CALIFORNIA FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
ANNOUNCES RE-OPENING OF 2018 FIRE PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM
 
Sacramento, Ca – June 13, 2018--Funding for fire protection planning, education and fuels reduction projects in California
 
California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) will be re-opening its $5.45 million grant competition for 2018 Fire Prevention Grants Program for funding for fire prevention education, planning and hazardous fuels reduction projects.
The 30 day extension will encourage applicants to utilize CAL FIRE’s 2018 CCI grants to meet the match requirement.
Applications submitted during the first round may be revised or left as-is.
Approximately $5.45 million are available in two grant programs:
 
State Fire Assistance “SFA and SMG” Grant Program
• $4.15 million in funding available
• Funds are available for all fire prevention activities including training, planning, hazardous fuel treatment, and fire prevention education.
• Projects must be located in California or the Tahoe region of Nevada.
• The maximum amount that can be requested has been increased from $200,000 to $250,000
• The match requirement is 100% or dollar-for-dollar.
 
Tree Mortality “TMG” Grant Program
• $1.3 million in funding available
• Funds are available for all fire prevention activities including training, planning, hazardous fuel treatment, and fire prevention education.
• Projects are restricted to the 10 ear marked “Tree Mortality Counties” Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Placer, Tulare and Tuolumne.
• The maximum amount that can be requested has been increased from $130,000 to $300,000.
• The match requirement is 25%.
 
Acknowledgements
This grant program and publication are funded in full by the U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region under the terms of Grant numbers 17-DG-11052012-122, 17-DG-11052012-139, and 17-DG-11052012-147. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Forest Service. CFSC is an equal opportunity provider.                                                         
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The Sierra Schools Foundation through its Roots & Boots Initiative funded many educational grants the school sites and teachers of the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District! This spring it awarded $27,948 to enhance the educational experience of our students in the form of additional programs, field trips to connect the classroom to the real world, social/emotional workshops, and classroom equipment. In total for the 2017-2018 academic year, The Foundation awarded over $47,000 to support our rural schools. A big thank you goes to all who donate and support the vision of the Roots & Boots Initiative and the effort to bring exceptional educational program to Sierra County students. For more information, please visit its website: www.sierraschoolsfoundation.org
 
♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Roots focus area, which funds experiences and program in Outdoor Education, Agriculture Education, Rural & Mountain Heritage, and Environmental Science:
 
Downieville School, Grades 1-3. Fully funded $500 for the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Field Trip. Katrina Bosworth, Teacher.
 
Loyalton Elementary School. Grade 5. Fully funded $5,000 for the Local Area Science Development Project the Sierra Nevada Journeys. Juli Lane, Teacher.
 
Loyalton Elementary School. Grades K/1. Fully funded $562 for the field trip to the "Animal Ark." April Burns, Teacher.
 
♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Boots focus area, which funds experiences and programs in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math), Music, Career Development, Social/Emotional Health, and College Readiness:
 
Downieville School, Grade K-6. Funded $4,365 for the STEAM Program. Maire McDermid & Amber Sainsbury, Teachers/Instructional Aid.
 
Loyalton High School. Grades 9-12. Fully funded $2,889 for digital cameras for the graphic arts class. Laura Calabrese, Teacher.
 
Downieville School, Grade 6. Funded $1,314 in emergency support to help pay for the Headlands Trip 2018.
 
Loyalton Elementary School. Grades TK,K,1. Fully funded $580 for the Friday STEM Lab program's materials and equipment.
 
Loyalton High School. Grades 7-12. Fully funded $500 to pay for one Peace Mediator/Restorative Justice student workshop in the fall. Jason Adams, Teacher.
 
Downieville School, Grades 7-12. Fully funded $500 for 3-D Printer Extruders for STEM enhancements in the classroom. Robin Bolle, Teacher.
Loyalton High School, Grades 10-12. Fully funded $2,870 for the Engineering Amusement Park Rides Project. Adrienne Anila & Caleb Dorsey, Teachers.
 
Downieville School, Grades 7-12. Fully funded $3,142 for the Annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival Field Trip. Lynn Fillo, Teacher.
Loyalton Elementary School, Grade 3. Fully funded $493 for the Gallery on the Go mobile canvas painting project. Erin Folchi, Teacher.
 
Loyalton High School. Grades 9-12. Fully funded $5,000 for the A-G Fine Arts Filmmaking Class instruction. Tom Jones, Principal.
 
Downieville School, Grades K-3. Fully funded $232 for the Van-Go-Traveling Art Show. Katrina Bosworth, Teacher.
 

 
            Shawna Avina (27) Pike.  After a contested preliminary hearing, Avina was ordered to stand trial on charges of felony driving under the influence causing injury to another.
 
            Cameron Massey (32) Loyalton.  Sentencing on  possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  Three years probation, 125 days jail, fine $435, and complete drug court.
 
            Samantha Snider (51) Vinton.  Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).  Eighteen months probation, nine days jail, fine $1800.
 
            Byron Caudle (59) Loyalton.  Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.  One year jail, fine $1040.
 
            Nicholas Maionchi (27) and  Chad Simas (25) both of Sacramento.  Illegal take of bear.  One year probation, fine $1055.  These defendants shot a bear in Eastern Sierra County without a tag.  They then went to Cabellos in Reno and bought a tag.  What they didn’t notice was that the tag was stamped by Cabellos with the date and time the tag was purchased which was several hours later than the date and time that the defendants wrote on their tag as the time of kill.  Opps.
 
            James Parker (21) Downieville. Battery with force likely to produce great bodily injury.  Three years probation, 79 days jail, fine $1040.
 
            Frank Lister (49) Loyalton.  Resisting an officer.  Three years probation, 30 days jail, and fine of $1040.
 
            Eric Sayegh (33) Portola.  Reckless driving, alcohol related.  Eighteen months probation, 2 days jail, fine $1450.
 
            Michael Livermore (43) driving while his license was suspended for a prior driving under the influence conviction.  Three years probation, 10 days jail, and a fine of $1450.
 
            Shannon Struve (43) Reno.  Two counts of resisting an officer, possession of methamphetamine, and receiving stolen property.  Two years probation, 93 days jail, and a fine of $2020.
 
            Jelani Hussein (60) Reno.  Driving while his license was suspended.  Two years probation, and fine of $1434.
 
            Christopher Marin (59) Loyalton.  Under the influence of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).  48 months probation, 20 days jail, and a fine of $2010 with search and seizure terms.      

On June 10th at approximately 0940 hours Susan C. Draper, 63 of Sacramento was driving her 2003 Toyota southbound on SR-89 south, south of Cabin Creek Drive in the Truckee area. 
A 70-year-old cyclist was riding his bicycle southbound on SR-89 south, south of Cabin Creek Drive in the Truckee area. Draper at an undetermined speed was approaching the bicyclist when her vehicle veered to the right, striking the bicyclist as he rode his bicycle, causing fatal injuries. Neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be a factor in this collision.

AUBURN– After another wet winter, warming temperatures and winds are quickly drying out the abundant annual grass crop. The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Nevada, Yuba, Placer and Sierra Counties. This suspension takes effect June 11, 2018 at 8:00 A.M. and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves.

“This year is turning out to be just as volatile as last year. The public cannot let their guard down and must continue to be involved in preparation efforts for the upcoming wildfires,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “Again, this year the abundant dead grass will only serve as a fuse to the heavier vegetation still suffering the lasting effects of over five years of drought.”
Since January 1, 2018 CAL FIRE and firefighters across the state have already responded to over 1650 wildfires. While outdoor burning of landscape debris by homeowners is no longer allowed, CAL FIRE is asking residents to take that extra time to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires by maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of Defensible Space around every home and building on their property and being prepared to evacuate if the time comes.
Here are some tips to help prepare homes and property:

•   Clear all dead and or dying vegetation 100 feet from around all structures.
  
•   Landscape with fire resistant plants and non-flammable ground cover.
  
•   Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or hauling it to a biomass
  energy or green waste facility
  The department may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health and safety. Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a CAL FIRE official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit.
  The suspension of burn permits for residential landscape debris does not apply to campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property. Campfires may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations or online at PreventWildfireCA.org.
  

For additional information on how to create Defensible Space, on how to be prepared for wildfires, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
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Despite the chilly, unrelenting wind on Saturday, a varied and large assortment of motorized - and some non-motorized - vehicles rolled into Loyalton for the annual car show held the day following the Loyalton High School graduation, sponsored by East Sierra Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Cars lined both sides of Main Street and all along Railroad Avenue. Winning cars sponsored by local businesses and in various categories were awarded handmade original trophies created by Terry "The Trashman" LeBlanc. One particular trophy, he stated he hoped went to a Republican because it had a model of President Trump's Air Force One on it, was awarded Jamie Wright of Sierraville, who appeared thrilled.
Fun vendor booths lined Railroad Avenue and included wooden carvings, gems, antiques and collectibles and handcrafted items along with informational booths by California Highway Patrol, Liberty Utilities and Loyalton Volunteer Fire Department. Bottom photo shows Missy Weatherson who sold her original designs.
Raffle drawings which included nice week end get-aways in Reno were made throughout the afternoon along with the 50/50 drawing and for the Booze Wagon which was pulled around the car show by volunteer Stacy Estrada. 
Former long time residents including Gene Hawe from Oregon and Kathy and Russ Kirkpatrict from Arizona and Anthony Vanetti were among those formerly from the Loyalton area who attended.
For more photos and further information, see it all in the June 14th Sierra Booster.

​The much anticipated Block Parties celebrating this year’s Fair theme have begun. “Welcome to the Neighborhood” is the 2018 Plumas Sierra County Fair theme, and to help promote the idea of welcoming people to our community, the Fair and its non-profit foundation are sponsoring block parties in the larger communities in both counties. The Portola Block Party took place on June 8 in the City Park, which will be followed with a block party in Crescent Mills on June 16 at noon. That party will be held at Crescent Country and will feature live music. A Loyalton Block Party is planned for June 22 at 6pm at the Welcome Kiosk in downtown Loyalton.
 
All these gatherings offer free food and drink, courtesy of the PSCF Foundation and Alpine Beverage. Tacos and RC Cola are hopefully the right recipe to bring people; long time residents and newcomers, together. “We owe it to each other to get to know our neighbors and share what living in a small town is all about” declared Fair Manager John Steffanic. A kick off to the series of parties took place at the June 2 County Picnic. Visitors to the picnic were given special labels showing their name and their community. Everyone was also asked to sign a large block. Every community will have one of these blocks to sign at their event, and they will all be brought together at the County Fair, August 8-12 in Quincy.
 
“Our goal for each of these block parties is very simple,” said Steffanic, “we want people to introduce themselves to each other, and then get to know them. Where are they from? What do they do?”  The Fair Manager says that if that one simple goal can be achieved, only good can come from it. The Fair Board and PSCF Foundation Board are behind these parties and fair theme 100% by funding and supporting the program.
 
The Fair would still like to see a block party in the Chester/Lake Almanor area, as well as one in Quincy. Smaller, more local parties in the classic tradition of block parties have occurred and are planned in several communities. “That kind of makes the Fair a success before we even open the gates!” said Steffanic.
 
Anyone interested in hosting a block party event, is encouraged to contact the Fair Office. They will provide flyers, invitation cards, and a banner to help out. The Foundation will provide the food and the people to serve it in at least one event per community. The only involvement required by a local host or hostess, is to be at the event and spend their time 

On June 1, 2018 at 2:17 p.m., on SR 70 east of Chalet View, Grace Alkire, 25 of Blairsden was driving her Toyota eastbound. Due to Alkire being under the influence of alcohol, her unsafe speed and inattention, Alkire lost control of her vehicle and allowed it to cross over into the westbound lane of SR-70, directly into the path of John Elliot, 25, of Quincy. The two parties were unable to avoid a collision and the front of the Toyota impacted the front of the Ford. After the collision, Alkire was removed from the vehicle by personnel from Eastern Plumas Fire and Plumas District Hospital ambulance. Alkire was transported to Eastern Plumas Health Care for treatment of her injuries. Elliot was not injured during the collision. After medical evaluation, Alkire was arrested and booked into Plumas County Jail for driving while under the influence of alcohol.
 
On June 2, 2018 Charles Coughlin, 25 of Cromberg was driving a 2011 Toyota at 5:50 a.m. northbound on SR-89 north of Mountain Quail Rd at 55 mph. He was tired/fatigued driving all morning. He fell asleep and entered a left hand curve, causing the vehicle to leave the east edge of the road as it entered the curve and struck a snow plow marker, waking him. He was unable to regain control and subsequently rolled over as it entered a ditch that was perpendicular to the highway. The vehicle’s side-curtain airbags deployed and he was wearing his seatbelt. He did not claim any injuries as a result of this collision.
 
On June 2, at 1:47 p.m., on SR-70 east of SR-89, Carol Stanton, 79 of Graeagle was driving eastbound on SR-70 in her 2013 Acura. Jessica Malnburg, 27 of Cromberg was driving her 1998 Toyota SUV westbound, east of Mrs. Stanton. Stanton’s attention was diverted from driving due to a wasp flying in the interior of her vehicle. As Stanton attempted to eject the wasp from the passenger compartment through an open window, she allowed her vehicle to cross completely into the westbound lane and into the pat of the Toyota SV. Malnburg swerved sharply to the righ shoulder in order to avoid a head-on collision.  As a result of the abrupt change of direction Malnburg lost control of her vehicle and it veered into the eastbound lane and off the south shoulder of SR-70, where it traveled backwards down a steep embankment and collided with the bottom of a ravine. Malnburg and her passenger, Robert Malnburg were transported to Eastern Plumas District Hospital for minor injuries.
 
On June 2 at 1:44 p.m. on Gold Lake Highway Michael Gadow, 56, of Dublin, CA was riding his 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle eastbound on Gold Lake Highway west of Mile Marker 6.0. Jennifer Barbour, 38 of Sparks, NV was driving her 2012 Mazda van westbound to the east of Gadow. As Gadow approached a curve in the roadway, he was riding too fast for the roadway conditions and as he negotiated the curve, his motorcycle crossed the solid yellow center line and entered into the path of the westbound Mazda. Barbour slowed and swerved to the right in an attempt to avoid a collision but was unable to due to Gadow crossing the center line. The motorcycle struck the left front fender of the Mazda. Gadow was transported to Renown Medical Center with severe injuries.
 
 
On June 4, 2018 Hannah R. Glazier, 24, of Denver was driving on SR-70 at 1:20 a.m. westbound east of Greenhorn Ranch Road at approximately 50 mph. The driver fell asleep and drifted off the road onto the north shoulder and collided with a metal sign. After the driver collided with the sign she woke up and attempted to regain control of her vehicle. She was able to regain control and came to rest on the south shoulder of SR-70. Due to damage sustained in the collision her vehicle was towed from the scene.
 
​On June 4th, Veronica Towery, 51 of Beckwourth was traveling westbound on SR-70 at 4:36 a.m. driving her 2013 Toyota 4-Runner approaching Mitchell Lane when a deer entered the roadway directly into the path of her vehicle. Towery was unable to avoid a collision, killing the deer instantly. Towery was able to safely stop her vehicle and reported the collision. She was wearing her safety belt and was uninjured.
 
On June 6th at 8:30 p.m.Travis Fulcher, 32 of Portola was driving his Jeep Cherokee at an unsafe speed northbound on Clio State 40A Rd. Due to his unsafe speed, he lost control of the Jeep while negotiating a left hand curve on the gravel roadway. The Jeep lost traction and went into a slide and subsequently rolled over. The Jeep came to rest on its roof. Fulcher exited the Jeep and a passerby called and reported the collision.
 
On June 7th Timothy Michael Ferrell, 64 of Lucedale, MS was riding his 2015 Harley Davidson eastbound on Gold Lake Highway at a speed of 50 mph. A deer entered the roadway running in a northerly direction. The front of the motorcycle collided with the deer. The motorcycle went down on its left side before coming to rest in the eastbound lane. Farrell was ejected and came to rest on the north shoulder and was transported to Eastern Plumas Health Care.
 
On June 7th Michael Toler, 28 of Sun Valley, NV at 11:25 p.m. was driving a 2003 Dodge northbound on US-395 north of Country Lane. Due to the level of alcohol intoxication, he lost control of his vehicle and allowed it to leave the east edge, rolling over on the east shoulder of US-395 and came to rest on its driver side. Toler was assisted by passing motorists but then Toler fled the scene on foot. He was located and arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. After being medically evaluated at Banner Lassen Medical Center for minor injuries he was booked into Lassen County.
 
On June 8th Robert Wilson 65 of Reno was driving a 2017, Harley Davidson southbound on County Rd. A 23 south of Valle Vista Dr. at 11:30 a.m.
Mark Smith, 59 of Reno was driving a 2015 Yamaha directly next to Wilson. Wilson claimed to have swerved to miss a dog that ran across the road and caused him to collide into Smith. Both parties lost control of their motorcycles which overturned and ejected both parties who were wearing DOT approved Helmets, and taken to Renown.
 
 
 

​County Superintendent of Schools
Total Votes 984
Times Over Voted 0
Number Of Under Votes 400
MERRILL M. GRANT 915 92.99%
Write-in Votes 69 7.01%

Supervisor, 2nd District
Total Votes 247
Times Over Voted 0
Number Of Under Votes 14
DOCIA BOSTROM        91 36.84%
PETER W. HUEBNER 154 62.35%
Write-in Votes 2 0.81%

Supervisor, 5th District
Total Votes 226
Times Over Voted 0
Number Of Under Votes 10
SCOTT A. SCHLEFSTEIN 97 42.92%
SHARON DRYDEN          128 56.64%
Write-in Votes 1 0.44%

Superior Court Judge
Total Votes 1322
Times Over Voted 0
Number Of Under Votes 62
J. LON COOPER   413 31.24%
YVETTE DURANT 906 68.53%
Write-in Votes 3 0.23%

County Assessor
Total Votes 1115
Times Over Voted 0
Number Of Under Votes 269
LAURA A. MARSHALL 1096 98.30%
Write-in Votes 19 1.70%

County Auditor-Treasurer-Tax Collector
Total Votes 1034
Times Over Voted 0
Number Of Under Votes 350
VAN A. MADDOX 988 95.55%
Write-in Votes 46 4.45%

County Clerk-Recorder
Total Votes 1149
Times Over Voted 0
Number Of Under Votes 235
HEATHER FOSTER 1137 98.96%
Write-in Votes 12 1.04%

County District Attorney-Public
Total Votes 1245
Times Over Voted 0
Number Of Under Votes 139
DAVID GARNER         586 47.07%
SANDRA A. GROVEN 656 52.69%
Write-in Votes 3 0.24%

County Sheriff-Coroner
Total Votes 1351
Times Over Voted 1
Number Of Under Votes 32
TIM STANDLEY     462 34.20%
MICHAEL FISHER 887 65.66%
Write-in Votes 2 0.15%

MEASURE A 
- Regulating Commercial Marijuana
Total Votes 1339
Times Over Voted 2
Number Of Under Votes 43
YES 733 54.74% 
NO   606 45.26%
MEASURE B
- SPECIAL PROPERTY TAX TO FUND PARAMEDIC AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WITHIN SIERRA CITY FIRE DISTRICT
Total Votes 173
Times Over Voted 0
Number Of Under Votes 1
YES 125 72.25%
NO     48 27.75%

MEASURE C
- SPECIAL PROPERTY TAX TO FUND PARAMEDIC AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WITHIN DOWNIEVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Total Votes 229
Times Over Voted 0
Number Of Under Votes 4
YES 123 53.71%
NO   106 46.29