 PHOTO BY DEREK BEVERLY
Looking north from Hallelujah Junction on July 9th. Doyle had to evacuate on July 10th as the fire ravaged homes and structures. Doyle Fire Protection District called the fire "devastating." Winjes, the Buck Inn and the rest of Doyle Loop survived yet 3-4 homes were lost on Third Street. More information is coming. There is a gofundme.com for Doyle Beckwourth Complex Victims Recovery fund organized by Amber Catron (Washington, D.C.) Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued an additional statement on Governor Newsom’s executive order calling on all Californians to reduce water use by an additional 15%. “During the fall, winter, and spring of an obvious water-short year, government chose to continue sending full allocations of water downstream for fish and other environmental purposes. While California’s water decision-makers claim these were necessary, hoping there would be enough precipitation in the winter and spring to cover these flows proved to be nothing more than a failed bet. Due to this gamble, residential water allocations have already been cut in many areas with the governor asking for another 15%. Many farms will receive nothing. Those that are currently farming cannot just simply cut 15% mid crop-year. Further, nearly the entire winter-run Chinook salmon population may die from a physical lack of available water.” LaMalfa said, “The problems we face today are a failure of management and a failure to invest in new water storage before another inevitable drought. Governor Newsom failed our state by not calling for a statewide emergency early this spring. Urban household water use has seen mandatory cuts, agriculture has endured drastic cuts, to as low as zero in large acreages of our state. Allowing environmental water flows to go unscathed in meeting pre-drought goals when it could have been conserved for when and for who it was most needed is a colossal failure. It means we all suffer now, agriculture and urban people. It’s past time for Governor Newsom to spread the pain to his environmentalist friends and for them to bear their share of the shortage burden.” 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. ###  LINDSEY COMPTON-CRABTREE is the new owner/pharmacist at Village Pharmacy in Portola.
THE COMMUNITY is delighted to welcome Lindsey Compton-Crabtree who has returned to Portola as its pharmacist. Lindsey was raised in Portola by parents, Brenda and Matt Compton. She graduated from Portola High School with the class of 2012. She graduated as undergrad from Willainette in Salem, Oregon and went on to attend Pharmacy School at University of Montana, graduating spring of 2020. She purchased a home in Portola and worked at Rite Aid in Quincy one year. Her parents, of course, are thrilled and her business partner and co-owner is her mother, Brenda. Her sister, Emily Compton works as media at Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Coop. Lindsey is married to Dusty, who is also a pharmacist and works at CVS in Reno and hopes to be here shortly when finished with his CA license. Both Lindsey and Dusty are “big sports people,” who love basketball, volleyball and are big boaters and like to fish. Lindsey feels lucky to have the whole experience and to come back with a "new appreciation for where we live." COMMUNICATION from the City of Loyalton with regard to evaluating options for reforming a partnership for Building and Planning services was discussed during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Downieville on Tuesday, July 6th.
Planning Director Tim Beals stated he’d had discussions with the Mayor of the City and told her to send a letter to the Board to open up discussions. He didn’t know if the Board wanted to entertain the request, adding routine permits would be an additional level of staff commitment and time, and offered to set up a meeting. Supervisor Peter Huebner said Beals would be taking on more work without any additional staff and he wasn’t in favor of that. If the finance committee could allow an additional person to help he would be ok with it. Beals felt it would be half a position or less and wasn’t sure what the City was capable of paying. Supervisor Terry LeBlanc felt it was worth talking about, stating a building inspector comes out of Portola when they can find him. He thought it would make for a smoother operation. Supervisor Paul Roen didn’t want the County responsible for cleaning up messes created because of the lack of oversight. He didn’t have any problem with having a conversation, but added it will be frank. Supervisor Sharon Dryden stated years ago as a business owner she spoke out against having the City do their own building process, adding they didn’t have the staff to handle that program. Her main concern was the capacity of the County’s building department to handle Loyalton’s problems. She felt they should put the situation on hold. Board Chair Lee Adams appreciated LeBlanc’s comments and understands the City may have gone down a road it now apparently wished it hadn’t, but the County only has so much capacity and has mandatory things they have to do as a County. He would ask the City to look at other alternatives, like in Reno or Truckee. He hated saying no, but would prefer not doing it. LeBlanc felt with the new board member the City just voted in they could internally work this matter out. He suggested giving the City some education on it. Beals stated they get a lot of calls from Loyalton property owners who are frustrated and concerned about the permit process there. He said the property owners typically request the County to come out and will pay the cost to get records to show due diligence. He said the impacts affect resale, quality of the housing stock, and probably a revenue loss. Beals called it a big picture item that comes to bear on the Board because of the request, but understood the concerns. Assessor Laura Marshall stated there’s quite a bit of construction going on without a permit, but added it does not require a permit to be assessed. Adams suggested taking baby steps and have a conversation with the City knowing this may not happen. Dryden was sympathetic with the situation the City is in, but wasn’t willing to have a conversation about taking over their building permit process. She did feel they could help find other options and LeBlanc wanted to at least give them a little advice and ease the burden a bit. Beals, LeBlanc and Adams will meet with the City. By Ted Gaines
Word count 593 Is California’s economy recovering from COVID or not? Recent jobs numbers don’t help answer that question. In May, California added nearly 105,000 jobs, the fourth straight month adding more than 100,000. That is certainly strong job growth by historic state standards. But California has gained back only about 52-percent of the jobs lost since the start of the pandemic, far below the national average of 66-percent. What is clear, though, is that jobs themselves, more than the stock market or trade deficits or interest rates, are the primary measure of a healthy economy to most people. A surging NASDAQ stock exchange means little to those who can’t afford to put food on the table. As that 52-percent number indicates, California needs more jobs urgently and we should celebrate and support the entrepreneurs who will make that happen. The Golden State has around 3.5-million businesses, many of them small, single-person operations. Our labor force comprises more than 15-million people, though. Almost everyone in the state depends on someone else for a job. In the private sector, that someone is an entrepreneur. California has been blessed with some of the most creative and successful entrepreneurs in the nation, most notably in Silicon Valley, which is the unquestioned global leader in technology and has long been the source of high-paying jobs. Their stories are legendary, and we owe much of our prosperity to these world-changers. But the magic of entrepreneurship doesn’t depend on innovation. You don’t need to build a better mousetrap, or a better search engine, to succeed in business. It doesn’t take a new idea; it takes courage, determination, and hard work. You can find donut shops and dry cleaners in strip mall after strip mall. There are nail salons and real estate offices everywhere. They are not providing anything new, but are providing something valuable. And by doing that, they survive, then grow, then hire, providing employment for others, too. I respect their efforts and congratulate their success. Recently, super-entrepreneur Elon Musk announced he was leaving for Texas, and one California legislator publicly told him, in so many words, “good riddance.” That’s a heartless statement considering the hundreds of thousands of people looking for work in our state and Mr. Musk’s proven ability to create enterprises that provide tens of thousands of jobs. It shows a complete misunderstanding of the economy. It shows an unwarranted hostility towards businesses and the people who build them. If we want to speed up our ascent from the depths of COVID-induced economic devastation, we should take this moment in time to recognize the vital importance the brave men and women who take the risks needed to start a new venture. Simply put, entrepreneurs are heroes and government should treat them as such. California must look right now to remove barriers to their success. That means lower taxes, lower fees, fewer stifling regulations that bury them in paperwork and take them away from their mission, and in too many cases, out of California. COVID presented special challenges that call for special responses. The state that CEO Magazine rates the worst place to do business for more than a decade straight needs to look in the mirror and realize it can help its unemployed most by helping its employers. Governor Newsom, himself a private business owner, should call a special session this fall on jobs and economic development, specifically with our entrepreneurs and small business owners in mind. Let’s put these heroes in a position to flourish – someone looking for a job right now is depending on their success. Senator Ted Gaines (Ret.) was elected to represent the Board of Equalization’s First District. He is a leading taxpayer advocate, defender of Prop. 13, and is committed to providing trustworthy and transparent representation for nearly ten million constituents in 30 counties of northern, eastern, and southern California. For more information, visit boe.ca.gov/Gaines. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 1, 2021) – “What a sad reflection of the lack of leadership in California. At a time of record revenue, Gavin Newsom and the Sacramento political elite insist on raising the price of gas on working Californians. Newsom could easily delay this increase in everyone’s cost of living. He chooses not to because right now his elitist lifestyle continues to be paid for by special interests who are slopping at the trough of increased government spending. "Sacramento is broken… Our schools are failing, small business is getting hammered, agriculture is being decimated, homelessness is out of control, crime is rising, and housing is unaffordable. It is clear that there is no limit to the amount of taxes that Newsom and his ilk want from us while they do nothing to solve any of the problems decimating our communities. It doesn’t have to be this way. Leadership matters. Time for a change.” The COVID pandemic spurred the growth of computer use among seniors, says AMAC WASHINGTON, DC, July 9 -- Before the pandemic seniors were gradually becoming Internet users; during the extended COVID lockdown use of computer technology among older Americans has been accelerating at a faster pace, says Rebecca Weber, CEO of the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC]. “This is good news given the fact that more older citizens are now able to take advantage of benefits they were missing including, but not limited to, online help sites and an array of consumer discounts.” Weber points out that www.amac.us, the association’s Website, is chock-full of information of use for its 50-plus membership offering an array of discount purchasing opportunities ranging from pharmaceuticals to travel services and insurance services. There are sites that offer social engagement for seniors, allowing us to chat with each other and to attend virtual forums on a variety of topics. Seniors Only Club, for example, allows you to access specialty forums on a wide variety of topics. Signing up is free. Meanwhile, you don’t have to be a patient to visit the Mayo Clinic Website where you can have “access to the knowledge and experience of Mayo Clinic.” The Suddenly Senior site also offers health and wellness information as well as senior trivia and senior jokes pages, just for a laugh. At recipe Websites, such as the allrecipes site, you can look up ways of freely creating your own culinary masterpieces. And the Duolingo offers free language learning sessions, claiming that you’ll “learn a new language in five minutes a day. The world became a lonely place for many seniors during the self-isolation days of the COVID pandemic and specialty Websites, such as that of the Institute on Aging, offered a modicum of relief. And if you are a senior citizen who is looking for activities you might enjoy, there is the Vive Health site, which boasts that it offers “110 Activities for Elderly & Seniors.” If you’re in the mood for a road trip, long or short, perhaps you can get some help at Websites such as Roadtrippers or Outdoors.org. Here some additional sites you might want to explore: -https://elder-one-stop.com/ focuses on health and well being -https://www.seniorchatz.com/ is a free chat room that lets you schmooze with new pals and old -ageinplacetech.com offers news and information for seniors And, of course, if you feel your computer skills are lacking in some way, you might want to visit the seniorsguidetocomputers.com, which boasts it offers “the ins and outs of personal computers using simplified terms, examples, pictures and videos actually described in easy-to-understand English.” In other words, you won’t have to deal with “Geek Speak.” ### The 2.3 million member Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC] www.amac.us is a vibrant, vital senior advocacy organization that takes its marching orders from its members. AMAC Action is a non-profit, non-partisan organization representing the membership in our nation’s capital and in local Congressional Districts throughout the country. AMAC | Washington DC | 917-846-8485 | Email | Website Association of Mature American Citizens | 17th Street N.W., Washington , DC 20036 AN ORDINANCE amending 8.050.040 of the Sierra County Code to allow for delinquent county water service charges to be placed on the annual county tax roll for collection was discussed during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Downieville Tuesday, July 6th. County Counsel David Prentice stated this was the first step in a longer more complicated ordinance. He said this would allow the auditor to collect through the property owner’s tax bill, adding they can’t clear their tax bill until they pay everything. Supervisor Sharon Dryden was happy to sit in on one of these meetings and stated other special districts use this avenue. She wanted to make sure people to get notice so they could get current before it goes on their tax bill. Planning Director Tim Beals said letters would be sent out to each property owner that is two or more months behind on their water bill. He stated if they don’t pay by August 20th they would be charged penalties and interest. Dryden added they’ve been getting bills every month. The motion was made to introduce and waive the first reading and passed unanimously. Board Chair Lee Adams said he appreciated them using this process and it protects everybody else who is paying their bills.
FOREST SERVICE UPDATE was given during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Downieville open to the public on Tuesday, July 6th. Sierraville District Ranger Quentin Youngblood said they had had some interesting weather with lightning and luckily some precipitation with it. He was thankful they only had one small lightning fire. Youngblood stated they didn’t see the level of dispersed camping as they did last year during the 4th of July weekend. Yuba District Ranger Lon Henderson reported they are currently in fire restrictions on the Tahoe. Only developed campgrounds can have an open flame in the fire pit. He was relieved the Yuba Ranger District was much quieter this year over the 4th of July weekend. Supervisor Sharon Dryden stated she didn’t hear or see one firework and was glad people are taking restrictions seriously. Henderson said they only had one firework incident on the entire Tahoe Forest and took care of it. Teachers Overwhelmingly Vote “No Confidence” in Superintendent Carmen Ghysels
TRUCKEE – Teachers with the Tahoe Truckee Education Association (TTEA) have overwhelmingly voted to give their district’s Superintendent and Director of Human Resources a “failing grade” following a year in which pandemic challenges were compounded by unprecedented friction and a breakdown in labor negotiations.An overwhelming majority of teachers recently gave a vote of “no confidence” to Superintendent Carmen Ghysels, who is in her first year with the district, and TTUSD Lead Negotiator and Director of Human Resources Joan Zappettini. The vote shows how significantly trust has eroded with district leadership after negotiations with TTEA reached an impasse and the possibility of a strike loomed until mid-June, when a settlement was reached. “Our current superintendent has failed to operate in the best interest of students and teachers in managing our district,” said Jess DeLallo, TTEA President. “During one of the most difficult teaching years in our careers, we have had to navigate a relationship with district leadership that was underhanded, disrespectful and unnecessarily combative. Our students and school community deserve better than this. Much like a failing grade, this vote of no confidence is a way of showing how significantly concerned we are for the future of our district and that improvement is essential.” As they would with a student with failing grades, teachers with TTEA have developed an improvement plan for the upcoming year. Three key areas of improvement include the need to:
The Tahoe Truckee Education Association is affiliated with the 310,000-member California Teachers Association and the 3 million-member National Education Association.  A Mandatory Evacuation notice for residents of Frenchman Lake Cove has been issued. You should leave the area immediately. If you remain emergency personnel may not be able to help you. An evacuation center is set up at Portola Station 171 Gulling Street in Portola
Dixie Valley Rd residents are still under an advisory and we will provide updates if that should change. Please avoid this area if possible Dr. Glenn Mollette You may create instability and insecurity for your personal life if you put others in charge of your decisions. The idea of a child or acquaintance “shouldering” your life’s concerns and finances might feel comforting. Having someone else pay your bills and oversee your welfare might feel like a relief. For many it ends up being the end of freedom and security. You love your children, or that special niece or grandchild. You are so bonded to them. You may feel that adding their name to your checking or other financial accounts will increase your bond and the ongoing warm fuzzy relationship. Be very aware. An acquaintance wanted her daughter to have the family home so bad that she went ahead and did all the legal work to assign the house to her daughter. Her daughter’s name was added to all her savings and checking accounts. For the rest of her life this poor woman never had a life. From that point forward, her daughter made every decision about what “was” her mother’s money. She would even tear up any kind of credit or retail purchasing card that her mother tried to get with commentary such as, “You don’t need these.” The mother spent her remaining years hearing almost weekly from her daughter that she was going to “put her in a nursing home.” Another acquaintance with a healthy savings account and beautiful house signed everything over to a nephew and gave him her power of attorney. He soon made the decision to put her in a nursing home telling her she would be better off. He now drives her car and spends out of her checking account. He has told her she will have to sell her house to cover the costs of her nursing home care. Just recently, an elderly acquaintance said, “I have no cash. My son takes care of paying all my bills, groceries and more but I don’t have access to any money.” There is always the possibility that any of us could become physically or mentally disabled. Make your legal arrangements for when and if that happens. Be wary about putting children or loved ones on your accounts now. Get with your attorney and draw up a document that says, “When, such disability happens or death happens then Mr. or Mrs. John Doe are to have “this” or “that.” Of course, do what you want to do. Sometimes it works out. However, do you really need someone saying to you, “Now mom, now dad, do you really need to buy those shoes?” Or, “Do you really need to take that trip?” “Now mom, now dad do you really need to be shopping at the mall?” Hey friend, it’s your money. You and your spouse work it out and if you live alone you and God can work it out. It can be wise to seek financial counsel from a professional. However, you can do this without giving up your personal freedom. Click here for -> Books By Glenn Mollette , Find his books on Amazon.com Buy his latest recording titled "Black Coffee" on iTunes and all music deale Contact him at GMollette@aol.com. Learn more at www.glennmollette.com  SIERRA VALLEY HOME CENTER handed out popcorn to the crowd.  LOYALTON'S OWN Skilled Nursing Facility Residents have a reserved spot!            Every kids' entry received a well-deserved trophy! Good job!    FIRE INFORMATION UPDATE 7/2/2021 5:40 PM SUGAR FIRE A thunder cell passing over the east side of the forest has ignited a fire near Sugarloaf Peak. The fire is currently moving south across the flats and the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office has evacuated several structures that are immediately threatened. CHP will be closing Hwy 70 in Sierra Valley from Nervino Airport east 5 miles to the Buttes. Please avoid the area.   SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California State Parks is proud to announce the availability of a new mobile app that will make it easier for visitors to connect with nature and enhance access for all to the nation’s largest state park system. Powered by OuterSpatial, the mobile app is free and provides visitors with real-time updates about on-the-ground conditions and access to a library of park and trail information, including directions to parks, interactive maps, visitor guidelines, park brochures, points of interest, events and more. “During the pandemic, public lands provided an incredible sanctuary for humans around the world. Californians visited our iconic state parks in large numbers, with many visiting the outdoors for the first time,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “We’re excited that many people discovered the benefits of the outdoors. With the OuterSpatial-powered app, new and avid outdoor enthusiasts will be more prepared for their outdoor experiences by being able to view real-time updates, such as trail closures or parking restrictions, at home or while exploring the outdoors.” Below are some of the things visitors can do with the new app:
As a reminder, it is always helpful for visitors to have a solid understanding of the terrain prior to visiting, and it is even more helpful when that knowledge is augmented by tools to help keep them oriented and safe. A physical map, compass, GPS-enabled device or phone with plenty of battery life and previously loaded with apps and maps is essential to navigation in the remote parts of California. As a reminder, it is always helpful for visitors to have a solid understanding of the terrain prior to visiting, and it is even more helpful when that knowledge is augmented by tools to help keep them oriented and safe. A physical map, compass, GPS-enabled device or phone with plenty of battery life and previously loaded with apps and maps is essential to navigation in the remote parts of California. A SPECIAL MEETING of the Governing Board of the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District was held Thursday, June 24th regarding approval of assignment of Megan Meschery, Principal/Site Administrator for Loyalton High School. With Board President Mike Moore absent, Board Vice President, Alan Wright opened up the public comment for many in attendance. From the audience, retired teacher Janet McHenry spoke on behalf of her family stating as a conservative Christian she was in support of Meschery. She said Meschery created Sierra Schools Foundation and raised hundreds of thousands for Sierra County kids. Meschery is a workhorse, and local, adding Meschery understands this community.
Katie Campbell is a Staff member at Loyalton High School who has worked with Meschery. Campbell stated Meschery has encouraged and strengthened her, adding she is a great leader. Campbell said as a parent she had three of her four kids go through LHS and were taught by Meschery. Campbell said Meschery strengthens students, and great with parents and teachers. Jenna Holland, Sierra Schools Foundation President, read a letter in support of Meschery, urging the Board not to squander this opportunity. Holland stated Meschery has given so much to this District and asked the Board to affirm the Adhoc committee’s recommendation. Victoria Fisher, submitted a letter read by Blaine Donnelly in support of Meschery. Stating in part that Meschery leads by intuitive inspiration and has core leadership values. Laurie Petterson, a teacher spoke as a former colleague of Meschery and a parent of students at the High School. She said Meshery helped her become the teacher she has become, adding Meschery has all the qualities you want in a leader and will do what is best for the kids. Petterson told the Board the recommendation of the committee needed to be listened to. Former First 5 Director and past Principal of Loyalton Middle School Mike Filippini and Former Superintendent Stan Hardeman also spoke in favor of Meschery. Wright stated he’d received 18 letters all in favor of Meschery. He said he knew the committee did their due process in selecting Meschery. He wanted to ask questions of a site administrator before making the decision, adding he wanted to make the best decision for this school. Wright felt it was important for him to have some time with Meschery in closed session and there were things he wanted to talk about. Holland wanted the Board to hone their process, so this doesn’t happen again. After closed session in which no reportable action was reported, the approval of Meschery was unanimous. QUINCY, Calif. – July 1, 2021 - Plumas National Forest officials are increasing fire use restrictions on public land to protect the health and safety of visitors, employees, and communities. The restrictions are in effect July 2, 2021 through November, 30, 2021. Building, maintaining or using a fire, including barbeques, on the Plumas National Forest is completely prohibited, with the exception of designated hosted campgrounds. Restrictions also apply to internal combustion engines and smoking. A list of hosted campgrounds, other prohibitions, and exceptions to these orders, may be found within the Forest Order (see link below). “We are in a severe drought, water sources are drying up, and a fire season is predicted for the western states unlike anything we have seen before,” said Chris Carlton, Plumas National Forest Supervisor. “With 95% of all wildfires in California being human caused, it’s critical we reduce or eliminate ignition sources to protect our firefighting resources, our communities, and our visitors.” With a valid CA Campfire Permit, forest visitors may use a portable campfire pit, stove or lantern that uses gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel, with a shut-off valve, in an area at least three feet from any flammable materials. You can get a campfire permit through California Department of forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/. Please see the Forest Order for specific details at https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/plumas/news-events (Alerts & Notices - Forest Order #05-11-00-21-10). This Link will be updated soon. For more information and to determine if you are exempt from certain fire restrictions, please call our offices between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday: Feather River Ranger District Mt. Hough Ranger District Beckwourth Ranger District Oroville / LaPorte / Challenge Quincy / Greenville / FR Canyon Blairsden / Portola / Milford (530) 534-6500 (530) 283-0555 (530) 836-2575 Fire use restrictions for private land are regulated by the CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; please check their website for contact information at www.fire.ca.gov. ### USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. SACRAMENTO – Today Assemblywoman Megan Dahle (R-Bieber) made the following statement in response to the Governor’s recent visit to the First Assembly District, while the Lava Fire, Tennant Fire, and the Salt Fire rage in Shasta and Siskiyou County: “Once again, the North State is on fire. Thousands of acres have burned and residents are being evacuated from their homes. Major highways are closed. And while the Governor has come to these communities to share his efforts to combat wildfire, in the same week, the State budget slashed wildfire mitigation funding from the promised $1 billion, to a measly $458 million. The Department of Finance cited the inability to expend funds fast enough as the reason for the cuts, but this is untrue. “In my district alone, we have several Fire Safe Councils with many chainsaw-ready, forestry management projects waiting for funding. It is perplexing that the timber industry isn’t being mobilized and empowered to fire-safe our communities and wildland-urban interface areas. Public-private partnerships with Fire Safe Councils are imperative in getting boots-on-the-ground and bringing our forests back to a safe state. Professional foresters and licensed timber operators are the skilled and trained workforce that has been marginalized since the spotted owl. This field can provide great paying jobs across the state, lifting up families at a time needed now more than ever. We just need to put the money in the right hands.” For reference: https://www.capradio.org/articles/2021/06/29/gov-gavin-newsom-retreats-on-1-billion-wildfire-prevention-plan-ahead-of-meeting-with-president-biden/ Assemblywoman Megan Dahle represents the 1st Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes portions of Butte and Placer counties, along with Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, and Siskiyou counties. ### -Spring failure at select Little Grass Valley Reservoir Campgrounds- QUINCY, Calif. – July 1, 2021 - There is no potable water (no drinking or dish-washing use) available at several Plumas National Forest recreation sites located at Little Grass Valley Reservoir near La Porte, CA. Non-potable water availability is also very limited. Affected sites include: Little Beaver, Red Feather, and Running Deer campgrounds in addition to the Maidu Boat Launch and Blue Water Beach day use areas. “Due to severe drought conditions, the spring supplying water to these recreation sites has failed,” said Dave Brillenz, Feather River District Ranger. There are portable toilets and handwashing stations available, but no flush toilets are available in the affected recreation sites. Non-potable water from spigets is available but is in extremely short supply (it is trucked in) and should be used sparingly. Water from the hydrants must be boiled before it is used for consumption. Visitors should bring plenty of drinking water from home and fill RVs or trailer tanks up before arrival at the campgrounds. District Ranger Brillenz noted that the other recreation sites at the reservoir are on different water systems and water supply has not yet been impacted. Little Grass Valley Reservoir recreation sites with water currently, include: Wyandotte, Peninsula, Tooms, and Black Rock Campgrounds in addition to Tooms and Black Rock Boat Launches and Pancake Picnic Area. Pancake Picnic area has portable toilets and handwashing stations due to restroom damage from storm damage. Nearby the reservoir, Horse Camp also has water currently. With-in hours, due to the fire danger, the Forest will be prohibiting all fires/barbeques at all non-hosted recreation sites on the Forest, meaning all recreation facilities on the Feather River Ranger District including all those at Little Grass Valley Reservoir will not allow fires. -more- Visitors should bring a self-contained, portable heat source to cook meals, such as a camp stove or propane barbecue. Portable campfire pits will be allowed. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Details about other hosted campgrounds elsewhere on the Plumas National Forest and upgraded Fire Use Restrictions (Forest Order #05-11-00-21-10), including other prohibitions and exceptions to the order, may be found on the same website, likely later today at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices Contact the Feather River Ranger District at (530) 534-6500. ### Nevada City, Calif. July 1, 2021 —From the recent enactment of Juneteenth as a federal holiday to the upcoming Fourth of July weekend, Americans have long visited their local national forest to celebrate significant U.S. milestones. Over the next week, Tahoe National Forest recreation and fire managers are expecting thousands of visitors to the beautiful Tahoe National Forest –and with good reason too. The Tahoe National Forest’s 855,000 acres offers a diversity of exciting recreational opportunities for the whole family including seventy campgrounds, 2,400 miles of trails, 1,350 lakes and ponds, and 3,000 miles of rivers and streams. Unfortunately, holiday weekends can also be an active time for fire starts. To keep the Tahoe National Forest safe this July 4th holiday, and to keep exploring for many summers to come, please adhere to the following Fire Restrictions, firework prohibition, and responsible recreation guidelines:
### USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. SACRAMENTO: California Democrats have once again increased the regressive gas tax, which disproportionality hurts low-income commuters driving to work. Californians already suffer the highest gas prices in the nation and today prices increased even more. But what you might not know -- probably because you're told it isn't happening and would never happen -- is that Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Democrats use a complicated scheme to divert approximately 16 percent of gas tax revenue to the state's all-purpose General Fund, where they money is used for anything they want. Californians were told this would never happen and that the gas tax money would go to transportation projects only. In 2019, Newsom told Politico: "That money is used for its intended purposes, period, full stop." But apparently when Newsom and Democrats were negotiating the budget, they did not "full stop," as he said. Approximately $1.2 billion in gas tax funds are diverted annually to the state's General Fund though a California Democrat game of three-card monte. Newsom will say the funds are "swapped" and not "diverted." Creative word play aside, $1.2B comes in from gas tax, moves around some, and then $1.2B magically appears in the general fund. It's somewhat complicated and confusing, but it is more straightforward than Newsom's perplexing demand for an investigation into why gas prices are so high. Gas prices are high because you keep raising taxes, Governor. Full stop. $19 million available for competitive grants statewide
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California State Parks today announced the creation of a new outdoor equity grant program that advances the Governor and First Partner’s commitment to expanding outdoor access for all. The $19 million in funding will go toward transportation, program operations, staffing and other costs that traditionally present barriers for historically underserved urban and rural communities throughout California. “Every Californian deserves the opportunity to experience the health and wellness benefits of connecting with the outdoors,” stated California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “We encourage public agencies and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations to apply and partner with us in improving their communities. The Outdoor Equity Grants Program will improve the health and wellness of Californians through new educational and recreational activities, service learning, career pathways, and leadership opportunities that strengthen a connection to the natural world.” In 2019, the Outdoor Equity Grants Program was enacted when Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 209. The concept for grant program began with findings in the 2015 Parks Forward Commission Report stating that State Parks must expand access to parks for underserved communities and urban populations. The 2015 Parks Forward discussions became a catalyst for AB 209. Californians shared a similar vision in 2017 during 30 focus groups with over 500 participants for the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Throughout the state, from heavily urbanized to rural areas, Californians emphasized a desire for multi-generational programs that “bring families together;” that activate local parks and that take residents with transportation challenges to natural areas outside their communities. “The implementation of Assembly Bill 209 comes at a great time as it will encourage a better understanding of natural resources in our state. It creates opportunities to increase interest in science and technology among children and families from underserved communities,” said Senator Monique Limón. “Studies have shown that children that partake in outdoor education show an improvement in science test scores and are better skilled at conflict resolution and problem-solving. California has millions of acres of public land, and it is essential that the youth of California get the opportunity to experience it.” Public agencies and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations are welcome to apply. All applications must be submitted electronically to State Parks by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. Grant awards will be announced by spring 2022. Prior to applying for the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, State Parks encourages applicants to start planning the outdoor programs now using the application guide and join an application workshop. Workshop dates are listed below. Potential applicants can attend one of these webinars by signing up via the OEP webpage. OEP Webinar Dates (Application Virtual Workshops) All workshops will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 14 and 15 Please visit parks.ca.gov/oep to learn more about this new grant program, to download the Application Guide, RSVP for the application workshops and for technical assistance. The state of California believes in the right of all Californians to have access to recreational opportunities, and enjoy the cultural, historic, and natural resources found across the state. Too many Californians cannot access our state’s parks, beaches, and outdoor spaces, nor our state’s array of museums and cultural and historical sites. Given this, the California Natural Resources Agency is prioritizing efforts to expand all Californians’ access to park, open space, nature and cultural amenities. This priority requires reshaping funding and programs to expand opportunities to enjoy these places. Doing so advances Governor Newsom’s strong personal commitment to building a “California for All”. |
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