidence that such party is the owner, or tenant, of the parcel(s). If protests from a majority of the affected parcels are submitted, the proposed rate increases will not go into effect. Only one protest per parcel will be counted. Only the first protest received by the City from a parcel will be counted. Owners of multiple properties may submit one protest for each property owned. 
Protests can be mailed or personally delivered to the City Clerk as follows: 
Melissa Klundby, City Clerk, City of Portola 
P.O. Box 1225 
35 Third Avenue 
Portola, California 96122 
Dated & Published: September 6, 2017 
For accessible meeting information, please call (530) 832-6803

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State University, Chico chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. Magistrate Judge Craig M. Kellison to 9,800 hours of community service, a three-year term of probation, and a $4,000 fine after pleading guilty to illegally cutting or otherwise damaging any timber, tree, or other forest product. The court also ordered the fraternity to pay restitution in the amount of $4,387.97 to the Lassen National Forest, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. 
In addition, the former president of the Chico fraternity chapter, Evan Clinton Jossey, was sentenced to a term of court probation and $1,000 fine after pleading guilty to the same offense. 
According to the criminal complaint, Jossey and other members of the fraternity participated in an initiation ceremony at the Deer Creek Trailhead in the Lassen National Forest.  During the course of the initiation ceremony, 32 trees were cut down at the site. 
This case was the product of an investigation by the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Forest Service, Law Enforcement and Investigations. Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Cook prosecuted the case.

Plumas National Forest (PNF) fire restrictions (public land), have been lifted forest-wide, effective noon today, October 20, 2017. Restrictions had been in place for the Feather River Ranger District (western PNF).


Forest visitors may enjoy campfires outside of excepted campgrounds and recreation sites, although California campfire permits are still required. The free permits may be obtained online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/ or from Forest Service offices during normal business hours (M-F; 8-4:30). Visitors are reminded to keep campfires small and to ensure the fire is completely dead out and cold to the touch before leaving camp.


As a reminder, woodcutters must assure chainsaws are equipped with spark arresters, have valid woodcutting permits and tags visible on their loads. Please call 1-800-847-7766 as required by firewood permits for burn-day information before heading out to cut wood.


For more information, please contact the Beckwourth Ranger District in Blairsden at (530) 836- 2575, the Mt Hough Ranger District in Quincy at (530) 283-0555, the Feather River Ranger District in Oroville at (530) 534-6500 or Forest Headquarters at (530) 283-2050.

Dave Roberti, rancher and part owner of the Golden West asked the City Council to consider constructing a minimum 10,000-gallon propane tank that would be owned and operated by the city and be piped underground to service the City Center, Golden West and the Pharmacy building. Roberti stated the biggest bill in the winter is propane and are paying  upwards of $2 to $2.50 per gallon. Roberti stated If they buy a transfer load they could get it at roughly $.75 per gallon.  Roberti could supply the tanks and construction could be structured. He didn’t want to get “deep in the weeds” yet, just wanted to start the conversation and then they could work out the details later. City Council is going to discuss this topic at a special meeting Friday, October 27th at 6 p.m. at the LOYALTON SOCIAL HALL.

LOYALTON MOBILEHOME PARK was a timed item at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on Tuesday, October 17th. A presentation was given to the Supervisors and concerned residents of the Park by Mark Adams, owner of the California Receivership Group. 
Adams said a Receiver is a court officer appointed by a judge and under the judge’s supervision he will take over the site and be responsible from this point forward since the permit was revoked. His plan, once appointed, was to come up the following week for initial work and inspection. 
Adams said work would move very quickly once the Receiver was in place. He stated he would start to arrange the financing to do the work and planned to do some haul outs of abandoned cars and trash the following week. Adams continued, they will look at which of the coaches need to be demolished and hauled out, adding some were decent quality, but others are a danger. He said they would work out a relocation plan as residents will not be allowed to stay there but also to have enough money to start somewhere else. He didn’t know at this meeting if it would be a demolition or a rehab, though the target was to be done within 6 months. He said they would be looking for local people to hire.  
​From the audience it was asked if he was there to fix the Park. Adams hoped it would be housing, but didn’t want to be too specific yet. Other audience members mentioned people bringing in trash not lawfully living there. Adams stated he was aware of the vagrant problem, and did not need to file unlawful retainers to evict since the court is taking possession of the property. He expects everyone will have to leave during the rehabilitation process. Adams stated this was not draconian in a sense that a hammer was coming down, adding the whole point was to make the site safe for the community. He stated they would sit down with each person because each person is a different situation. Jason VanDaam from Loyalton City Council asked what would happen with the water and sewer payments. Adams said utility payments are now his responsibility and said to think of him as the owner of the property, since the court now has jurisdiction. Loyalton Mayor Mark Marin had several issues with the water and sewer and two manholes on the property he wanted to talk to Adams about, to which Adams was agreeable. Adams stated in comparison, the most relevant project was 267 units in Duraville on Indian land and legally was far more complex than Loyalton’s. He continued that the sewage system was a series of five ponds, and the problem was the ponding system stalled, but stated the “point is we solved the problem.”
Direction from the Board to pursue the appointment of Mark Adams as receiver to the Loyalton Mobilehome Park was approved unanimously.

IN A TOTAL SURPRISE to the City of Loyalton, State officals from the Department of Housing and Community Development passed out “Important Legal Notices” to those living at the Loyalton Mobile Estates. Vice Mayor Nancy Rogers heard of the notices and asked a resident, being handed the following:
NOTICE: HCD REVOCATION OF PERMIT TO OPERATE - LOYALTON MOBILEHOME PARK,
EFFECTIVE: October 6, 2017 The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has revoked the Loyalton Mobilehome Park’s (Park) Permit to Operate (PTO) effective today, October 6, 2017.
The effect of the PTO revocation will result in the following:
1. Termination of the Park’s legal right to lawfully operate as a mobilehome park’
2. Termination of HCD as the enforcement agent for the Park;
3. Cease to exist as a lawful mobilehome park, in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code section 18214; and
4. Transfer the land use jurisdiction for the Park to the local government enforcement body for the County of Sierra (County).
Since the Park’s HCD issued operating permit is revoked as of October 6, 2017, the Park land’s use will revert to the local government land use and zoning jurisdiction for the County. All current residents, tenants and non-tenants, will be subject to the County’s local land use and zoning laws which may include removal from the property in accordance with the law.
The letter indicates all questions should now be directed to the Sierra County Planning Department.
HCD had posted a Notice of Suspension of Annual Permit to Operate for the Mobilehome park effective December 15, 2015 making it, “no longer a legitimate mobilehome park for the purposes of California Health and Safety Code. It is not legal for the owner/operator of this property to charge or accept rent for lots in the park, or for rental mobilehomes or recreational vehicles he/she may own that are in the park.”

According to Lisa Campbell, Attorney for Legal Affairs Division, Department of Housing and Community Development, Sierra County deserves the credit for the Receivership. Lisa and Evan Gerberding, Communications Deputy for the Department, were both adamant the Department had exhausted all administrative remedies. They were aware of the Receivership yet had not been notified that Mark Adams, owner of the California Receivership Group, had been appointed and that made them very happy.
Our concern is over the owner of the park not having been charged. According to Sierra County District Attorney Larry Allen, until it revoked the license, the State had exclusive jurisdiction and stated there may be a problem with the statute of limitations because the State took so long. He stated there is no complete report, yet the owner may have been taking money and not passing it on like part of the rent going to the City for water and sewer. He said citations for building violations could be enforced. 
Lisa Campbell calls it the “missing piece:” Griggs was a managing member of an LLC operating in the State of Nevada and limits the State in its ability. She said Nevada LLC protects managers more than in California. She said the State faced “no other alternative,” and brought the County on board.  The park’s license was revoked after having worked on it since 2009 and it needs a legislative fix. She suggested the County may be able to go after the LLC for costs but that would require a legal case to show the owner was personally liable.
Once the park is cleaned up, it is legally not an operative park. Those legal residents have to be moved. “Our hearts go out to those families,” Campbell stated. “We’ve done all we can do.”
Welcome to Sierra County, Mark Adams!

JIM SMITH, President and CEO of Feather River Archery Club spoke during public comment at the Loyalton City Council meeting Tuesday, October 17th. He stated the mill gave them a 30-day notice to leave the kiln they had been leasing. He asked the council if he could lease the pool building and would frame a floor over the top of the pool. He presented his insurance liability and his non-profit EIN. He said he would be updating everything to make the pool building work as an indoor archery range. Mayor Mark Marin said he would like the building to be used for something. Marin told Smith the Council would be having a special meeting next week and would put the topic on the agenda.
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SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 19, 2017 – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households impacted by the recent wildfires in Northern California will receive support from USDA to replace food lost in the disaster and purchase hot foods at SNAP-authorized retailers through November 15, the U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced.


“The Food and Nutrition Service stands with the citizens of Northern California during this time of devastation and loss,” said FNS Regional Administrator Jesus Mendoza, Jr. “We are continuously working with the California Department of Social Services to ensure those impacted receive the nutrition assistance needed.”


SNAP participants in Butte, Contra Costa, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Sacramento, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, and Yuba counties can purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits.


SNAP households in specific zip codes in Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Sonoma and Yuba counties will automatically receive replacement of 60 percent of their October SNAP benefit. These replacement benefits are intended to cover food purchased earlier in the month and then lost in the disaster. 


Where automatic benefit replacement is not available, a household may contact the local SNAP office and file a written claim for food lost in the disaster. USDA extended the 10-day timeframe for submitting claims to November 8th for Butte, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Solano, Sonoma, and Yuba counties.


Allowing SNAP-authorized stores to sell hot foods permits SNAP households who are unable to cook at home due to fire damage or lost power to purchase a hot meal, Mendoza added. While California does run a restaurant program for the elderly, disabled, and homeless in some of its counties, SNAP guidelines typically do not permit most SNAP households to purchase hot foods at SNAP authorized grocers. Exceptions can be made during a natural disaster, Mendoza said, and these wildfires have affected the ability of many families to cook meals at home. USDA’s actions will provide alternative options for immediate food access.


USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, WIC, and SNAP, which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit www.fns.usda.gov.


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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

Lake Tahoe, CA October 18, 2017. Liberty Utilities has made two new improvements to its website that will benefit customers: 

Outage Map. The real-time outage map has been improved to show greater details so customers have more information about both unplanned and planned outages. Specifically, the map will show if a crew has been dispatched or if they are assessing/working on the problem. Customers can also zoom in to see the outage area, including nearby streets; specific addresses affected by an outage are not shown for security reasons but even ski runs show up on this map! Estimated restoration times will be shown, but customers should continually check for updates as information may change based on what our crews discover. Customers can check out this new feature by clicking on the Emergencies & Outages link at www.libertyutilities.com The website is also accessible via portable devices. 
Clean 

LOS ANGELES – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed a lawsuit earlier this week against Consumer Rights Legal Services, a so-called “investment recovery marketer” that preyed on victims of securities fraud. This defendant allegedly purchased lists with names of vulnerable investors, many of whom were elderly. The purchased lists, known as “sucker lists,” are used to identify individuals across the country who have lost money after falling victim to investment scams. Marketers like Consumers Rights Legal Services would call the victims on these lists, describe their investment loss recovery services and overstate their expertise and recovery rates. While on the call, marketers would offer victims this recovery assistance for an upfront fee. Yet, after victims paid the fee, the company routinely failed to deliver on its promises.

“Violating someone’s trust is one of the most personal of crimes. It leaves individuals feeling particularly vulnerable. Consumer Rights Legal Services engaged in this unscrupulous practice often and relentlessly,” said Attorney General Becerra. “At the California Department of Justice, we fight vigorously to protect all Californians – but particularly our vulnerable citizens – from scammers and con artists.”
The Attorney General’s lawsuit alleges that the defendants, who conducted business in California as investment recovery marketers, violated the Telephonic Seller’s Law (TSL). This law prohibits companies from accepting fees to recover or otherwise assist in the return of money from a previous telemarketing transaction until the lost money is actually recovered. The violation of TSL is also an unlawful, unfair and/or fraudulent business practice under California's Unfair Competition Law (UCL) and False Advertising Law (FAL). 
Since taking office, Attorney General Becerra has made protecting consumers a top priority. Among other actions, he has urged credit agencies to provide free credit freezes in the wake of the Equifax data breach; issued numerous alerts on price gouging; charged a San Diego jeweler and his wife with unlawful financial and debt collection practices targeting active military families; and voiced his strong support for the Consumer Financial Pr otection Bureau’s Payday Lending Rule, which will prevent the worst harms associated with short-term payday lending.
Consumers are encouraged to report scams to the Office’s Public Inquiry Unit by calling (800) 952-5225 or by submitting a complaint.



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