By Dr. Glenn Mollette 
 
The average American will spend $920 on Christmas gifts this year reaching a total of more than $1 trillion in holiday spending. Eight percent said they would spend nothing, and three percent said they were unsure. Twenty-nine percent expected their gift spending to be between $100 and $499 according to stats from Investopedia. 
 
In 2001, the average American planned to spend $1,052 - the highest ever. Following the financial crash in 2008, planned holiday shopping dropped to $417 in 2009 - less than half of what people planned to spend in 2018 according to the National Retail Federation. 
 
Americans have been spending more on holiday gifts every year since 2008 (except 2012); although the holiday spending is still not back on the prerecession trend, it seems to be headed in that direction - possibly thanks to lower unemployment, stronger growth, and higher confidence in the economy. 
 
I can't find a stat for the number of people who receive stuff on Christmas they really don't want or need. Often these gifts are from people who can't afford to buy Christmas gifts. The average American racked up $1,018 in credit card debt in 2018 according to a CNBC report. Most of these Americans spent the last year trying to pay off that debt. Why do people do such crazy stuff? 
 
It's good that we want to give. Giving makes us feel good, but it won't make you feel good when you are still paying for it in July. 
 
Think about ways to give that you can afford or that might be more meaningful. 
How about make lunch or share your evening meal with someone? Offer babysitting for a night as a gift. Write a letter of recommendation for an unemployed friend. Write someone a note and let them know what they have meant to you over the years. Offer an hour or even an evening of your time to a friend or family member to chat over a snack. Relieve a relative who spends hours and days at the nursing home. Go and take their place for a day to help out. You might be thinking - "I'd rather just send or give them a gift." Exactly, because time is our most precious gift and asset. 
 
One of my best friends died not too long ago. He had a lot of money. He said, "Glenn, the only thing I want is just one more day." As we face this life and look at all our stuff how much does it really mean to us in comparison to our time and relationships, love, friendship and the ability to enjoy life?
 
Keep in mind Christmas is about someone - Jesus. He gave us his time, his life, and what he did and became for all humanity continues to be the greatest gift.

 
People v Andrew Dean Robbins (CR04027)
 
On November 5, 2019, Andrew Dean Robbins, age 31, of Downieville, was convicted of violating Vehicle Code section 23152(b), driving while under the influence of alcohol.  He was placed on 3 years summary court probation; ordered to attend DUI classes; and pay a fine.
 
People v. Donald Rondall-Pawno Hedrick (19CR4057)
 
On November 5, 2019, Donald Rondall-Pawno Hedrick, age 27, of Oroville, was convicted of violating California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 708.1(a)(1), hunting deer without a valid tag in his possession.  He was ordered to pay a fine.
 
People v. Joaquin Mason McLarty (19CR4066)
 
On November 5, 2019, Joaquin Mason McLarty, age 41, of Grass Valley, was convicted of violating Penal Code section 603(m), trespass. He was ordered to serve 29 days jail; placed on 3 years summary court probation; and ordered to pay a fine.
 
People v. Lenor Garcia-Blanc (CR03967)
 
On November 5, 2019, Lenor Garcia-Blanc, age 61, of Chilcoot, was convicted of violating Penal Code section 415(2), disturbing the peace of another.  She was placed on 1 year summary court probation and ordered to pay a fine.
 
People v. David Allen Cash (19CR4049)
 
On November 8, 2019, David Allen Cash, age 55, a transient, was convicted of violating Penal Code section 246.3(a), negligent discharge of a firearm.  He was placed on 1 year summary court probation; and ordered to relinquish his firearm.
 
 
People v. Rebeca Joy Cox (CR03932)
 
On November 15, 2019, Rebeca Joy Cox, age 43, of Loyalton, was sentenced following her conviction of 5 misdemeanor counts (two counts of dog at large, two counts of dogs trespassing on farm land where livestock are kept, and one count of an unlicensed dog), following a jury trial. She was ordered to pay a fine; and ordered to pay restitution to the Loyalton FFA in the amount of $9,608.50.
 
 
People v. Sara Lauren Tadjeran (19CR04019)
 
On November 19, 2019, Sara Lauren Tadjeran, age 32, of Tahoe City, was convicted of Vehicle Code section 23152(b), driving while under the influence of alcohol.  She was placed on 3 years summary court probation; ordered to attend DUI classes; and pay a fine.
 
People v. Andrew Charles Rogers (19CR04031)
 
On November 19, 2019, Andrew Charles Rogers, age 30, of Loyalton, was convicted of violating Vehicle Code section 23103.5, wet reckless.  Mr. Rogers was placed on 18 months summary court probation; ordered to attend DUI classes; and pay a fine.
 
People v. Daniel Robenko (19 CR04038)
 
On November 19, 2019, Daniel Robenko, age 29, of Reno, NV, was convicted of violating Vehicle Code section 23152(b), driving under the influence of alcohol.  He was placed on 3 years summary court probation; ordered to attend DUI classes; and pay a fine.
 
People v. Martin Raymer (19CR 4039)
 
On November 19, 2019, Martin Raymer, age 58, of Loyalton, was convicted of violating Vehicle Code section 23103.5, wet reckless.  He was placed on 18 months summary court probation; ordered to attend DUI classes; and pay a fine.
 
People v. Kerry Michael Croft (19CR4048)
 
On November 19, 2019, Kerry Michael Croft, age 52, of Sierraville, was convicted of violating Vehcile Code section 23152(a), driving under the influence of alcohol. He was placed on 3 years summary court probation; ordered to attend DUI classes; and pay a fine.
 
People v. Sheila Hardcastle (19CR4042)
 
On November 19, 2019, Sheila Hardcastle, age 47, of Granite Bay, was convicted of violating Penal Code section 148(a), resisting an officer.  She was placed on 1 year summary court probation and ordered to pay a fine.
 
People v. David Lester Hill (CR03860X0
 
On November 22, 2019, David Lester Hill, of Alleghany, was convicted of violating Penal Code section 451(b), arson.  Mr. Hill is scheduled to be sentenced on December 13, 2019.
 
People v. Michael John Osterbrink (CR03953)
 
On November 25, 2019, Michael John Osterbrink, age 59, of Portola, was convicted of violating Fish & Game Code section 1602(a), diverting a stream, following a court trial.  Mr. Osterbrink was sentenced to 1 year summary court probation and ordered to pay a fine.

You are urged to attend the Board meeting of the Mohawk Community Resource Center being held on Wednesday, December 4, 9:00 am at the Resource Center regarding the imminent closure of the Center.
Don Clark, former supervisor and founder of MCRC, along with Jeff Engel, Supervisor for our district,  will be addressing the Board with regard to this notice of closure.  See below for further information regarding the notice that was received from the Plumas County Board of Supervisors:
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In a letter dated November 25, 2019, the County of Plumas, Facility Services, has notified Plumas Rural Services(PRS) that they will no longer pay the lease on the Mohawk Community Resource Center (MCRC) in Blairsden.  The last day of occupancy will be December 31 of this year. No advance notice was received. The County has been leasing the property from the owners, Graeagle Land & Water, since 2004.
This is a tremendous blow to our community.  Weekly activities like Senior Lunches, Sisters in Recovery, Pilates, Flex & Stretch, Line Dancing, Tai Chi, Italian Lessons and Qi Gong will no longer be available.  Annual events such as Cinco de Mayo and the Mohawk Community Art Fair will also disappear as will the lending library and computer access with Wi-Fi availability.
The Board of Directors of the MCRC and the management at PRS, urge all members of the Community to attend a meeting of the Plumas County Board of Supervisors to protest the lack of support and urge supervisors to overturn the decision of the Facility Services department. The next scheduled meeting of the BOS is on Wednesday the 10th of December at the Courthouse in Quincy.