OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert following the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency for Plumas County due to both the Dixie Fire and Fly Fire, Butte and Lassen counties due to the Dixie Fire, and Alpine County due to the Tamarack Fire. The fires collectively have destroyed homes, caused the evacuation of residents and damaged critical infrastructure. Attorney General Bonta reminds all Californians that price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal under Penal Code Section 396.
“In just a week’s time, our state has been hit with a second wave of devastating wildfires. During this difficult time, California’s price gouging laws are in effect to protect families from being overcharged for essential supplies,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I encourage anyone who has been the victim of price gouging, or who has information regarding potential price gouging, to immediately file a complaint with our office online at oag.ca.gov/report, or to contact their local police department or sheriff’s office.”
California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10 percent, the price of an item before a state or local declaration of emergency. This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, and gasoline. The law also applies to repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, transportation, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations, and rental housing. Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods, or materials has increased for the business.
Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in a one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, injunctive relief, and mandatory restitution. The Attorney General and local district attorneys can enforce the statute.

IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION GRANT was approved unanimously during a special meeting for Sierra County Office of Education and Sierra Plumas Joint Unified School District on Wednesday morning July 21st with Board members Patty Hall and Nicole Stannard absent.  Allowable uses for the COVID relief grant could be used for in person instruction, technology, planning and coordination, learning loss, staff, and operations and facilities. The award amount of $167,502 will be used for HVAC/Filtration, building repair/improvements, and indirect costs. Superintendent James Berardi stated they held a public meeting the night before and had five people give some input. Some of that input included using the grant to look at social and emotional issues, supporting teachers, professional development, and Independent Study Program (ISP) that may need extra funds. Berardi explained there could be an influx of kids utilizing this program because right now California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is recommending kids and teachers wear masks when they return to school. He stated they are trying to get a waiver based on low numbers. Board President,
Mike Moore wanted to know how many teachers were vaccinated. Berardi didn’t have those numbers, but added if nothing changes all staff regardless of their vaccination status will have to wear masks. Moore stated his concern was for the kids, adding teachers who aren’t vaccinated could get the virus. Berardi said he was working closely with CDPH and had a meeting scheduled with Sierra County Health Department the following day. Board member Christina Potter thought masking was up to each district. Berardi said we have to follow the most restrictive rules and hoped if they go to the tier system they might have options. Potter who is also a Family Nurse Practitioner with Eastern Plumas Health Care stated she treated so many sick kids last year and felt many were from wearing the masks, adding there were 100 cases of strep. Berardi hoped to have more information soon and some options.  ​

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SACRAMENTO – In a significant victory for counties, coalition allies and all Californians, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 156 into law, providing a historic $6 billion investment in broadband infrastructure. A cross-sector coalition representing local government, schools, hospitals, economic development organizations and more worked for months to support the package, the most significant investment in public broadband infrastructure in the country.
The coalition includes the California State Association of Counties, California Association of School Business Officials, California Hospital Association, California Forward Action Fund, California School Boards Association, Rural County Representatives of California, Small School Districts’ Association, NextGen California, and the Urban Counties of California.
The broadband infrastructure investments will benefit residents across the state, connecting millions of families and businesses by providing $2 billion of direct funding for last-mile network construction in both rural and urban centers of California, prioritizing unserved and underserved residents, ensuring the funds flow where they are needed most.
Last-mile investments will be even better leveraged by the $3.25 billion earmarked to construct a statewide open-access middle-mile network, an essential first step towards increasing connectivity and affordability for all by making it easier for more internet providers to offer faster, cheaper service throughout the state. This is especially important for the nearly 15 million Californians who live in a broadband monopoly.
This legislation utilizes billions in one-time federal funds to provide a permanent benefit by building broadband infrastructure throughout every region of the state.
Coalition Partner Quotes:
“California has seized the moment to close the digital divide with broadband for all. Thanks to the coalition efforts, the Legislature’s unanimous approval of SB/AB 156 and Governor Newsom’s signature, we helped ensure that needs of the people triumphed over telecom profits,” said CSAC President and Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore. “This action paves the way for millions of Californians — from inner city families to small businesses in the most remote reaches of the state — to now be connected.”
“Broadband is as essential to modern life as electricity and indoor plumbing,” said Micah Weinberg, Director of the California Forward Action Fund. “We applaud the Legislature and the Governor for valuing the interest of the people over the profits of a few companies. Much like all levels of government invested in transportation and electrical infrastructure in the 20th century, this legislation represents a 21st century infrastructure investment that will serve all Californians.”
“This broadband infrastructure package is a rural county lifeline and will transform the way schools, small businesses, healthcare organizations, and others can provide goods and services statewide,” said CSAC 1st Vice President and Siskiyou County Supervisor Ed Valenzuela.
“Increasing access to broadband is foundational to equitable access to healthcare for all Californians,” said Carmela Coyle, President & CEO of the California Hospital Association. “The enactment of SB 156 is a transformational moment for the health and well-being of our state, and California’s hospitals are grateful to the Governor and the Legislature for their vision and willingness to take this important step forward.”
“After so many years of advocacy for universal broadband, it’s encouraging to see that bills like SB 156 are moving us closer to the day when all Californians, particularly our students, can take advantage of this essential requirement for modern life and use it to accelerate their academic, career, and social pursuits,” said California School Boards Association President Vernon M. Billy. “Now, we must work to ensure that this funding translates into equitable implementation that provides access to students in every part of the state.”
“The passage of SB 156 demonstrates our state’s leadership in addressing the existing broadband inequities by creating long-term solutions that will have meaningful and long-lasting benefits to ensure that families and students have affordable and accessible options, forging a path to close the digital divide gap for all students,” said Sara Bachez, Chief Governmental Relations Officer for CASBO.
“We are encouraged by the State’s recognition that reliable broadband infrastructure is as essential as electricity for families and businesses in our rural communities,” said Stacy Corless, RCRC Chair and Mono County Supervisor. “We appreciate this significant investment which will advance the provision of equitable, affordable access to high-speed internet for all Californians.”
“This is tremendous news for everyone in California, especially the families with children and lower- income communities of color who are less likely to have broadband access in the home,” said CSAC 2nd Vice President and Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington. “This broadband package is a huge leap forward for equity, access and affordability across the state.”
“With the signing of SB 156, CA has allocated an unprecedented level of funding to solve the digital divide. We want to thank the Legislature and Governor for this bold and historic investment. We look forward to the work ahead and are committed to ensuring that all communities in our state get connected to high quality Internet service,” said Arnold Sowell Jr. Executive Director NextGen California.
“Public infrastructure for public good is one of the greatest services of government and we are so thrilled with this historic action and investment. Thank you, Governor Newsom, the Legislature, and all our partners for this direct investment into our communities,” said CSAC Executive Director Graham Knaus. “This is great progress, but there is still work to be done. We look forward to working with the Administration over the summer to pass legislation that will ensure affordable broadband access for all.”
California State Association of Counties (CSAC) is the voice of California’s 58 counties at the state and federal level.

 
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa issued the following statement after joining colleagues from the House Natural Resources Committee and the Congressional Western Caucus for a Forum on Preventing Catastrophic Wildfires and Restoring Forest Health and Resiliency. Additionally, he joined House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Bruce Westerman in introducing the Resilient Federal Forests Act.
 
Rep. LaMalfa said, “Communities across the West are being devastated by wildfires and there will be long-term negative impacts to our forests, our water quality, and wildlife habitat. Republicans in Congress are proposing solutions that would help prevent the catastrophic wildfires we are experiencing. Democrat leadership needs to stop ignoring this issue and pass legislation that would address these wildfires. I joined Rep. Westerman’s Resilient Federal Forests Act, which provides solutions to address the declining health of our forests and would help prevent catastrophic wildfires by expediting environmental analysis, reducing frivolous lawsuits, and increasing the pace and scale of management projects. This should not be a partisan issue—it is a common-sense way to help our rural communities most impacted by wildfire.”
 
"Record-breaking wildfires in the West repeatedly highlight the need for proactive, scientific forest management. Decades of mismanagement have led to insect infestation, hazardous fuel buildup and dead and decaying trees, creating tinderboxes for the smallest stray spark to ignite a raging inferno,” said Ranking Member Westerman. “It’s time for Congress to stop sitting on our hands and actually allow the Forest Service to use proven, scientific methods when managing our forests so that we can prevent these fires from occurring in the first place. Look at places like my home state of Arkansas where drought conditions and environmental stress haven’t been coupled with an increase in the number or intensity of forest fires. Why? Because Arkansas has a robust and prosperous forest economy through which we actively manage both our public and private forests. Science shows forest management drastically improves the health of a forest, which is why the Resilient Federal Forests Act is so important. Every year we delay action means more lives, homes, property and wildlife habitats are destroyed by wildfires. There is no time to waste."
 
The Resilient Federal Forests Act was introduced with the support of more than 70 bipartisan Members of Congress and over 85 organizations.
Key provisions of the bill include:

• Utilizing state-of-the-art science to triage the top 10 percent of high-risk firesheds.
• Simplifying and expediting environmental analyses to reduce costs and planning times of critical forest management projects while maintaining thorough environmental reviews.
• Speeding up essential forest management projects by ending frivolous ligation.
• Giving the Forest Service the necessary tools to restore watersheds, improve wildlife habitat and protect critical infrastructure and public safety in wildland-urban interfaces.
• Accelerating reviews for salvage operations and reforestation activities to encourage quick reforestation, remove dangerous hazard trees and economically revitalize rural areas.
• Incentivizing collaborative projects of up to 30,000 acres to increase the pace and scale of active management. 
• Creating new, innovative authorities that increase tribal management of forestlands.
• Codifying the principles of shared stewardship and permanently reauthorizing the Good Neighbor Authority to ensure states are equal partners in forest management activities.
• Removing cumbersome interagency consultation requirements that delay forest management activities and attract obstructionist litigation.
• Expanding and improving existing authorities to address insect and disease infestations and increase resiliency to wildfires.

Click here to learn more.
 
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
 
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LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – In the summer months, both bears and humans are active in the Lake Tahoe Basin, which means there is a lot to think about when living, visiting, or recreating in the area this time of year.

Food on barbecues and picnic tables brings curious bears into neighborhoods and campgrounds to investigate, making it very important to remember proper food storage at all times. Any attractant left out is accessible to a bear and could result in a food reward, which brings the bear back for future visits and makes that bear think it is okay to approach humans for food. Never leave any food unattended, and if a bear approaches, yell at the bear to try to get it to leave before it is rewarded. If you are unable to make the bear leave, there are resources who can respond and help. On U.S. Forest Service property, an employee of the campground may be able to assist you in moving the bear along and securing attractants. Likewise on state park property, park rangers can assist. If you are in a residential area, call 911 for a trained sheriff to come and move the bear away from the property.
If you have used a barbecue, grease and food bits left on the grill could be a snack to a hungry bear. After you have finished cooking your own food, keep the grill fired up on high for about 10 minutes to burn off any leftovers to make it unattractive to a bear passing by. Make sure you clean up all food and place garbage in a secure wildlife-resistant container or bear box. Do not place food or garbage in your vehicle.
It is not natural or healthy for bears to forage on human food or garbage. This can cause injury to claws, teeth, and digestive systems. Whether intentional or not, it is illegal to feed bears, so do your part to follow the law and not provide access to human food or garbage.
Visitors to home rentals: If the bear locker is full, take your garbage home with you. Please don’t leave it next to the locker, bears will get the food reward before the garbage is picked up.
Businesses: Always keep your dumpsters locked, even during the day when employees may be accessing it frequently.
Campers: Bears will approach at all times of the day. Never leave your food or garbage outside of the bear box, except while attended and in use, and follow all campground rules regarding food storage.
Beachgoers: If you bring food to the beach, it must be attended to, and garbage must be thrown away properly. If all bear-resistant garbage containers are full, take your garbage with you so it is not available to bears.
The warm days and cool nights in the Tahoe Basin make us all want to open our windows to let fresh air in. However, as we let fresh air in, we let food smells out. Black bears in the Tahoe Basin know what food may be just inside the screen on your window or door. It is very important to make sure you close all windows when you are either away from a house or asleep at night. Bears know when humans are active or present and will take advantage of those quiet times to enter through a window or door to access a kitchen for easy food. Likewise, it is wise to lock your doors. Some bears know how to open doors and locking them is the only way to keep them from entering a home.
Living and recreating in the Lake Tahoe Basin’s bear country is a year-round responsibility. Please do your part to help us keep our bears wild.
Here are more tips you can follow to help us keep Tahoe’s bears wild:

• Never feed wildlife.
• Store all garbage in and properly close bear-resistant garbage containers, preferably bear boxes. Inquire with local refuse companies about new bear box incentives and payment programs. Visit southtahoerefuse.com/Bear-Aware.html and/or ndow.org/Nevada_Wildlife/Bear_Logic/ for more information.
• Never leave groceries, animal feed, garbage, or anything scented in vehicles, campsites, or tents.
• Be sure to always lock vehicles and close the windows. Keep in mind eating in the car leaves lingering food odors that attract bears.
• Keep barbecue grills clean and stored in a garage or shed when not in use.
• Keep doors and windows closed and locked when the home is unoccupied.
• Vegetable gardens, compost piles, orchards, and chickens may attract bears. Use electric fences where allowed to keep bears out. Refrain from hanging bird feeders.
• When camping, always store food (including pet food), drinks, toiletries, coolers, cleaned grills, cleaned dishes, cleaning products, and all other scented items in the bear-resistant containers (storage lockers/bear boxes) provided at campsites. Bear-resistant coolers that come equipped with padlock devices should always be locked to meet bear resistant requirements.
• Always place garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters in campgrounds or in bear-resistant containers at campsites (storage lockers/bear boxes), and close and lock after each use.
• Store food in bear-resistant hard-sided food storage canisters while recreating in the backcountry.
• Give wildlife space, especially when they have young with them.

To report human-bear conflicts:
In California, contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at 916-358-2917 or report online using the Wildlife Incident Reporting (WIR) system at apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir.
Non-emergency wildlife interactions in California State Parks can be reported to its public dispatch at (916) 358-1300.
In Nevada, contact Nevada Department of Wildlife at 775-688-BEAR (2327).
If the issue is an immediate threat, call the local sheriff’s department or 911.
For more information on peacefully coexisting with bears, visit TahoeBears.org.

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By Senator Jim Nielsen, Special to the Sacramento Bee
  
When it comes to spending on water infrastructure to enhance water supply, protect farmers’ livelihoods and provide safe and affordable drinking water to California’s nearly 40 million residents, this state has flubbed it repeatedly.
Californians desperately need Gov. Gavin Newsom to step up and be the solution, not the problem.

The state has failed to invest appropriately in large, statewide surface-water storage and conveyance, leaving California ill-prepared for drought conditions and jeopardizing its environmental and fiscal health.

In 2014, Californians overwhelmingly voted for Prop. 1, which included significant resources for critical, large surface-water storage that would provide a more reliable water supply. …

Seven years later, amid another drought emergency, the money Californians provided for storage in 2014 still go unused. About $2.7 billion of the $7.2 billion in Prop. 1 bonds was allocated specifically for water storage projects, but only $150 million has been authorized, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. To date, not one shovel has hit the ground, not one gallon of water has been stored. …

… The reality is California has not completed a major water storage project of statewide significance since New Melones Dam was completed in 1980.

Newsom needs to take an active leadership role in directing state agencies to expedite permitting and make water storage a priority. …
Instead, the governor has demonstrated an affinity for acting on his own. …

We simply cannot continue to supply water to 40 million people with a system designed for 19 million. This state is woefully, inadequately prepared, and without substantial new investments in infrastructure to provide additional water supply and move water where it is needed, California will remain in a state of perpetual drought.

State Sen. Jim Nielsen represents California’s 4th senate district, which spans from Sacramento to Tehama County.
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SACRAMENTO, CA – The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) extends its appreciation to Governor Gavin Newsom for signing Senate Bill 156 on Tuesday, July 20 establishing a landmark $6 billion investment in broadband infrastructure. RCRC also applauds the work of assembly members and senators representing rural areas of the state in championing this effort. This monumental event represents the largest investment in broadband infrastructure in the country and a significant step towards closing the digital divide throughout the state.
 
Access to broadband is an increasingly essential resource for educational opportunity, health care access, economic growth, and civic engagement. However, despite the importance of broadband, access remains uneven throughout the state. A 2020 report by the California Public Utilities Commission found 51.3% of rural households did not have access to high-speed broadband, measured at 100 Mbps.
 
The approval of this $6 billion investment through Senate Bill 156, as part of the budget package, represents a significant step in reducing that digital gap. The legislation provides $3.25 billion to construct a statewide open-access middle mile network and $2 billion, including $1 billion specifically for rural communities, for last-mile network construction. These investments will aid in increased connectivity and affordability for all by making it easier for more internet providers to provide faster, cheaper service throughout the state and creating opportunities for more entities to build last-mile infrastructure in more places. 
 
“We are grateful that Governor Newsom recognized the harm that the digital divide causes to our rural communities and the necessity of broadband access for families and businesses,” said RCRC Chair and Mono County Supervisor Stacy Corless. “We are confident that this monumental investment by the State in broadband infrastructure will aid in the establishment of a more equitable system of access to opportunity and economic growth for all Californians.”
 
RCRC attended the signing ceremony of Senate Bill 156 in support of the Governor’s approval of the legislation and in recognition of the important impact it will have for rural communities. RCRC is dedicated to ensuring equitable broadband access and has already begun developing strategies with rural counties for implementation.



 

ABOUT RURAL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA (RCRC)
 
The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is a thirty-seven 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, Facebook and Instagram.
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Incidents of natural disasters can have an enormous impact on people, including survivors, first responders, witnesses and even those who see related media reports. The Disaster Distress Helpline, at 1-800-985-5990, can provide immediate counseling to anyone who is seeking help in coping with the mental or emotional effects of the wildfires burning in western states.  The Helpline is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week resource that responds to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a disaster or to anyone who is dealing with the traumatic effects of any other natural or human-caused disaster. The Helpline is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Helpline specialists are trained to assist callers who have a range of symptoms.
“People who have been through a traumatic event can experience anxiety, worry or insomnia,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the head of SAMHSA. “People seeking emotional help in the wake of disaster or tragedy can call or text 1-800-985-5990 and begin the healing process.”
The Helpline immediately connects callers to trained and caring professionals from the nearest crisis counseling center in the nationwide network of centers. The Helpline staff will provide confidential counseling, referrals and other needed support services. Spanish-speakers can press “2” for bilingual support. Callers can also connect with counselors in more than 100 other languages via third-party interpretation services by indicating their preferred language to the responding counselor. A videophone option with direct crisis counseling and support for deaf or hard-of-hearing American Sign Language users also is available. Disaster survivors and responders can connect with trained DDH crisis workers fluent in ASL by dialing 1-800-985-5990 from a videophone-enabled device or via an “ASL Now” link accessible at DisasterDistress.samhsa.gov.  More on the Helpline can be found at https://www.disasterdistress.samhsa.gov/.
Reporters with questions should send inquiries to media@samhsa.hhs.gov.
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Farm Service Agency Will Begin Accepting Applications on July 22
 
WASHINGTON, July 20, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing up to $200 million to provide relief to timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses that have experienced losses due to COVID-19 as part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Loggers and truckers can apply for assistance through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) July 22 through Oct. 15, 2021. The Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers program (PATHH) is administered by FSA in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.
 
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, authorized this critical assistance for the timber industry. Timber harvesting and hauling businesses that have experienced a gross revenue loss of at least 10% during the period of Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2020, compared to the period of Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2019, are encouraged to apply.
 
“USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative promised to get financial assistance to a broader set of producers and today’s announcement delivers on that promise,” said Secretary Vilsack. “On top of the existing challenges associated with natural disasters and trade, the pandemic caused a major disruption for loggers and timber haulers including lack of access to wood processing mills. This industry plays a critical role in our nation’s economy and we are proud to support these hard-working loggers and truckers as they get back on track.”
 
“Like many facets of the agriculture industry, the logging industry has experienced its share of financial hardships throughout the pandemic,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “We’re happy to work with the U.S. Forest Service to develop this new program to provide critically needed support.”
 
“We’ve heard from loggers and truckers whose livelihoods were significantly impacted this past year by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are pleased that USDA can help alleviate some of the financial burden,” said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “I encourage those logging and log-hauling businesses hardest hit by the pandemic to learn more about the assistance offered through this new program.”
 
Program Details
 
To be eligible for payments, individuals or legal entities must be a timber harvesting or timber hauling business where 50% or more of its gross revenue is derived from one or more of the following:
 
·   Cutting timber.
·   Transporting timber.
·   Processing of wood on-site on the forest land (chipping, grinding, converting to biochar, cutting to smaller lengths, etc.).
 
Payments will be based on the applicant’s gross revenue received from Jan. 1, 2019, through Dec. 1, 2019, minus gross revenue received from Jan. 1, 2020, through Dec. 1, 2020, multiplied by 80%. FSA will issue an initial payment equal to the lesser of the calculated payment amount or $2,000 as applications are approved. A second payment will be made after the signup period has ended based upon remaining PATHH funds.
 
The maximum amount that a person or legal entity may receive directly is $125,000.
 
Applying for Assistance
 
Loggers and truckers can apply for PATHH beginning on July 22 by completing form FSA-1118, Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers Program application, and certifying to their gross revenue for 2019 and 2020 on the application. Additional documentation may be required. Visit farmers.gov/pathh for more information on how to apply.
 
Applications can be submitted to the FSA office at any USDA Service Center nationwide by mail, fax, hand delivery, or via electronic means. To find a local FSA office, loggers and truckers can visit farmers.gov/service-locator. They can also call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance.
 
FSA will host a stakeholder webinar on Wednesday, July 21 at 3 p.m. Eastern. Interested participants must register for the webinar.
 
As USDA looks to long-term solutions to build back a better food system, the Department is committed to delivering financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers and businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19 market disruptions. Since USDA rolled out the Pandemic Assistance for Producersinitiative in March, the Department has announced over $7 billion in assistance to producers and agriculture entities. For more details, please visit www.farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance.
 
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America.

To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
 

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OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert following the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency for Siskiyou County due to the Lava Fire, and Lassen and Plumas counties due to the Beckwourth Complex Fire. Both fires have destroyed homes, caused the evacuation of residents, and damaged critical infrastructure. Attorney General Bonta reminds all Californians that price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal under Penal Code Section 396.
“California’s wildfire season is just starting, and already we are facing devastating blazes throughout the state. As families quickly evacuate their homes in fear of the worst, they shouldn’t have to worry about paying high prices for essential supplies,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I encourage anyone who has been the victim of price gouging, or who has information regarding potential price gouging, to immediately file a complaint with our office online at oag.ca.gov/report, or to contact their local police department or sheriff’s office.”
California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10%, the price of an item before a state or local declaration of emergency. This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, and gasoline. The law also applies to repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, transportation, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations, and rental housing. Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods, or materials has increased for the business.
Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in a one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, injunctive relief, and mandatory restitution. The Attorney General and local district attorneys can enforce the statute.

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(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa issued the following statement after he, Kim Schrier (D-WA), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), and Joe Neguse (D-CO), introduced the National Forest Restoration and Remediation Act. This bill would allow the Forest Service to retain the interest earned on settlement funds, as other Federal agencies can, in order to supplement restoration efforts.
 
Rep. LaMalfa said, “This common-sense bill will allow the U.S. Forest Service to use the additional interest they gather to continue restoration work. This is an authority that other agencies like the Department of the Interior already have. As massive fires burn across California and the West, the need for restoration dollars will unfortunately be high. I will continue to work to ensure that the Forest Service has the authorities and tools they need to properly manage our forests.”
 
“The Forest Service provides many important environmental services in Washington state, including mitigating wildfires and improving forest health,” said Rep. Schrier. “As we confront another potentially devastating wildfire season, it’s important that we provide the Forest Service with sufficient resources to protect our public lands. I’m proud to introduce this bill with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure the Forest Service can retain more funds to protect and remediate forests after wildfires and other damaging actions.”
 
“The National Forest Restoration and Remediation Act is a common-sense approach to allow the Forest Service to utilize accumulated interest on settlement agreements to protect and preserve damaged lands, without additional cost to taxpayers. Restoration projects take years, sometimes decades to complete. The inability to access interest earnings results in budget shortfalls and delays in restoration efforts. This needs to change. I’m very pleased to join with Congresswoman Schrier to lead this bipartisan effort,” Rep. Rosendale said.
 
“As Chair of the Forests Subcommittee in Congress, I’ve noted time and time again how critical it is that we increase funding for the Forest Service so that our local communities in Colorado and across the West are adequately equipped to restore our lands and forests and battle record-setting wildfires. From Breckenridge to Idaho Springs, Estes Park to Granby, communities across my district see increased need for forest maintenance and restoration, and without proper federal funding they are often left having to pick up the tab to complete necessary work in our National Forests and on our public lands, ” said Rep. Joe Neguse, Chair of the U.S. Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. “The National Forest Restoration and Remediation Act, which I am proud to help introduce alongside my colleagues today, is a common-sense measure that will help the Forest Service retain more funds to protect and restore our lands, and support our Western communities.”
 
The National Forest Restoration and Remediation Act would allow the Forest Service to retain interest on funds that they have in interest-bearing accounts that originally came from individuals or organizations that had to pay for negligent actions on public lands that caused damage. This would in no way mean that individuals or organizations would have to pay higher penalties, it would simply mean that the USFS could put the money in an interest-bearing account and use the interest on restoration activities. Currently, the USFS must transfer interest they collect to the General Treasury account.
 
USDA’s Office of the Inspector General published a report on Forest Service Use of Settlement Funds, which recommended a legislative change to allow the Forest Service to collect interest on these accounts much like the Department of the Interior and EPA can. Without the ability to collect interest on these accounts, the value of settlement funds diminishes over time and the FS can face long-term budget shortfalls for restoration activities.
 
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
 
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 REDDING – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans District 2), in conjunction with All-American Construction, Inc., is preparing to begin work on the Golden Chain Overlay Project on State Route 49 in Plumas County. The $1.3 million project will replace asphalt concrete surfacing and place a thin hot mix asphalt overlay from the Sierra/Plumas County line to the junction with State Route 70. The project will also improve shoulders in the project area.
 
Construction activities are planned to start on July 19. Motorists will encounter one-way traffic control with up to 15-minute delays, Monday through Friday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Motorists are urged to slow down and drive carefully in and around construction areas, follow speed limit reductions in place, and allot extra time for delays. The project is currently anticipated to be completed by the end of August.
 
Construction projects are subject to changes without prior notice. Caltrans and its contractors do our best to keep the public informed. To stay up to date on highway projects, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Project information can also be found on the District 2 webpage. The public can also call (530) 225-3426 during working hours or send an email to D2PIO@dot.ca.gov.
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(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa issued the following statement after he, Kim Schrier (D-WA), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), and Joe Neguse (D-CO), introduced the National Forest Restoration and Remediation Act. This bill would allow the Forest Service to retain the interest earned on settlement funds, as other Federal agencies can, in order to supplement restoration efforts.
 
Rep. LaMalfa said, “This common-sense bill will allow the U.S. Forest Service to use the additional interest they gather to continue restoration work. This is an authority that other agencies like the Department of the Interior already have. As massive fires burn across California and the West, the need for restoration dollars will unfortunately be high. I will continue to work to ensure that the Forest Service has the authorities and tools they need to properly manage our forests.”
 
“The Forest Service provides many important environmental services in Washington state, including mitigating wildfires and improving forest health,” said Rep. Schrier. “As we confront another potentially devastating wildfire season, it’s important that we provide the Forest Service with sufficient resources to protect our public lands. I’m proud to introduce this bill with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure the Forest Service can retain more funds to protect and remediate forests after wildfires and other damaging actions.”
 
“The National Forest Restoration and Remediation Act is a common-sense approach to allow the Forest Service to utilize accumulated interest on settlement agreements to protect and preserve damaged lands, without additional cost to taxpayers. Restoration projects take years, sometimes decades to complete. The inability to access interest earnings results in budget shortfalls and delays in restoration efforts. This needs to change. I’m very pleased to join with Congresswoman Schrier to lead this bipartisan effort,” Rep. Rosendale said.
 
“As Chair of the Forests Subcommittee in Congress, I’ve noted time and time again how critical it is that we increase funding for the Forest Service so that our local communities in Colorado and across the West are adequately equipped to restore our lands and forests and battle record-setting wildfires. From Breckenridge to Idaho Springs, Estes Park to Granby, communities across my district see increased need for forest maintenance and restoration, and without proper federal funding they are often left having to pick up the tab to complete necessary work in our National Forests and on our public lands, ” said Rep. Joe Neguse, Chair of the U.S. Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. “The National Forest Restoration and Remediation Act, which I am proud to help introduce alongside my colleagues today, is a common-sense measure that will help the Forest Service retain more funds to protect and restore our lands, and support our Western communities.”
 
The National Forest Restoration and Remediation Act would allow the Forest Service to retain interest on funds that they have in interest-bearing accounts that originally came from individuals or organizations that had to pay for negligent actions on public lands that caused damage. This would in no way mean that individuals or organizations would have to pay higher penalties, it would simply mean that the USFS could put the money in an interest-bearing account and use the interest on restoration activities. Currently, the USFS must transfer interest they collect to the General Treasury account.
 
USDA’s Office of the Inspector General published a report on Forest Service Use of Settlement Funds, which recommended a legislative change to allow the Forest Service to collect interest on these accounts much like the Department of the Interior and EPA can. Without the ability to collect interest on these accounts, the value of settlement funds diminishes over time and the FS can face long-term budget shortfalls for restoration activities.
 
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
 

 
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa issued the following statement after joining with Representatives Joe Neguse (D-CO), John Curtis (R-UT), and John Garamendi (D-CA) to call for bipartisan legislative efforts to combat wildfires and promote good forest management. All four are members of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus. In April, members of the caucus sent a letter to Appropriators in Congress, urging that funding for wildfire resiliency and prevention be prioritized and included in this year’s appropriations bill. 
 
Rep. LaMalfa said,  “As massive fires burn across the West, including the Beckwourth Complex and the Lava Fire in my district, it is clear that we need to do more to prepare for fire season. This is a bipartisan issue and I am glad to stand with my colleagues from across the aisle to call for combined effort on this front. Congress must act to give the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior the tools they need to fight fires and properly manage our forests, so we do not see these continued catastrophic fires. The time to act is now.”
 
“When your community is home to the largest and second largest wildfires in your state it’s a wakeup call to our communities, to our state and to policy makers,” said Congressman Joe Neguse “There is incredibly urgency to get something done, which is why Representative Curtis and I crafted the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus.”
  
“I think that it would be hard to find an issue that Congressman Neguse and I share so closely in the impact on our constituents,” said Congressman John Curtis, “We see first-hand like Coloradans the haze in the air and the smoke coming from Oregon, from  Colorado and everyday it's a reminder for what looms ahead for Utah.”
 
“ It’s extremely important that we work together on this,” said Congressman John Garamendi, “I’ve watched this for almost 30 years here in California and each year has become worse.” 
 
Listen to a recording of the call here.
 
 
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
 
 
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Mark Spannagel
Chief of Staff
Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01)

 
People v Darrell Jamar Luckett-Flowers (CR3948)
 
On May 11, 2021, Darrell Jamar Luckett-Flowers, age 32, of Vallejo, was convicted of violating Vehicle Code section 23152(a), driving under the influence.  He was ordered to pay a fine of $270, spend 10 days in jail, placed on 48 months probation, and take and complete a DUI class.   
 
People v. Alan Harold White (20CR0097)
 
May 11, 2021, Alan Harold White, age 50 of Loyalton, was convicted of violating Health and Safety Code section 11377(a), possession of a controlled substance.  He was placed on 1 year probation.
 
People v. Jose Ramon Nevarezreyes (21CR0006)
 
On May 11, 2021, Jose Ramon Nevarezreyes, age 23 of Sierra City, was convicted of violating Vehicle Code section 23152(b), driving under the influence, with one prior.  He was ordered to spend 10 days in custody, placed on 48 months probation, required to take and complete a DUI class, and ordered to pay a fine of $1,895.00.
 
People v. Sean Michael Huberty (21CR0001)
 
On May 28, 2021, Sean Michael Huberty, age 20, of Loyalton, was convicted of violating Penal Code section 261.5, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.  He was sentenced to 120 days in jail, placed on two years formal probation, and was ordered to pay $2,350.00 in fines.
 
People v. Kayla Robin Bolle (20CR0119)
 
On June 22, 2021, Kayla Robin Bolle, age 26 of Camptonville, was convicted of violating Vehicle Code section 23152(b), driving under the influence.  She was ordered to spend 20 days in jail, placed on 48 months probation, required to attend and complete a DUI class, and pay a fine of $1,895.00.
 
 

Nevada City, Calif. July 14, 2021 — This is one of our favorite times of the year, National Forest Week! National Forest Week is an annual celebration of our incredible National Forest System and all that it offers. It happens each year during the second full week of July.
To celebrate #NationalForestWeek in the Tahoe National Forest, we’re revealing some of our beautiful but under-utilized trails, campgrounds, and recreation sites. Keep reading if you’d like to beat the crowds and explore some new locations across the Tahoe National Forest.
 
Truckee/Sierraville
Mt. Lola Trail: One of the gems of the Northern Sierra, the Mt. Lola trail takes intrepid hikers past wildflowers to the highest point on the Tahoe National Forest. Expect views of the Coast Range on the horizon, the Sierra Buttes in the middle ground, and White Rock and Independence Lake immediately below you. Other uncrowded trails and campgrounds in the area:
Bear Valley Campground (no fee)
Sagehen Creek Campground (no fee)
Lake of the Woods Campground (no fee)
Perazzo Meadows
 
Nevada City/Camptonville
Forest City Trail Network (follow the link and scroll down the left side to the Forest City Trail network): The Forest Trails Alliance has teamed up with the U.S. Forest Service to build a network of trails surrounding Forest City, a Historical District. The trails follow old mining trails, mining ditches, and include vista overlooks. Built for mountain biking and designed for fun, these trails have banked corners, lots of switchbacks, and alternate loops features for the more advanced riders. Intermediate to advanced riders will enjoy these trails. Other uncrowded trails in the area:
South Yuba Trail (downstream of the Town of Washington)
 
Foresthill
Big Trees Nature Trail: Another secret, walk through the northern most grove of Giant Sequoias in the Sierra. The Big Tres Nature Trail is a great family outing –a half-mile loop through the grove with a shady picnic area nearby. Other uncrowded trails in the area:
Grouse Falls Overlook Trail
Little Bald Mountain Trail
Euchre Bar Trail
 
 

 
 
 
 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
 
 

EASTERN PLUMAS HEALTH CARE held its regular meeting on Thursday, June 24th. Human Resources Director, Lori Tange stated they are continuing to focus on new hires and currently have eight new hires in the process.  
CEO, Doug McCoy reported for Chief Financial Officer, Katherine Parrish who was absent from the meeting. He said although patient revenue was under budget by $697,722 year-to-date through May 31, 2021, they managed to post net income in the amount of $3,013,884 as Intergovernmental Transfers came in over budget by $2,516,233 and have seen over the last three months a steady rise in patient revenues.
McCoy gave an executive summary to the Board and stated three-year financial performance trend report was presented at the recent annual Board retreat and reflected a 5.4% revenue increase and 13.4% net income improvement over the prior year. These improvements were inclusive of 800k in unplanned COVID related costs and various department hiring scale adjustments to improve access to staffing.
He reported EPHC completed contracting with Custom Learning Solutions for a three-year partnership for implementation of our ‘Ignite the Patient Experience’ initiative. A draft strategic implementation plan was initiated on June 10th and will be finalized to incorporate its activities during this process. Two key committees will be launched in July as part of their initiative. The Community Advisory Panel will provide operational recommendations from a seven-member team representing each of the EPHC service areas. The Service Excellence Committee will be comprised of both department and management staff across the organization to assist with strategy implementation, recommendations, and training to the organization on its 5-star initiative. Prior to their launch of this initiative in mid-May, they have seen a significant increase in customer satisfaction feedback through its new customer review process. The patient grievance rate has decreased by 90% in the second quarter of the calendar year versus the first quarter through the implementation of several initiatives including implementation of the Patient Experience Department.
McCoy said The Loyalton property purchase was completed at the beginning of June, and they are finalizing the design plans for the project. Contractor bidding will be initiated upon plan completion and they anticipate opening the project in June of 2022. Community feedback on the project has been extremely positive, and they look forward to continuing the relationship with the current tenants. The project will double the number of exam rooms and increase clinic offerings to the members of the community.
He added to meet additional community needs and position EPHC properly for the future they are also reviewing additional projects to include a permanent outpatient and wellness building, refurbishment of the IT/training area, and refurbishment plan for both the hospital and SNF units. Decisions on key legislation regarding the 2030 seismic requirements are expected during the summer legislative session, which will assist with their 3-year planning on these projects.
McCoy was happy to report in June all EPHC clinic locations initiated COVID vaccine distributions during business hours. All patients who have not been vaccinated are provided an opportunity to receive any of the three current vaccine offerings and receive education from the providers on the benefits of vaccinations in order to increase the community vaccination rate. EPHC has successfully vaccinated 2,249 individuals through 20 clinics held since the beginning of the year, and they anticipate these rates to continue increasing through the new RHC process.
Resolution 292 – Wellness and Therapy Building was approved unanimously. McCoy stated he hoped by the time they start construction there would be some stabilization in construction costs.  Net income is right at $400,000 stating they wanted to make sure they were fiscally responsible before moving forward with the building, adding they feel there will be a strong return. They are planning on utilizing grant funds to offset costs. Projections in revenue are based on current staffing and will have the opportunity to add two more full-time physical therapists. He stated they’d received 19 new referrals that week.  
Resolution 293 – EMR System Purchase was approved unanimously. McCoy stated the current system is sunsetting. The single solution product through Cerner continues to be the leading option based on the interoperability across all service lines. EPIC is a leading market system, however they continue to have challenges in identifying a third party organization to host the system for EPHC. Based on the required implantation requirement of a new EMR system (10-12 months), he recommended the Board approve the resolution to proceed with final review of the Cerner contract proposal by the legal department and sign an agreement to initiate the implementation plan.  

LOYALTON SKILLED NURSING RESIDENTS ATTEND THE PARADE!​

PHOTOS OF NERVINO AIRPORT ACTION - BY DEREK BEVERLY

FIRE ACTION AT SIERRAVILLE'S DEARWATER FIELD - PHOTOS BY SUSAN ROBERTS

As of 10 a.m. this morning, July 12, Plumas-Sierra crews are assessing wildfire damage and making repairs where it is safe to do so. Members should be prepared for additional power outages as repairs occur. Power outages could last multiple hours. We expect internet service restoration efforts to begin mid-week.
 

NOTE: As of 3:30 p.m. on July 11, we have been able to re-energize our transmission line and most North System members are back on, with the exception of the Doyle area where we are slowly re-energizing distribution lines as fire conditions allow.

Portola, Calif. (July 11, 2021) –As of 11 a.m. on July 11, Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative crews are assessing wildfire damage from the Beckwourth Complex Fire where it is safe to do so. PSREC members should be prepared for additional power outages as repairs occur. Power outages could last multiple hours. Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications experienced damage to its infrastructure and a minimum of three days is expected before internet service repairs can begin, depending on continued fire activity.
For additional information and resources, visit www.psrec.coop. To contact PSREC and update your contact information, visit www.psrec.coop or call 530-832-4261.
About Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative:
Founded in 1937, PSREC is a member-owned electric distribution, transmission and generation utility providing electrical power and related services to more than 7,000 member/owners in Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra counties in California, and parts of Washoe County, Nevada. The cooperative is controlled by the membership through an elected seven-person board of directors.
PSREC’s wholly-owned telecommunications subsidiary, Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications, offers high-speed Internet services.
Office headquarters are in Portola, California. More information is available at www.psrec.coop or by calling 530-832-4261.
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