Little Brownie Bakers has been selected as the new cookie baker for Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada. Starting January 7 until March 18, cookie customers in the Sierra Nevada region will now be able to buy name-brand Girl Scout Cookies® likeSamoas®, Tagalongs® and Do-si-dos®. It’s good news for girls, too, because name-brand cookies help them reach high goals.

Little Brownie’s digital tools are fully integrated with Girl Scouts of the USA’s Digital Cookie online selling platform. Girls can choose to use Digital Cookie in addition to other sales channels in order to reach a larger customer base and sell cookies on the internet.
Little Brownie Bakers is a division of Kellogg and supplies the majority of councils all over the country with delicious name-brand Girl Scout Cookies.
Meet America’s favorite treats:
• Samoas® – Chewy and rich, sprinkled with toasted coconut, and striped with a dark chocolaty coating
• Thin Mints® – Crisp, chocolaty and minty!
• Tagalongs® – Made with the same yummy peanut butter as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Do-si-dos® – Crunchy peanut butter sandwiches, baked with baby rolled oats
• Trefoils® – Delightfully simple and satisfying shortbread
• Savannah Smiles® – Crisp, zesty lemon cookies honoring the birthplace of Girl Scouting
• Toffee-tastic™ – Gluten-free buttery cookies bursting with toffee flavor
• Girl Scout S’mores™ – Chocolate, marshmallowy, graham cookies
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial and financial literacy program for girls in the world, and it plays
a huge role in transforming Girl Scouts into G.I.R.L.s. (Go-getters, Innovators, Risk-takers, Leaders) as they learn essential life skills that will stay with them forever. When Girl Scout Cookies are purchased, 100% of the cookie revenue stays local - giving girls the opportunity to run their own cookie business and participate in skill-building leadership programs all year long.
For more information about Girl Scout Cookies, visit gssn.org/cookies or contact us at girlscouts@gssn.org.
P.S. SAVE THE DATE for our Cookie Kickoff on Saturday, January 6 from 1-4pm! This fun-filled event will take place at the
Sparks Recreation Center on Richards Way and will officially kick off this season’s Girl Scout Cookie Program. The Cookie Kickoff
will not only help prepare, inspire, and delight girls, but it will also celebrate the strength and spirit of Girl Scouts and their
achievements in their cookie businesses! Girls will be practicing skills that will boost their cookie sales, getting to know the new
cookies, and have a blast with fun cookie-themed games and activities. To coordinate presence at the event, contact Alana Ridge at
(775) 322-0642 ext. 1225 or aridge@gssn.org. We hope to see you there!
###

​LOYALTON MOBILEHOME ESTATE residents, five who had taken the chartered bus to Reno, started receiving $3,000 checks as of Friday, November 17th. According to Tom Yatteau, Assistant Director of Operations, California Receivership Group, they had handed out six and it was a “slow process.” He told of a lot of fraudulent requests and they had to verify people are who they say they are and prove they were residents. Criteria was benefits were available to residents who lived there and they were checking records. Many gave addresses of vacant lots.
Demolition started on Saturday, November 18th with two excavators on site. Yatteau told of one “hold out” who required County Adult Protective Services and County services to find him a place with first and last month’s rent.
Also on Saturday a resident of the Sierra Valley Apartments was reported standing on a trailer they were attempting to take down. Sierra County Sheriff’s Office and CHP responded.
There was a lot of movement with hauling of travel trailers. On November 14th there was a Sierra County Sheriff’s incident of a truck pulling a large trailer on Beckwith Street at 5:38 p.m. with no lights and the pop-out extended but the deputy was unable to locate it.
There was a report of a trespasser at 8:33 p.m. on November 15th at the site of the former trailer park.
There was possible trespassing and squatting at 502 Lewis Avenue in Loyalton on November 18th which resulted with a citation issued.
A vehicle was illegally parked on private property at 306 First Street in Loyalton on November 19th.
On November 23 at 7:39 p.m., trespassing was reported with a couple of individuals at the storage units.
In talking to Tom Yatteau, Assistant Director of Operations for California Receivership Group, there is “no exact schedule” for finishing the project; to clean up the mountains of trash and debris. He spoke of a need to get funding and prior approval, part of the Receivership. The court date for Sierra County Superior Court is December 8th. 
In the meantime, there is no security; just a caretaker on site.
According to the Court Order, the property is to remain vacated.
The Receiver is to enter into contracts and employ a licensed contractor as necessary to correct the conditions cited in the Notice and Order to repair or Abate; to collect rents and income, including assessment from the property; to use any rents and income from the property to pay for the cost of rehabilitation 

and repairs determined by the Court as necessary to correct the conditions; to borrow funds to pay for repairs necessary to correct the conditions and secure debt with a super-priority lien on the property.
Receiver is permitted to fund an initial $25,000 Receiver’s Certificate with super priority status to cover costs of securing property, cleaning it out, getting contractors in to bid the cost o f rehabilitation and any of the other initial costs of the receivership.
Funds authorized by the Certificate are to be used to preserve and maintain the property and help ensure rehabilitation and cleanup of said property as the Receiver sees fit to order.
The community is now anxious for rehabilitation!

Date: November 29, 2017
 
For Immediate Release
 
The groundwork has be laid for a major fundraising opportunity in Plumas County. The Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival was designed to draw visitors from across the west coast to Plumas County. The 2017 festival was a modest success, but considered a major success when it comes to fine tuning the possibilities. Organizers are confident that attendance will substantially grow each year. One of the challenges with a newer event is the classic chicken or the egg. The event needs to offer certain amenities to draw people, but it’s difficult to secure amenities without a guarantee of people.
 
A weakness at the 2017 festival was a lack of food choices. A couple of food vendors withdrew at the last minute fearing a lack of business. There was one commercial food vendor and then the Quincy Lions club, who sold root beer floats. Those who attended the festival appreciated the food offering, but overwhelmingly asked for more choices. One of the special selling points of the Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival is the local hospitality visitors experienced. For that reason, organizers believe that a variety of foods, offered by local non-profits, would be a great way to fill the food need, as well as show off the friendliness of local organizations.
 
This strategy is used to great success at other events in California. Groups offer a single specialty item, which reduces the strain on the organization’s resources. There is less waste, less training and lower up-front costs when a group is not tackling a larger menu. Look for booths offering tacos, deli sandwiches, tri tip plates, baked goods, salads, chili, paella, or even pork chops on a stick. By keeping most commercial vendors out of the event, it gives each organization a chance to make some money, especially as the event grows. If there is robust participation from local groups, organizers plan on making this a permanent feature of the festival.
 
Any group that has a mission that benefits the community can participate. Interested parties are urged to contact John Steffanic at the Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds, 283-6272 or visit the Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival webpage; www.plumasamericana.com. The 2018 festival will be held at the Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds on Labor Day Weekend, August 31-September 2.

 
On November 17, 2017 at 6:10 a.m. Wilson Rodriguez, 32 of Portola was driving a 2001 Subaru southbound on County Road A23. It as snowing at the time and the roadway was icy. He was traveling at an unsafe speed for the roadway and weather conditions. As a result, the tires of the vehicle broke traction with the roadway, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle which swerved out of control over the west roadway edge and collided with a fence at the bottom of an embankment. He was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured. There were no chain controls on County Road A23 and the driver was equipped with M&S rated tires.
 
On November 17, at 12:20 on SR-89 south of Hideaway Road driver was backing her vehicle out of the steep driveway at her residence and failed to maintain control. The vehicle continued down the driveway and directly across both lanes of SR-89. The vehicle left the east side of the roadway and collided with a tree. The vehicle came to rest after colliding with the tree. The driver was transported to Plumas District Hospital for minor injuries. The vehicle was towed back to her residence in Grenville.
 
On November 19, 2017 at 9:03 on SR-89 8 miles south of Cold Creek Campground, Emma M. Baumbach, 21, of Portola and her passenger, Michael J. Dennison, 21 of Portola, were traveling southbound on SR-89 in her 2005 For Explorer at a stated seed of 50-55 mph when she encountered a section of icy roadway at the Cold Creek Bridge. As Baumbach began to negotiate a left hand curve at the bridge, her vehicle’s tires lost traction with the icy roadway. Baumbach subsequently lost control of the Ford and she was unable to recover as the Ford traveled off the west side of the road, entered a drainage ditch, and collide with a dirt/rock embankment. After the collision, Baumbach and her passenger were able to exit the Ford through a rolled down window and a passerby stopped to offer assistance.
 
On November 21, at 3 p.m. on Lemon Canyon Road at Sierra Hot Springs Road, Chandler Leonard, 19 of Grass Valley, CA was driving his 1996 Toyota at an unsafe speed. Due to Leonard’s unsafe speed he was unable to negotiate the left turn at the intersection onto Lemon Canyon Road. The Toyota traveled across Lemon Canyon Road in a northern direction and down a negative grade dirt embankment. The Toyota rolled over and came to rest on its left side, facing in a westerly direction, north of Lemon Canyon Road. Leonard and his passenger, Jarek Steffen, 20, of Penn Valley, CA  climbed out the Toyota and were uninjured from the collision.

Overhead signs to be replaced on Interstate 80 and Highway 50

 
MARYSVILLE – Caltrans is alerting motorists that lane and highway closures on area freeways will be required to replace three overhead changeable message signs with new “Advanced Variable Message Signs” or AVMS. The new signs will be installed at the following locations:
§  Interstate 80 westbound – Truckee – Donner Pass Road/Hwy 89
§  Interstate 80 westbound – Davis – Pole Line Road bridge
§  U.S. Highway 50 eastbound – El Dorado Hills – Latrobe Road


Lane closures with one lane open will occur at all three locations from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. with full highway closures occuring for intermittent periods up to 30 minutes during that time as structures supporting the existing signs are lowered, and the new signs structures installed with the new AVMS signs. The intermittent full freeway closures are scheduled for:


~ Midnight Tuesday November 28 through 4 a.m. Wednesday November 29 on westbound Interstate 80 in Truckee between Hwy 89 and the Donner Pass Road

Americans and retailers are gearing up for the biggest shopping day of the year.
You may have already received “sneak peek” ads and previews of all the upcoming sales and promotions promised to make your life complete.
But don’t be blinded by the noise. While each store hopes to distract you with the glitz and glamour of consumerism, there’s one major thing they’re all missing.
No matter how many possessions you own. No matter how many toys you get on sale, or how many shirts you purchase at 50 percent off, ultimately it will never be enough to completely sustain you.
Each purchase will leave you with wanting more, and you’ll be on a journey to satisfy a void that can never be filled.
Not that shopping is bad, it’s not. But the obsession with having to have the newest and greatest item can steal joy from your family if you’re not careful.
Instead of camping outside overnight waiting for the doors to open to buy the newest electronic, try doing these 3 things on Black Friday instead:
1. Go For A Hike: Stores like REI are closed for Black Friday, encouraging customers to spend the day outdoors, instead of shopping.
If you live near a local park or trail, take the opportunity to enjoy the cool crisp air, and go for a jog or long walk.
You can even get creative and have a picnic with your family, complete with hot apple cider or warm homemade soup.
While cars are backed up in traffic and angrily beeping their horns, you can breeze by on your bike!
If you’re not much of a hiker, you can partake in other outdoor activities such as a game of tag or flag football.
2. Give Thanks. Again: Think about it. As a family, you just gathered to give thanks for the many blessings.
What’s to say you can’t do it again!
So many people spend Thanksgiving feeling thankful, but then get into fights over products on shelves the day after.
Don’t be that person!
Instead, use this day as a bonus day to spend with your family, and enjoy quality time.
No amount of money can ever buy more time.
Consider watching movies snuggled on the couch with your loved ones. Or, try pulling out a couple board games and have a little friendly competition!
If you have little ones, you can break out the arts and crafts, and decorate a few items as a family.
Memories spent with your family will always outweigh the short-lived thrill of the latest purchase.
3. Catch Up On Life: With shoppers running around from store to store, the last place you’ll want to be is on the road.
Use this day to catch up on day everyday items around the house.
You can batch cook for the week, or even experiment with trying new recipes for your family dinner.
All of the items you typically save for Saturday, you can accomplish having an extra day off – whether it’s paying bills, catching up on housework, or even taking time to finally put up those Christmas decorations!
After you’re done, you can even take a relaxing bubble bath, and catch a quick nap!
If you do choose to shop on Black Friday, be smart about it. Don’t fall prey to the latest shopping ad.
Sure, you might be able to score some good deals, but the best way to save money is to not make the purchase at all!

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© 2017 Mommy Underground 
320 Runnymeade Rd. | Essex Fells, NJ 07021

​LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met November 21st with Mayor Mark Marin announcing he’d turn the gavel  over to Vice Mayor Nancy Rogers after the meeting until the first of the year due to medical issues.
Marin reported that Verizon wouldn’t return his calls over the proposed cell tower due to the property at the cemetery can’t have building on it; it’s for graves and parking.
Marin introduced Detective Mike Fisher with the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office over the camp trailers and mess left by people from the trailer park.
Fisher talked about putting a committee together including the sheriff’s office to look at ordinances. He said there’s been no abatement in 15 years.  With the trailer park cleaned up, he’d like to see the City of Loyalton follow suit. He spoke of the issues out of the park storing of camp and cargo trailers and to do so in a lawful manner using city ordinances. He called it “not fair”  to deal with only those out of the park and if the sheriff is involved, make it universal across the board and fair to all residents. He said to pick and choose what is a priority. He told it would cost money  whether it was  cars or broken windows to attract squatters. He stated those displaced still have rights of property owners doing lawful things.  He would be happy to assist a committee. Under question, Fisher said with the city, the sheriff’s office would do investigation and then the council would follow up with abatement. The council took no action.
CalPERS retirees pay
Retiree Don Yegge acknowledged none of the present council members ended CalPers but the employees had lost more than half their retirement and would like a contract. On the contract they’d had, they‘d been advised not to sign over a CA Civil Code 1542. The mayor stated they’d been told there’s no money to continue this.  It was agreed to look at a new contract and get together. Bookkeeper Tracy Smith wanted to know where to allocate the next payment. There was discussion over the payment of the property sold the county. Retiree John Cussins questioned the council not wanting to take money from water and sewer to pay the retirees when the biggest part of their pay was from water and sewer.
It was agreed to meet December 5 with the attorney and the mayor stated they’d have to figure where to get the money.
From the audience, Mark Lombardi told the horrors of having an attorney and urged them to work among themselves.
Council member Joy Markum said she wouldn’t vote for anything until there’s a budget. Tracy needed direction for payment for December 1st. Joy made motion to pay $5,000 out of contingencies for retiree pay and it passed unanimously.
Bills paid
Total of bills was $56,492.53. Tracy pointed out $2100 paid to the attorney, of that $1,040 was legal fees for the probation rental which pays $900. Another part of legal fees was for the fire district.
Fire District
Concerning an 8-man committee for a proposed fire district for the greater Loyalton area, the mayor stated, “We don’t have the money to start our fire district.”
Joy Markum stated if they contract with Sierra County Fire Protection District #1, “We can make up to $50,000 a year.” From the audience, Craig Fassbender felt the jury was still out with no guarantees. Joy talked of costs to form a new district which Craig called “scare tactics.” Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen was in the audience and stated district boundaries drive the cost and the lines have to be redrawn. Craig stated the fire department would lose 15% taxable income. Joy said District #1 has fees put away for LAFCO costs. “They have money; we don’t,” she said.
Marin made the motion not to go with an 8-man board “because we don’t have money to go through LAFCO. We’re broke.” Rogers and Markum voted no. Jason Vandaam voted yes.
Feather River Archery Club on Pool
President of Feather River Archery Club, Jim Smith, approached the council on engineering the swimming pool building’s floor, creating a “floating floor” system, pulling permits and being “totally legal,” as a temporary action which can be removed but to use the facility one day a week. It would take all liability away from the city and if the city came up with funding, could bring the pool back.
Yours truly had heard talk of the need of another gymnasium and asked Supervisor Roen of the need and if the archery club would work with the school district. The council agreed to get with Jim and the school board to talk.
From the audience, Leroy Vanetti was in favor of the building being used.  Tammy Johnson questioned donations previously collected for the swimming pool. Libby Ryan asked about the building’s rent. “How much,” she asked.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Thanksgiving weekend, traditionally one of the busiest travel times in America, can also be one of the deadliest on the roadways.  To help motorists avoid tragedies, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will have all available officers on patrol during a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP).


The MEP begins at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 26.  During the MEP, CHP officers will educate motorists and enforce traffic safety laws throughout the state to ensure everyone has a safe holiday. 


Not wearing a seat belt can be a fatal decision in a collision.  According to the CHP’s 2016 Thanksgiving MEP data, among the 27 people killed in collisions within CHP jurisdiction, 14 were not wearing a seat belt.  Research shows that wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest things people can do to stay safe when traveling in a vehicle. 


“Whether you are driving across the street or across the country for your Thanksgiving gathering, it is imperative to wear your seat belt,” CHP Acting Commissioner Warren Stanley said.  “Wearing a seat belt is essential every day of the year, but we do not want to have festivities ruined as a result of people not buckling up for their trip.”


The CHP is also partnering with seven other state law enforcement agencies across the nation for the Thanksgiving weekend for the “Interstate 40 Challenge.”  The annual campaign focuses on the 2,500-mile stretch of interstate that runs from North Carolina through Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, ending in Barstow, Calif.  The CHP will be educating and enforcing traffic safety laws during this challenge.  During past challenges, California has not seen a single fatality on I-40


The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest levels of Safety, Service, and Security.
# # #

Ways to Manage Your Finances and Avoid Post-Holiday Blues
The holidays are filled with temptation to overspend.
Financial expert Eric Tyson offers advice on how to manage your holiday spending.
          Hoboken, NJ (November 2017)—The holidays are upon us, bringing all those personal and family images and sensations we cherish. But for many of us, there are a few not-so-joyous holiday sights (overflowing boxes and bags from our purchases) and sounds (email notifications of our latest orders and purchases online and the ca-ching! of retail cash registers marking our escalating debt). These negatives can easily outweigh all that we love about the holiday season.
          "Overall, the 2008 financial crisis and recession brought about a renewed dedication to saving," says Tyson, author of Personal Finance in Your 20s & 30s For Dummies® (Wiley, 2017, ISBN: 978-1-119-43141-1, $19.99). "It's very important that you not let your holiday spending zap all of the saving progress you made during the year.
          "Whether it's a dedication to the gift-giving tradition, a sense of obligation, or a feeling that the holidays entitle us to have a little more fun than usual, too many of us seem to turn a blind eye to the budget-busting reality of all that spending over just a couple of months," he adds. "Don't let excessive holiday spending cause unnecessary financial stress for you and your loved ones."
          What if you could have a wonderful, memorable holiday and avoid the financial hangover afterwards? Tyson provides great tips on how to keep your holiday spending in check.
Find an alternative to gift-giving during the holidays. Many people feel they have to give gifts during the holidays, either because it's a family tradition or because they know their friends and relatives have gotten gifts for them. There are plenty of great ways to trade in this tradition for another one that is even more meaningful, and chances are your family and friends will be happy to save gift-buying dough as well.
"Instead of exchanging gifts, your family members might want to pool their money and spend it on a holiday outing," says Tyson. "If you have kids, you'll probably want to get them a little something, but set strict spending limits. Instead of piling up the toys, let each child choose an outing or event that he or she gets to spend with you one-on-one. Kids will look back on the valuable time you've spent together a lot more fondly than they will any toy or video game they use a couple of times and then toss aside."
If you must buy gifts, cut your expenses elsewhere as necessary. Perhaps you'd rather dine out or go to the movies less, or maybe you can forego that new pair of shoes you've been wanting for yourself in order to afford gifts for the grandparents. "It doesn't matter where you make cuts, just that you make them," says Tyson. "Keeping your other spending under control while you're out there doing your shopping can be a challenge, but just keep repeating to yourself the importance of not over-spending. That way when it comes time to actually pass out those presents you've purchased, you can do it without grimacing as you think about the damage they did to your bank account."
Set a budget and keep tabs on what you are spending. While you're doing your holiday shopping, your new best friends should be your bank account and credit card records. It's easy to get into a spending rhythm when shopping for yourself or others, and that's why you need to keep track of every purchase you make and make sure you don't go over your budget. "When you start to add up everything you're spending, you may be shocked at what all those expenses from this store and that store add up to be," says Tyson. "And don't forget about all those 'necessary' holiday extras. Most people don't budget their shopping and don't realize that by the time you buy all the presents, plus wrapping paper, cards, decorations, etc., it's added up to a ridiculous amount. Having a budget that you know you must stick to will help keep your impulse spending from getting out of hand and will help you hone in on the most reasonably priced holiday items."
Plan what you are going to buy, and don't get any extras! Particularly during the holidays, companies pull out their most appealing packaging in hopes of snagging the eyes of shoppers. That's why along with your budget, you're going to want to take an exact list of what you want to buy for your gift recipients. Don't go shopping for someone's gift until you know exactly what you are going to buy.
"It's very easy to go in with no plan, see something you like, and get it simply because you have no idea what else to get for a hard-to-buy-for relative despite the gift's significant price tag," says Tyson.
Watch out for deals that seem too good to be true. Retailers and websites run all sorts of specials to induce consumers to buy now, and the holidays offer these companies easy prey in the form of deal-seeking, cash-strapped consumers. For example, furniture stores frequently offer that if you buy now, you don't have to pay a thing for a year, and you might even get free delivery. This sort of "push" marketing can make it harder for you to say no.
"This is just one example of how stores coax in shoppers," says Tyson. "Always remember that free financing for, say, a year is not a huge cost to the dealer, but it is a cost, and if you forgo it, you should be able to negotiate a lower purchase price. Retailers find that buyers are less likely to negotiate the price if they are getting a short-term financing break. Read the fine print on any deal you are considering taking before you go to the store to make the purchase. It can be even harder to say no once you get to the store, so you'll want to know what you are in for before you get there."
Leave the plastic at home. Many of us can explain away spending so much on gifts because we simply charge everything and reason that we can pay it off gradually after the holidays. This is a great way to create a never-ending cycle of consumer debt for yourself. It only creates unnecessary financial stress for you after the holidays.
"Use your budget to figure out how you can purchase the gifts you want to purchase without putting them on your credit card," says Tyson. "If you are so cash-strapped that you think it will be difficult to avoid charging gifts, then you may want to sit down with other friends and family and propose a limit on how much gifts can cost this year—or propose no adult gift exchanges at all. Far from being disappointed, it's likely they'll view this reprieve from gift-buying as a gift in its own right."
Invest in your kids' financial futures. It may not seem as exciting to your kids as a new iPod, but a contribution to their financial well-being will be appreciated long after such expensive "toys" are obsolete. "Have the grandparents contribute to a college tuition fund or savings account rather than buy them more stuff they don't need," suggests Tyson. "Or make one of your gifts to your kids a stock fund portfolio that can start accruing now. Also, make them aware of the budgets and tools you are using to keep your spending in check. The holidays are a great time for them to truly learn that money doesn't grow on trees."
Give the gift of time to your kids. Often, parents buy gifts for their kids with the best of intentions. Either you don't want to deprive them of the toys and gadgets all of their friends have, or you want to give them the things you didn't have as a kid.
"Both of these tendencies are perfectly understandable, but I've found that parents who buy too much for their kids often have difficulty changing the habit," says Tyson. "The holiday season offers great opportunities for you to show your kids how much you love and care for them. For example, you can make time with them each week to watch a holiday film or TV show, go on a walk to see your neighbors' holiday lights and decorations, or emphasize that giving-back message again and take them caroling at a local retirement home. All of these activities cost next to nothing, and they will be fun for the kids and for you!"
Remember that meaningful gifts don't necessarily have a big price tag. "Sure, it might be nice to give your mom a brand new TV, but there are other things out there that will be even more meaningful and enjoyable for her," says Tyson. "If you are looking to give a gift that truly means something and that will keep its value for years to come, you are better off looking for nonmaterial gifts to give than for something your gift recipients could get themselves at the local big box store."
          "Money can easily become the focus of the holidays when it should be the last thing you are thinking about," says Tyson. "By keeping your spending under control, you can have a great holiday and avoid the sick feeling in the pit of your stomach that occurs when you start getting those January credit card bills. If you prepare properly, you can achieve a happy balance of spending and saving during the holiday season. That's a great gift in and of itself, for both you and the people you love."
# # #
About the Author:
Eric Tyson, MBA, is an internationally acclaimed and best-selling personal finance author, counselor, and writer. He is the author of five national best-selling financial books including Investing For Dummies, Personal Finance For Dummies, and Home Buying Kit For Dummies. He has appeared on NBC's Today show, ABC, CNBC, FOX News, PBS, and CNN, and has been interviewed on hundreds of radio shows and print publications.
About the Book:
Personal Finance in Your 20s & 30s For Dummies® (Wiley, 2017, ISBN: 978-1-119-43141-1, $19.99) is available at bookstores nationwide, from major online booksellers, and direct from the publisher by calling 800-225-5945. In Canada, call 800-567-4797. For more information, please visit the book's page on www.wiley.com.

​Our company is currently working with the Tahoe National Forest on a research project about the old Lewis Mill (also known as the Lewis Brothers’ Mill or Lewis and Peck Mill) located south of Loyalton along Smithneck Creek. The mill began operations in 1886 and ran into the early 1900s.
We would be interested in talking to anyone who had a family member who worked at the mill and are particularly interested in finding photos of the operation that we could reproduced for use in a technical report, a public document, and on a roadside sign. If you have photos or information about the mill, please contact me.
 
Thank you,
Sharon Waechter
Far Western Anthropological Research Group
2727 Del Rio Place, Suite A
Davis, CA 95618
SharonW@farwestern.com
530-304-4110

Auburn – Recent rains and cooler temperatures across the region have lowered the threat of wildfires allowing CAL FIRE’s Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit to transition out of peak fire season effective Monday, November 20, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. in Nevada, Yuba, Placer and Sierra Counties.
CAL FIRE will continue to maintain staffing to meet any potential threat, as well as maintaining the ability to strategically move resources to areas that remain at a higher threat level. CAL FIRE will also continue to monitor weather conditions closely, with the ability to increase staffing should weather conditions change or if there is a need to support wildfires or other emergencies in other areas of the State.
The 2017 fire season has been an extremely active year, even more so than in 2016. Statewide, CAL FIRE and firefighters from many local agencies responded to over 6,000 wildfires within the State Responsibility Area that burned nearly 505,000 acres. In the Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit, CAL FIRE responded to 442 wildfires that charred 12,822 acres.
During the cooler winter months, CAL FIRE will continue to actively focus efforts on fire prevention and fuels treatment activities as guided by the State’s Strategic Fire Plan and localized Unit fire plans. These will be done through public education, prescribed burns and various types of fuel reduction. These activities are aimed at reducing the impacts of large, damaging wildfires and improving overall forest health.
Residents are urged to still take precautions outdoors in order to prevent sparking a wildfire. A leading cause of wildfires this time of year is from escaped landscape debris burning. Before you burn, ensure it is a permissive burn day by contacting the local air quality district and then make sure you have any and all required burn permits. During burning, make sure that piles of landscape debris are no larger than four feet in diameter, provide a 10-ft. clearance down to bare mineral soil around the burn pile and ensure that a responsible adult is in attendance at all times with a water source and a shovel.
For more ways to burn safely visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
# # #
Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit CAL FIIRE NEWS RELEASE
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Boy Scouts held their annual Flag Retirement Ceremony on Main Street in Loyalton Saturday, November 11th.

 
Residential open burning season has begun.  Here are important rules and considerations.

• Burn only on a permissive burn day.  No-burn days may be called due to either a poor smoke dispersion forecast or wildfire danger.  The burn day status for smoke dispersion is based on criteria in CCR Title 17.  To see if it is a burn day, visit the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District website at http://myairdistrict.com/index.php/burning-info/burn-day-status/ or call the phone number for your area to see if outdoor burning is allowed.  

Western Nevada County (west of Donner Pass):  (530) 274-7928
Truckee Area:  (530) 582-1027
Western Sierra County: (530) 289-3662
Eastern Sierra County: (530) 994-3561

• Burn only natural vegetation – no plywood, no painted or treated wood, no plastic, no paper or cardboard, no waste oil, no insulation, no carpet, no diapers, no garbage.
• In western Nevada County, piles cannot be mainly leaves and pine needles.  There should be enough woody material to sustain flames and burn hot and clean.
• Recommended burn hours are 9:00-3:00 for best smoke dispersion.
• Burning is only allowed on the property where the vegetation grew. It may not be transported to another location for burning.
• Burning shall be mitigated or extinguished when smoke drifts into a populated area.
• Arrange burn piles loosely to allow air to move through the pile, creating little to no smoke. 
• Allow at least 3 weeks of drying time from the date of cutting to burning. Allow at least 6 weeks if the branch diameter is greater than 6 inches.  Do not burn stumps in place.

• Obtain a Burn Permit from a fire agency when they are required (when you check the burn day status, the message will indicate if permits are needed).  Know and follow all conditions on the permit.
• An Air Pollution Permit issued by the Air District is required for any non-residential open burning. Examples of non-residential burning include burning for a timber harvest, development project, range improvement, wildland vegetation management, agricultural operation, right-of-way maintenance and burn projects greater than one acre. Residential open burning is only for the maintenance of a single- or two-family residential property. 
• For tips on burning, visit: http://myairdistrict.com/index.php/burning-info/tips-on-burning/.

 
Consider alternatives to burning:

• Chip or grind waste vegetation and use it for mulch, compost or erosion control.
• Haul vegetation to a designated green waste disposal site or transfer station.
• Contact the Nevada County Fire Safe Council Chipping Program at (530) 272-1122.
• Call Waste Management at (530) 274-3090 to sign up for curbside green waste pick-up.

 
Be a good neighbor... Smoke from your burn pile should not impact others!
 
“Wood smoke particles are so small, they can bypass the airway defenses and enter directly into the lung and bloodstream and can cause damage to cells, and lead to lung disease and heart attacks.” – American Lung Association, November 1, 2016

​On November 11, 2017 at 1556 hours, the driver of a 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 pickup from Truckee, CA drove at a high rate of speed, westbound on Beckwourth-Calpine Road, east of the intersection of SR-89. For an unknown reason, the driver failed to slow and stop for the stop sign at the intersection and continued westbound, across SR-89. The vehicle traveled off the west roadway edge where it plowed through a steel corral fence. The vehicle continued to travel westbound through private property at a high rate of speed and struck two additional steel fences before striking the front of a parked 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup. The vehicle overturned onto its roof and came to rest on top of the parked Dodge. The driver sustained major injuries as a result of this collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency personnel. The involved party’s identification is being withheld pending notification to next of kin by the Sierra County Coroner.
 

 
Residential open burning season has begun.  Here are important rules and considerations.

• Burn only on a permissive burn day.  No-burn days may be called due to either a poor smoke dispersion forecast or wildfire danger.  The burn day status for smoke dispersion is based on criteria in CCR Title 17.  To see if it is a burn day, visit the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District website at http://myairdistrict.com/index.php/burning-info/burn-day-status/ or call the phone number for your area to see if outdoor burning is allowed.  

Western Nevada County (west of Donner Pass):  (530) 274-7928
Truckee Area:  (530) 582-1027
Western Sierra County: (530) 289-3662
Eastern Sierra County: (530) 994-3561

• Burn only natural vegetation – no plywood, no painted or treated wood, no plastic, no paper or cardboard, no waste oil, no insulation, no carpet, no diapers, no garbage.
• In western Nevada County, piles cannot be mainly leaves and pine needles.  There should be enough woody material to sustain flames and burn hot and clean.
• Recommended burn hours are 9:00-3:00 for best smoke dispersion.
• Burning is only allowed on the property where the vegetation grew. It may not be transported to another location for burning.
• Burning shall be mitigated or extinguished when smoke drifts into a populated area.
• Arrange burn piles loosely to allow air to move through the pile, creating little to no smoke. 
• Allow at least 3 weeks of drying time from the date of cutting to burning. Allow at least 6 weeks if the branch diameter is greater than 6 inches.  Do not burn stumps in place.

• Obtain a Burn Permit from a fire agency when they are required (when you check the burn day status, the message will indicate if permits are needed).  Know and follow all conditions on the permit.
• An Air Pollution Permit issued by the Air District is required for any non-residential open burning. Examples of non-residential burning include burning for a timber harvest, development project, range improvement, wildland vegetation management, agricultural operation, right-of-way maintenance and burn projects greater than one acre. Residential open burning is only for the maintenance of a single- or two-family residential property. 
• For tips on burning, visit: http://myairdistrict.com/index.php/burning-info/tips-on-burning/.

 
Consider alternatives to burning:

• Chip or grind waste vegetation and use it for mulch, compost or erosion control.
• Haul vegetation to a designated green waste disposal site or transfer station.
• Contact the Nevada County Fire Safe Council Chipping Program at (530) 272-1122.
• Call Waste Management at (530) 274-3090 to sign up for curbside green waste pick-up.

 
Be a good neighbor... Smoke from your burn pile should not impact others!
 
“Wood smoke particles are so small, they can bypass the airway defenses and enter directly into the lung and bloodstream and can cause damage to cells, and lead to lung disease and heart attacks.” – American Lung Association, November 1, 2016

Plumas Unified School District (PUSD) science teachers are using a new fire science curriculum to ignite students’ passion for science. The Sierra Nevada Fireworks curriculum about the science of wildland fire was developed as a collaboration among PUSD, Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory (of the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station), and the Plumas National Forest. While the curriculum for the Sierra Nevada is brand new, many activities were adapted from the original FireWorks Educational Program, published in 2000.

The new curriculum has been pilot-tested in many science classes and is now available for free online at https://www.frames.gov/fireworks/curriculum/sierra-nevada. Many activities require associated materials such as posters, hardware, and plant specimens. Digital materials can be downloaded and printed from the website, while other materials are available in FireWorks trunks. Trunks of materials have been provided to teachers at PUSD school sites.
FireWorks is a valuable tool to all educators, interpreters, and fire prevention specialists. Activities provide students with interactive, hands-on materials to study wildland fire and local ecology. Many of the activities are applicable wherever wildland fires occur, however, many are specialized for the Sierra Nevada.
Rob Wade, PUSD outdoor education has this to say about FireWorks, “It has been a great experience working with the team during the past couple of years. They really have transformed this idea into a meaningful, relevant curriculum for our teachers. We couldn’t be more pleased and are excited to integrate FireWorks district-wide this year.”
See the Sierra Nevada FireWorks brochure for more information or contact Rob Wade, rwade@pcoe.k12.ca.us or Ilana Abrahamson, ilanalabrahamson@fs.fed.us.
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George Runner was right: California now has the highest gas prices in the nation.


Republican George Runner predicted in April that California's gas tax hike would catapult the Golden State's already high fuel prices to the "highest in the nation," after the increase went into effect on Nov. 1, 2017.


It appears his prediction was spot on.


California's average per gallon price of gasoline reached $3.21 on Monday Nov. 6, 2017, or 12 cents higher than in Hawaii, which previously had the priciest gasoline, according to the fuel tracking website GasBuddy.com.


California's gasoline prices have topped Hawaii's since Nov. 3, 2017, according to the website.


Two energy experts told us in April that Runner's claim had merit. But they also said unrelated factors could keep Hawaii's then highest-in-the-nation prices at the top, even after the California tax hike went into effect.  Following our practice of not rating predictions, we decided not to place Runner's statement on our Truth-O-Meter.


But, as promised in April, we decided to revisit Runner's claim. ...


Read the full article in PolitiFact California.

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These are only some of the sweet animals that need homes with the closure of the mobilehome park. For Information, call Amanda Osburn at Loyalton High School or call the Booster at 993-4379