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Tahoe National Forest Fire Personnel appreciate the invitation to participate in 2nd annual Sierra Timberfest.

5/10/2023

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By Anello, Meredith - FS, CA

Tahoe National Forest Fire personnel from Truckee and Sierraville Ranger Districts with Smokey Bear, appreciated the invitation and enjoyed returning and participating in the parade during their own community’s 2nd annual Sierra Timberfest in Loyalton, CA. This event was created to help celebrate the rich history of the timber industry in the High Sierra Mountain Valley.


After our firefighters in TNF Engines and all East side Fire Prevention Patrols with Smokey Bear greeted parade-goers and shared valuable wildfire preparedness/prevention information with the community at the USFS Fire Prevention Booth- joined by TNF Conservation Education staff, they were invited to cheer on the local ball players and Sierra County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Mike Fisher, throwing out the first pitch at the Sierra Valley Little League Season Opener. The opportunity to engage with our communities we serve is always appreciated!
Information on the Sierra Timberfest found at www.SierraTimberfest.com
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State adopts landmark rule phasing out diesel trucks

5/9/2023

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By Caleb Hampton 

​After a lengthy rule making process, California is set to phase out nearly all diesel trucks in the state over the next two decades.Regulators voted unanimously April 28 to approve a ban on medium- and heavy-duty diesel trucks, including the big rigs that transport fresh agricultural products throughout the state.The “first-in-the-world” rule from the California Air Resources Board will ban the sale of new diesel trucks and buses by 2036 and require that most diesel trucks operating in the state are phased out by 2042.The rule applies to all companies with 50 or more vehicles or at least $50 million in annual revenues and to all federal agencies, such as the U.S. Postal Service. Emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks are exempt.Environmental groups and regulators celebrated the landmark policy, saying it will help combat climate change and curb air pollution. Trucking and agricultural sectors have expressed worries about the logistics of implementing the rule.Diesel trucks and buses represent around 3% of vehicles registered in California and produce more than half its smog-forming gases and carcinogenic pollutants, according to the board.“This is an absolutely transformative rule to clean our air and mitigate climate change,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “We all know there’s a lot of challenges, but those challenges aren’t going to be tackled unless we move forward.”Leaders in the trucking and agricultural sectors raised concerns that the rule, called Advanced Clean Fleets, could have unintended consequences if infrastructure required to implement it is not built in time. Those worries center around the readiness of the electrical grid, vehicle technology and the charging infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles.“We are extremely concerned that the proposed ACF rule will be unworkable in the real world and could result in compromising the delivery of essential goods and services to Californians,” a coalition of commercial, transportation and agricultural organizations, including the California Farm Bureau, wrote last year in a letter to the air resources board.While the rule will impact trucking companies first, it will also affect farmers who rely on trucks to transport livestock, produce, and agricultural products and equipment across the state. Some have warned that delays caused by charging issues could threaten animal safety or the timely delivery of fresh products.“Livestock, fruits and vegetables need to be transported in a timely manner to ensure food and animal safety,” Katie Little, policy advocate for the California Farm Bureau, said at a hearing for the rule. “The time required to charge these vehicles, in addition to the time needed to travel to these charging facilities, could jeopardize food security and availability.”California has budgeted more than $5 billion for the transition to cleaner trucks and buses—much of which still lies ahead. The rule is expected to impact 1.8 million vehicles. There are currently fewer than 2,000 zero-emission medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles on California roads, most of them buses.Last week, in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley farming region, the Fresno Bee editorial board applauded the rule’s environmental goals but cautioned that it enforces an overly aggressive timeline for phasing out diesel-powered vehicles.Under the rule, drayage truck fleets, which haul agricultural products and other cargo from rural parts of California to coastal ports, must fully convert to zero-emission vehicles by 2035. That is seven years before most other sectors of the trucking industry.“The requirements for drayage fleets are unreasonably aggressive,” the editorial board wrote. “Moving the drayage deadline to 2042, consistent with other trucking fleets, would not only help these haulers, but their customers, chief among them Central Valley farmers.”Meanwhile, farmers and other professionals in the agricultural sector have raised concerns about the weight of the batteries needed to power electric big rigs.Federal regulations limit the weight of a truck and its cargo to 80,000. According to manufacturers, batteries for electric heavy-duty trucks can weigh up to 16,000 pounds, dramatically reducing the amount of cargo each truck can carry. That would create a need for more trucks at a time when there is already a shortage of drivers.Clayton Lynch, sales and marketing representative for Agra Marketing, a Butte County company that ships agricultural bioproducts such as compost, manure and biochar to farms across the state, said the elimination of diesel trucks could undercut a separate effort California is making to address climate change.The state government has incentivized sustainable farming practices through grants such as the Healthy Soils Program, which depend on farms being able to purchase affordable soil amendments.“The value of the products themselves is very low, so the predominant cost is associated with transportation,” Lynch said.Any markup in shipping costs—a likely outcome of sacrificing so much cargo capacity for a huge battery, Lynch reasoned—would be passed on to farm customers and ultimately to consumers at grocery stores.For products such as compost that are low cost and heavy—the primary cost of which is related to its transport—the increased cost of shipping would be felt the most.“It’s a huge concern,” Lynch said. “It would raise the cost exponentially for all of these products that a lot of people who are environmentally conscientious are usually very excited to utilize.”
​(Caleb Hampton is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. He may be contacted at champton@cfbf.com.)Permission for use is granted. However, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau FederationContactPhone: (916) 561-5500Fax: (916) 561-4507Email: cfbf@cfbf.com2600 River Plaza Dr.Sacramento, CA 95833Get InvolvedUpcoming EventsYoung Farmers & RanchersLeadership Farm BureauQuick LinksCounty Farm BureausContactAdvertisingAbout UsPressAffiliatesFELSAg in the ClassroomPublicationsAg AlertCalifornia BountifulPremier Partner
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The Sierra Schools Foundation Provides over $50,000 in Funding for Sierra County Schools in 2022 - 2023 So Far!

5/9/2023

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The Sierra Schools Foundation wrapped up its Winter Educator Grant this past January, with 16 applications for teachers and educators across the schools in Sierra County. With a variety grant requests, ranging from outdoor education field trips to Science walks & Classroom talks, SSF funded a collective $33,960 to enhance the educational experiences of students in rural and remote Sierra County. SSF advances its mission to reduce educational inequities in Sierra County through its Roots & Boots Initiative, encouraging students to explore, appreciate and preserve their rural “roots” and the rural and remote landscapes that shaped them, while also providing them with the “boots”, or skills, training and experiences to walk into their future prepared and inspired for what is ahead.
 
Take a look below at our 2022 - 2023 grants and how we put our funding and your generous donations to work:
 
District-Wide Grants
1. DHS/ LHS College Application & Essay Writing Grant, Megan Meschery & James Berardi: $4,000.00
 
Downieville School K-12
2. Downieville School Gold & Green Garden Phase 2, Robin Bolle: $3,500.00
3. DES Sierra Nevada Journeys Outdoor Education, Faith Edwards: $2,400.00
4. DJH/ DHS Nature Bridge Headlands Science Camp, Katrina Bosworth: $2,900.00
5. DJH/ DHS The Quarry Field Trip, Robin Bolle: $1,600.00
6. DJH/ DHS Beginner Sewing Class, Katrina Bosworth: $500.00
7. DJH/ DHS TMI Time Project, Robin Bolle: $300.00
 
Loyalton Elementary School
8. LES Discovery Museum Field Trip, Stephanie Shelby: $1,500.00
9. LES Gallery on the Go, Erin Folchi: $500.00
10. LES Lava Beds National Monument, Joanna Haug: $3,000.00
11. LES Science Walks & Classroom Talks, Allie Davis: $260.00
12. LES Sierra Nevada Journeys, Juli Lane: $7,000.00
13. LES/ LHS Social Emotional Learning to Strengthen Success for Grades K-8, Annie Ceresola & Megan Meschery: $2,500.00



Loyalton High School
14. LHS Field Trip to Black Rock Press UNR, Katherine Genasci: $650
15. LMS/ LHS Ski Education, Sarah Torricelli: $3,350.00
 
TOTAL: $33,960
In addition, The Sierra Schools Foundation provided $15,000 in funding for Musica Sierra programs in Sierra County schools–LHS Drum Corps & LES after school String Program–and another $5,870 for Senior Projects through the Dream Big Grant cycle! Sierra County high school seniors must complete their career-oriented exploratory project as a graduation requirement and time-honored tradition in Sierra County each year. The Sierra Schools Foundation empowers students by leveling the playing field, in regards to resources and funding, as our high school seniors pursue pathways to their dreams. These $500 (max.) grants can be used for classes, equipment, and other essential items or experiences key to their success. Here are the grant recipients for the 2022-2023 school year:


DOWNIEVILLE
1. Eco-Friendly Interior Design, MiaMartinelli  $500
2. Reconstructing the Weight Room, Landon Jackson $400
3. The Yuba Theater: A Documentary Film, Riley Pearmund $270
 
LOYALTON
1. History of Engines, Lucas Durney $500
2. Building a Headache Rack, James Durney $500
3. Motor Rebuild & Swap, Andrew Jordan $500
4. Every 15 Minutes, Kaila Russell $500
5. Learn How to Read Music & Play Piano, Mikayla Hubbs $300
6. The California Cowboy, Sophia Wellise $500
7. Building a 6.5 Creedmoor, Aubree Roen $500
8. Cake Baking & Professional Decorating, Braden Armstrong $400
9. Half Marathon, Alena Johnson $500
10. Re-Upholstering My Boat, Madison Servideo $500
 
Established in 2011, The Sierra Schools Foundation has raised over $400,000 for our rural and remote school district, and implemented many long-standing programs: the Learning Gardens, ceramics & filmmaking courses, the Spring Musical at the Yuba Theater. SSF has partnered with schools and community organizations, such as Musica Sierra and The Sierra County Arts Council, to leverage funding and programs across the county that benefit our students and broader community for over a decade.
 
Spring 2023 Roots & Boots Educator Grant Cycle Coming Soon!
We are looking forward to the next grant cycle, Spring 2023 and the quality learning it will continue to inspire in our schools.
 
Applications are due June 5th at midnight and can be found at https://www.sierraschoolsfoundation.org/grants.
 
Thank you to all the seniors, school administrators, teachers, and passionate educators for your applications in the Winter 2022 cycle. We celebrate you and appreciate your vision and dedication to excellent public education in Sierra County.
 
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Flower trend 2023: Make use of every space in your home

5/9/2023

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In addition to traditional uses, houses are getting new functionalities, such as a place to exercise or work. We are making optimum use of our homes. As a result, certain rooms are becoming multifunctional. Three-dimensionality has become the ultimate goal.
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​Upwards and eye-catchingWith folding screens and multifunctional furniture, rooms can be conveniently transformed to suit different functionalities. This trend creates a kind of layering in the house. To reinforce this layering, we also see surfaces merging into one another or seeming to overlap on walls and in wall and floor decorations.
Light and airy bouquetTransparent and airy flowers are important if you want to emphasize spatiality. Color contrast is often used to emphasize depth. Different types of color contrast are used, such as light and dark, warm and cold colors, and bright and pastel hues. What's more, flowers are arranged freely and airily in the bouquet.
Layered Spaces Color Chart SpaceBouquets have the power to reinforce the spatial feeling. Opt for flower varieties that can be weaved and combined in an airy way. Think of canna lilies, dahlias, crocosmia, and gladioli, for example. Give the flowers plenty of space in the bouquet and arrange them at staggered heights. Bouquets are not limited to the living room, of course. We also come across bouquets in the bathroom, bedroom, in the hall, or on the terrace table.

Would you like to know more about bulb flowers? Take a look at www.ilsysays.com.
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Tahoe Forest Health System Welcomes New Physician Nicholas Cohen, MD, Board Certified in Family Medicine

5/9/2023

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www.tfhd.com


(Tahoe/Truckee, Calif.) – Tahoe Forest Health System is pleased to announce that Nicholas Cohen, MD, has joined their team at the Tahoe Forest MultiSpecialty Clinics - Primary Care in Tahoe City and Truckee.
 
Dr. Cohen has a passion for human-centered primary care. He is committed to providing comprehensive health care, including preventative care and chronic disease management, to patients.
 
Dr. Cohen attended medical school at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He completed his family medicine residency at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Dr. Cohen is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

The offices of Dr. Cohen are located at 925 N. Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, and on the third floor of the Medical Office Building at 10956 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee. New patients are accepted. For appointments, please call (530) 582-6205.

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About Tahoe Forest Health System
Tahoe Forest Health System, which includes Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, CA, and Incline Village Community Hospital in Incline Village, NV, offers 24-hour emergency care, urgent care, primary and specialty health care clinics including Tahoe Forest Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Commission on Cancer (COC) accredited cancer center, the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center, and the Joseph Family Center for Women and Newborn Care. With a strong focus on high quality patient care, community collaboration, clinical excellence and innovation, Tahoe Forest Health System is a UC Davis Rural Center of Excellence. For a complete list of physician specialties and services, visit www.tfhd.com.


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Farm Bureau applauds state Senate passage of SB 505

5/9/2023

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The California Farm Bureau is applauding the state Senate for its passage of Senate Bill 505, which was approved with resounding, bipartisan support and now moves to the state Assembly.
 
Senate Bill 505 expands the insurance “clearinghouse” program of the California FAIR Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort, to allow commercial insurance policies under the FAIR Plan to move back to the admitted commercial market. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is a co-sponsor of SB 505, along with the California Farm Bureau.
 
The Farm Bureau previously worked with Commissioner Lara and Sen. Susan Rubio, D-Baldwin Park, to pass SB 11 in 2021. That bill allowed farmers and ranchers who lost or were denied coverage in the competitive insurance market after devastating wildfires to obtain alternative coverage through the California FAIR Plan.
 
SB 505, also by Sen. Rubio, would provide opportunities for agricultural producers to move back to the competitive market, with affordable commercial policies protecting farming and ranching operations.
 
“California’s farmers and ranchers need insurance options to safeguard their ability to continue producing the food that America needs,” said California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson. “Senate Bill 505 provides agricultural producers who turned to the California FAIR plan the ability to return to the competitive insurance market to protect farming and ranching operations. SB 505 is widely supported by insurers, brokers and agents. We applaud Sen. Rubio for her leadership on this issue, and we encourage the state Assembly to pass this important legislation so that it may be signed into law to provide affordable coverage options for California’s vital food producers.”   
 
“California businesses do best when they have more choices for insurance coverage,” said Commissioner Lara. “While the California FAIR Plan is an important safety net when businesses cannot find any other insurance, giving them more options must be our top priority. I am proud to sponsor Senator Rubio’s important pro-consumer legislation creating a clearinghouse program for businesses to more quickly exit the FAIR Plan and get back into the competitive insurance market, something we already have for homeowners.”
 
The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 29,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.3 million Farm Bureau members. 


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Breaking Down Barriers to Care: Behavioral Health Goes Digital

5/9/2023

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By Dr. Donald Tavakoli, national medical director for behavioral health at UnitedHealthcare

 
 
Anxiety affects nearly 30% of people at some point in their lives and often goes hand in hand with depression, which affects about 16 million American adults a year. To add insult to injury, studies show that 4 in 10 U.S. adults who needed mental health treatment in the last 12 months did not get it.
 
As these numbers continue to climb, accompanied by a flood of demand for mental health care, access to virtual behavioral health care resources may help to address unmet patient need.
 
Why are so many people with anxiety and depression going untreated?
The reasons are complex and numerous, but stigma, cost, convenience and access to affordable resources are among some of the factors impacting Americans’ ability to get help for their concerns or illnesses. Furthermore, people are often unsure as to whether their feelings require treatment or if it’s situational and something that can be managed through other means, such as changes in lifestyle.
 
Are the answers in the Cloud?
Virtual care, also referred to as telehealth, may be part of the solution. These resources have steadily gained popularity over the last few years and continue to accelerate —with technological advancement attempting to meet demand. According to the FAIR Health monthly telehealth tracker, telehealth accounted for 5.5% of medical claims in the U.S. in December 2022, and mental health conditions accounted for 62.5% of diagnoses—the top overall diagnosis.
 
Virtual resources range from video chatting with your primary care physician to texting with a bot for your prescriptions or supplementing mental health care through easily downloadable apps. Virtual care has clear benefits—it’s designed to be convenient, affordable and allows users to get care where and when needed.
 
Not every situation calls for telehealth and digital solutions are still being studied for how they may fit into overall care planning for individuals, but virtual behavioral health services may play a role in helping to alleviate the mental health crisis.
 
Consider these three quick tips for evaluating what works best for you:
 
Tip #1: Establish Your Preferences. Take inventory of what may be of interest for you in terms of care. Not sure? That’s ok.  Start with asking yourself the following questions.
  • Do you wish to be assessed by a licensed professional for your mental health?
  • Would you prefer in-person or virtual care?
  • Do you have preferred therapy approaches?
  • Can the mental health professional prescribe medication, or do they collaborate with a psychiatrist who will see you if deemed appropriate?
  • Do you seek focused problem solving like personalized coaching, rather than treatment?
 
Tip #2: Speak with Your Primary Care Physician
When considering seeking help, your primary care physician (PCP) can be a great ally and guide—even if you want to explore virtual mental health options. Discuss with your PCP your pre-established goals so they can help point you in the right direction, but it’s also okay if you don’t know exactly what you need. Increasingly, PCPs are interconnected with virtual providers, giving you a holistic approach to your care. Collaboration between primary care teams and mental health specialists has great value, and there is good evidence that your whole-body benefits from mental well-being.
 
Tip #3: Speak with Your Insurance Provider
When speaking with a customer advocate, describe the care you’d like to receive and ask about available options. They can explain the services that are reimbursed and offer a list of therapists that are covered in-network, helping you understand your choices and keep costs down.
 
Don’t wait to seek mental or behavioral support for yourself or those around you – resources are available.
 

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PORTOLA CITY COUNCIL - April 2nd

5/9/2023

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By Arielle Hardy
Opening with the public comment was Tracey Ferguson, Planning Director, reporting about the cares Act money. The City of Portola has an MOU with Plumas County to distribute around $400,000 for “micro-enterprise businesses.” They anticipate releasing the guidelines as of May 1st. They will open up the application from June 1 to July 31. Applicants are accepted throughout all of Plumas County. If you have questions you can contact Tracy at (530) 283-6214.


Regarding City communications, Councilmember Peiler attended a Plumas County Transportation Committee meeting.

Councilmember Morton and Mayor Powers attended the LAFCO meeting.  Powers reported that the main discussion in the LAFCO meeting was regarding a former CEO that’s retired and whom they have been paying health insurance for 20 years, which they voted against. Powers was discussing ways of funding, “There are some changes in state law that allow us out of a way of funding, and away from funding through the state. To do that, we have to be members of…she’s going to remember for me,” referring to Councilmember Morton, who replied what sounded like, “this is why I needed wine.”
“Yeah, it’ll come to us in a minute,” Powers responded. 

Powers attended the Airport Land Use Commission. He also chaperoned 15 Indian Valley Charter School students to Fort Bragg to teach them about marine habitats.

City manager, Jon Kennedy, reported regarding the city cleanup project. He also reported that FEMA visited regarding damages from the storm. 

The next item was to adopt a resolution authorizing payment of claims for March 23, 2023, through April 26, 2023, accounts payable: $324,185.52 payroll: $56,569.67 Total: $380,755.19. Approval of minutes from March 22nd, 2023. Motion approved.

The next item was the appointment of a new council member to fill the vacancy on the Council. They said they were two letters of interest submitted, but only one applicant was within city limits.

Previous city manager Jim Murphy spoke about his résumé and experience. He said “I’m a disaster waiting to happen,” as he elaborated on his previous experience with working for the city. He said that he has served the city for 14 years and has been retired for 12. He has 20 years of local government experience, 10 years of law enforcement, and five years as the chief of police. He also has 10 years of experience as a city manager for three different cities. He has been a resident of Portola for 25 years and has a master's degree in public administration.

After the new appointment of Murphy was approved, he was sworn in by Deputy City Clerk Jason Shaw. Reorganization of the Portola City Council then took place.

The next item was the approval of the state of emergency proclamation presented on April 26th, and then an agenda item was brought up regarding public comments via Zoom. 

City manager John Kennedy opened with a discussion about operating the meeting on Zoom saying “Tonight has been pretty uneventful so far, that’s not normally the case it became a little bit clunky to manage both. We don’t have the staff to effectively manage when there is a robust attendance. I personally have always advocated for as many ways as possible for the public to be able to do the meetings. Not everyone can come and join, some people really enjoy doing nothing else but being able to watch the meeting virtually.” He then continued to propose that residents can attend the viewing of the meeting, but not make a public comment.

The two ways the public can make comments are by making them in person, or on the agenda online, typed in advance.

Councilmember Turner commented saying “I think we should go back to in-person only,  that’s my opinion. I think doing it virtually makes it too easy for people to sign in as a resident and we don’t get to see who it is actually addressing us.”

Council member Peiler commented, “My opinion would be to allow the virtual to go through. Leah brings up a good point, however, there are residents that can’t make it here, that rely on the virtual meeting. I would have it just as virtual,  if you wanted to make a public comment like you said, there are other ways or they can come here in person and make a comment.“

Councilmember Murphy then asked about council members who are traveling, and if they can participate virtually.

Attorney Steve Gross replied that as per the Brown Act, Council members can still participate in meetings via teleconference, under the circumstances that they have to disclose the location on the agenda, provide a copy of the agenda at the remote location, and the agenda has to be posted 72 hours in advance for regular meetings, and 20 hours in advance for special meetings. At each remote location, you have to provide the opportunity for the public to fully participate at that location. The public also has to be able to hear the meeting and provide public comment. 

They would need the majority of the council members conducting the meeting within the jurisdiction of the city, and all actions would need to be taken for a normal roll call vote.

Mayor Powers commented about questions, rumors, and how to address concerns, and that public comments can “take up half the meeting.”

Kennedy replied, “I have a feeling I know who you might be talking about, or whom.’’

The discussion was then made about “legitimate comments” and how they can be put on the agenda.

Powers expressed concern about being able to address rumors properly, and gave an example of someone asking about the rumor that they were going to “remove all the pests from the city.”

Gross commented that council members can provide a “brief response” during the meeting, but “that’s a slippery slope, so we kind of encourage you not to jump on that slope.” He also said there’s an option to get enough staff to research the matter. A council member can always say whether they feel like an issue is important enough to cover to be able to agendize it in further meetings. It also does not require a formal vote to be on the agenda.

He also elaborated that he believed it was under councilmember Murphy’s previous leadership that the proper procedures can be followed for public comment and items to be added to the agenda, and as he believed, the mayor and the city manager prepare the agendas for council meetings.

Councilmember Murphy mentioned how some items can be easily addressed by the city manager, and other items need further investigation and to be on the agenda.

Councilmember Peiler asked for clarification on if the public would be able to comment via Zoom, and Kennedy responded that “when we get public comments, some of them are just comments that are flippant, and some of them catch my attention and I follow up.”

He also said that if he followed up on all the public record requests that he would be spending more time on those than on IMD complaints. 

Further discussion was then made regarding the clarification of how people can’t make comments via Zoom, but can in person or through email. 

Giving a public comment was resident Josh Hart regarding the agenda item.
“When I saw it, I just had to laugh. You know, why would this counsel want to limit public participation when your participation is already relatively low, and it’s not really the role of the council to determine the quality or relevance of comments? Anyone from the public can call in and say anything they want, and you can either respond, or agendize that item, but having that forum is really important to people in Portola. 

People have become used to, and become accustomed, to the option of calling in with concerns. Some people are not able to make it to the city council chambers, either because they are disabled or housebound. Not only would you be cutting the voice of those people off by limiting public comments remotely, but you would deprive the rest of the community, as well as the newspaper, from hearing those comments made publicly. In addition, Plumas County continues to provide in-person and remote comments.” He elaborated how the vast majority of local governments in California now offer both in-person and teleconference options. “The question is why is this even on the agenda? How did it get there? And I think this plays into the public‘s perception that the council is not really interested in hearing public opinion, it’s interested in limiting it.”

He elaborated that if the item was approved that it would be a clear attempt to stifle public comment and silence critics of the council. “It just seems really, really, contrary to the spirit of democratic involvement.” He then spoke about getting the public engaged in order to have discussion where rumors can be brought up, and discussed, as opposed to social media being a platform to communicate with the public.

Kennedy then responded that Josh Hart was one of the people who “demanded forcefully that we go to public comment and stop this virtual stuff.”

“I never said that, that’s not true,” Hart replied.

The council then responded, “We’re seeing right now exactly the reason,” and that they “don’t want the interruptions consistently like this.”

There was a public comment in person, of a lady who was previously in the ER the night before, who was diagnosed with bronchitis and pneumonia. She spoke about wanting to protect the public from contagious diseases, and the importance of hybrid meetings for those who can be contagious, as well as the safety of the public. She asked, “What is easier? Is it easier to tell somebody who is up here ranting about something not what you're talking about, and asking them to sit down, to leave, or whatever it is, or is it easier to mute them, kind of like what Mr. Kennedy just did right there with Mr. Josh Hart?” She also brought up the point that the city is already set up for hybrid meetings, and it wouldn’t cost them any additional money to continue running the meetings both online and in person. She said it’s “simply a minor inconvenience for the council, but it really makes the citizens here feel like they are heard. “

Another person gave a comment talking about since 1946 when people just came in public and talked about how she didn’t feel like anyone back then felt unheard back then.

Mayor Powers then commented there should be a “deliberate process, just like the agenda shows, a lot of agendas, by the way, allow a scope of time for each agenda item.” He then gave an example that if the meeting started at six, it could go on until midnight because of people voicing their opinions about different topics. He also then continued to say, “We talked about, okay, last meeting Mr. Hart, and these two people, and this person over here, mentioned these things, we’re going to address them tonight, we’re going to put them on the agenda, so we can actually know what we’re talking about.” He expressed that one comment can open up multiple comments on a subject that they knew nothing about.

At about 1 hour into the meeting, it began being recorded.

Kennedy then commented on his push for “civic engagement” through social media. He said that if they had an additional staff member assigned to handle tasks during the meeting when they have more people in the meeting, “he’s all for it.”
He also said that “Tonight we could’ve not taken any public comment if we wanted to, that’s the law, didn’t violate anything, we could continue that. I think it‘s a mixed message like when do we wanna choose not to,” and then he elaborated on more people showing up when the weather gets better during the summer, and having to deal with public comments both virtually and in person. He said that he “loves all the public comments,” and that “ it’s all entertainment to me.”

Councilmember Turner then made the motion to continue with the audio online but not public comment, and to have a public comment available via email or in person.

She said that she doesn’t want people to be muted And that she is against people being muted when commenting. And until they could get the Audiovisual set up. Councilmember Peiler seconded the motion.

Tracey Ferguson, Plumas County Planning Director, then gave a second briefing to the council about the Plumas County 2021 wildfires' long-term recovery plan process.
You can find all the info at www.plumascounty.us/2964.

The last item was regarding the 2023-2024 budget preparation. Susan Scarlett, Finance Director, reported regarding a budget workshop with the City Council on May 17 at 3 PM, open to the public. 

There were no public comments at the time, “thank you, I like that,” Mayor Powers replied about no one commenting. Scarlett said public comments are welcome at the workshop on the 17th, and that “the public are welcome to comment at any time or at the meeting.” The council also reported that the LAFCO funding is going to be under $50,000 for the budget.
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2023 Fire Season

5/8/2023

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Congressman Doug LaMalfa 
As the month of May begins, and the weather starts to warm, it is important to prepare for this year's fire season, in case of emergency or evacuation. Please be aware of developments regarding emergency evacuations near where you live, work, or where your children go to school. Be cognizant of evacuation routes that you may need to use should the situation call for it.

As the shadow of this fire season looms large, we may get bad news out of the courts. As many of you are well aware, a radical environmental activist group is suing the U.S. Forest Service over its use of fire retardant. Citing the risk of contamination of nearby water sources and firefighters' exposure to the retardant itself, they are demanding the courts grant an injunction on its use until firefighting agencies go through a long permitting process with the EPA to get the necessary permits to use fire retardant. This could take 1-3 years. This all stems from the fact that a very small fraction - less than .5% of all drops from 2012 to 2019 according to the Forest Service’s Environmental Impact Statement - may get within 300 feet of a water system such as a creek, lake or river, when firefighters drop fire retardant from aircraft. These activists claim it’s about contamination of water sources despite a stellar record and great effort to keep retardant on target. They deliberately forget that the ash, soot, and chemicals from burned homes due to an uncontrolled wildfire will contaminate water sources far more than a small amount of fire retardant used to stop the fire.
To stop this madness and protect not only firefighters' safety but also the lives and property of people in the West, I’ve teamed up with Congressman Jimmy Panetta and introduced legislation that carves out a Clean Water Act exemption for fire retardant. This will create legal protection for firefighting agencies to deploy aerial fire retardant as they see fit in compliance with already established regulations on when and where it can be used. In addition, I have also vocally supported the Forest Service and firefighting agencies' attempts to bring the danger of this case to the public. As chairman of the Forest Subcommittee on the House Ag Committee and a member of the Natural Resources Committee, I have had the opportunity to question Forest Service Chief Randy Moore on the use of fire retardant, and he has agreed that fire retardant is a critical tool that must be kept in our arsenal.  I hope that the court will make the correct ruling and allow the continued use of fire retardant.  If not, our legislation will go that route if it means protecting people's lives and property.
It should be obvious to everyone who has had to deal with wildfire in the West just how critical aerial-dropped fire retardant is. For starters, dropping it from aircraft keeps firefighters on the ground out of  unnecessary risk when a wildfire gets too hot or moves too fast. Second, many of the wildfires in the west become so hot that they evaporate water, as a substitute, before it can quench the flames. Finally, deploying fire retardant ahead of advancing wildfire protects people's lives and property and also allows time for evacuations to be organized and carried out safely with no loss of life. In short, fire retardant is extremely important to our firefighters' ability to stop wildfire in the west. To have this important asset taken from them right as the 2023 fire season begins will endanger Western towns, rural Americans, firefighters, and people's lives and property. It will leave millions of people in the Western United States completely vulnerable wherever the next wildfire may strike.  



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Capitol Democrats Block Effort to Do Something on Fentanyl Crisis

5/8/2023

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Drug traffickers, cartels win again with one-party rule in Sacramento



SACRAMENTO – Today, one day ahead of National Fentanyl Awareness Day, Assembly Democrats again blocked common-sense proposals to crack down on fentanyl traffickers profiting off poisoning Californians. With more than 100 Californians dying every week because of fentanyl, Democrats embraced the ongoing crisis by refusing to consider bipartisan proposals to hold dealers accountable. 


“The fentanyl epidemic is killing more and more Californians each day, but Democrats refuse to do anything serious to end the carnage,” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (Yuba City). “Fentanyl is not a drug – it’s a weapon of mass destruction. Democrats’ continued refusal to crack down on the traffickers is further confirmation they are only looking out for criminals, not public safety.” 


Following a hearing in which Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee killed multiple bills to increase punishments for fentanyl traffickers, Assembly Republicans moved to take the bills up for a vote by the full Assembly. On a party-line vote, Democrats blocked the effort, ensuring the bills would remain stalled. 


The bills blocked by Democrats were: 
  • AB 367 (Maienschein) - add a sentencing enhancement for fentanyl dealers who kill or seriously injure someone with the poison they sell
  • AB 955 (Petrie-Norris) – increase penalties for selling fentanyl via social media
  • AB 1058 (Jim Patterson) – increase penalties for possessing more than an ounce of fentanyl, enough to kill 14,000 people


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PG&E Wants to Help Customers RecognizeUtility Scams and Avoid Falling Victim

5/8/2023

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Scam Reports at an All-time High During the First Four Months of 2023
 
OAKLAND, Calif. — With reports of scams targeting utility customers at an all-time high, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) shares tips with customers to help recognize the signs of a potential scam.
 
A typical sign of a scam targeting a utility customer includes a caller claiming to be from PG&E and threatening disconnection if immediate payment is not made via a pre-paid debit card or money transfer service like Zelle. As a reminder, PG&E will never send a single notification to a customer within one hour of a service interruption, and we will never ask customers to make payments with a pre-paid debit card, gift card, any form of cryptocurrency, or third-party digital payment mobile applications.
 
“If you ever receive a call threatening utility disconnection if you do not make immediate payment, hang up the phone and either log into your account on PGE.com or call our customer service number to confirm your account details. Remember, PG&E will never ask for your financial information over the phone or via email, nor will we request payment via pre-paid debit cards or other payment services like Zelle. End the call, end the scam” said Matt Foley, lead customer scam investigator for PG&E.
 
Based on data collected so far in 2023, scammers are stepping up their efforts to defraud customers. In fact, there have been over 19,000 scam attempts reported by customers to PG&E, and customers have lost nearly $342,000 in the first four months of 2023 alone. During 2022, PG&E received nearly 23,000 reports from customers who were targeted by scammers impersonating the company, and customers lost approximately $946,000 in fraudulent payments.
 
Scammers can be convincing and often target those who are most vulnerable, including senior citizens and low-income communities. They also aim their scams at small business owners during busy customer service hours. Another recent emerging scam trend involves scammers targeting real estate agents via their listings, and threatening to shut off power if immediate payment is not made. However, with the right information, customers can learn to detect and report these predatory scams.
 
Signs of a potential scam
 
  • Threat to disconnect: Scammers may aggressively demand immediate payment for an alleged past due bill.
  • Request for immediate payment: Scammers may instruct the customer to purchase a prepaid card, then call them back supposedly to make a bill payment.
  • Request for prepaid card: When the customer calls back, the caller asks the customer for the prepaid card’s number, which grants the scammer instant access to the card’s funds.
  • Refund or rebate offers: Scammers may say that your utility company overbilled you and owes you a refund, or that you are entitled to a rebate, and ask you for your personal financial information.
  • Scammers Impersonating Trusted Phone Numbers: Scammers are now able to create authentic-looking 800 numbers which appear on your phone display. The numbers don’t lead back to PG&E if called back, however, so if you have doubts, hang up and call PG&E at 1-833-500-SCAM. If customers ever feel that they are in physical danger, they should call 911.
 
How customers can protect themselves
 
Customers should never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. PG&E does not specify how customers should make a bill payment and offers a variety of ways to pay a bill, including accepting payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.
 
If a scammer threatens immediate disconnection or shutoff of service without prior notification, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email, or shut the door. Customers with delinquent accounts receive an advance disconnection notification, typically by mail and included with their regular monthly bill.
 
Signing up for an online account at pge.com is another safeguard. Not only can customers log in to check their balance and payment history, they can also sign up for recurring payments, paperless billing and helpful alerts.
 
Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud, or who feel threatened during
contact with one of these scammers, should contact local law enforcement. The Federal Trade Commission’s website is also a good source of information about how to protect personal information.
 
For more information about scams, visit pge.com/scams or https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams.
 
           About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.
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COMMUNITY SURVEY SHOWS STRONG PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR INCLUDING TAHOE FOREST HOSPITAL IN TRUCKEE GENERAL PLAN

5/8/2023

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www.tfhd.com


(Tahoe/Truckee, Calif.) – An independent community survey recently commissioned by the Tahoe Forest Hospital District shows residents strongly support the inclusion of Tahoe Forest Hospital in the Town of Truckee’s General Plan, which currently excludes the Hospital.
 
The General Plan Update has been roundly criticized by community stakeholders who are upset that it currently excludes Tahoe Forest Hospital.  The Plan will guide zoning and Town planning for generations to come.
 
The survey, conducted April 24 - May 2, shows two-thirds of respondents agree the Hospital needs to be included in the Update that regulates all future land use planning and zoning issues.  The Hospital was originally included in the process, but then was removed without explanation or any public discussion, transparency or consultation with the Hospital.
 
“In the past six years, Tahoe Forest Hospital has had a 50% increase in patient visits.  We’ve struggled to keep up and often patients have had to wait” said Tahoe Forest Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brian Evans. “We all want to provide outstanding care for our special community.  I believe that we can collaborate with the Town of Truckee and other partners to ensure our healthcare facilities are sufficient to meet our community’s needs in the future.”
 
The survey also shows respondents identified local issues including access to local healthcare, traffic congestion, lack of parking and difficulty making primary and family healthcare appointments.  The Hospital District has indicated it is eager to continue to do its part to address these local issues.
 
“If the Town is making plans for meeting the healthcare needs of its residents over the next several decades, it just makes sense that the healthcare and medical needs of our growing and aging community be considered at the same time,” said Tahoe Forest Hospital District Board President Alyce Wong, RN.  “We strongly urge the Town to consider our patient needs and this community’s input.”
 
The Truckee Town Council will consider whether or not to adopt the current draft of the General Plan Update at its May 9th meeting.  The draft currently excludes the Hospital.
 
For the final report of community survey results, visit the Health System News section on www.TFHD.com.
 
 
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About Tahoe Forest Health System
Tahoe Forest Health System, which includes Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, CA, and Incline Village Community Hospital in Incline Village, NV, offers 24-hour emergency care, urgent care, primary and specialty health care clinics including Tahoe Forest Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Commission on Cancer (COC) accredited cancer center, the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center, and the Joseph Family Center for Women and Newborn Care. With a strong focus on high quality patient care, community collaboration, clinical excellence and innovation, Tahoe Forest Health System is a UC Davis Rural Center of Excellence. For a complete list of physician specialties and services, visit www.tfhd.com.
 
 

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Mother’s Day and your time

5/8/2023

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Dr. Glenn Mollette 


You may have lost your mother early in life or never really knew your mother. My two sons were only 17 and 20 when their mother passed at the ae of 49 from multiple sclerosis. Mother’s Day is a tough day for them and many others around the world. This day may be very difficult for you. 


My mother has also passed on but I remember her as one of the hardest working persons I’ve ever known.  On Sunday and often during the week she loved getting dressed up and going to church. One of the greatest enjoyments of her life was singing in a gospel quartet with my dad and another lovely couple. 


Eula Hinkle Mollette was just the best mom ever. Yes, I’m prejudiced of course. 


Mom helped me with my homework. She washed and ironed my clothes. She put breakfast on the table for me every morning. She had something for me to eat every day when I came home from school. She read to me when I was a child and took care of me when I was sick. During the summer we would carry water from our nearby creek to wash clothes. Typically, we caught rain water in large tubs to wash our clothes but summer months often brought dry weather. We had lunch together every day during the summer break. Usually, it was a homemade sandwich and sometimes a candy bar from Grandpa Hinkle’s grocery store. I once wanted root beer and she said, “You won’t like it.”  I debated that I would but I didn’t. I was stuck with the root beer. 


 She never hesitated to set me straight with a peach tree limb across my back side. 


 If she were alive today, I would try to make up for all the things I didn’t do or didn’t consider doing. I always had good intentions for all the things I might try to do for mom and dad but they slipped from this life before I had the opportunity. 


Missed opportunities happen often to most of us. We have good intentions but often we don’t have the ability to act on those intentions. I’m envious of those who are able to do a lot for their moms and dads and wish that I could have done more. 


However, so often what we can do are the simplest things that mean so much. Today, I don’t want my family to do anything for me but call me or visit me occasionally. A hug and some shared times are the most meaningful to me. Some good quality time is actually the best gift we can give to mom, dad or anyone. 


Our time is fleeting for us all. To be generous with a visit, conversation and sharing of life is probably the most precious gift we can give. 


Mother’s Day is coming. Set aside your best gift – your time. 




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ANOTHER TIMBERFEST.........

5/6/2023

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Saturday started with a touching National Anthem by Owen McIntosh, Tenor and Musica Sierra’s general manager along with Brandon Dodge, the high school music teacher, on drums. The weather was cool but the predicted rain showers didn't produce but a few drops.
Announcer Chrissy Ramsey did another amazing job along with Tom Beam who kept the crowd well motivated. Chrissy had introduced her dad, Alvie Marcellus from Spokane.
Vendors, food booths and fundraisers were scattered throughout downtown along with huge equipment displays complete with demos which attracted delighted young and old. Paul Roen had a good crew helping serve his succulent tri-tip sandwiches.
It was a packed day of exciting competition including men and women's Underhand Chop, Singlebuck, Jack & Jill along with the daring Springboard, Doublebuck, Stock Saw, Obstacle Pole, Choker Race, Axe Throws and Open Modified Hot Saws. There was money to be won in all events except Stock Saw.
The Local competition's top four competed on Saturday and winners took a percent of locals' entry fees. 
Following locals' competition, Tom called all competitors on stage. Unique awards, specially made by Terry LeBlanc were awarded.
  • made by Terry LeBlanc were awarded.
Sierra Timberfest Logging Show is an American Lumberjack Association sanctioned event. The crowd was told "if" they want Timberfest next year, to let Tom know and to volunteer. The crowd resounded with a positive "when" Timberfest is next year. But more volunteers are needed!

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A “special treat” at the logging show was Wayne White’s 1940’s Mall , original hot saw from Chicago. The 5-foot bar swivels.
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May 06th, 2023

5/6/2023

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Festivities continue all day Saturday! Don't miss it!
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LITTLE LEAGUE PARADE THIS MORNING- Random shots

5/6/2023

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​Update on Beckwourth Ranger District Pile Burning:

5/5/2023

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Yesterday firefighters successfully treated 25 acres in Lakes Basin near Graeagle.  Today, plans are to ignite approximately 13 acres of piles in the same area.  
Conditions have been exceptional this week.  As a result, firefighters may continue pile burning in the area over the weekend, in addition to patrols and monitoring.
Area residents and visitors should watch for increased firefighter traffic in the area over the next several days as work continues.
 
Update on Feather River Ranger District Pile Burning:
 
Firefighters successfully burned 45 acres of machine piles yesterday on Mooreville Ridge above Sly Creek Reservoir.  Today they plan to continue ignitions on 40 acres in the same area.  Patrols and monitoring will continue through the weekend.
 
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PLUMAS COUNTY STAND DOWN August 11-12

5/5/2023

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SIERRA COUNTY VETERANS STAND DOWN August 26th

5/5/2023

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Tahoe Forest Health System Celebrates National Nurses WeekMay 6 – 12, 2023

5/4/2023

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www.tfhd.com


(Tahoe/Truckee, Calif.) –  Tahoe Forest Health System proudly celebrates all nurses in our community during National Nurses Week, May 6-12.
 
Nurses play a vital role in health care every day, performing the most essential health care tasks in various medical settings. The nursing profession offers many roles—from staff nurse, educator, nurse practitioner, to nurse researcher – in which each strive to serve with passion for their profession and a strong commitment to patient care and safety.


National Nurses Week is observed on May 6-12 every year to recognize the invaluable contributions of nurses and the nursing profession that impact the health and well-being of our communities.
 
Join Tahoe Forest Health System in honoring and thanking all nurses for their unwavering dedication to providing skilled and compassionate care to our community every day.
 
 
 
#####
 
About Tahoe Forest Health System
Tahoe Forest Health System, which includes Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, CA, and Incline Village Community Hospital in Incline Village, NV, offers 24-hour emergency care, urgent care, primary and specialty health care clinics including Tahoe Forest Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Commission on Cancer (COC) accredited cancer center, the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center, and the Joseph Family Center for Women and Newborn Care. With a strong focus on high quality patient care, community collaboration, clinical excellence and innovation, Tahoe Forest Health System is a UC Davis Rural Center of Excellence. For a complete list of physician specialties and services, visit www.tfhd.com.

​
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​RELEASE OF THE 2023 PLUMAS SIERRA COUNTY FAIR EXHIBIT GUIDE

5/4/2023

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You know the county fair is on the way when you see the annual exhibit guide. It used to be called the premium book decades ago, but now the title is more indicative of what it is. It is a list of things that local residents make, grow or raise that are entered for judging to establish who grows the best zucchini, paints the best picture, grows the best spider plant, sews the best quilt or makes the best jelly. It is a tradition going back hundreds of years and it is your opportunity to keep that tradition alive.
 
The steps are simple; browse the exhibit guide, decide what you might like to enter, fill out the entry form, turn it in to the Fair office by the deadline (Most are July 7, many of the Floriculture entries are due just the week before the Fair), and then bring your physical entries to the Fair on the dates shown in the guide. Most entries cost only a couple of bucks and you can win a couple of bucks more, plus a ribbon!
 
There are many categories that are not what some people would think of at a Fair. There are certainly the classics; jelly, baked goods, zucchini, flowers and needlepoint. But there are also divisions that are unique, and might not require a particular aptitude to enter. There is a Division for Giftwrapping. Do you write poetry? Enter your poems. Grow a garden in a box. The Fair actually provides the box, so all you have to do is pick it up, put some soil in it, grow the plants and bring your box to the fair for judging and display. You can enter soap or candles you have made. You can decorate a cake, pie or confection, even if you didn’t make it, the judging is on the decoration. Enter jerky, or salsa. Crochet a rug, sew a Christmas tree skirt. There are categories for all these.
 
If you have an African Violet, or a cactus, or a Boston Fern that thrives in your home, please share it with everyone by entering it in the Floriculture Building. Some people don’t have a green thumb, but love plants. There are several divisions for silk or dried flower arranging. Finally, everyone should know that to enter something from your garden, you only have to turn in an entry form the Friday before the Fair. Perhaps it is some cut flowers, or some fresh carrots or onions. Don’t forget about the oddities; largest vegetable, oddest shaped vegetable or the heaviest tomato. These are all things the public needs to see!
 
Printed Exhibit Guides are available at all Plumas Bank branches and public libraries. Copies can also be picked up at the Fair Office. A downloadable version is available on the Fair website; www.plumas-sierracountyfair.net. The Fair has also taken the extra step of breaking the book down by sections for those that still have dial up and don’t necessarily need the entire book. Livestock entries are due on June 30 and most all other entries are due July 7.
 
The 2023 Plumas Sierra County Fair will be held July 27 through July 30 in Quincy, California. This year, the Fair Board extended an invitation to the community to offer suggestions for a fair theme. The cover of the exhibit guide is filled with some of the many ideas submitted. From these, the Fair Board decided on “Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights” as the theme for this year’s fair. It was submitted by Lisa Tanner, a regular exhibitor at the Fair.

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Vehicle Pursuit, US-395 to Cromberg

5/3/2023

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On 5/01/2023 at approximately 2049 hours, Quincy CHP Officer Tanguay was conducting traffic enforcement in Lassen County on northbound US-395, just south of SR-70.  He observed a solo vehicle (2012 Ford Fusion) traveling at a high rate of speed, approaching from the rear in the #1 lane.  The vehicles speed was estimated to be more than 100 mph.  The sedan exited US-395 at SR-70.  Officer Tanguay activated his code 3 emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop on the sedan for a violation of 22348(b)VC (excess of 100 mph).  The sedan came to stop at the stop sign at the intersection with
SR-70. The sedan then accelerated westbound on SR-70 away from Officer Tanguay and failed to yield.  The Ford Fusion drove in a reckless manner at speeds up to 115 mph for the next 41 miles. The Ford was passing vehicles over double yellow lines. The Ford and had a near miss head on collision while passing a vehicle over double yellow lines on SR-70 at the Buttes.  The Ford was spiked stripped at Mt. Tomba by another CHP unit and yielded on SR-70 at Old Cromberg Rd in Plumas County.  The driver into taken into custody and placed under arrest for 2800.2(a)VC. The driver was identified by her Nevada Driver’s License as Sarah Crystal Lombardi.
 
 
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May 03rd, 2023

5/3/2023

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Beginning tomorrow, May 4, State Route 70 will be reopened to through traffic three times a day. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be escorted through the closure (from Jarbo Gap to the Greenville Wye) at 6:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. Motorists must be in line at the time of these openings in order to travel through the closure but are asked to not get in line any earlier than 15 minutes prior to the opening time to ensure the roadway is not blocked for emergencies or contractor access.


This schedule is subject to change at any time due to weather, future slide activity, or operations and we will do our best to provide that information as it becomes available.

Please note that local traffic access is available outside of these opening times from either side of the closure but not to cross the slide area at post mile 15.2, just east of Belden. Caltrans and Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. would like to thank the traveling public for their patience. We are continuing to work towards increasing access in the affected areas when possible.
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13th Annual Summerfest at White Sulphur Springs Ranch

5/2/2023

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Matt Axton and Badmoon will entertain at Summerfest 2023 on the 25th of June.


Most of the details have been worked out for the 13th annual celebration at the White Sulphur Springs Ranch site in Clio.  It’s always held on the last Sunday in June and this year it will be on June 25. Location is where the big old ranch house looms over the entrance to the Mohawk Valley at 2200 Highway 89.  Gates open at 3 PM.  Tickets are $65 for adults and $20 for kids 12 and under.  Tickets are available online at www.WhiteSulphurSpringsRanch.com. As usual, Summerfest 2023 is an outdoor event.  Attendees should bring a lawn chair but no pets.  Last year was a sellout.  Early ticket purchases are recommended.
Tickets will also be available at two locations in Graeagle.  Millie’s Ice Cream & Coffee and the Queen Bee Boutique, both on Main Street, will offer in person ticket purchases. https://www.restaurantji.com/ca/graeagle/millies-ice-cream-and-coffee-co-/
Food is always a very special feature at Summerfest. This year it is a pulled pork ranch barbecue with coleslaw, grilled vegetables, beans, watermelon and cookies. The famous Porta-Saloon will offer beer for sale and the bar is offering wine and margaritas.  There are both live and silent auctions and this year, as in 2022, the Roberti brothers of Loyalton will conduct the live auction.
The entertainment starts at 4 pm and features Matt Axton and Badmoon.  Matt was born and raised in Tahoe City. He has played in every possible venue in the general area including the Crystal Bay Club and the Made in Tahoe Festival.  He has been one of the main artists associated with the Tahoe Truckee School of Music and has been a member for over 10 years. Matt’s descended from a long line of musical talent.  His father was Hoyt Axton a popular country and western entertainer and his grandmother wrote the song “Heartbreak Hotel” for Elvis Presley. He describes his music as a “humble slice of America”, everything from country to rock & roll. The Mohawk Valley Stewardship Volunteers are proud to be able to bring this kind of quality entertainment to Summerfest.
The site improvements will surprise and delight attendees.   The interior of the historic ranch house has been completely upgraded in 150 year old style. It will be open from 3 to 4pm on June 25, just before the entertainment starts. The grounds have been reshaped to allow improved vehicle access and drainage.  Each year the improvements mount up and a new swimming pool is still a very high priority.  For more information visit the website at www.WhiteSulphurSpringsRanch.com                                 
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​Summerfest attendees enjoying the show at a recent concert.
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Pile burning planned near Graeagle this week

5/1/2023

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BLAIRSDEN, CA — Plumas National Forest firefighters are planning pile burning this week near Graeagle on the Beckwourth Ranger District, conditions permitting.
Firefighters are planning to start ignitions tomorrow, with an initial goal of approximately 20 acres.  If conditions remain favorable and within prescription, the intent is to treat an additional 18 acres, for a total of 38 acres this week.
More seasonable weather is improving conditions for pile burning across the forest this week, although snow continues to limit access.
Firefighters from Firestorm and the Mount Hough Ranger District will be providing support to the Beckwourth Ranger District’s pile burning this week, including patrol through the weekend.
Smoke is expected to be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Graeagle and Blairsden.  Short duration, minor smoke impacts are possible along California State Highways 70 and 89, Gold Lake Highway and neighboring forest roads. 
Visibility on roads in the project area may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles.  Drivers in the area should use caution.
“We have been monitoring conditions for quite some time, waiting for this area to be within prescription and accessible for us to work on pile burning,” said Beckwourth District Fire Management Officer Don Fregulia.  “Every community and fuel reduction project on the Plumas National Forest is important, but it’s taken a while for this area to be ready for us to treat it safely.  Our firefighters and community are looking forward to this window to hopefully get some critical work done on the landscape.”
If weather conditions become unfavorable, including increased or gusty winds in the area, burning will stop until conditions improve.  Firefighters will be monitoring conditions and the burning piles until fires are out.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
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