PLUMAS-SIERRA COUNTY FARM BUREAU held its annual meeting on Saturday, October 25th at the home of Sheri and Paul Roen in Calpine.
After a delicious, barbecued steak dinner prepared by the Roen’s, President Dave Roberti led the evening with guest introductions which included 2nd Vice President of California Farm Bureau Ron Peterson. Ron is a dairy farmer in Stanislaus County. He stated, “It is a tough time in agriculture right now.” Two of his childhood friends’ dairies left California, relocating to other states, other dairymen have just quit due to rules, regulations and low prices. Peterson said bureaucrats outnumber us, outspend us and are going to regulate us out of business. He asked, “What are we going to do about it?” Peterson said California Farm Bureau is the voice of farmers and ranchers in this state. They are the organization that will push back. He thanked the Roberti’s for their role in keeping Plumas-Sierra Farm Bureau active here.
He talked about Prop 50, stating we need to stop this, or we won’t have a voice left. He stated the California Farm Bureau is pushing as hard as they can to protect rural counties.
Wolves were a big topic after the recent CDFW news. Peterson thanked Rancher and Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen and his group for everything they’ve done. He said the California Farm Bureau started a working group to try and work toward getting the wolves delisted. Roen stated they forced CDFW’s Director Bonham’s hand and needed to continue to push to get to Phase 3 adding there are more wolves here than they want to admit. Roen could not say enough about the support they received from the feds and Regional Director Paul Souza.
Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher stated he has the unity of all sheriffs in the state wanting a mechanism in place for management. He hoped to get some movement on it, adding Phase 3 has lethal removal and stressed the need for local control. Fisher said the communication from CDFW was “horrendous” and will continue to try and improve it.
Roen stated through the Cattlemen’s Association they are creating a small working group to make a road map for how they got here to educate other counties. He said, “We were the test case and did it right.”
Rancher and Plumas County Supervisor Dwight Ceresola talked on taking the compensation program out of CDFW’s hands. They limit confirmed and non-confirmed and takes a lot of time to get reimbursement.
Roen said they’ve asked for an independent third party and federal protocols.
President Roberti thanked them for all the many hours they put in on this issue.
Peterson closed by thanking the attendees for their membership and stated, “Things are rough out there, but together we will make it better.”
The election of Board of Directors was as follows:
Greg Gatto
Einen Grandi
Rick Leonhardt
Dr. Tanya Morgan
Greg Ramelli
Benjamin Roberti
Dave Roberti
Jane Roberti
Paul Roen
Voting Delegates are Dave Roberti, President and Paul Roen. Alternates are Jane Roberti and Sheri Roen
Retired Directors: Dave Goicoechea, Russell Reed, Rick Roberti and Weston Roberti were thanked for their many years of service.
Plumas Bank was recognized for their generous contribution as well as Hunt & Sons who contributed several door prizes and gun oil who was represented by Don Harnach.
The meeting concluded with many raffle prizes won.
GREEN WASTE in Calpine was brought up during the Board of Supervisors meeting on November 4th. Supervisor Paul Roen stated he’s been getting questions on the burn pile and asked about the status.
Public Works Director Bryan Davey said they are going to start burning and just received their required Air Resources Permit. As soon as they are able to reduce the piles, they will start accepting green waste from residents for free at the transfer stations.
He stated they were preparing to start burning at Ramshorn that day or the next and added residents can burn green waste at their homes right now.
CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET SPONSOR
Jessica Folchi, Host of Christmas on Main Street and Dana McAdams, Deputy Director, addressed the Council about sponsorship “to decorate a little more.” The family friendly 2nd annual event starts with the 24th annual Christmas Craft Fair at the Assembly of God Church Hall from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day includes “Sip & Stroll” with open house at businesses and the Christmas Market at Sierra Valley Home Center and Lombardi Mercantile. Loyalton Thrift Store, the Milton Gottardi Museum and the Loyalton Library will all be open! There’s a treasure hunt with a grand prize! Sue recommended they take $100 from the Transient Occupancy Tax Fund. That prompted members to each contribute; Jerry $100; Bill $100; Sue $100 and Joy and Joe each $50. Through discussion, it was decided
individuals each donate $80 to make $400 and with the City’s $100, make a $500 donation which makes them a Gold Sponsor with featured post on social media and website, on the event map, a Treasure Hunt participant, free customization on merchandise, continued holiday advertisement post event, commemorative framed picture of the event, a free event merchandise item and made a Top Sponsor recognition across media.
A RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION honoring Garitt Cox for his long-standing career with United Parcel Service (UPS) and his exceptional dedication and service to the residents of western Sierra County was presented to him during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Downieville on November 4th.
The Resolution was read by Supervisor Lila Heuer and states in part:
Garitt Cox began his career with UPS in October 1990 and officially retired on September 1, 2025, after nearly 35 years of devoted service.
Garitt first began “relief driving” in Sierra County for Al McConnell in 1997, and in September 2020, following the retirement of Kevin Miller, his seniority allowed him to bid the Sierra County route and make it his home until his retirement.
Through his kindness, reliability, and genuine concern for the people he served, Garitt make a lasting impact on countless lives throughout the rural western communities of Sierra County.
Residents and businesses could always depend on Garitt, and his familiar brown UPS truck, to deliver essential medical supplies, critical repair parts, and other items that might otherwise have been beyond reach.
Rain, snow, steep grades, and winding roads were never an obstacle to Garitt’s commitment to serving his customers, and his hard work, friendly spirit, and dedication earned the respect and gratitude of all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Everyone he encountered on a delivery has a “Garitt story” to tell, of a friendly smile, a kind word, and a dependable presence who brightened even the most remote doorsteps of Sierra County.
Garitt thanked everyone in western Sierra County which he called a very special area, where the whole community shows love. He said Sierra County is so much more than the beauty that people see. Unless you immerse yourself, you don’t feel the love and see Sierra County for what it truly is; a sense of community and family. He was very honored and blessed that he made Sierra County his final home. Garitt thanked them for accepting him and making him part of the family.
Due to the current Federal Shutdown, CalFresh benefits for the month of November have been suspended.
Sierra County Social Services Director Lori McGee issued a statement read by Supervisor Sharon Dryden (shown below) during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday, November 4th.
The United States Department of Agriculture responded to a Temporary Restraining Order issued Friday, October 31, 2026 by a Rhode Island judge ordering the USDA to produce a plan for issuing SNAP benefits. In their response, the USDA confirmed that it intends to issue partial benefits utilizing existing contingency funds available.
If this proposal is accepted by the courts, and once funds are made available by the federal government, it is anticipated that it will still take 1-3 weeks for benefits to be loaded onto cards in and likely staggered over a 10-day period of from the date issuance begins.
Here locally in Sierra County, 335 individuals receive food assistance. Sierra County Social Services has sent out mailers to each of our families that are impacted, and are working closely with community based organizations, and other county departments to identify other resources that may to be available to these households to lessen the impact of the suspension of SNAP benefits.
Sierra County Social Services can be reached directly by those households impacted. The County website has also been updated to provide information on our local food banks' locations and days of operation.
Supervisor Terry LeBlanc added Gonzo’s Litte Frosty in Loyalton has been handing out free hot dogs and quesadillas to those needing a meal.
STEVE HILTON of Fox news fame and most recently, candidate for Governor of California, was guest speaker at Sierra Valley Grange Hall in Vinton on Saturday, October 25, hosted by Plumas County and Gold Nugget Republican Women Federated.
He seemed truly appreciative of the “magnificent landscape,” the “lovely feeling” of home, the work given the beautiful arrangements, table settings, and amazing food. Steve spoke fondly of his friend, the late Charlie Kirk and how he loved California. Steven entered his campaign the end of April and said he was “going to win it for Charlie.”
Steve told how the details of this meeting showed care, love, respect and pride and told the crowd, “This is what we need for California.”
Steve talked about how he’s very proud of being a U.S. citizen and how his family had fled communism in Hungary. He’d been raised with a work ethic of earning it and working hard. His step-father, at age 14, heard on the radio the Russians were coming and fled, being shot at, to the Austrian border.
He had been inspired by Margaret Thatcher in starting his own business and found how hard it is to make a change in government beaucracy.
In 2012 he moved to California with the opportunity at Fox News and The Next Revolution started. He told how California isn’t working. “The rich get richer and the working people get screwed.” From the audience, Kathleen Brazzo told how killing the timber industry “killed us.”
Steve agreed, adding the pain of driving 3-4 hours hammered by the highest gas prices. “It is crippling,” he stated. He told of getting rid of the ridiculous environmental rules and regulations, with the highest electricity rates in the country with wind and solar, lawsuits just for regular business, high unemployment, highest poverty, worst 3rd grade reading in America, lowest home ownership, boys and girls sports “Unacceptable;” homelessness and the crime explosion with tens of thousands dangerous criminals released, “Totally avoidable,”along with healthcare for illegals.
Proud to be a U.S citizen, he stated he renounced his UK citizenship, having to pay for it to leave.
Having a show of hands of who had voted, he encouraged each to check in with ten others to defeat Prop. 50. He stated if everyone who voted for Trump, voted for him, he’ll win with 2,000 votes to spare. He stated he’d restore spirit and reality.
Under question by Plumas County Supervisor Jeff Engel, about the wolves and Steve asked why ranchers, who know the land and environment, can’t be trusted. He questioned from where enforcement comes and told of the approach of appointing people who have common sense.
He talked about how California is the world leader in fruit & nuts, being unmatched with oldest, biggest and tallest trees and felt the “Land of Opportunity and Plenty” was worth fighting for.
It matters, he said, as “California meant to America what America means to the world.” He added,”Make the dream a reality.”
WOLF ACTIVITIES were reported on by Supervisor Paul Roen during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on November 4th in Downieville. Roen stated they were finally successful in seeking action and California Department of Fish and Wildlife in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lethally removed four gray wolves from the Beyem Seyo Pack as reported in a CDFW press release on October 24th. Roen said, since this action there has been significant improvement with only one depredation which was outside of the valley.
NEW PRELIMINARY FEMA FLOOD PLAIN MAPS and amendments for Sierra Valley were discussed during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on November 4th in Downieville.
According to FEMA, Flood maps show how likely it is for an area to flood. Any place with a 1% chance or higher chance of experiencing a flood each year is considered to have a high risk. Those areas have at least a one-in-four chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage. Flood maps help mortgage lenders determine insurance requirements and help communities develop strategies for reducing their risk.
Planning Director Brandon Pangman gave background on how numerous attempts have been done to get maps for Sierra County but concerns over the accuracy and issues have had FEMA restudy it. In 2023, FEMA restudied it again, with updated technology and ground surveys, but there were still more issues. Sierra County and City of Loyalton asked engineers to look at it and finally FEMA agreed there were still problems.
The new maps were received recently. Pangman stated in his preliminary investigation of the maps they are better for Sierra Brooks and Sierraville but most of the City of Loyalton is going into the flood plain. Pangman said they would do a community meeting on the eastside and jointly with the City of Loyalton. He will try and get FEMA to attend to answer questions. He stressed that this was not a county project and doesn’t have control over changes, but can give comments. They are looking at 1 to 1-1/2 years before the maps become effective.
Nichole Johnson, Editor
Sierra Booster Newspaper
[email protected]
(530) 277-0891
After a delicious, barbecued steak dinner prepared by the Roen’s, President Dave Roberti led the evening with guest introductions which included 2nd Vice President of California Farm Bureau Ron Peterson. Ron is a dairy farmer in Stanislaus County. He stated, “It is a tough time in agriculture right now.” Two of his childhood friends’ dairies left California, relocating to other states, other dairymen have just quit due to rules, regulations and low prices. Peterson said bureaucrats outnumber us, outspend us and are going to regulate us out of business. He asked, “What are we going to do about it?” Peterson said California Farm Bureau is the voice of farmers and ranchers in this state. They are the organization that will push back. He thanked the Roberti’s for their role in keeping Plumas-Sierra Farm Bureau active here.
He talked about Prop 50, stating we need to stop this, or we won’t have a voice left. He stated the California Farm Bureau is pushing as hard as they can to protect rural counties.
Wolves were a big topic after the recent CDFW news. Peterson thanked Rancher and Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen and his group for everything they’ve done. He said the California Farm Bureau started a working group to try and work toward getting the wolves delisted. Roen stated they forced CDFW’s Director Bonham’s hand and needed to continue to push to get to Phase 3 adding there are more wolves here than they want to admit. Roen could not say enough about the support they received from the feds and Regional Director Paul Souza.
Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher stated he has the unity of all sheriffs in the state wanting a mechanism in place for management. He hoped to get some movement on it, adding Phase 3 has lethal removal and stressed the need for local control. Fisher said the communication from CDFW was “horrendous” and will continue to try and improve it.
Roen stated through the Cattlemen’s Association they are creating a small working group to make a road map for how they got here to educate other counties. He said, “We were the test case and did it right.”
Rancher and Plumas County Supervisor Dwight Ceresola talked on taking the compensation program out of CDFW’s hands. They limit confirmed and non-confirmed and takes a lot of time to get reimbursement.
Roen said they’ve asked for an independent third party and federal protocols.
President Roberti thanked them for all the many hours they put in on this issue.
Peterson closed by thanking the attendees for their membership and stated, “Things are rough out there, but together we will make it better.”
The election of Board of Directors was as follows:
Greg Gatto
Einen Grandi
Rick Leonhardt
Dr. Tanya Morgan
Greg Ramelli
Benjamin Roberti
Dave Roberti
Jane Roberti
Paul Roen
Voting Delegates are Dave Roberti, President and Paul Roen. Alternates are Jane Roberti and Sheri Roen
Retired Directors: Dave Goicoechea, Russell Reed, Rick Roberti and Weston Roberti were thanked for their many years of service.
Plumas Bank was recognized for their generous contribution as well as Hunt & Sons who contributed several door prizes and gun oil who was represented by Don Harnach.
The meeting concluded with many raffle prizes won.
GREEN WASTE in Calpine was brought up during the Board of Supervisors meeting on November 4th. Supervisor Paul Roen stated he’s been getting questions on the burn pile and asked about the status.
Public Works Director Bryan Davey said they are going to start burning and just received their required Air Resources Permit. As soon as they are able to reduce the piles, they will start accepting green waste from residents for free at the transfer stations.
He stated they were preparing to start burning at Ramshorn that day or the next and added residents can burn green waste at their homes right now.
CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET SPONSOR
Jessica Folchi, Host of Christmas on Main Street and Dana McAdams, Deputy Director, addressed the Council about sponsorship “to decorate a little more.” The family friendly 2nd annual event starts with the 24th annual Christmas Craft Fair at the Assembly of God Church Hall from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day includes “Sip & Stroll” with open house at businesses and the Christmas Market at Sierra Valley Home Center and Lombardi Mercantile. Loyalton Thrift Store, the Milton Gottardi Museum and the Loyalton Library will all be open! There’s a treasure hunt with a grand prize! Sue recommended they take $100 from the Transient Occupancy Tax Fund. That prompted members to each contribute; Jerry $100; Bill $100; Sue $100 and Joy and Joe each $50. Through discussion, it was decided
individuals each donate $80 to make $400 and with the City’s $100, make a $500 donation which makes them a Gold Sponsor with featured post on social media and website, on the event map, a Treasure Hunt participant, free customization on merchandise, continued holiday advertisement post event, commemorative framed picture of the event, a free event merchandise item and made a Top Sponsor recognition across media.
A RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION honoring Garitt Cox for his long-standing career with United Parcel Service (UPS) and his exceptional dedication and service to the residents of western Sierra County was presented to him during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Downieville on November 4th.
The Resolution was read by Supervisor Lila Heuer and states in part:
Garitt Cox began his career with UPS in October 1990 and officially retired on September 1, 2025, after nearly 35 years of devoted service.
Garitt first began “relief driving” in Sierra County for Al McConnell in 1997, and in September 2020, following the retirement of Kevin Miller, his seniority allowed him to bid the Sierra County route and make it his home until his retirement.
Through his kindness, reliability, and genuine concern for the people he served, Garitt make a lasting impact on countless lives throughout the rural western communities of Sierra County.
Residents and businesses could always depend on Garitt, and his familiar brown UPS truck, to deliver essential medical supplies, critical repair parts, and other items that might otherwise have been beyond reach.
Rain, snow, steep grades, and winding roads were never an obstacle to Garitt’s commitment to serving his customers, and his hard work, friendly spirit, and dedication earned the respect and gratitude of all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Everyone he encountered on a delivery has a “Garitt story” to tell, of a friendly smile, a kind word, and a dependable presence who brightened even the most remote doorsteps of Sierra County.
Garitt thanked everyone in western Sierra County which he called a very special area, where the whole community shows love. He said Sierra County is so much more than the beauty that people see. Unless you immerse yourself, you don’t feel the love and see Sierra County for what it truly is; a sense of community and family. He was very honored and blessed that he made Sierra County his final home. Garitt thanked them for accepting him and making him part of the family.
Due to the current Federal Shutdown, CalFresh benefits for the month of November have been suspended.
Sierra County Social Services Director Lori McGee issued a statement read by Supervisor Sharon Dryden (shown below) during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday, November 4th.
The United States Department of Agriculture responded to a Temporary Restraining Order issued Friday, October 31, 2026 by a Rhode Island judge ordering the USDA to produce a plan for issuing SNAP benefits. In their response, the USDA confirmed that it intends to issue partial benefits utilizing existing contingency funds available.
If this proposal is accepted by the courts, and once funds are made available by the federal government, it is anticipated that it will still take 1-3 weeks for benefits to be loaded onto cards in and likely staggered over a 10-day period of from the date issuance begins.
Here locally in Sierra County, 335 individuals receive food assistance. Sierra County Social Services has sent out mailers to each of our families that are impacted, and are working closely with community based organizations, and other county departments to identify other resources that may to be available to these households to lessen the impact of the suspension of SNAP benefits.
Sierra County Social Services can be reached directly by those households impacted. The County website has also been updated to provide information on our local food banks' locations and days of operation.
Supervisor Terry LeBlanc added Gonzo’s Litte Frosty in Loyalton has been handing out free hot dogs and quesadillas to those needing a meal.
STEVE HILTON of Fox news fame and most recently, candidate for Governor of California, was guest speaker at Sierra Valley Grange Hall in Vinton on Saturday, October 25, hosted by Plumas County and Gold Nugget Republican Women Federated.
He seemed truly appreciative of the “magnificent landscape,” the “lovely feeling” of home, the work given the beautiful arrangements, table settings, and amazing food. Steve spoke fondly of his friend, the late Charlie Kirk and how he loved California. Steven entered his campaign the end of April and said he was “going to win it for Charlie.”
Steve told how the details of this meeting showed care, love, respect and pride and told the crowd, “This is what we need for California.”
Steve talked about how he’s very proud of being a U.S. citizen and how his family had fled communism in Hungary. He’d been raised with a work ethic of earning it and working hard. His step-father, at age 14, heard on the radio the Russians were coming and fled, being shot at, to the Austrian border.
He had been inspired by Margaret Thatcher in starting his own business and found how hard it is to make a change in government beaucracy.
In 2012 he moved to California with the opportunity at Fox News and The Next Revolution started. He told how California isn’t working. “The rich get richer and the working people get screwed.” From the audience, Kathleen Brazzo told how killing the timber industry “killed us.”
Steve agreed, adding the pain of driving 3-4 hours hammered by the highest gas prices. “It is crippling,” he stated. He told of getting rid of the ridiculous environmental rules and regulations, with the highest electricity rates in the country with wind and solar, lawsuits just for regular business, high unemployment, highest poverty, worst 3rd grade reading in America, lowest home ownership, boys and girls sports “Unacceptable;” homelessness and the crime explosion with tens of thousands dangerous criminals released, “Totally avoidable,”along with healthcare for illegals.
Proud to be a U.S citizen, he stated he renounced his UK citizenship, having to pay for it to leave.
Having a show of hands of who had voted, he encouraged each to check in with ten others to defeat Prop. 50. He stated if everyone who voted for Trump, voted for him, he’ll win with 2,000 votes to spare. He stated he’d restore spirit and reality.
Under question by Plumas County Supervisor Jeff Engel, about the wolves and Steve asked why ranchers, who know the land and environment, can’t be trusted. He questioned from where enforcement comes and told of the approach of appointing people who have common sense.
He talked about how California is the world leader in fruit & nuts, being unmatched with oldest, biggest and tallest trees and felt the “Land of Opportunity and Plenty” was worth fighting for.
It matters, he said, as “California meant to America what America means to the world.” He added,”Make the dream a reality.”
WOLF ACTIVITIES were reported on by Supervisor Paul Roen during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on November 4th in Downieville. Roen stated they were finally successful in seeking action and California Department of Fish and Wildlife in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lethally removed four gray wolves from the Beyem Seyo Pack as reported in a CDFW press release on October 24th. Roen said, since this action there has been significant improvement with only one depredation which was outside of the valley.
NEW PRELIMINARY FEMA FLOOD PLAIN MAPS and amendments for Sierra Valley were discussed during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on November 4th in Downieville.
According to FEMA, Flood maps show how likely it is for an area to flood. Any place with a 1% chance or higher chance of experiencing a flood each year is considered to have a high risk. Those areas have at least a one-in-four chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage. Flood maps help mortgage lenders determine insurance requirements and help communities develop strategies for reducing their risk.
Planning Director Brandon Pangman gave background on how numerous attempts have been done to get maps for Sierra County but concerns over the accuracy and issues have had FEMA restudy it. In 2023, FEMA restudied it again, with updated technology and ground surveys, but there were still more issues. Sierra County and City of Loyalton asked engineers to look at it and finally FEMA agreed there were still problems.
The new maps were received recently. Pangman stated in his preliminary investigation of the maps they are better for Sierra Brooks and Sierraville but most of the City of Loyalton is going into the flood plain. Pangman said they would do a community meeting on the eastside and jointly with the City of Loyalton. He will try and get FEMA to attend to answer questions. He stressed that this was not a county project and doesn’t have control over changes, but can give comments. They are looking at 1 to 1-1/2 years before the maps become effective.
Nichole Johnson, Editor
Sierra Booster Newspaper
[email protected]
(530) 277-0891
