​California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed another sweeping package of gun control legislation, including a new law that will require many Californians to complete at least four hours of firearm training before obtaining a firearm safety certificate.Newsom signed 10 firearm-related bills into law on September 26, covering everything from mandatory firearm training and expanded gun prohibitions to 3D printers, firearm trace data and protective orders.
The legislation represents some of Newsom’s final gun control actions before leaving the Governor’s office and adds another layer to California’s already extensive system of firearm regulations.
The measure receiving perhaps the most attention is Senate Bill 948.
Under SB 948, authored by Democratic state Sen. Jesse Arreguín of Berkeley, applicants seeking a California firearm safety certificate beginning January 1, 2029, will have to complete a training course of at least four hours within the previous year.
That training must include firearm safety and handling instruction as well as live-fire exercises at a shooting range.
Beginning in 2028, the law will also affect people moving into California with firearms. New residents bringing firearms into the state will generally be required to obtain a firearm safety certificate within 180 days of becoming a California resident.
California already requires people purchasing or receiving firearms to obtain a firearm safety certificate, which requires passing a written test. SB 948 therefore adds a mandatory training component to a system already in place.
Supporters of the proposal argue the additional requirements will ensure firearm owners receive safety instruction before acquiring a gun. But the new law also means Californians will face an additional prerequisite before they can exercise their Second Amendment rights.
And the training mandate isn’t the only significant new restriction Newsom signed.
Senate Bill 1220 adds another offense to California’s list of convictions that can trigger a decade-long prohibition on firearm possession.
Beginning with convictions on or after January 1, 2027, a person convicted of altering, removing or obliterating identifying information from a firearm — or possessing or dealing in a firearm whose identifying information has been altered or removed — will generally be prohibited from possessing or acquiring firearms for 10 years.
The underlying offense can be a misdemeanor, meaning certain misdemeanor convictions will now carry the additional consequence of losing the ability to possess or acquire firearms for a decade.
Another potentially far-reaching law doesn’t regulate only firearms. It could eventually regulate the 3D printers capable of producing them.
Assembly Bill 2047 directs the California Department of Justice to periodically determine whether ASTM International has developed industry standards for technology designed to prevent 3D printers from producing firearms.
If qualifying standards are adopted, California DOJ would then establish requirements governing the technology.
Under the enacted legislation, it would ultimately become unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or transfer for consideration in California a covered 3D printer that lacks firearm-blocking technology meeting the applicable standards.
There are exceptions, including certain printers used exclusively to manufacture props for the entertainment industry.
Supporters describe the measure as an attempt to address unserialized “ghost guns” before improvements in additive manufacturing make privately printed firearms increasingly accessible.
Newsom’s office specifically highlighted the legislation as part of its effort to address what it called “emerging threats” involving 3D-printed, illegally modified and unserialized firearms.
Newsom also signed Assembly Bill 1753, a broad measure changing California’s protective-order and firearm-surrender procedures.
The legislation contains numerous provisions governing protective orders and the enforcement of firearm prohibitions.
According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office, AB 1753 also prevents people convicted of several offenses — including certain hate crimes, violations of gun violence or other protective orders, violations of firearm-related probation conditions and certain criminal threats against sensitive locations — from possessing firearms and ammunition for at least 10 years following conviction.
The law also changes procedures intended to identify firearms possessed by people subject to protective orders and facilitate their surrender.
Bonta and gun control organization GIFFORDS co-sponsored the legislation. They characterize the measure as closing enforcement gaps that can allow people subject to protective orders to retain access to firearms.
Assembly Bill 1743 takes a different approach.
California already collects information about firearms recovered after being illegally possessed, used in crimes or suspected of having been used in crimes.
AB 1743 expands and clarifies which institutions can request information used by the California Department of Justice to analyze patterns involving those recovered firearms.
Cities, counties, state government agencies, the University of California, California State University, and specified private California colleges and universities will be among the entities able to request the information under conditions established by the attorney general.
Supporters argue that expanded access will allow researchers and government agencies to better determine where recovered firearms originate and identify patterns involving particular manufacturers, dealers and geographic areas.
The expanded availability of firearm-trace information also raises questions about how such data will ultimately be used as California officials and researchers continue studying firearms, dealers and manufacturers.
Those measures are only part of the package.
Newsom also signed legislation creating a framework for voluntary temporary firearm storage with participating law-enforcement agencies, changing firearm-prohibition reporting requirements, providing services for young people exposed to gun violence and making other changes involving juveniles and firearm-related records.
Newsom defended the package as another step in California’s long-running effort to reduce firearm violence.
“Today’s laws continue that work — using data, prevention and proven tools to help keep firearms out of dangerous situations and support communities affected by violence,” Newsom said when announcing the legislation.
Gun control organizations including GIFFORDS, Brady, and Everytown praised the package.
Some of the new restrictions may ultimately face scrutiny in the courts.
California is already defending a number of its firearm restrictions in federal litigation, and the state’s ammunition-background-check requirements remain the subject of litigation in the Ninth Circuit.
For California gun owners, however, the immediate takeaway from Newsom’s latest actions is much broader than one new safety course.
The state has enacted another package of laws affecting who can possess firearms, how Californians qualify to acquire them, how firearm information can be shared, and even what technology future 3D printers may be required to contain.
Read more at Cal Matters.
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SACRAMENTO –Assemblyman Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) and Congressman James Gallagher (R-Nicolaus)  announce that Assembly Bill 2700, their legislation to help victims of utility caused wildfires, has been signed into law today by the Governor. AB 2700 provides a path for fire victims, like those of the Camp Fire in the Town of Paradise, to be fully and fairly compensated for the devastating loss they’ve endured.
 
AB 2700 requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to determine the amount fire victims are owed and recommend compensation methods that do not raise utility rates.
 
“It was my great honor to take this bill on as one of my last actions in the legislature. Far too many wildfire victims are still waiting for the fair compensation they deserve,” said Gallagher. “AB 2700 provides a pathway for accountability and real justice for fire survivors.”
 
AB 2700 was introduced by Gallagher while in the State Assembly. Patterson became the author of the bill upon Gallagher’s election to Congress.
 
“It is my honor to carry the mantle through the finish line to ensure Congressman Gallagher’s constituents – as well as others - have an opportunity to be compensated for their devastating losses,” said Assemblyman Patterson. “Wildfire victims, who have waited years to be paid their fair share, have a pathway to be fully compensated. No amount of money can undo what they have suffered, but my hope is that this bill provides a tangible step for them to rebuild and move forward.”
 
Thousands of wildfire survivors, united under the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition, were instrumental in passing AB 2700. These survivors championed the bill by calling legislative offices, meeting with lawmakers and staff, and testifying at committee hearings.
 
“Earlier this year, the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition broadly reached out to members of the State Legislature to find someone willing to champion this legislation,” said Will Abrams, Organizing Advocate of the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition. “James Gallagher and Joe Patterson had the courage and conviction to lead this effort and champion the passage of AB 2700. Their leadership and our nonpartisan advocacy as the sponsors of this bill led to the bipartisan and unanimous support that marked every vote in the Legislature. Wildfire survivors across the state are grateful.”
 
 
Patterson represents the 5th Assembly District, which is comprised of the communities of Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Granite Bay, Auburn, North Auburn, Loomis, Meadow Vista, Newcastle, Penryn, El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Diamond Springs, Placerville, Shingle Springs, Auburn Lake Trails, Georgetown, Cold Springs, Coloma, Rescue and Cool.
 
Congressman James Gallagher proudly represents California's First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
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SACRAMENTO –Assemblyman Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) and Congressman James Gallagher (R-Nicolaus)  announce that Assembly Bill 2700, their legislation to help victims of utility caused wildfires, has been signed into law today by the Governor. AB 2700 provides a path for fire victims, like those of the Camp Fire in the Town of Paradise, to be fully and fairly compensated for the devastating loss they’ve endured.
 
AB 2700 requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to determine the amount fire victims are owed and recommend compensation methods that do not raise utility rates.
 
“It was my great honor to take this bill on as one of my last actions in the legislature. Far too many wildfire victims are still waiting for the fair compensation they deserve,” said Gallagher. “AB 2700 provides a pathway for accountability and real justice for fire survivors.”
 
AB 2700 was introduced by Gallagher while in the State Assembly. Patterson became the author of the bill upon Gallagher’s election to Congress.
 
“It is my honor to carry the mantle through the finish line to ensure Congressman Gallagher’s constituents – as well as others - have an opportunity to be compensated for their devastating losses,” said Assemblyman Patterson. “Wildfire victims, who have waited years to be paid their fair share, have a pathway to be fully compensated. No amount of money can undo what they have suffered, but my hope is that this bill provides a tangible step for them to rebuild and move forward.”
 
Thousands of wildfire survivors, united under the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition, were instrumental in passing AB 2700. These survivors championed the bill by calling legislative offices, meeting with lawmakers and staff, and testifying at committee hearings.
 
“Earlier this year, the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition broadly reached out to members of the State Legislature to find someone willing to champion this legislation,” said Will Abrams, Organizing Advocate of the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition. “James Gallagher and Joe Patterson had the courage and conviction to lead this effort and champion the passage of AB 2700. Their leadership and our nonpartisan advocacy as the sponsors of this bill led to the bipartisan and unanimous support that marked every vote in the Legislature. Wildfire survivors across the state are grateful.”
 
 
Patterson represents the 5th Assembly District, which is comprised of the communities of Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Granite Bay, Auburn, North Auburn, Loomis, Meadow Vista, Newcastle, Penryn, El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Diamond Springs, Placerville, Shingle Springs, Auburn Lake Trails, Georgetown, Cold Springs, Coloma, Rescue and Cool.
 
Congressman James Gallagher proudly represents California's First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
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THIS IS THE “WEALTH TAX” supposedly affecting only billionaires but in fact a threat to every California taxpayer and homeowner.
Prop. 40, imposes a “one-time tax” of 5% of “covered assets” valued above $1 billion. However, the measure includes language that allows the Legislature to rewrite the law later, potentially changing the thresholds, the assets that are covered, the percentage to be taken, and the number of times the tax would be levied.
This is an entirely new type of tax, not knowing where it will lead.
Will all Californians have to submit forms to the Franchise Tax Board declaring their assets every year?
How much will ordinary Californians have to pay for “wealth tax preparation” to comply with this law?
VOTE NO ON 40.

(Susanville, CA, Sept. 29, 2026) -- Recent weather conditions have reduced fire danger across the Lassen National Forest, prompting forest officials to rescind fire restrictions on the forest effective at midnight on Oct. 1, 2026. This decision is based on fuel moisture conditions and predicted weather.

Although restrictions are being lifted at this time, fire officials emphasize that the Northern California fire season is not over. Wildfires can still occur, and visitors are encouraged to use caution and common sense when enjoying the forest. If weather conditions trend drier than expected, forest officials may implement fire restrictions again.

The Lassen National Forest reminds visitors that leaving burning or smoldering campfires unattended is not only dangerous, but also a criminal offense. Attend your campfire at all times and clear all flammable material away from the fire at a minimum of five feet in all directions. Before leaving a campsite, campfires should be extinguished with water and stirred until they are cold to the touch.

Additionally, a California Campfire Permit is required for campfires, stoves and barbecues outside developed campgrounds. The free permit provides important information about safely using fire, including requirements for clearing the area around a campfire, properly extinguishing fires and the tools that must be kept at the site. California Campfire Permits are available from USDA Forest Service offices or online at permit.preventwildfiresca.org.

The use of fireworks and all other pyrotechnic devices is always illegal on federal lands.  

For more information about fire safety and current conditions on the Lassen National Forest, visit the Lassen National Forest website or follow the forest on social media.

About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.

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NEVADA CITY, Calif., Sept. 28, 2026 — Tahoe National Forest has reduced fire restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1 effective today, Sept. 28. Under these restrictions, campfires are permitted in provided fire rings or charcoal grills within Tahoe National Forest’s developed campgrounds and day-use sites, but not outside of those areas. Smoking and operating internal combustion engines off roads or trails is also restricted except in limited circumstances. 
Under Stage 1 restrictions, the following activities are prohibited through Oct. 31, 2026: 

• Building or maintaining a fire, campfire or charcoal briquette fire outside of provided fire rings or charcoal grills within designated developed campgrounds and picnic areas. 
  

• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated campground or recreation area, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 
  

• Operating an internal combustion engine off paved, gravel or dirt National Forest System roads and trails, except within the Prosser Pits Developed Off-Highway Vehicle Area and boats on a water surface. 
  

Under these restrictions, individuals with a valid campfire permit are still welcome to use portable cooking stoves, propane campfires or lanterns in an area at least three feet from any flammable materials. The portable device must only burn gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel and have a shut-off valve. Campfire permits are available online at permit.preventwildfiresca.org. 
Help protect our forests, firefighters and communities by following these principles when out on forested lands: 

• Campfires: Attend your campfire at all times. Ensure your fire is completely extinguished—drown with water (NOT dirt), stir with your shovel, drown again and feel for any heat using the back of your hand. Continue this process until no heat remains. 
  

• Stoves: If using pressurized or bottled liquid fuel stoves, lanterns, or heating devices with a valid California Campfire Permit, use in barren areas with at least 3 feet of clearance from grasses and other debris that may catch fire. Prevent stoves from tipping.  
  

• Vehicles: When traveling, ensure your chains are properly connected. The hot underside of the vehicle and dragging chains can start a fire. Stick to driving on designated roads and trails and be careful to not park your car or OHV in tall, dry, vegetation, including grass. 
  

• Spark Arrestors: Ensure that all internal or external combustion engines have a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order. 
  

• Smoking: Extinguish all smoking materials dead out on bare soil. Pack out all cigarette butts and filters. 
  

• Fireworks: Fireworks are prohibited on all national forests year-round, leave them and all other pyrotechnic devices at home. 
  

View the full fire restrictions forest order here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/tahoe/alerts/stage-1-fire-restrictions-0.
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These three game-changing initiatives to restore Prop 13 make it harder for politicians to raise your taxes. 
Prop 41: Audits Before Any Special Tax Hike
Prop 42: No Taxes on Your Home Equity, Investments, or Savings
Prop 43: Restore the Two-Thirds Vote for Tax Hikes
Sacramento Democrats have packed this ballot with tax hikes of their own:

• Prop 40, the "Wealth Tax": Sold as a "Billionaire's Tax," it's really an "Everybody's Tax" that would take 5% of your savings every single year.
• Prop 3, the Income Tax Hike: Makes a "temporary" tax permanent, locking in the highest income tax rates in America.
• 300+ local tax hikes: Sales, property, income, and business taxes on ballots across the state.

Tracy Schohr, Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension 
The expansion of Gray Wolves across Northern California has come with many challenges to the ranching community. In 2025, there were 104 confirmed or probable livestock losses caused by wolves in Plumas and Sierra County (source California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), 2026), with many additional costs endured by ranchers beyond direct loss.
The Gray Wolf is currently listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act and the California Endangered Species Act, limiting the tools ranchers can use to deter livestock depredation. While producers can conduct non-injurious harassment (hazing) to discourage wolves near livestock, injurious harassment has been prohibited. This year, CDFW developed a process to authorize injurious harassment of wolves by trained livestock producers, to include the use of specific less-than-lethal projectiles (LTLP) and sustained pursuit to help reduce wolf-livestock conflict.
On September 10 and 11, the Sierra Valley Resource Conservation District hosted a workshop for ranchers to meet training requirements for livestock producers to use LTLP and sustained pursuit. Over 30 ranchers were certified during the local trainings. 
“We have always tried to be proactive when it comes to preventing livestock depredations. We've used livestock guardian dogs for almost two decades and deployed fladry for the first time this year. Last year we were forced to give up our grazing lease in the Sierra Valley due to the Beyem Seyo pack,” reflects training participant and Sierra Valley rancher Crystal Emsoff. 
“We know from experience that predators sometimes get through even the best defenses. We are grateful for another tool to be able to defend our animals from wolves, though actually getting close enough to a wolf to hit it with a paintball is pretty unlikely. “
Less-than-lethal tools, including paint balls and inert powder balls, have been used by law enforcement for years and are also used to help reduce human-wildlife conflict (e.g. bears in urban areas). Accuracy and distance capabilities vary with launchers. Workshop participants gained hands-on experience with the less-than-lethal tools, testing the equipment during the range portion of the training to better understand its operation, accuracy, and effective range.
If you are a livestock producer interested in a future training, please contact Tracy Schohr at UC 
Cooperative Extension at 916-716-2643 or [email protected].

 ​(AVA) ABANDONED VEHICLE ABATEMENT PROGRAM was an item discussed during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held September 15th in Loyalton. Supervisor Lee Adams stated he brought this before a board 30 years ago when he was sheriff and it was denied. He explained the fund can only be used to remove vehicles from public property not private. 37 of the 58 counties in the state have this program, noting the smaller counties are not using it. He questioned whether the effort was worth it. 
Sheriff Mike Fisher reported looking at the 2025 numbers for Sierra County and 5,924 vehicles would fall within this program. The $1 registration fee for vehicles could carry over year after year to build some capital. The Board of Supervisors would be the authority. The Sheriff’s Office would be the lead administrator and enforcement. The Program could generate upwards of $6,000 a year, which would be a “handful of cars removed every year.” 
Supervisor Sharon Dryden was frustrated that no one was present or attending online from the City of Loyalton who had asked the board to have this on an agenda. She felt the majority of this problem was in the city and heard the program was administratively burdensome and cost more to administer than the amount of vehicles towed. 
County Counsel Andrew Plett stated Lassen County found the program to be administratively difficult and opted not to continue. He noted AVA program has to create the authority, annual reports have to be made, CHP has to approve the program. Lassen had difficulty meeting the requirements. 
Adams appreciated the comments and felt the City should be in the room. He questioned how residents would feel to put another fee upon them. He suggested they put this item on another agenda to see if the City attends. 
Board Chair Paul Roen stated the County would shoulder the cost to implement. County Counsel felt the issue was having a partner agency willing to help. Dryden suggested they put this item on pause and have Supervisor Terry LeBlanc meet with a City representative to go over what the needs would be to mutually share the burden. Fisher noted the City has paid for three vehicles to be towed this year. 

CONGRESSMAN JAMES GALLAGHER with his Campaign Manager,  Rachel Lederer at the Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric annual dinner meeting in Vinton on Thursday, September  10th.

​CONGRESSMAN JAMES GALLAGHER visited Sierra and Plumas counties Thursday, September 10th, meeting with residents, local officials and ranchers to hear concerns ranging from healthcare costs and state regulations to wildfire prevention and livestock protection.
Gallagher, a Republican, currently represents California’s 1st Congressional District. He was sworn into the U.S. House in June after winning the June 2nd special primary election to fill the remainder of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s term. He is seeking a full term representing the newly redrawn district. 
Gallagher began his Sierra Valley visit in Sierraville, where he met with residents and listened to concerns affecting the rural community. 
The cost of healthcare was among the topics discussed. Gallagher said affordable healthcare requires reform and argued that changes are also needed at the state level.
Tire regulations were another concern raised during the meeting. Gallagher said the new tire policy had been on the books for some time and estimated that the new requirements would take approximately 70 percent of tires off the market.
Gallagher said what he described as fundamental issues are “crushing our values” and called for greater resistance to what he termed the “regulatory regime.”
Sierra County Supervisor Sharon Dryden said regulations were straining residents, adding she “loves the state but hates the politics.”
Sierra County Forester Danielle Bradfield discussed ongoing efforts to protect communities from wildfire and some of the challenges associated with completing forest-management projects. She said they continue to have issues with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) that stop the work, noting “now it’s bees.” Bradfield stated there has been good collaboration with the State Board of Forestry, along with solid project plans and significant funding. However, she said repeated surveys can limit the operating season. She felt it was the Endangered Species Act above all else. Gallagher talked about his work with Butte County Fire Safe Council and emphasized the importance of protecting communities from wildfire. He called for increased land management and said more work needs to be done to reduce wildfire risks. 
He encouraged residents to turn out the vote as “California keeps taking more money and giving less back.” 
From there, Gallagher attended a training at the Sierraville School for Sierra Valley ranchers who were learning about less-than-lethal projectiles to discourage wolf-livestock interactions.
Gallagher continued his visit Thursday evening at the Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (PSREC) annual dinner at the Sierra Valley Grange Hall in Vinton.
The dinner provided another opportunity for Gallagher to meet with residents from both Sierra and Plumas counties and discuss local issues.
Gallagher is originally from the Yuba City area. Before entering Congress, he served six years on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors and was elected to the California State Assembly in 2014. He represented the 3rd Assembly District and served as Assembly Republican Minority Leader from 2022 through 2025.
An attorney and partner in his family's farming operation, Gallagher has also emphasized issues affecting farmers and small businesses throughout his career.
His visit to Sierra Valley offered residents an opportunity to raise those concerns directly, while giving the newly elected congressman a chance to hear from rural communities he now represents in Washington.

The elementary grades get in on the action, supporting the Grizzlies with handmade signs! Good luck Grizzlies!

AAA Weekly Fuel Report

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (September 24, 2026) - The average for a gallon of regular gasoline in California continues trending upward, jumping 15 cents in the past week to $6.23. Compared to last month, the state average has risen by 61 cents – and it’s now $1.58 higher than last year. Nationwide pump prices continue to climb with the average for a gallon of regular gasoline up nearly 5 cents from last week. At $4.48 per gallon, this is the highest the national average has ever been for this time of year.


“Typically, the start of autumn brings lower gas prices, but lingering volatility in the Strait of Hormuz and the high cost of crude oil are driving up pump prices,” said Doug Johnson, spokesperson for AAA Mountain West Group. “This month is on track to set a new September record nationally. So far, the national average for this month is $4.30, higher than the previous September record of $3.83 set in 2023.”


Fuel Prices Around the State:
San Francisco: $6.40
Oakland: $6.28
San Jose: $6.23
Sacramento: $6.17
Fresno: $6.24
Stockton: $6.10
Modesto: $6.04


AAA Shares Tips to Help Drivers Save on Gas

• Save on gas. Use the AAA Mobile App to find the cheapest gas stations along your route, plan your trip, request roadside assistance, and more. AAA Members can save 30¢ per gallon on your first fill-up at participating stations when you join Shell® Fuel Rewards®. All AAA Shell Fuel Rewards® Members save 5¢ per gallon on their fill-ups of up to 20 gallons at participating stations with complimentary Gold Status. Terms and conditions apply. Visit AAA.com/Shell for full details.
  
• Avoid Speeding: Fuel economy peaks at around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Driving the recommended speed limit can increase fuel economy between 7 and 14 percent.
  
• Regular vs. Premium: Pay close attention to the words “recommended” and “required.” If regular gas is recommended for your vehicle, that’s all you need. Choosing premium when your car doesn’t require it will only cost you money and doesn’t improve fuel economy.
  
• Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle (e.g., trunk, cargo area, etc. ) as weight increases the amount of effort it takes to move the vehicle.
  
• Avoid Excessive Idling: When idling, car engines use up to one-half gallons of fuel per hour. Warm engines take about 10 seconds worth of fuel to restart. Shut off your engine when stopped for more than a minute and if it's safe to do so.
  
• Check Tire Pressure and Align Tires: Maintaining proper tire pressurereduces your tire's friction with the road. Less friction means less energy is needed to move, resulting in using less gas. Proper inflation can improve gas mileage by 0.6 percent on average.
  

Oil Market Dynamics
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 8.79 million barrels per day to 8.84 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 207.7 million barrels to 206 million. Gasoline production decreased slightly from 9.64 million barrels to 9.59 million.


At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose $1.64 to settle at $92.16 per barrel. The EIA reports that U.S. crude oil inventories increased 3 million barrels to 426.4 million barrels, 2% above the five-year average.


EV Charging
The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 42 cents. In California, the average per kilowatt hour of electricity is 47 cents.


State Stats
Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($6.23), Hawaii ($5.57), Washington ($5.54), Nevada ($5.36), Oregon ($5.09), Alaska ($5.06), Idaho ($5.00), Utah ($4.98), Illinois ($4.85), and Michigan ($4.80).


The nation's top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Texas ($3.95), Indiana ($3.96), Mississippi ($3.99), Louisiana ($4.03), South Carolina ($4.04), Tennessee ($4.06), Arkansas ($4.06), Alabama ($4.08), Georgia ($4.10), and Oklahoma ($4.11).


Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hourare Hawaii (53 cents), West Virginia (52 cents), Alaska (48 cents), Louisiana (47 cents), California (47 cents), New Hampshire (46 cents), New Jersey (45 cents), North Dakota (44 cents), Arkansas (44 cents), and Arizona (44 cents).


The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hourare Kansas (31 cents), Missouri (33 cents), Iowa (33 cents), Nebraska (34 cents), Maryland (35 cents), South Dakota (35 cents), Utah (35 cents), Vermont (36 cents), Minnesota (37 cents), and Delaware (38 cents).


Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA Mobile App, now available on CarPlay. Find current fuel prices at GasPrices.AAA.com. Find local news releases at mwg.aaa.com/news/press-release.

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About AAA Mountain West Group


For over a century, AAA Mountain West Group (MWG) has served as a mission-driven, member-centric organization. Guided by its mission of People Helping People and powered by 5,400 dedicated team members, MWG delivers exceptional roadside assistance, auto repair, travel planning, financial and insurance services, home security, and exclusive member discounts. With a vision focused on creating Members for Life, MWG guides Members through every stage of their journey, serving more than 6.9 million people throughout Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Northern California, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Recognized by Forbes as one of the Most Trusted Companies in America, AAA has grown into one of the largest and most trusted membership organizations in North America. To learn more about AAA MWG, visit mwg.aaa.com.

 
The Plumas-Sierra County Farm Bureau is now accepting applications for its 2026 scholarship program. Completed applications must be received by October 15, 2026.
The renewable scholarship supports eligible students connected to the Plumas-Sierra County Farm Bureau or local high school graduates. Past recipients are welcome and encouraged to reapply, but applicants must submit a new application each year.
Immediate family members of a Plumas-Sierra County Farm Bureau agricultural member. Applicants in this category may pursue any college or trade school major.
California Farm Bureau Collegiate Members who are graduates, of a Plumas or Sierra County high school and are majoring in an agricultural field at an accredited junior college, college, university, or trade school.
Applicants must submit the completed application to the Plumas-Sierra County Farm Bureau Scholarship Committee by October 15, 2026.
Recipients will be selected based on overall qualifications, including scholastic achievement, career goals, extracurricular activities, leadership skills, written application materials, and participation in a personal interview or conference call.
To apply request the application by emailing [email protected] with “Scholarship Application Request” in the subject line. 
For questions, call (530) 249-4036. Completed applications and all required materials must be submitted to the Plumas-Sierra County Farm Bureau Scholarship Committee by October 15, 2026, following the instructions in the application form.

Join the Eastern Plumas Health Care Foundation for an afternoon reception on Saturday, November 14th featuring locally inspired hors d’oeuvres, music and wine for the Dr. Christopher Stanton Scholarship Fund. It’s all happening at the Nakoma Resort from 2-5pm. Tickets are $100 per person, and the event ticket includes one glass of either red or white wine. A no-host bar will also be available. 
The menu includes Fall Harvest Ratatouille Phyllo Cup, Monterey Bay Mini Dungeness Crab Cake with House-made Remoulade, Bison Black & Bleu Crostini, and assorted sweet and savory house-made pies. Also, a special ensemble of music will be performed by the Portola High School Band.  Can’t attend the event? Consider purchasing a ticket for someone who can, because all proceeds benefit the Dr. Christopher Scholarship Fund. 
Who is Dr. Stanton and why is this scholarship so important? Dr. Stanton has been an icon in our community for both quality health care delivery and the importance of education. To acknowledge his outstanding service, the EPH C Foundation created the Dr. Christopher Stanton Scholarship to assist EPHC employees in their pursuit of advance education and certification.
The Foundation has awarded twenty scholarships to employees pursing advanced degrees in nursing, physician assistant, health information, radiology, and therapeutic massage. Your support will ensure that scholarship awards continue to be presented annually, fostering the development of the next generation of quality healthcare professionals in our world. Purchase your tickets today! 
For more information, contact Patty Clawson, Foundation Chair at 775-527-3271 or visit ephc.org.

Sierra Valley Chamber of Commerce, Country Crafts Bazaar & Meet & Greet, was a rousing success in association with the Arts & Ag trail, whose trail was held throughout Sierra Valley, visiting ranches, and various other stops on Saturday September 19th 2026. 
The SVCC wishes to thank all those who participated on Saturday’s event, and made a day hanging out at the chamber of commerce kiosk site, 603 Main Street downtown, Loyalton.
During this downtown event, two bands played, the Darkness Destroyer and Bluzze Banditz both of Portola. The city rocked the afternoon away while the crafters & vendors sold their wares and people mingled.
During this event, the chamber held a dessert giveaway, based on, if you wished, a donation of $3 dollars per tasty treats of homemade desserts. Nothing was store bought, where upon the chamber took in $165 dollars.
The proceeds of these donations will go to the Senior Center and the High Sierra Resource Center both in Loyalton. Each entity will receive a check in the amount of $82.50. Again, our sincere thank you to all our crafters & vendors and to those who donated and to those who attended.

by Melinda Myers

 
Fall is a season of transition and that includes your garden.  Make the most of beautiful fall days to enjoy your garden and prepare your landscape for the winter ahead.
 
Put fall leaves to work in your landscape improving your soil, reducing maintenance, and creating winter homes for toads, frogs, and beneficial insects. Mow over the leaves that land on the lawn. It may take a couple passes but once the fall leaves are the size of a quarter you can leave them on the lawn to add organic matter and nutrients to the soil.
 
Or mow, bag and add the shredded leaves to annual flowers or vegetable gardens. Dig several inches of shredded leaves into the top 8 to 12 inches of garden soil.  The leaves will decompose over winter, adding organic matter to the soil. Still more leaves; add them to the compost pile. Mixing this carbon rich plant debris to greens like plant-based kitchen scraps, manure, and worm castings makes for great compost.
 
Use leaves as mulch on the soil around the base of perennials.  They suppress weeds, conserve moisture, insulate the roots and add organic matter to the soil as they decompose. Leaves also provide winter homes and insulation for insects, toads and frogs that overwinter in leaf litter or just below the soil surface.
 
Leave healthy perennials stand for winter. They add winter interest to the landscape, provide homes for many beneficial insects and the seeds of Rudbeckia, coneflower, liatris, and others provide food for the birds. These winged visitors add welcome color and motion to the often, gray days of winter.
 
Take time to remove any dead, damaged and diseased stems, and branches.  Disinfect your tools between cuts to reduce the risk of spreading disease to healthy plants. Clean tools with a spray disinfectant or 70% alcohol between cuts to manage disease organisms without harming your tools.
 
Refresh mulch around trees and shrubs. Maintaining a three-inch layer helps conserve moisture, insulates the roots from temperature extremes, reduces competition from the lawn for water and nutrients and improves the soil as it decomposes. Pull mulch away from the trunk of trees and stems of shrubs. Piling mulch over these can lead to rot, decline and early death of the plants.
 
Help your lawn recover from the stresses of summer and prepare for winter with fall fertilization. University research found fall fertilization is most beneficial for home lawns. Fall fertilization encourages deep roots and denser growth that is better able to compete with weeds and tolerate disease and insect pests.


Always sweep grass clippings and chemicals off walks and drives and back into the lawn where they belong. This simple step keeps unwanted nutrients out of waterways and eventually our drinking water.


Add some spring color by planting daffodils, grape hyacinths, tulips, and other spring flowering bulbs this fall. It is also a good time to add trees, shrubs, and perennials to the landscape. The soil is warm and air cool, making it less stressful for plants to adjust to their new home. Mulch new plantings and water thoroughly whenever the top few inches of soil are crumbly and moist. Continue watering new and existing plantings as needed until the ground freezes.


Once the garden is prepared for winter, you can put away the hoses and garden tools, break out the snow shovels and wait for spring to arrive.


Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including The Midwest Gardener’s Handbook and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her web site is  www.MelindaMyers.com.

September 2, 2026A ranch manager participates in projectile launcher field training. The state has authorized injurious harassment of wolves by trained livestock producers to help reduce wolf-livestock conflicts.
Photo/Tracy Schohr


By Manola Secaira
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved new hazing options for ranchers living in counties with gray wolves present. 
State officials have scheduled training sessions throughout impacted areas that, once completed, will qualify ranchers to receive permits to use paint and inert powder projectiles along with sustained pursuit to prevent wolves from attacking livestock. 
The newly approved options come after months of conversation between state officials and community leaders living in areas where the protected species has preyed on ranchers’ livestock. 
Many impacted livestock producers have long held that the noninjurious hazing options given to them to scare off wolves, including shining bright lights and making loud noises, are not effective. Last year, California confirmed 196 livestock killed by the predator. 
Earlier this year, law enforcement officials were authorized to use injurious harassment tools that include pepper balls and rubber bullets. This new development marks a shift to allowing livestock producers to use some injurious hazing methods as well, although what’s allowed is still considered less than lethal. 
Steven Fenaroli, managing director of public affairs and communications for the California Farm Bureau, described the changes as a step in the right direction. But he said the new options come with limitations and are not a complete solution. 
“Those have limited ranges, and they’re just not the most accurate,” Fenaroli said of projectiles. “There’s more options that we should pursue that are still less than lethal but go toward creating a better divide between humans and predators.” 
When used alone, Fenaroli maintained that projectiles can only go so far. He said the “sustained pursuit” approval is part of what can make future hazing more effective.
“The goal isn’t to chase it (a wolf) for miles and miles,” he said. “The goal is to instill fear in the wolf that the cows are not food.”
For many producers living in areas with gray wolves, the goal is to prevent the predators from becoming accustomed to killing livestock for food and encourage them to seek prey elsewhere.
Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher said such a goal can be achieved only if wolves preying on cattle face consequences. Last year, CDFW officials confirmed 70 total livestock losses between March 28 and Sept. 10 in his county, although Fisher said he suspects the actual number may be much higher. 
A CDFW strike team was deployed to address wolf-livestock conflicts last summer. But after months of nonlethal management efforts, state officials decided to remove a trio of wolves associated with more than half the confirmed kills, with a fourth wolf mistakenly killed in the effort.
Since then, Fisher described the shift in wolf activity as “night and day.” After the the removal of the three habituated wolves, he said there were no wolf attacks for several months.
“During that time, we still saw wolves in the valley,” he said. “But those particular wolves ... were not habituated to cattle, weren’t killing one to five cows a day.”
Fisher described the new hazing options as more frustrating than encouraging. He said the limited range and impact of powder projectiles make them useful in only very narrow circumstances. He said he doesn’t believe the new tools will be successful against habituated wolves. 
“When you’re actively working, it’s very difficult to have that tool immediately available,” he said.
Fisher said many ranchers see more potential in using pepper balls, a nonlethal projectile that contains a chemical irritant. Pepper balls have already been used by state officials and law enforcement to ward off other predators such as bears. 
Unlike powder projectiles, Fisher said pepper balls can still be effective even when they don’t hit their target because they release chemical irritant into the air.
Although law enforcement can use pepper balls, Fisher said they’re not effective on their own. By the time he gets to the scene after receiving a call about a wolf’s appearance, he said he’s often unable to get there quickly enough to take action.
“In a year and a half for me personally, being so intimately involved in our wolf problem in the Sierra Valley, I have never been anywhere close to being within range to haze a wolf from our pastures,” he said. 
But getting pepper balls to livestock producers requires a change to California law, which currently bars civilians from owning or possessing them. 
Fisher said he’s interested in introducing a bill to change this law next year with the goal of allowing ranchers to use pepper balls for hazing gray wolves after training. 
Sierra County Supervisor and rancher Paul Roen said he’s also frustrated, describing the potential impacts of using powder projectiles as “grossly insignificant.” 
“We’re going to jump through every hoop that we can to show that we’re going above and beyond to try to utilize whatever tools available, but at some point, somebody has to do what has to be done,” he said. 
Roen said he’d also support a bill to open the door for ranchers to use pepper balls for hazing. He said it’s important to introduce more effective tools that could better prevent wolves from becoming habituated to attacking livestock. 
“If we can effectively haze them away, then they stand a better chance of survival, and we stand a better chance of survival,” Roen said. 
Pamela Flick, the California program director for the conservation nonprofit Defenders of Wildlife, said her thoughts on hazing tools have evolved as she’s engaged with impacted community members and has seen the state’s wolf population grow. 
She said last year’s events in Sierra County only emphasized the need to introduce more impactful hazing options “early and often.” If wolves face negative consequences and can learn to hunt elsewhere, it could prevent the necessity of future lethal removals and help the wolves’ long-term conservation, Flick added. 
“By the time the CDFW strike force came out last summer, it was just too late,” she said, noting the department “found out that there were no negative consequences to their actions,” as the wolves continued their behavior of preying on livestock.
With a dozen gray wolf packs confirmed in the state, Flick said she expects conversations on hazing tools will continue evolving. She said Defenders of Wildlife does not expect to oppose a bill allowing ranchers to use pepper balls for hazing after training, certification and authorization by appropriate authorities, as long as pepper balls are tailored to this specific use. 
“The more tools that we can provide to livestock producers to reduce conflicts, including these less-than-lethal, more aggressive hazing tools and strategies, that’s better for wolf conservation in the long run,” Flick said. 
Fisher said he’s “all for exhausting all means of less-lethal hazing.” But if a wolf becomes habituated and consistently kills livestock, he said lethal removal needs to be an option to make living in areas with wolves sustainable. 
“We cannot go through what we went through last year,” he said.  
Manola Secaira is a staff writer for Ag Alert. She can be reached at [email protected].
​



In this edition…



Reprint with credit to California Farm Bureau. For image use, email [email protected]

September 16, 2026This aerial view shows submerged farm fields caused by floodwaters from the Pajaro River in Monterey County after a levee breach in March 2023.
Photo/Odin Abbott/California Department of Water Resources


By Manola Secaira
California’s water year will be shaped by the arrival of El Niño, a climate pattern that raises the likelihood of intense precipitation and flooding in the coming months. 
Experts call the upcoming system a super El Niño. A National Weather Service report in August said there’s a 69% chance its strength would exceed that of previous El Niño events dating back to 1950. 
While a stronger-than-usual El Niño might seem to promise more rain—and therefore ample water for farms—experts caution that it doesn’t necessarily mean a boost in snowpack, which helps replenish reservoirs and sustain water supplies through the growing season.
Paul Ullrich, a regional climate modeling professor at the University of California, Davis, describes El Niño as an event that occurs every two to seven years, driven by shifts in wind patterns and ocean temperatures that can influence weather around the world.
“Essentially, from a water management standpoint, we’re expecting to probably end up pretty well off through the summer season in terms of captured water, but we’re worried about potentially low snowpack for ag,” Ullrich said. 
He said El Niño increases the probability of above-average winter precipitation, especially in Southern California. But with climate change driving warmer winter temperatures in California in recent years—a trend experts expect will continue in the future—he said there’s no guarantee that additional precipitation will fall as snow and build the state’s snowpack. 
“It is much harder for us in California to make those kinds of predictions,” Ullrich said, adding it’s possible the state will end up getting average or below-average rainfall.
He said 2016 offers a good example of how an El Niño event can fail to deliver the expected precipitation in California. That year, forecasters anticipated that a developing super El Niño would bring intense rainfall to the state. While the event brought heavy precipitation to other regions, its effects were weaker farther south, including in California.
“What we found is that the way that the weather pattern set up resulted in the Pacific Northwest getting drenched and California being left dry,” he said. “It was very opposed to what people were expecting for that particular season.” 
California’s snowpack has historically acted as a natural reservoir, contributing around 30% of the state’s overall water supply. But a changing climate and declining snowpack levels by summer have challenged that role.
Karla Nemeth, executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies, said California needs to adapt by investing in more reliable sources of water to ensure water users aren’t left scrambling for supplies when warmer months arrive.
“This is probably a year that is going to demonstrate the value of storage in California that doesn’t rely on the slow drip of snowmelt generating inflow over the course of a long, hot summer after we get a great snowpack,” Nemeth said.
She noted the state has worked to invest more in sustainable groundwater infrastructure so more winter precipitation can be stored even if it doesn’t stick around as snow. In addition to building infrastructure, she said evolving forecasting technology has been key to capturing more rain and managing floods.  
When warm rain falls on existing snowpack during back-to-back storms, the snow can diminish quickly, Nemeth said. Therefore, tracking how those storms and their varying temperatures affect the remaining snowpack is essential for planning water supplies for the rest of the year, she added.
State climatologist Michael Anderson said California has also worked to improve its response to extreme weather during the winter, especially after the 2023 floods. One change has been making it easier for impacted areas at risk of flooding to take preventive action, including diverting water from river channels to recharge aquifers.
“A lot of what we did in 2023 (was) kind of in an emergency response mode,” he said. “There’s been a lot of work since then to try and actually move it into a more organized space, done under changes to the water code and work with a control board on how it’s regulated so that you’re not relying on a governor’s emergency order to be able to do it.”
Jason Smith, who grows winegrapes and serves as president of Monterey County Farm Bureau, said the 2023 floods were made worse by environmental regulations that prevented community members from clearing vegetation from waterways such as the Salinas River. He said he would like to see such regulatory restrictions changed. 
In the meantime, he said farmers have limited options when preparing for flood conditions. Some basic steps include clearing ditches and culverts and planting cover crops to help prevent sediment from washing away, Smith said.
Monterey County farmer Jynel Gularte saw the impacts of 2023’s atmospheric rivers, which submerged more than 200 acres of her farm, broke her levee in multiple places and destroyed a house. She said the financial damage has been difficult to recover from in the years since. 
“As you can imagine, it takes a lot of capital to work your ground, to rebuild your levee,” she said. “We had blocks already planted that never came to fruition, so that was a complete loss for us.”
Gularte said she wants the state to make changes that would better prepare people for future floods, including allowing vegetation that clogs parts of the Salinas River to be cleared so the river can better absorb rainfall during extreme weather.
The 2023 floods did bring Gularte some limited benefits. Her farm relies entirely on groundwater, which was partially recharged by the storms that hit during the first few months of that year. The rainfall also allowed her to use less water for irrigation later in the year.
“On our other ranches that didn’t get flooded, we were able to use the natural rainfall to our advantage and schedule our farming practices around that,” Gularte said. 
But she said the benefits of the rainfall did not offset the damage caused by flooding. The 2023 floods left some of her acreage unavailable for planting.
She said she can make some changes to prepare for the incoming El Niño weather, such as waiting to plant in flood-prone areas as late as possible and, if there’s a forecast of intense rain, moving equipment so it doesn’t get washed away by a flood. 
“I’m anxious about it,” Gularte said. “I don’t like hearing that it’s going to be a super El Niño because there’s no way we can have another flood like 2023 … That would be absolutely tragic.”
Manola Secaira is a staff writer for Ag Alert. She can be reached at [email protected].
Reprint with credit to California Farm Bureau. For image use, email [email protected].

AAA and the National Safety Council Team Up to Help Parents Choose the Right Seat at Every Stage.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (September 22, 2026) - A new AAA analysis of nationwide crash data found child safety seat and booster seat use declines sharply with age, starting when kids are just 3 years-old. Between 2020 and 2024, 78% of 3-year-olds injured in car crashes were riding in a child safety seat or booster seat. By age 6, however, less than half (45%) were. This steep decline in child restraint use is concerning because many children have not yet outgrown the need for a car seat or booster seat based on their size and development.


New data from the National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) found that 87% of children evaluated during child safety seat inspections in 2025 had transitioned to an adult seat belt too soon


Child Passenger Safety Technicians identified the most common car seat issues in California:

• A seat belt fits properly when children are riding in a booster seat or seat belt alone.
  

• The car seat harness is snug enough on the child.
  

• The car seat is installed tight enough on vehicle seats when using a seat belt for installation.
  

While progress has been made, car crashes remain a leading cause of death for children. Between 2020 and 2024, over 3.7 million children were involved in crashes nationwide. During that period, over 500,000 children were injured and more than 2,800 were killed in car crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury for infants by 71% and 54% for toddlers.


"Parents spend years protecting their children, and that shouldn’t stop just because their little ones aren't so little anymore," said Rebecca Lynch, Social Impact and Advocacy Lead at AAA Mountain West Group. "At AAA, we're working to save lives by helping families make informed choices about keeping their kids safe in cars. If a seat belt doesn't fit your older child correctly, then it's likely that a booster seat is still the safest choice, and it's okay to let them stay a little longer.”


"As children develop and grow, it is vital to take proper steps to ensure their safety at every age," said Angela Brown, Senior Director of Driver Safety Training at the National Safety Council. "Children ages 10 to 12 may appear ready for an adult seat belt, but many still need booster seats to ensure the seat belt fits properly and safely. Parents and caregivers can schedule a free visit with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician in their area or online to make sure their child's restraint system is right for their size and developmental needs."


AAA Shares Tips for Parents and Caregivers to Keep Children Safe:

• Keep children in the right restraint for their age, height and weight. Don't rush the transition to the next stage.
  

• Use the top tether strap whenever possible on forward-facing car seats.
  

• Make sure the harness is snug enough that you cannot pinch excess webbing at the child's shoulder.  
  

• No matter your child's age, take them to visit a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, especially whenever changing vehicles, installing a new seat, or moving to the next stage.
  

• For more information, please visit: aaa.com/carseats
  

Media Toolkit
Video sound bites are available and can be downloaded here. The spokesperson is Doug Johnson, AAA Mountain West Group.

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About AAA Mountain West Group
For over a century, AAA Mountain West Group (MWG) has served as a mission-driven, member-centric organization.Guided by its mission of People Helping People and powered by 5,400 dedicated team members, MWG delivers exceptional roadside assistance, auto repair, travel planning, financial and insurance services, home security, and exclusive member discounts. With a vision focused on creating Members for Life, MWG guides Members through every stage of their journey, serving more than 6.9 million people throughout Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Northern California, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Recognized by Forbes as one of the Most Trusted Companies in America, AAA has grown into one of the largest and most trusted membership organizations in North America. To learn more about AAA MWG, visit mwg.aaa.com.