December 28, 2015
For Immediate Release


On Wednesday, January 6th, hundreds will be arriving by bus and car loads, at the West steps of the State Capitol, where Mark Baird and other county representatives will be filing declarations with the Secretary of State, Senate and Assembly Pro-Tems, seeking more representation and/or to separate from the State of California, under Article 4, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution.


In the last two years, the State of Jefferson movement has grown and continues to gain momentum from thousands of citizens, representing Northern California rural counties, who feel they do not have a voice in State government, where actions and decisions are based on the legislators and voters in the greater Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Areas. Such as in the case of the fire fee (tax) imposed on those in many of the rural counties, authored by a Southern California lawmaker, whose constituents are not required to pay.


Rural citizens want to return to the days prior to 1964, when each county was represented by one State Senator. Now, eleven Northern rural counties are represented by one Senator and Los Angeles County (1), is represented by 11 Senators. If the State legislature does not support more representation, then the counties will seek to separate from the State.  These counties support the 51st State, feeling it will offer smaller government, less taxes and regulation, giving county governments more control that benefits and meets the needs of their citizens.


The "Declaration Day" Rally will kick off at 10 am, at the West steps. There will be music, including a live performance of our national anthem. Key spokesperson for Jefferson; Mark Baird will be speaking, along with other guest speakers. The event will continue with other activities, into the early afternoon.


This is a historic day for the thousands and thousands of citizens, who represent all ages, that have joined the Jefferson movement in 24 counties. Six counties have already filed with the state and another 15 and possibly a couple of more are expected to file declarations on January 6th.


The Jefferson movement has caught the attention of other states and countries throughout the world, who with the media, are expected to be closely watching this "Day of Declaration" and "Celebration" for the people of these Northern counties.

For many high school boys and girls varsity basketball players, scoring 1,000 career points is on the bucket list of goals to accomplish. It may sound easy, but it is not! There is a lot of hard work involved, as well as other circumstances including being a consistent scorer, earning maximum playing time and avoiding injury and illness.


Rachel Peterman, last seasons Pioneer Mountain League MVP has been a varsity starter at Loyalton High School since her freshman year averaging 18.5 PPG as a freshman, 20.8 PPG as a sophomore and 21 PPG to date this year as a junior. She led the Northern Section in Max Preps all divisions in PPG scoring at the end of the 2014/15 season as a sophomore and currently leads the Northern Section for the 2015/16 season. Peterman, quite possibly would have accomplished joining the 1,000 Point Club last season had it not been for a knee injury that sidelined her scoring efforts mid season for six games.


Peterman topped the 1,000 point mark during the Lady Grizzly's December 18th game at Pyramid Lake, Nevada, which is an achievement and a milestone that she has coveted since her freshman year at Loyalton. The Grizzly's beat Pyramid Lake 72-33 and Peterman scored a season high 33 points to go along with 12 rebounds, seven steals and 2 blocks, making this her fourth double-double of this season. Rachel considers herself an all around player and focuses on all aspects of her game. She stated that she could not have achieved this goal without the help and support of her teammates and her coaches.


CONGRATULATIONS RACHEL on your accomplishment and GO GRIZZLY'S!!!

VETERANS CORNER  JAN 2016
 

 
  In June of 2014, the VA opened the “Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry” for Veterans and Service members. In order to be eligibly you had to have been deployed to contingency operations in the Southwest Asia theater of operations at any time on or after August 2, 1990 or Afghanistan or Djibouti on or after September 11, 2001.These regions include the following countries, bodies of water, and the airspace above these locations: Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Djibouti, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and waters of the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and Red Sea.
  The questionnaire will ask you a series of questions to include deployment timeframes and bases to which you were stationed, conditions and health issues that cause difficulty with daily activities, current and past health symptoms, residential history, occupational history, dust, gas, vapors or fumes exposures, home environment and hobbies, health care use, and contact preferences. The questionnaire takes about 40 minutes to complete. Please go to https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry to get started.
  Veterans do not need to be part of the registry to submit a claim for disability compensation. This registry will help the VA to collect, analyze, and report on health conditions that may be related to environmental exposures experienced during deployment.
  The Plumas County Veterans Service Office can complete the DMV Veteran Status Verification Form for the new California Veteran Designation on your driver’s license.  We can also issue a Plumas County Veteran I.D. card to honorably discharged veterans. Contact one of our Veteran Service Reps at 283-6271/6284/6275 if you would like to schedule an appointment to get that (we will need your DD 214 showing honorable service).    There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents.  To find out if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office.  We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms.  We will be updating our Website in January 2016 to provide more information for  Veterans Services.  You can currently check our website at the Plumas County Website under departments select veteran services.   Veteran Services is looking for a VA Van Coordinator and voluntary drivers to help drive veterans to their appointments at the VAMC in Reno.  Our volunteer drivers drive on Tues and Thursdays.  If you are interested in becoming a volunteer driver please call our office and talk with Jimmy LaPlante at 283-6275 or Kyle Short at 283-6271.
 

TRUCKEE, Calif. – The Tahoe National Forest’s Truckee Ranger District has been named “District of the Year” by the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Region. The Truckee District has modeled the Forest Service motto of “Caring for the Land and Serving People,” by proving new ways of successfully restoring ecosystems and providing the public with the highest level of service.


The Truckee District has been building innovative partnerships for many years, including the Sagehen collaborative. Five years ago, the District, Pacific Southwest Research Station, University of California, Sierra Forest Legacy, Sierra Pacific Industries, Truckee River Watershed Council, and many others joined in an effort to address the ecological condition of the Sagehen basin, covering approximately 2,500 acres. The project incorporated the latest science, addressing fuels, forest health, wetland and stream restoration, sensitive species habitat protection and restoration, and meeting the goals of all involved.


The success of the Sagehen collaborative project led to the 2013 designation of the Truckee River watershed as a National Forest Foundation Treasured Landscape, one of only 15 in the nation.


Through its many collaborative relationships, the District has been able to accomplish much more than it would have been able to on its own.


“The Truckee Ranger District has accomplished a lot in the Truckee and North Tahoe area,” said Joanne Roubique, district ranger. “But we could never do it without the dedicated partners and volunteers that care about this land and the communities within it.”


The Truckee Ranger District receives very high visitation and its location provides unique opportunities to serve the public. In winter, ski resorts attract very large numbers of visitors, and in summer the mountain vistas and lakes provide a place to escape the cities.


This spring, the District took over day-to-day management of campgrounds that had been operated by a commercial concession for more than 25 years. U.S. Forest Service staff had the facilities looking top notch by opening day and hosted thousands of summer visitors.


The many successes of the Truckee Ranger District could only be accomplished by working together as a team, and the dedicated staff have risen to overcoming the challenging issues of a complex forest district and made it look easy and fun.


For more Tahoe National Forest information, go to www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/Tahoe_NF and “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TahoeNF.


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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As part of its mission to save lives, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) seeks to inform people about several new laws signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. during the 2015 legislative session.  These new laws apply to various aspects of roadway safety.


Child safety seats (AB 53, Garcia)  Beginning January 1, 2017, children under two years of age must ride rear-facing in an appropriate child passenger safety seat.  Children weighing 40 or more pounds or standing 40 or more inches tall would be exempt.  California law continues to require that all children eight years of age or younger be properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle.   


Hit-and-run (AB 8, Gatto)  A “Yellow Alert” notification system will be established as of January 1, 2016, for specified hit-and-run incidents resulting in death or serious injury.  As with AMBER, Silver, or Blue Alerts, the CHP will work with requesting law enforcement agencies to determine whether the hit-and-run meets the criteria for a Yellow Alert, including the use of the freeway Changeable Message Signs (CMS).  Criteria established in the law include the availability of information about the hit-and-run suspect or the suspect’s vehicle, and whether disseminating the information will be helpful.
 
Driving under the influence:  Ignition Interlock Device (SB 61, Hill)  This new law grants a one-year extension to a pilot project for the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare counties.  The pilot was first instituted in 2010.  Under the current law, a person convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) may be required to install an IID in their vehicle.  If the IID registers alcohol on the driver’s breath, the vehicle will not start.  The length of time the IID is required in the vehicle is based on how many prior DUI convictions the driver has had.
 
Silver Alerts (AB 643, Nazarian)  The “Silver Alert” notification system has been amended to allow the alert to be communicated on CMS when there is a vehicle involved in the missing person incident.  The Silver Alert is an emergency system that allows law enforcement to broadcast regional or statewide alerts for seniors, or individuals with developmental disabilities or who are cognitively impaired, and are missing and may be in danger.   


Highway lane use (AB 208, Bigelow)  The law requiring slow-moving passenger vehicles to pull over safely to let traffic pass has been amended to apply to all vehicles, effective January 1, 2016.  Bicycles will now be included in the legal requirement that slow-moving vehicles use the next available turnout or other area to let backed-up traffic – five or more vehicles – get by.


Electronically motorized boards (AB 604, Olsen)  The new law defines “electronically motorized board” as a wheeled device designed to be stood on and powered by electronic propulsion, going no more than 15 miles per hour.  The electronically motorized boards can only be ridden on a highway with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less, or specific designated bikeways.  The rider must be at least 16 years old and must wear a bicycle helmet.  Cities and counties are authorized to restrict the use of the electrically motorized boards.


Electric bicycles (AB 1096, Chiu)  The new law, effective January 1, 2016, creates three separate classes of electric bicycles, defined by their maximum speed and how much power is supplied by the motor.  Classes 1 and 2 have a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour.  A Class 3 electric bicycle has a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour.  The operator of a Class 3 bicycle must be at least 16 years old and wear a helmet.  Manufacturers and distributors must label the bicycles with the classification number, top assisted speed, and wattage.  The new law sets up safety restrictions and regulates access on trails and paths.


For complete information on bills enacted in 2015, please refer to the Legislative Counsel Web site at http://LegInfo.Legislature.ca.gov.

​SIERRA COUNTY Natural Resources, Planning & Building Inspection Committee met in session on Tuesday, December 15th in Loyalton to review the existing County Ordinance No. 1055 regarding cultivation of medicinal marijuana and possible recommendation regarding revisions to said ordinance. 
This was the second meeting on this topic with the first being in Downieville. The Loyalton Social Hall was full of residents for and against a revision to the ordinance. The meetings came about when residents from Sierra Brooks, with 300 signatures throughout the County, approached the Board of Supervisors in August to reduce the amount of plants as well as several other revisions. After much debate, the Committee and many in the audience felt this was a zoning issue. 
Another meeting will be held in Downieville sometime in January before the Com-mittee presents its recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Lee Adams assured the growers that any changes made would be before the beginning of the growing season. There was also talk about putting commercial growing on next year’s ballot for Sierra County’s vote.

SIERRA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ meeting was held Tuesday, December 15th in Loyalton. During department managers’ reports, Sierra County Sheriff Tim Standley was concerned over the level of funding being proposed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe Forest of $1,550 for law enforcement services. 
He stated in 2014 the amount was cut to $11,100 and in 2015 the amount was cut to $8,000. Standley said this amount was very disappointing and wondered if they should even pull resources out of our communities to assist the Forest. 
Supervisor Lee Adams asked the County Clerk if the Board could get amounts over the last couple decades to see what the highest level was for all three forests that Sierra County serves, adding they may decide to suspend contracts and respond only to emergencies.

Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals reported the County was dealing with a substantial issue concerning the permit to operate Loyalton Mobile Estates, to be suspended. He stated if this happens it will put an incredible burden on the County because of land use issues as well as social aspects. Beals said there was an inspection last week at Loyalton Mobile Estates and findings were not positive. He concluded they were awaiting the next move and felt this topic should be on a future Board meeting.

DISCUSSION to send a letter regarding the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) to Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Tom Quinn and to Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor Dunkelberger and Plumas National Forest Supervisor Lovato was had at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting Tuesday in Loyalton. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals stated it is apparent that the conversion of campgrounds will now impact receipts in Lakes Basin and Long Valley, adding these are significant financial issues. He said there was a lot of support from the Forests at the local level but at the policy level there was no support. Beals felt the County needed to get proactive with the Forest Service to address these fiscal concerns. Sierra County Auditor Van Maddox said TOT for 2013-14 was $72,000, in 2014-15 it dropped to $60,000 this year will be $24,000 and stated “that’s it.” Supervisor Lee Adams said this is a serious amount for the County. County Counsel Jim Curtis said Sierra County is at the bottom of the pyramid of power. Adams asked about working up a draft letter stating if the forests don’t reconsider and start repaying the County will close the landfill to them. Supervisor Paul Roen stated Sierraville District Ranger Quentin Youngblood told of a conversation with Quinn who stated the issue is at the Regional Level. Roen wanted to see what Youngblood could find out before going too far. By consensus the Board authorized the letter. 

Sacramento – California State Board of Equalization (BOE) Vice Chair George Runner announces assessed property values in Nevada, Plumas, and Sierra counties are up 4.9 percent ($20.5 billion to $21.5 billion) in 2015-16 from 2014-15. County-assessed property values jumped 4.9 percent while state-assessed values were up 5.9 percent year-over-year.
County assessors are responsible for assessing the value of each home, as well as other residential and commercial property on January 1 of each year. That value is used to set the property tax that is due by December of that year, and April of the following year. The BOE is responsible for assessing properties, such as privately owned public utilities and railroads. Annual bills for the owners of these properties are based on these valuations.
“Property values throughout California continue to rise,” said Vice Chair Runner. “In some areas of the state we saw more growth than others, but overall this is an encouraging sign for our economy.”
This is the fifth consecutive year the total value of California’s county and state-assessed properties has increased, fueled in large part by the recovery in the state’s housing market. For 2015-16, values rose to $5.209 trillion, an increase of $289.9 billion (5.9 percent) from 2014-15. Values statewide are 14.4 percent higher than they were in 2008-09, when they hit their prior peak.
Valuations in the state’s 43 inland counties rose 5.8 percent. The assessed valuation in California’s 15 coastal counties, which accounts for more than 60 percent of total assessed valuation, gained 6.0 percent.
Fifty-six counties posted year-to-year increases in assessed value, most of those increases above two percent. Two counties experienced a year-to-year decline in value. Thirty-three counties grew in excess of five percent.
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Elected in November 2010, and re-elected in 2014, Vice Chair George Runner represents the State Board of Equalization's First District. He is a leading advocate for California taxpayers. Runner has worked to improve California’s tax policies and practices and to create and retain more private sector jobs in our state. Prior to his election to the Board, Runner served twelve years in the State Legislature, authoring the well-known California Amber Alert and California's Blue Alert. As a thoughtful conservative, his legislative priorities included improving the economy, business growth, education excellence, and public safety for all Californians. As a member of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee, Runner consistently led the fight against tax increases and supported tax relief for families and businesses.
The five-member California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is a publicly elected tax board. The BOE collects $60 billion annually in taxes and fees, supporting state and local government services. It hears business tax appeals, acts as the appellate body for franchise and personal income tax appeals, and serves a significant role in the assessment and administration of property taxes.  For more information on other taxes and fees in California, visit the California Tax Service Center.

 Location of Occurrence: 2110 East Main St apartment #1, Quincy 
Salinas CA and Redding, CA 
Agencies Involved: Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, Plumas County District Attorney, Plumas County CPS, Salinas Police Department and Redding Police Department 
On December 15, 2015 at 1500 hours the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office received a request from Plumas County Child Protective Services for a welfare check on a 9 year old female living at 2110 East Main St apt #1, Quincy, CA. As a result of the investigation and welfare check. The Sheriff’s Office arrested Tami Joy Huntsman 39 years of age of Quincy who recently moved from Salinas, CA and Gonzalo Curiel 17 years of age of Quincy who also recently moved to Quincy from Salinas, CA. The victim’s name and injury information is being withheld at this time due to the victim’s age and ongoing investigation. The victim was taken to the hospital and is being treated for numerous injuries. 
Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident further investigation was required for possible additional victims. This led to the discovery of two deceased juveniles inside a storage unit in the city of Redding, CA 
The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, Redding Police Department and Salinas Police Department are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the children’s death. 
Huntsman and Curiel are being held on charges of Torture, Mayhem and Child Abuse with a bail set at $1,000,000.00. 
Sheriff Hagwood expresses his sincere gratitude to all agencies involved in this extremely difficult investigation. 
Sincerely, 
Greg Hagwood 
Sheriff-Coroner By Steve Peay

Numerous phone calls are coming into the PCSO communications center regarding an aggressive and sophisticated phone scam targeting Plumas County taxpayers. Callers claim to be employees of the IRS, but are not. Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. 
If the phone isn't answered, the scammers often leave an “urgent” callback request. 
The IRS will NOT: • Call you to demand immediate payment. The IRS will not call you if you owe taxes without first sending you a bill in the mail. • Demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal the amount you owe. • Require that you pay your taxes a certain way. For instance, require that you pay with a prepaid debit card. • Ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone. • Threaten to bring in police or other agencies to arrest you for not paying. 
If you don’t owe taxes, or have no reason to think that you do: • Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately. • Contact TIGTA (Treasury Inspector General for Tax Adminsitration) to report the call. Use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page. You can also call 800-366-4484. • Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes. 
If you know you owe, or think you may owe tax: • Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you. 
Thank You 
Plumas County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center 

By Glenn Mollette


When I was a child I remember my grandfather suffering chest pains. He kept putting nitroglycerin tablets under his tongue to help with the pain. My mother and I along with grandma and a couple of others sat with grandpa in the family dining room area. After his heart pain subsided he sighed, "I'll probably never live to see another Christmas." Looking back I remember that he did have one more Christmas.
After grandpa and mamaw died Christmases were never quiet the same. During those special times together we thought they would never pass. It seemed that life and Christmas were frozen in time. To a child Christmas had always been this way and I could never imagine Christmas being any different.


We can never comprehend tomorrow. We hope and wish for tomorrow but we don't fully understand all the changes that tomorrow will bring. We hope for good jobs, paid off mortgages, graduation from school, retirement security and on and on. However as one Christmas after another rolls by so do the years and so does life's scenery and the people around us. Some people this year will spend their first Christmas in a nursing home. Some this year will spend their first Christmas without a parent or a spouse. Some will try to get through this season without them. Others will try to make it through the season unemployed or with a recent terminal health diagnosis.  


My wife and I were talking tonight but how better it would be if her father and my parents and others that we loved were still alive. Christmas without them is different.  I don't know what you are going through today. Our nation is dealing with a lot. We have terrorism, financial struggles, and people experiencing lots of stress. 


Many American families are hoping to just survive the Christmas season and make it to January 1. Hopefully you and I will have one more Christmas. If we do let's savor each moment. Whatever and whoever you have in your life please take the time to embrace them and love them. Next year could be very different.


Take the time to personally enjoy Christmas. I realize Christmas is about giving. We want to see our loved ones smile. However, in the days ahead recharge your battery a little. Read some Christmas stories. Watch some Christmas movies. Reflect on the message of peace and love delivered to the world in the baby Jesus through a peasant couple in Bethlehem. Visit some people in the nursing home, the jail, or those who are aged and lonely. Also connect with some people through visits or just the telephone and say Merry Christmas. It will do them and you a lot of good.


May you have many more Christmases, but at least one more, and may it be one of your best ever.  




Glenn Mollette is an American Syndicated Columnist and Author. He is the author of eleven books and read in all fifty states.
This column does not necessarily reflect the view of any organization, institution or this paper or media source.  
 Find out more at www.keepourfreedom.com 

​

LOYALTON HIGH SCHOOL presented the play Shrek: The Musical on Friday and Saturday nights, Dec. 11 and 12.
Doing a great job as Shrek was Gavin Whitley and outstanding performances by Sage Sayers as Fiona, John Boren the Donkey, Tristan Studer as Lord Farquaad. Also featured were Samantha Bennett as Dragon, Young Fiona and a Duloc performer; Sam Hall as Pinocchio; Alissa Bennett as Gingy and the wicked witch; Ashley Ryan as Teen Fiona, Ogre Fiona and a Duloc performer; Jack Boren as baby bear; Leilani Thomas as guard, Thelonious and the Bishop; Mandy Truhett as the 3 Pigs; Phoebe Griffin as a Duloc performer and Nathan Hughes as Wolf.
The play was directed by Camille Alfred with musical direction by Susan Baker.

 
 
Nathan Wainscoat (21) Oroville.  Possession of more than an ounce of marijuana, and false information to a peace officer.  One year probation, 156 days in jail, fine $800.
 
Samuel Chamberlin Jr. (51) Sparks.  Loaded firearm in vehicle.  Fine $6665.
 
Allen Daines (64) Citrus Heights.  Hunting in X zone with D zone tags.  Fine $665.
 
Gary Lahr (60) Doyle.  Hunting in X zone with D zone tags.  Fine $665.
 
Gerald Waters (53) Reno.  Unlawful campfire.  Fine $572.
 
Dylan Clifton (19) Truckee.  Minor driving with a blood alcohol of .05% or more. Fine $465 and one year loss of driving privileges.
 
Ralph Thornburg (67) Forest Hill.  Loaded firearm in vehicle.  Fine $665.
 
Joseph Gudgel (19) Wilton.  Allowing passenger to discharge a firearm from a vehicle (shooting at robo-deer).  Two years probation, fine $1400, and two years loss of hunting privileges.
 
Wayne Schoeffler III (22) El Dorado.  Shooting at robo-deer, hunting in X zone without proper tags, shooting firearm from vehicle.  Two years probation, fine $2400, No hunting for two years, forfeited .308 caliber rifle.
 
Mark Triebwasser (37) Folsom.  Grand theft of Mona Lisa painting.  One year probation, one day jail, and a fine of $1015.
 
David Waldschmitt (67) Lakeport.  Driving with a .08 blood alcohol or greater.  Three years probation, two days jail, fine $2400, and complete alcohol school.
 
Clinton Beling (50) Fernly NV.  Using more than one fishing pole at a time, and failure to appear.  Fine $1330.
 
Gregorio Navarezaguliar (37) Downieville.  Drive with a blood alcohol level of .08 or greater.  Three years probation, two days jail, fine $2400, and complete alcohol school.
 
Cody Pribble (24) Truckee.  Driving while license was suspended. Twenty four months probation, fine $1469.
 
William Counts (58) Nevada City.  Driving while suspended.  Two years probation, fine $1469.
 
Jonathan Kimpson (28) Loyalton.  Driving while suspended. Two years probation, fine $1469, eight days jail. 

SACRAMENTO – Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado) today announced plans to introduce a package of six urgently needed and important bills that will protect citizens, property and emergency responders from drone interference. 


“Privacy and public safety issues, including today’s heightened threat of terrorism, are among the most important policy issues facing Californians,” said Senator Gaines. “We must protect the public’s right to privacy and more importantly, their safety, from inappropriate drone-use. I attempted to address this new reality with several drone-related bills last session and I vow to continue tackling this problem that impacts the lives of all Californians.”


Last session, Senator Gaines introduced a series of drone bills that received unanimous, bi-partisan support from the legislature; however, they were vetoed by Governor Brown. Senator Gaines will be reintroducing those bills as part of his drone-related legislative package, in addition to several others, including the following:

• Drones over Emergency Zones – Increases the fines for drone interference with firefighting and emergency response activities.

• Drones and Immunity for Emergency Responders – Grants civil immunity to any emergency responder who damages a drone in the course of firefighting, air ambulance, or search-and-rescue operations.

• Drones over Schools – Bans drones from flying over public schools grades K-12, while school is in session.

• Drones over Prisons – Prohibits drones from flying over prisons and delivering contraband.

• Drones over Critical Infrastructure – Restricts drones from flying over critical infrastructure.

• Drone Stalking – Disallows an individual from using drones to violate a restraining order.

“The problem of drone interference will likely be far worse this coming year because 1 million new drones are expected to be given as holiday gifts,” said Senator Gaines. “Drone operators need to understand all air safety laws and use common sense. But if they ignore the law and expose everyone to direct and unnecessary risk, they should be punished. My package of bills will do just that.”


Senator Ted Gaines represents the 1st Senate District, which includes all or parts of Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra and Siskiyou counties.
 

Congressman McClintock today delivered the following remarks on the House floor:   
Armed Americans are the Best Defense Against Armed Terrorists
December 10, 2015
Mr. Speaker:

Ever since the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, leftist politicians have called for more restrictions on gun ownership for Americans.  These are the same politicians who have worked for years to open our nation to unprecedented and indiscriminate immigration from hotbeds of Islamic extremism.  

The most effective defense against an armed terrorist is an armed American.  If one person in that room in San Bernardino had been able to return fire, many innocent lives could have been saved.  But Californians are subject to the most restrictive gun laws in the country, making it very difficult for law abiding citizens to exercise their second amendment right to defend themselves.  And in a society denied its right of self-defense, the gunman is king.
I repeat: The most effective defense against an armed terrorist is an armed American.  Yet the President and his followers act to increase the number of terrorists entering through porous borders and lax immigration laws, while at the same time acting to decrease the number of armed Americans.
Their latest ploy was announced by the President on Sunday and has been parroted by his Congressional allies this week to the point of disrupting the work of the House.  In the President’s words, “Congress should act to make sure no one on a no-fly list is able to buy a gun.”  He asked, what could possibly be the argument against that?
While serving in the California State Senate a decade ago, I discovered that suddenly I couldn’t check in for a flight.  When I asked why, I was told I was on this government list.  The experience was Kafkaesque.  My first reaction was to ask, “Why am I on that list?”  “We can’t tell you that.”  “What are the criteria you use?” I asked.  “That’s classified.”  I said, “How can I get off this list?”  The answer was, “You can’t.”  I soon discovered another California State Senator had been placed on that list.  A few months later, U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy found himself on that list.
I, at least, had the office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms to work through – something an ordinary American would not.  Even so, it took months working through that office and repeated petitions to the government to get my name removed from that list.  The farce of it all was that I was advised in the meantime just to fly under my middle name, which I did without incident.
In my case, it turned out to be a case of mistaken identity with an IRA activist the British government was mad at.
    
This could happen to any American.  And the fine point of it is this.  During this administration, the IRS has been used extensively to harass and intimidate ordinary Americans for exercising their first amendment rights.  What the President proposes is that on the whim of a federal bureaucrat, Americans can be denied their second amendment rights as well, with no opportunity to confront their accuser, contest the evidence, or avail themselves of any of their other due process rights under the Constitution.  
The concept that the Left is seeking to instill in our law is that mere suspicion by a bureaucrat is sufficient to deny law-abiding American citizens their Constitutional rights.  And given the Left’s demonstrated hostility to freedom of speech and due process of law, it’s not hard to see where this is leading us.
I would support the President’s proposal IF it established a judicial process where an individual could only be placed on such a list once he was accorded all of his constitutional rights to be informed of the charges, given his day in court, accorded the right to confront his accuser and contest the evidence against him and submit himself to a decision by a jury of his peers.  But that is the farthest thing from the Left’s agenda. 
The President’s proposal would have done nothing to stop the carnage in San Bernardino, where the terrorists were not on any watch list.  Indeed, one was admitted from Saudi Arabia after vetting that the President has assured us is rigorous and thorough.  And several of the guns used in this massacre weren’t even acquired directly, but rather through a third party. 
Of course the American people don’t want terrorists to have guns! They don’t want terrorists in our country at all!  But the President’s policies have left our nation’s gates wide open – while he seeks to take from Americans their means of self-defense.    
So I leave off as I began: the best defense against an armed terrorist is an armed American.  That’s what the second amendment is all about.  It is an absolutely essential pillar of our security.  
    
Our best defense of all is the Constitution itself, and it, in turn, must be defended against all enemies – foreign and domestic.

Nothing says "It's the holidays!" like tying a tree to the top of your car and driving it around town before placing it in a bucket of water in your living room for a couple of months. Ah, Christmas!


Here are a few tips on selecting, securing and setting up a Christmas tree in your home:


Before you head out to the tree lot, measure the height of the ceiling in the room where you want to display the tree. It should be at least a foot taller than the tree you pick out. Dry needles are a fire hazard, so pick a location away from heat sources, such as direct sunlight, heaters or fans.


Next, find a local tree farm, shop or nursery, and bring plenty of plastic and rope to secure the tree for the ride home. Once you are on the tree lot, look for a tree that is fresh and healthy. A fresh tree will have bright green, flexible needles with very few falling off when shaken.
  
After you've picked out a tree, wrap it in the plastic for the ride home. To avoid wind damage when driving, arrange the tree on the car roof so that the stump faces the front of your vehicle.


If your vehicle has a roof rack, secure the tree to the car roof top at several places along the length of the trunk. If your car doesn't have a rack, open all the car doors - not the windows - and tie the tree snugly to the roof with rope - passing the rope through the car's interior. If you are unfamiliar with the process of tying a tree to the roof of your car, ask for help from the tree lot personnel. They tie hundreds of trees to hundreds of cars every year using specialized knots and fastening methods.


Drive slowly and avoid the highway, especially if you're not used to hauling objects on your roof. They can change your vehicle's center of gravity and its handling.
  
When you arrive home with your tree, use a sharp pruning saw to cut about an inch off the bottom of the trunk. This is important. When the tree trunk was originally cut, resin clotted the exposed ends of the tracheids, the cells through which the tree takes up water. Cutting the trunk exposes fresh tracheids and allows the tree to take up water once again, which will prolong the tree's freshness.


After your cut is made, place the tree in water as quickly as possible, even if you are not setting it up right away. If you are not setting it up immediately, then place it in a cool location, such as the garage, to keep the foliage fresh. Do not let the base of the cut tree dry out.


Note that some tree lots will make this cut for you at the time of purchase. If this is the case, and you get the tree home and in water within the hour, you shouldn't have to repeat the process.


Some people may use commercial Christmas tree preservatives, which can be mixed into the water in the stand, but this procedure isn't scientifically proven to extend the life of the tree. You can also spray the tree with an anti-desiccant, which is a waxy substance that will help keep the needles from drying out as quickly.

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LOYALTON ASSEMBLY OF GOD'S  14TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIRE was held Saturday, December 5th with door prizes, food court and free admission! There were gift ideas galore!  

​On December 5, 2015 Jeremy Simpson, 26 of Meadow Valley,CA was driving a 2007 gray Pontiac G6 eastbound on Bucks Lake Rd. east of Slate Creek Rd at a stated speed of “way less than 55 mph.” Bucks Lake Road was very icy in numerous locations and Plumas County Roads Dept. had deposited aggregate material on the roadway at about 6:30 a.m. to afford passing traffic better traction on the icy roadway. As Simpson exited a right hand curve in the roadway and entered a straight-away, the tires of his vehicle lost traction on the icy roadway. The G6 began rotating in a clockwise direction and slid off the roadway and onto the south dirt shoulder. The G6 had almost rotated 180 degres then traveling backwards, when the left side of the G6 impacted with the mountainside on the south shoulder. After this impact, the G6  continued rotating and came to rest facing northwest on the south dirt shoulder of Bucks Lake Rd. Simpson was able to exit the G6 and waited for emergency personnel to arrive and was taken to Plumas District Hospital.

this great photo of the bull that was in Sierra Valley was the one that California Department of Fish and Wildlife had been tracking with a radio collar that was mentioned in the Sierra Co. Fish and Wildlife Commission review at its last meeting.  “Such a handsome one!” wrote Marilyn Tierney, District Biologist with Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River Ranger District
Photo credit goes to:  Eveline Larrucea

SHOT AND KILLED: The above elk was found shot to death after its data had been lost. According to Terry Weist of California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Environmental Scientist-Wildlife in Plumas and Sierra Counties, the bull elk had been by Sierra Hot Springs and through the ranch lands, along westside road and Dyson Lane.
Terri says ranchers now have their bulls out and it’s post-rut and it “could be likely he (the elk) was bothering the cattle.” Yet she’d received no complaints and there had been no deprivation permit filed.
According to Sierra County District Attorney Larry Allen, there is a suspect and Fish and Wildlife is doing a report. Generally speaking, Allen stated charges could be Unlawful Take of Wildlife and Hunting with no license. Fine could go as high as $10,000 and up to six months in jail for each misdemeanor count.

​Missing Person: 
Carlos Antonio Arevalo 30 years of age 
from Portola, CA
On Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 7:00 pm the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing person regarding Carlos Arevalo, 30 years of age from Portola, CA.   
Arevalo was last seen on Monday, November 23rd at the Bordertown Casino on Hwy 395 in Nevada.  Arevalo met his girlfriend around 6:00 pm in the parking lot to exchange some paperwork for a vehicle Arevalo sold to his girlfriend.  After the meeting, Arevalo was to return to his residence in Portola. After five days of not hearing from Arevalo, his family decided to make a missing person’s report. Family has stated that it is very usual of Arevalo not to keep in contact with family.  Arevalo is not known to have any medical issues and is in good health.  Arevalo’s cellphone and bank account have not been used since November 23.  There is no GPS information available for Arevalo’s cellphone to pin point his location.     
Arevalo was last seen in the parking lot at the Bordertown Casino driving a black 2001 Toyota Tundra truck with CA Lic# 24441W1.  Arevalo is described as a Hispanic male, 5 foot 8 inches tall, weighing approx. 170 lbs, black hair and brown eyes. 
The Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol have checked several locations along the route from Bordertown to Portola.   
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Carlos Arevalo is urged to call the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office or their local law enforcement agency.  The Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (530) 283-6300. 

THE THRIFT STORE in Loyalton is bigger and better than ever at the new location in the old Middle School. It’s a great place to do your Christmas shopping for décor and gifts. Donations are appreciated, but please keep in mind that they cannot use broken, torn, or extremely dirty items.

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SACRAMENTO, CA – December 02, 2015 – The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) applaud Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) for his support of the Federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, and thank him for joining efforts to urge reauthorization.  Federal PILT funding mitigates the impact to county governments from the losses in property taxes due to nontaxable federal lands within local government boundaries.  In last year’s reauthorization, RCRC-member counties Butte, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Glenn and Tehama received nearly $7.2 million.


“Federal PILT is a critical funding source for California’s counties, particularly as many rural counties contain significant federal landholdings, and Federal PILT counts as a sizable share of increasingly shrinking rural county budgets,” said Nate Beason, RCRC Immediate Past Chair and Nevada County Supervisor.  “RCRC and our individual counties are grateful for Congressman LaMalfa’s leadership in urging his colleagues to support Federal PILT to protect services such as law enforcement, firefighting, search-and-rescue operations, construction and maintenance of roads, and many other vital local services.”


Congressman LaMalfa has signed onto Representatives Jared Polis’ (D-Colorado) and Chris Steward’s (R-Utah) “Dear Colleague” letter (accessed here) requesting full funding for Federal PILT.  Earlier this year through RCRC, 30 California counties adopted resolutions urging Congress to reauthorize and fully fund Federal PILT.  Additional information on this endeavor can be accessed here.


ABOUT RURAL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA (RCRC)
The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is a thirty-four member county strong service organization that champions policies on behalf of California’s rural counties.  RCRC is dedicated to representing the collective unique interests of its membership, providing legislative and regulatory representation at the State and Federal levels, and providing responsible services for its members to enhance and protect the quality of life in rural California counties.  To learn more about RCRC, visit rcrcnet.org and follow @RuralCounties on Twitter.

The City of Loyalton was notified on Tuesday it’s been accepted in the lottery for a maximum of 100 rain barrels, free of charge, one per household in Loyalton.
According to a letter sent the City on October 12, 2015: “Good Ideas is a company that is focused on water conservation and we have the largest selection of residential rain barrels offered in the nation (check www.goodideasinc.com). As the drought has worsened in California, we thought we would try and do our part to help the citizens of at least one town deep in the middle of the drought. We have selected Loyalton as one of our candidates.”

• Good Ideas, Inc. will offer a maximum of 100 rain barrels, free of charge, one per household in a chosen town;

• Freight is also included and will be arranged by Good Ideas, Inc.

• The township’s municipal office will inform its residents of the rain barrel giveaway. While Good Ideas will deliver the barrels to the township, the township is responsible for distribution of the barrels to households (maybe arrange for households pick up?)

• Spread good works via the media. A key township representative will need to be available for interview from the media.

• Good Ideas will provide contact information along with a questionnaire for residents to fill out and return. Only one barrel per household will be offered. Good Ideas, Inc. reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any point prior to distribution by the township.

Amy Filippini, Master Gardener and Schools Garden Program Director is most excited. She wrote, “I would love to have some for the school gardens and greenhouse and portables.”

Collecting rainwater for use during dry months in rain barrels or other depositories is an ancient and traditional practice. Historical records show that rainwater was collected in simple clay containers as far back as 2,000 years ago in Thailand, and throughout other areas of the world after that. With the rising price of municipal water and drought restrictions now facing much of the United States during the summer months, more and more homeowners in our own modern society are turning to the harvesting of rainwater to save money and protect this precious natural resource. In an increasing water crisis, people are seeking ways to minimize impact on their municipal water supplies. Rain barrels can be part of the solution. Just look outside your window the next time it rains and imagine all the water that’s running down your driveway being put to beneficial use in your home and garden!

By Jon Coupal
President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

The former head of the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has estimated that the national debt is a staggering three times as much as usually publicized. Rather than $18 trillion, the actual number is around $66 trillion.
 
News reports about government debt at all levels are now more frequent and increasingly alarming. There is little doubt that this is due to the fact that the debt crisis is actually getting worse.
 
But it might also be a reflection of a greater awareness on the part of citizens and the news media that debt is a real danger. For those of us who have been warning about government debt for decades, this greater awareness is long overdue.
 
Understanding all the ramifications of public debt isn’t easy. As to the magnitude of debt, former California legislator and now congressman Tom McClintock used to refer to “MEGO” numbers (My Eyes Glaze Over) meaning that citizens really can’t be expected to comprehend the vastness of numbers – like $66 trillion – with so many zeros behind them.
 
And it isn’t just the amount of debt that is confusing. In addition to voter approved bonds, normally referred to as “general obligation” bonds, there are a myriad of debt instruments pushed by powerful special interests including revenue bonds, “certificates of participation” and a host of other esoteric instruments created for the purpose of avoiding voter approval.
 
Other government debt isn’t even reflected by bonds or other instruments. The hundreds of billions of dollars of unfunded pension obligations in California is most certainly debt that ultimately will have to be repaid by taxpayers. And as columnist Dan Walters with the Sacramento Bee just noted, California had to borrow $10 billion from the federal government for the state’s Unemployment Insurance Fund which remains insolvent even though we are told by the political elites that California is in the midst of a vibrant economic recovery.
 
So why is it, given the complexity of issues related to government debt, that the public is starting to pay attention? First, high profile municipal bankruptcies in Vallejo, Stockton and other cities have wreaked havoc on both taxpayers’ wallets and on public services. There is widespread belief that even Los Angeles itself will be unable to avoid bankruptcy.  Second, both the media and taxpayer advocacy groups like Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association have successfully used the Public Record Act to secure far more detailed information than has been available in the past about employee pay and benefits, including lavish pension benefits. The disclosure of this information has spurred voters to start wondering why our services are second rate while public employee compensation is so high. Third, both private organizations and public entities have vastly improved data bases easily accessible on the internet making these complex issues a little easier to understand. For example, Controller John Chiang has just created a new website called Debt Watch to provide voters with more information about the various bond issuances.
 
But perhaps the biggest factor in the renewed attention of citizens on debt is personal experience. The 2008 recession left millions with underwater mortgages. Nothing focuses attention like a crisis that hits someone right between the eyes. Government debt in the trillions of dollars is difficult to understand. Not being able to pay one’s mortgage is a lot easier to grasp.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis  Taxpayers Association — California’s largest grass-roots taxpayer organization dedicated to the protection of Proposition 13 and the advancement of taxpayers’ rights.



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Sierra County Chamber and East Sierra Valley Chambers of Commerce met at Golden West Dining on Tuesday, December 1 to discuss the upcoming Sierra County Visitors' Guide.
From the west side were Acting President Mary Ervin, Jan Koettel, Mike Galan and Will Clark. From the east side were President Mike Welbourn, Jan Buck and Terry LeBlanc of Loyalton and Stacey Estrada of Calpine.
After considerable discussion, it was decided to list all Sierra County businesses free of charge in the visitors' guide. Non-Chamber Members can for an additional fee of $45 place a business card ad into the visitors guide above and beyond the business information provided free by the Chamber.
Membership for the west side, Sierra County Chamber is $45. Membership in the East Sierra Valley Chamber is $30 for individuals; $50 for businesses.
There was a firm commitment for distribution including at the State Fair July 8 - 24 with the theme, "California Delivers."
The chambers will host a Mixer March 10th at Sierra Valley Lodge in Calpine at 6 p.m. with a no-host bar. All are invited to attend.