Blog Archives - Sierra Booster

INFORMATION REQUEST ON OLD LEWIS MILL

11/20/2017

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

Transition out of peak fire season

11/18/2017

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.
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Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit CAL FIIRE NEWS RELEASE
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

AMAC: Aging is a disease and science

11/17/2017

Is determined to find a 'cure' for it

WASHINGTON, DC, Nov 17 - Is old age a disease? Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC], says a significant amount of scientific research indicates that aging is, indeed, a disease. "More important there are many who believe it is a disease with a cure."

Weber cites the work of Dr. Aubrey de Grey, a well-known biomedical gerontologist. His focus is on extending life spans by intervening at the cellular level, repairing damaged cells and in turn extending life.

Some call de Grey a "mad scientist" but there is lots of independent study being conducted by those in the scientific mainstream to indicate that he is on the right track.

Most recently, researchers at the Universities of Exeter and Brighton in the U.K. released the results of a study that showed aging cells can be repaired. They used naturally occurring chemicals to treat aging human cells with remarkable results.

"When I saw some of the cells in the culture dish rejuvenating I couldn't believe it. These old cells were looking like young cells. It was like magic. I repeated the experiments several times and in each case, the cells rejuvenated. I am very excited by the implications and potential for this research," according to Exeter's Dr. Eva Latorre, one the principal authors of the research report.

Meanwhile, notes Weber, the New York Times reports that the study of the human aging process has evolved to the point where the focus is now on what are called "supercentenarians," individuals who live longest of all.

"It used to be that a person who reached the ripe old age of 100 was a rarity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, however, recently reported that the number of Americans over the age of 100 has grown by 44% since the year 2000. The U.S. today is home to more than 72,000 centenarians," says the AMAC chief.

But the New England Centenarian Study at Boston University, a leading medical investigative group concentrating on how we grow old, believes healthy aging is all in the genes, particularly the genes of the very, very old. The Study says on its Web site "the genetic influence becomes greater and greater with older and older ages, especially beyond 103 years of age."

Whether the cellular approach or the genetic approach is ultimately successful in increasing the life span of more people in the future, Weber points out that living an extra long life can be fraught with financial danger. It will require a whole new way of thinking about retirement. Modern medicine has already extended longevity and that has resulted in fewer of us being able to retire. Many more people these days have given up on the notion of full retirement at the traditional age of 65. We stay in our jobs longer than we might like or we find ways of supplementing our incomes.

But for many elderly Americans, finding work to supplement their incomes is not an option. Social Security is what puts food on their tables. It's their principal source of income, meager as it might be, and they would face cruel hardships if their monthly checks were cut. For them, the fact that Social Security faces major fiscal challenges in the coming years is a scary prospect.

"We need to focus, as a nation, on how the less fortunate of us will cope in the brave new world of centenarians and supercentenarians. How will they cope with their everyday lives? For them, it is not a benefit-it is a necessity and it is imperative that our lawmakers find and enact the fixes that will keep Social Security viable for the long term. For our part, AMAC remains relentless in its pursuit of solutions in our ongoing meetings with Congressional leaders. We've vowed never to give up and we won't," says Weber.

ABOUT AMAC
The Association of Mature American Citizens [http://www.amac.us] is a vibrant, vital senior advocacy organization that takes its marching orders from its members. We act and speak on their behalf, protecting their interests and offering a practical insight on how to best solve the problems they face today. Live long and make a difference by joining us today at http://amac.us/join-amac.

LOYALTON MOBILEHOME ESTATES EVICTION

11/16/2017

MOVING DAY arrived for residents of Loyalton’s Mobilehome Estates. A chartered bus arrived before 10 a.m. Passengers were not allowed any pets and room was limited for belongings.
Most people were cooperating and the park was busy with packing a variety of vehicles. According to Security, utilities were in the process of being turned off. Any who didn’t leave would forfeit any relocation benefits.
Belongings were hauled to the front of the park where some were picked up by friends and relatives.
Lisa Melton carried two dogs on her lap and was followed by two more as she struggled to wheel herself to the front of the park in her wheelchair. An emotional scene ensured when Lisa couldn’t leave her beloved pets and refused to get on the bus without them, despite urging by her sister.
In yet another scene, Kevin Pagal towed a truck towing a fifth wheel down the street to Sierra Pacific Industries’ property, followed by Sheriff’s Detective Mike Fisher.
By shortly before noon, Security wandered in what appeared an empty court.

BOY SCOUT TROOP 60

11/16/2017

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

New Resource for Livestock Producers in Plumas, Sierra and Butte Counties

11/15/2017

Quincy, Calif. – November 15, 2017 –
University of California Cooperative Extension introduces a new resource for livestock producers and land managers in Northern California. Tracy Schohr, has assumed the role of UCCE Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor for Plumas, Sierra and Butte counties. In this role, she will conduct extension, education and applied research that will focus on livestock production and sustainable range and pasture management.

“I am excited to work with cattle ranchers and land managers across the three counties to address the most pressing issues in the region,” said Schohr. “An integral part of my position will be conducting research that can ensure the success of sustainable grazing and sharing that information with stakeholders in the region.”

Prior to joining UCCE, Schohr worked for the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, where she conducted research and outreach on working rangelands focused on irrigated pasture, mountain meadows, livestock predation, annual rangelands and invasive species. Schohr holds a master’s degree in Horticulture and Agronomy from UC Davis and a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business from California State University, Chico.

“The Sierra County Board of Supervisors are excited to join the Plumas County Board of Supervisors and UC Cooperative Extension to support this position,” said Paul Roen, Sierra County Supervisor for District 3 and Sierra Valley rancher. “Ms. Schohr will provide technical resources to livestock producers, collaborate with public land managers and conduct research that will improve the economic profitability of cattlemen in this region.”

Ranchers and land managers can contact Tracy Schohr at tkschohr@ucanr.edu or in the UC Cooperative Extension Office in Quincy at 208 Fairground Road or (530) 283-6262.

RESIDENTIAL OPEN BURNING

11/15/2017

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

COLLISION AT A-23 AT SR-89

11/13/2017

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.

Politicians’ Fitness for Office: Transparency Needed

11/8/2017

by Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D.

As Democrats parade the opinions of various psychiatric and psychological TV “experts,” claiming that President Trump is “mentally ill” and unfit for office, I was recently asked: “Should Congress and political candidates release medical records to run for or hold political office?” And “Is it even ethical for psychiatrists and psychologists to be on TV claiming the President is mentally ill, or has a personality disorder, if they have not examined the patient?”
These questions became even more relevant with the recent revelation that Grubbs Pharmacy on Capitol Hill delivers prescriptions almost daily to members of Congress and their staff, some of which are medicines for serious illnesses like Alzheimer’s dementia. In fact, the pharmacist who handles these prescriptions for Congress and the elite on Capitol Hill is quoted in the article saying he finds it “troubling” that the public does not know who is suffering from such diseases that affect brain function, memory, judgment, and ability to think and analyze complex information.
In several recent media interviews, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi demonstrated facial tics, long pauses as she searched for words, stumbling over the pronunciation of simple words, and difficulty remembering basic information, dates, names, and even who is President.
Democrat presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton displayed facial tics, speech pauses, difficulty standing, and difficulty recalling words during the 2016 campaign. Yet the public was only told she had “pneumonia.” These observations are not typical of pneumonia and suggest a more serious neurological problem.
Senator John McCain disclosed he has a serious brain cancer, but has remained in office casting critical votes that affect all Americans, although this type of cancer can impair thinking and judgment and cause behavior changes.
President Trump has not exhibited any of the behaviors described above to suggest a medical or mental problem affecting performance. His speech is fluid, articulate, and does not show the pauses and loss of common words that are easily observable with Pelosi, Clinton, or McCain.
The public is already aware of a marked double standard for Members of Congress and political elites with regard to offenses that would lead to jail or major financial or other penalties for the average consumer and voter. Some recent examples include insider trading, failing to disclose contributions properly, failing to pay taxes, failing to disclose foreign investments, and a host of other offenses leading to politicians’ personal financial gain.
But what has not been discussed in the public debate or media is the even more serious issue of politicians’ failure to disclose to voters any physical or mental impairment and failure that may affect their ability to perform the job they are paid to do in representing us.
Compare politicians’ lack of transparency regarding serious medical illnesses or drug or alcohol abuse with what we see in other professions:

Physicians are required, as a condition of their license to practice medicine, to disclose any mental or physical impairment, condition or disability that may affect their ability to carry out their duties to patients, including any substance abuse. They are also required to disclose any arrests (for anything other than minor traffic violation, such as speeding). Failure to disclose this information on a license application or renewal is terms for sanctions that can include loss of license to practice medicine, or inability to obtain hospital privileges in all 50 states.
Airline pilots have similar requirements for an annual physical and mental exam, regular performance evaluations in the cockpit with instructors evaluating in-flight performance on required “check rides.” Airline pilots also have random drug screening
Commercial truck drivers have requirements for random drug screens and physical and psychological exams as part of their commercial drivers license renewal.
Law enforcement officers also face random drug screening, and are subject to internal affairs investigations if they display behavior that is unprofessional, or show physical impairments that may affect job performance.

Why are members of Congress, the Judiciary, and the Executive Branch of government exempted from similar requirements when they are making decisions that affect the lives of millions of Americans?
As a prescription for what is making Washington toxic and dysfunctional, this physician suggests requiring all politicians holding or running for office to release their medical records and disclose any medical or mental conditions for which they are being treated with prescription medications.
Would YOU want a pilot for your flight to show the problems exhibited by Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton or John McCain? Would YOU want your doctor displaying such incoherence and memory loss during your exam?
VOTERS, time to speak up. Hold politicians accountable for proper medical disclosures.
Then decide: Are they fit to hold office and make decisions that affect MY life?
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Author/Contributor short bio:
Dr. Vliet has been a leader in patient centered, individualized medical care. Since 1986, she has practiced medicine independent of insurance contracts that interfere with patient-physician relationships and decision-making. Dr. Vliet focus is medical freedom and free market approaches to healthcare. Dr. Vliet is the founder of Vive Life Center and Hormone Health Strategies with medical practices in Tucson AZ and Dallas TX, specializing in preventive and climacteric medicine with an integrated approach to evaluation and treatment of women and men with complex medical and hormonal problems from puberty to late life.
Dr. Vliet is a 2014 Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient for her national and international educational efforts in health, wellness, and endocrine aging in men and women, and is recognized in the US as a motivational speaker in health and wellness and a powerful patient advocate, proponent of free market approaches to lower healthcare costs. Dr. Vliet is the recipient of Voice of Women Award from Arizona Foundation for Women in recognition of her pioneering advocacy for the overlooked hormone connections in women’s health.
Dr. Vliet's consumer health books include: It’s My Ovaries, Stupid; Screaming To Be Heard: Hormonal Connections Women Suspect-- And Doctors STILL Ignore; Women, Weight and Hormones; The Savvy Woman's Guide to PCOS, The Savvy Woman’s Guide to Great Sex, Strength, and Stamina.

HELP THE EFFORT TO EXPAND BROADBAND TO ALL SIERRA COUNTY COMMUNITIES

11/7/2017

In an effort to expand broadband services in all communities of Sierra County, the board of supervisors is working with the state sponsored Gold Country Broadband Consortium (GCBC) now managed by the Sierra Business Council (SBC). This consortium is of one of 14 regional groups representing 49 counties statewide, and is the local effort for the region that includes all of Sierra County. The SBC manager of this local effort is Michelle Gartner, and SBC took over this gold country effort earlier this year.

In order to both attract grant funding, as well as service providers, an accurate appraisal of the need in each community is needed and toward that end, the GCBC  is soliciting any and all county residents with poor or no internet service to report that condition. To report either, the following links can be used:

For poor internt service, log in, take the speed test  and report via:
http://sierrabusiness.org/what-we-do/projects/870-gold-country-broadband-consortium

If you have no service, you can fill out the form on this link or use a printed form. These forms are available in all post offices in the county as well as the Pike Firehouse.

http://cpuc.ca.gov/uploadedFiles/CPUC_Public_Website/Content/Utilities_and_Industries/Communications_-_Telecommunications_and_Broadband/Consumer_Programs/Broadband_Availability/brdbndavailabilitysurveyEN.pdf

The California Legislature established the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) to support broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas of California. The Broadband Regional Consortia is funded by CASF and was created as a way to address the unique broadband deployment issues in specific regions and “to fund the cost of broadband deployment activities, other than the capital cost of facilities, as specified by the Commission".
Thank you.

LEE ADAMS
Sierra County Supervisor