SACRAMENTO – With the holidays coming up quickly, the California Lottery urges its players and retail partners to gift responsibly. This means NOT selling or gifting lottery products to minors!
       
The California Lottery is again proud to participate in the annual National Holiday Campaign to increase public awareness about the serious issue of youth gambling. The campaign is in partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling and McGill University’s International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors. Each participating state lottery offers additional outreach strategies to discourage the gifting of lottery tickets to minors during the holiday season while raising awareness about youth gambling.
 
The California Lottery’s “gift responsibly” campaign is a part of its responsible gaming program that strives to uphold the highest standards for the sale of its products. The California Lottery was the first in the country to receive the highest responsible gaming certification and recertification from the World Lottery Association (WLA) for its programs. The Lottery also promotes the statewide Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) on its products and communication channels. The campaign reminds players that Lottery tickets are meant to be played and purchased by individuals who are 18 years or older. Campaign messaging can be found on the Lottery’s social media channels, electronic-point-of-sale and its websites.  Further, the California Lottery reminds players, as well as its network of more than 23,000 retailers, that the sale of Lottery products to anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited by law. This public awareness campaign stresses that Scratchers® aren’t toys and highlights the serious issue of youth gambling.
     
The Lottery holds the highest recertification from the WLA for its Responsible Gaming programs. As a WLA Level Four recipient, the Lottery has demonstrated that responsible gaming principles are part of its day-to-day operations and that these programs continue to improve.
 
         For more information on the NCPG’s Lottery Holiday Campaign please visit http://www.ncpgambling.org/programs-resources/programs/holiday-lottery-campaign/ and to read more about the Lottery’s responsible gaming program please visitwww.californialottery.com.
 
 
 
The California Lottery is a $6 billion enterprise based in Sacramento. It is one of the few state agencies that is a revenue generator, not accepting taxpayer dollars from the State’s General Fund. Its mission is to provide supplemental funding to California schools while simultaneously supporting local communities. In FY 2017-18, the Lottery created 93 new millionaires. Ninety-five cents of every dollar spent by our players goes back to local communities in the form of contributions to public schools and colleges, prizes and retail compensation. The California Lottery urges its customers to play responsibly and within their budgets. If you feel you have a gambling problem, or know someone who does, you can get help at 1-800-GAMBLER.
 
www.calottery.com
 

​LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met November 20th with a lengthy agenda which was cut short when Mayor Mark Marin stated, “The water and sewer guy (John Cussins) wants to wait for a report.”
What City Clerk Kathy LeBlanc noted as should have been under announcements, but was discussed later, Council member Joy Markum wanted the council to write a letter to Caltrans for the Merttons taking over their easement on Main Street. Kathy remembered Chamber of Commerce Mike Welbourn was going to write the letter. Joy stated, “Let’s just write it. I will write it.”
The mayor  then stated he’d talked to law enforcement who “cannot write tickets.” He stated stop signs aren’t the right size and lines are not on the street. Council member Nancy Rogers added they “don’t have money.”
In financials approval, the mayor questioned Streets maintenance and rehabilitation of $4,000, Total Highway Users Tax total contracted services, asking “What did we do?” Bookkeeper Tracy Smith explained it was monthly money from the state, “Strictly for roads and streets.” Total received from government was $11,138 gross profit; net income was $9,873. The mayor said they’d try and find money to fix the signs.  Tracy told the cost of Streets total utilities costing $10,106, calling it “not cheap.” The mayor added insurance costing $3,705.
The mayor stated, with 17% of  property taxes, “The city will never survive.” He told how the county previously, “Did everything and the city gets 17%. The county did everything but water and sewer, but now does nothing any more.” He stated he knows the reasons why and citizens “should be up in arms if you want to stay incorporated.”
In the audience, Gus Donowho suggested telling the county and asking them to take the plowing. The mayor replied they “got shot down.” Gus urged, “Somebody bring it up.” Joy was “under the impression they’d been told the contracts are in city hall.” Even incorporated, she stated, they still belong to the county. Phyllis DeMartini suggested getting the 17% increased and Joy wanted to “get the community behind us.” Mayor suggested a community meeting.
The council approved $81,231.90 in bills. Not on the agenda, the mayor wanted three signatures in case one person “goes down.”
The council was to approve reconciled statements which Tracy left to get and returned with two large binders which she placed before council members.  Joy said they “can’t do it justice.”  Tracy stated, “You never did this before. It’s called internal controls.” Nancy moved to approve them but there was no second. Tracy talked of “manipulating the bookkeeper” These statements, she said were by Plumas Bank. “You guys have a problem approving but not the reports I feed.” She called it “frustrating.” She told how Mary of RCAC had talked about it and “I’m in control. Nobody’s checking me.” There were questions of just getting the information and how it can be sent by e.mail. In the audience, newly-elected council member Sarah Jackson stated it’s “easily made digital.” The motion failed, Tracy picked up the binders and left the meeting.
The Council will put the cemetery fence back out to bid since the lowest bidder did not include removal and Kathy was appalled at a second bid of $17,000 for a 60-foot fence.
It approved Rotary to move a cargo container on city property.
A business license was approved for Donald James Tidwell for Nordic Wolf Services, general handyman/repair.
The Council approved a letter of resignation from bookkeeper Tracy Smith, dated November 2nd.

 

 
By Glenn Mollette
 
Christmas is coming and wish lists vary. Here are ideas from which most can benefit.
 
Medical care for all Americans. Congress must sever ties with lobbyists working on behalf of the pharmaceutical and medical insurance companies and represent the American people. Prescription costs are too high and the government pays too much money to the drug companies for those who receive various medicines from government coverage. All Americans should be able to see a doctor and receive medical care. Working Americans should have access to affordable medical care. Retired and poor/disabled/uninsurable Americans should have access to Medicare and Medicaid. All Veterans and military should be able to choose an alternate doctor or hospital when the VA hospital and doctors are not in close proximity or are inaccessible.
 
My medical insurance company recently informed me that my doctors must always gain their consent when prescribing any kind of medicine. They not only demand final approval on any medications I might need, they frequently dictate that my doctor prescribes a medication that is less expensive. I would like to think that my doctor prescribes medicines based on his opinion that they will work.  If I decide to follow my doctor's direction and the medical insurance company doesn't agree then I will be totally out of pocket for my prescription. 
 
My wife and I were in France once and she had to see a doctor. There were doctor offices everywhere in Paris. Seeing a doctor and getting two prescriptions were less than $35. We didn't use an insurance card and a visit to the doctor and going to the pharmacy around the corner both took less than 90 minutes. France does not have socialized medicine. They are involved in controlling the costs of drugs. The life expectancy for those living in France is longer than us living in America. France's medical world is not perfect but we should take notes. 
 
Christmas will be good if Americans can have access to jobs across the country. Big cities are booming with jobs it seems but rural America does not have the same options. I suppose it will always be this way but everyone cannot live in Provo, Utah, Austin, Texas or Nashville, Tennessee. A friend of mine recently moved to Indianapolis and has job opportunities galore. The federal government must spend some of the money we give away to the Middle East on rural America. Roads, bridges, parks and investing in small companies that will locate in rural America must be a government priority. We've spent too many years nation-building throughout the planet and let Appalachia and other rural communities drown. 
 
I don't have enough space so here are musts for Americans this Christmas:
 
Small interest loans so our youth can afford to go to college. Make college as affordable as possible.
Turn Social Security around and keep our promised retirements solvent for our graying Americans. 
   
Reward the corporations who stay in America and let those who want to be out of America pay the price for abandoning us. 
 
Keep America safe with strong borders and a strong military and take care of those who do and have served our country. 
 
Insure that sane Americans can have their Colt 45 revolvers by their bedside tables when they turn out the lights and say their prayers. 
 
Finally, may we all be a little more like President George H.W. Bush who wrote newly elected President Bill Clinton a very gracious note welcoming him to the oval office and assuring him of his support saying "...that you will be 'our' President when you read this note."  He led by living the example that it doesn't hurt any of us to be respectful, gracious, decent people who help, love and encourage others. 
 
May all Americans have a Merry Christmas! 

Santa arrived by fire truck and was greeted by a happy crowd. Refreshments were by Rotary Club of Loyalton. Rides were offered atop the fire trucks, courtesy of the Loyalton Fire Department volunteers.
At Loyalton Senior Center, dinner was served by Robin, Laura and Debbie. Good job!
Golden West offered free spaghetti dinners with receipt of a toy for Terry's Toys for Tots. Terry is shown receiving the new bikes Raymond and Jeri Giminez give so generously every year. 
Meanwhile, at Loyalton's Museum, Kenton McHenry, Gary Nelson, Barbara McHenry and Tony Tucker were on hand to demonstrate the holiday-lighted train display while there were showings of the Polar Express movie. 
Thanks to Santa and his helpers for such a great tree lighting event!

A fun night at Lori's provided a good send-off for Nilsa de Mello who is returning to her home in Brazil. Shown above are Jeff with Evelyn de Mello, Nilsa, Lori, Allison Smith, Marco Castro, Chelsea Johnson and Donna May. Nilsa has enjoyed Loyalton and made many friends. She hopes to be back soon! Her yummy flan was a big hit!  Safe travels to you, Nilsa!