| Click the button below to search for articles... View News Items from prior months... June 2021 July 2020 June 2016 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 July 2013 June 2013 March 2013 February 2013 November 2012 October 2012 August 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 November 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 October 2010 September 2010 February 2010 January 2010 | Consumer Alert: California Newspaper Subscription Scam SAN FRANCISCO – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued a consumer alert to Californians regarding a recent scam involving fake newspaper subscription mailings. Individuals throughout California have recently received deceptive mailings that claim to be bills, invoices or renewal notices for newspaper subscriptions. The mailings may appear to be legitimate renewal notices from a local newspaper, but they are most likely a scam and should be ignored and reported. Seniors should be especially wary, as they are frequently targeted by scams of this nature. WHAT TO LOOK FOR: The deceptive notices may contain the following information: The words “Notice of Renewal,” or “New Order”; A company name that has words such as “Publishers,” “Billing,” “Services,” “Payment,” or “Circulation” in its name; A official-looking “Control Number”; Statements encouraging consumers to lock in their “low rates”; Small print on the back of the invoices stating that they come from someone other than the publisher; A self-addressed, postage unpaid envelope bearing a Post Office box or other mailing address that is located in a different state than the publisher; The notices offer renewals and new subscriptions at highly inflated prices —in some cases nearly twice the actual renewal cost; Subscribers have reported receiving these deceptive notices outside their regular billing periods, and sometimes after they have already renewed their subscriptions. WHAT TO DO: If you receive a suspicious subscription notice, do not pay it. Consider canceling the order if you believe you may have already paid a suspicious renewal notice. If you have a question about whether your subscription is expiring or needs to be renewed you should contact your newspaper publisher directly. Contact information is generally available in your newspaper, and on the newspaper’s official web site. Consumers who receive a deceptive renewal notice should file a complaint with their newspaper. They can also file a complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at http://ehome.uspis.gov/fcsexternal/default.aspx and with the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/. California consumers can also file a complaint with the California Attorney General’s Office at: https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company. Be sure to attach a copy of the deceptive notice to your complaint. Published: 10/31/14 SIERRA COUNTY SUPERVISORS' SALARIES A SECOND READING and adoption of an ordinance to amend sections of Sierra County Code pertaining to salaries and benefits for County Supervisors was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisor’s meeting on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 in Loyalton. County Counsel’s assistant Rhetta stated that if there were any edits to the ordinance it would not be able to be passed until next meeting. Supervisor Scott Schlefstein had an edit in a form of a motion and wanted to increase the salary of the Supervisors from $2,237.40 to $3,227.40 a month beginning December 25, 2014. He stated this would cover the costs that had been cut from the increasing health insurance and the 4% for PERS or $129 would be added on June 25th, 2015. Supervisor Lee Adams said that would be an increase to the General Fund over $51,000 a year, and added with this motion we are treating ourselves differently than we treated our employees. Supervisor Jim Beard seconded the motion, but the motion failed with Supervisors Adams, Peter Huebner, and Chair Paul Roen voting no. Supervisor Huebner then made a motion to the original ordinance which increases the Supervisor’s salary 2% on December 25, 2014 and an additional 2% June 25, 2015 both of which hinge on the Secure Rural Schools reauthorization. Huebner’s motion failed to get a second, so the motion died as well as any increase to the Supervisor’s salaries. Published: 10/22/14 Why Conserve? Information taken from www.saveourh2o.org and http://ca.gov/drought/topstory/top-story-14.html Here in the upper Feather River Watershed the hint of fall colors, cooler temperatures, and a few autumn rain showers make it easy to forget we are still in a serious drought. But the fact remains that the drought is so severe throughout the state that Governor Brown just recently issued an executive order streamlining efforts to provide water to families in dire need. The order makes funding available through the California Disaster Assistance Act to provide water for drinking and sanitation to households currently without running water. This is hard to fathom for those in the upper watersheds who have not experienced such ominous conditions, and is a stark reminder that we must all continue to do our part to conserve water. Even in normal water years, some areas of the state find it difficult to meet all water demands. Water deliveries have been permanently reduced due to environmental concerns from some key water projects, while other systems struggle with aging infrastructure and other challenges. Major concerns include the ever growing state population creating more demand on our water supplies, while our supply is predicted to shrink by as much as 25% by 2050 due to changes in rain and snowfall patterns affecting the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada. Experts say the changing precipitation patterns will result in longer periods of drought. Californians cannot continue to take their water supply for granted. While state and local leaders continue to work on long-term solutions to our water challenges, saving water on a daily basis helps to stretch our supply. In wet years, it helps keep water in reservoirs for the inevitable dry years to come. In dry times, like now, conservation is a critical tool to help ensure that we have enough water for our communities, environment, farms and other important parts of our economy. It’s easy for every Californian—young and old—to save water every day. The good news is there are lots of simple ways to reduce the amount of water we use at home, both inside and outside. If we all work together, we can make a difference for California’s future. Tour the California Urban Water Conservation Council’s interactive H2ouse at http://www.h2ouse.org/tour/index.cfm to learn more ways to save water indoors and outdoors! Published: 10/20/14 Don't Be Scared - Be Prepared! September was Preparedness Month. October is the time for a plan to be put in motion, although humans resist planning. Pet Parents must be the ALPHA in emergency situations…especially when panic sets in. Peggy Rew, a Sparks-based American Red Cross Dog & Cat First Aid & CPR Instructor, recently taught a class in Loyalton thanks to Niecea Freeman and her family of furry friend lovers. Rew has submitted a preparedness article for your information. Secured at home: ~ Be sure all pets are micro-chipped or at least, have a collar and identification. ~ With any weather changes, bring pets inside the house or garage and are easy to locate in case you have to evacuate. Dogs will panic and run while cats hide in fear. ~ Don’t be surprised if pets hide in tubs or dark closets. Movement items: ~ Leashes, collars, blankets, kennels, crates for all pets. Dogs, cats, ferrets, pet pigs, and birds can be transported in a dog crate, but practice, practice, practice loading all pets before you have to go. Get them comfortable by leaving the crates out where they can investigate inside and out. Cats can be easily ‘poured’ into a crate from the top rather than shoved. Crates usually remind them of something unpleasant like going to the Vet, so give them a chance to make it their ‘safe’ place. ~ Calming Aids: Benadryl is a great calming aid for pets and people. Keep fresh lavender, mint & chamomile and a bandana in a Ziploc. Put the bandana on your pet and the calming will start. Whole Foods has a spray form of lavender, but get it in advance. Life’s Abundance has a Soothing Mist that works well, too. www.rewcrew.com Nutrition supplies: ~ Pet food, bottled water, chicken broth, Pedia-Lyte for hydration; manual can opener; dishes; treats; medication/allergy list; toys for distraction; kitty litter and box. Keep emergency pet food kits ready at home as well as at friends’ or relatives’ homes in case you end up there, but be sure it’s fresh. Yes, this will require you to check it and date it every few months. Pet boarding options: ~ Evacuation centers: Find the closest one, though many sites can’t take pets into the facility, so be prepared with other options. ~ Out of your area: Make a list of pet-friendly hotels or boarding kennels far away from the affected area like Truckee, Roseville, Fernley, Fallon, Reno, Carson City, Portola, etc. ~ Washoe County Regional Animal Services (775.322.3647) and outlining county Animal Rescue Agencies keep a list of boarding options if they can’t board your pet. Many local facilities offer free boarding when emergencies occur. ~ Although keeping the family together is preferred, be ready to separate pets if needed. Ask family members which of your pets they can take, if needed. Injury Preparedness: ~ First Aid kits for your human family and one for your furry kids with photos of each pet. ~ Include a list of behavioral issues (thunder, chemical allergies, etc.) if boarding is needed. ~ Panic can cause injury: don’t be scared, be prepared. ~ Not sure how to build a first aid kit or how to care for an injured pet? ~ Come to Dog & Cat First Aid & CPR classes. Host one for your group of friends, family or community. After the fact: Some pets may experience a variety of behavioral issues after an emergency. Be their eyes, ears, and nose until everyone is settled back home, but be aware this can take a while. Pets can not tell you if they are upset or anxious, so please, please keep watch on them until you feel they have settled down. You may need a simple ‘Vet Check’ just to make sure they are ok. Peggy Rew is a Sparks, NV-based American Red Cross Dog & Cat First Aid & CPR Instructor and travels nationwide. Her students include: ~ Northern Nevada and Northern California Pet Parents, Doggie Daycare Employees, and Rescue Groups ~ Denver-based Canine Companion Puppy Raisers & Handlers & Craig Hospital Employees/Volunteers ~ National Guide Dog Users and Puppy Raisers ~ The Shining Stars Youth Cancer Foundation in Colorado Dog & Cat First Aid & CPR classes is the best two hours you’ll spend to be prepared for your furry family. The education will last a lifetime. Interested in hosting a class? Contact Peggy Rew. Cost: $35 for one certificate or $45 for both certificates. Rew is also a published wordsmith/poet who felt a Dog Bite Prevention Educational Coloring Book was needed for anyone who interacts with dogs or for people who don’t understand dogs. She is part of the Art Paws organizing team; a local educator; professional pet nanny; pet rescue group liaison; and Life’s Abundance distributor of Planet-friendly products for pets and people. Life Abundance’s Soothing Mist is another amazing calming aid. Published: 10/10/14 Friends of Independence Lake, Inc. is a Non-Profit! We at Friends of Independence Lake, Inc., continue to work to keep our public roads, lands, and lakes open to the public. Until now, it has been three couples spending tens of thousands of our own individual funds to fight for these rights. The public support has been invaluable to us, knowing that we are helping the coming generations to have the same type of access that we have had throughout our lifetimes. We appreciate you all "having our backs" while we waded through the legal issues, the countless meetings, and the frustrating slowness of the process to try and keep access to Independence Lake. Friends of Independence Lake, Inc., is now a California State and Federal Non-Profit, enjoying 501(c)(3) status. We can now accept tax-deductible donations to our cause. As our tax year draws to a close, and the potential to return full public access to Independence Lake draws closer, we need your help in funding this fight. If you would like to donate, please visit our website: www.friendsofindependencelake.com and click on the "donate" button near the welcome banner. You can donate by credit card, PayPal account, or you can send us a check to: FOIL, P.O. Box 1064, Loyalton, CA 96118-1064. All of us so appreciate your help and your funds! We promise to continue the fight to keeping our public roads, lands, and lakes open to the public, starting with Independence Lake! Gratefully, Julie Osburn CFO, Friends of Independence Lake, Inc. Published: 10/08/14 Dahle reforms of SRA fee become law AB 2048 waives fee in disasters, reduces late penalties A measure sponsored by Assemblyman Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, to reform the state’s “fire prevention fee” will become law. The Governor signed Assembly Bill 2048 on Tuesday, fixing some of the worst parts of the Cal Fire “fire prevention fee” imposed on residents of the mostly rural State Responsibility Area. It waives the fee for homeowners who lose their residence to a wildfire or other natural disaster – commonsense relief that was not allowed under the original legislation. It reduces a steep penalty for late payment -- 20 percent per month – to just 10 percent, in line with other state fees. It ends mandatory annual increases for inflation. And it streamlines appeal procedures. “Like most North State residents, I’d rather see the fee simply repealed,” Dahle said. “In the meantime, this bill reforms some of the worst aspects of the fee. In particular, it was egregious that the law taxed homeowners who’d lost their homes to fire.” Assemblyman Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, represents the 1st Assembly District, which includes Shasta, Lassen, Nevada, Siskiyou, Modoc, Plumas and Sierra counties, and portions of Butte and Placer counties. Published: 10/02/14 |