| 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 | Nine Dahle bills pass Legislature Measures cut red tape to promote rural health care, sound forestry SACRAMENTO -- With the end of the California Legislature’s 2015 session in sight, nine bills introduced by Assemblyman Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, have passed both houses of the legislature. Reflecting his priority of building up the rural North State’s economy, Dahle’s legislation promotes sensible forestry and tourism, the preservation of the rural health care safety net, and the streamlining of burdensome anti-business regulations. With record setting State Revenue, Dahle did not vote to increase taxes. “It’s been a challenging year in Sacramento,” Dahle said, “but I am happy to have won bipartisan support for practical bills that cut red tape and make life better for Northstate families. There is still much that needs to be done to help the tens of thousands of people living in poverty in California.” The following 2015 bills have already been signed into law by the Governor: Assembly Bill 1290 allows Mayers Memorial Hospital in Fall River Mills to save time and money by constructing its new hospital building using design-build contracting. This will speed the development of a modern, earthquake-safe hospital to serve eastern Shasta County and the surrounding region while reducing costs. Assembly Bill 417 provides additional flexibility to the Board of Forestry to write tree replanting standards that reflect on-the-ground conditions instead of one-size-fits-all rules. AB 417 ensures the state government does not force landowners to plant too many trees that suck up ground water and then burn down. Assembly Bill 223 gives businesses in the town of Truckee the opportunity to once again participate in the Business Logo Signing Program along Interstate 80. The removal of freeway signs and the construction of the Truckee Bypass has caused a steep drop in sales at affected businesses and harmed the economy of the Town of Truckee, which sponsored the bill. Assembly Bill 985 reforms the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to add members of the Legislature as liaisons to the Conservancy’s board. This will help make the board more accountable to the people. Assembly Bill 1004 updates the mission of the California Tahoe Conservancy to ensure its goals align with those of the 2014 Water Bond and other state priorities, and clarifies that the Conservancy may not sell property obtained via government eminent domain. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 53 honors Richard M. “Dick” Dickerson by designating a memorial highway in his honor on Highway 44 in Redding. Dickerson was a member of the Assembly, Shasta County supervisor, Redding City Council member, and long-time law enforcement officer who dedicated a lifetime to public service. In addition, three bills have passed the Legislature and await the Governor’s signature: Assembly Bill 264 streamlines the regulation of California seed dealers by eliminating a redundant layer of bureaucracy by the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Market Enforcement Branch. Assembly Bill 429 provides a preference, in state purchasing, for California-grown lumber, so the state government supports forest workers who have to meet the state’s strict environmental standards that other states and countries do not. This bill has been opposed by the Canadian government but received no “no” votes in either house. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 22 designates the week of Sept. 13 through Sept. 19 as Sierra Nevada Watershed Protection Week. The resolution promotes the Great Sierra River Cleanup and encourages greater cooperation among federal, state and local agencies to restore the Sierra’s fire-prone forests to a healthier and safer state. Most of California’s water supply originates in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Federal Government continues to mismanage public lands in a way that is detrimental to the environment and economy of Northern California. Assemblyman Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, represents California’s 1st Assembly District, including all or parts of Butte, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra and Siskiyou counties. __________________ Published: 09/10/15 California's Rural Counties Unite in Urging Congress to Fully Fund Federal PILT RCRC Delegate Represents 30 Rural Counties During NACo Fly-In SACRAMENTO, CA – September 09, 2015 – The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) announced today that 30 California counties have adopted resolutions urging Congress to reauthorize and fully fund the Federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Mariposa County Supervisor Kevin Cann joins the National Association of Counties (NACo) in Washington, D.C. this week armed with these resolutions, urging Congress to fully fund Federal PILT. Federal PILT funding mitigates the impact to county governments and schools from the losses in property taxes due to nontaxable Federal lands within local government boundaries – a loss totaling an average of more than $40 million to California’s counties annually. “Federal PILT is a critical funding source for California’s counties, particularly as many rural counties contain significant federal landholdings, and Federal PILT counts as a sizeable share of their county services budget,” said Lee Adams, RCRC Chair and Sierra County Supervisor. “Failure to reauthorize and fully fund the program will result in diminished funding for essential services such as law enforcement, firefighting, search-and-rescue operations, construction and maintenance of roads, and many other vital local services.” Counties that contain National Forests, National Parks, lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, lands dedicated for Federal water use, National Wildlife Reserves, and inactive or semi-active Army installations are eligible for Federal PILT payments. Supervisor Cann and other Supervisors/Commissioners from the 13 Western States will be on hand in Washington, D.C. advocating for Federal PILT funding through the end of the week. Through RCRC, 30 California counties have adopted resolutions urging Congress to reauthorize and fully fund Federal PILT. The 30 California counties that have adopted individual resolutions this year include Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Lake, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Napa, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yuba, and Yolo. Published: 09/09/15 Plant Now for a Beautiful Garden Now and in the Future By Melinda Myers Don’t pack away that shovel and trowel. Fall is a great time to plant a few new additions in the landscape. Here are just a few ideas for adding immediate and long term beauty to your garden. Add cool season annuals like pansies, snapdragons, ornamental kale and stocks to brighten the fall garden. Those in milder regions will enjoy them throughout the winter. Consider adding cold hardy pansies. They provide color in the fall garden, survive most winters, and are back blooming in the spring just as the snow melts. Fall is also a good time to plant perennials, trees and shrubs. The soil is warm and the air cooler, so the plants are less stressed and establish more quickly. Select plants suited to the growing conditions and be sure to give them plenty of room to reach their mature size. Plant trees so the root flare, the place where the roots curve away from the trunk, is even with the soil surface. Dig a hole, the same depth as the rootball, and two to five times wider. Roughen the sides of the hole and backfill with the existing soil. Water thoroughly and spread a two to three inch layer of mulch over the soil surface, keeping the mulch away from the tree trunk. Follow a similar planting procedure for shrubs. Plant these so the crown, the place where the stems meet the roots, is even with the soil surface. And be sure to keep the mulch away from the stems. Plant daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and other bulbs in fall for extra color next spring. Set the bulbs at a depth of two to three times their height deep. Then cover them with soil and sprinkle on a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer, like Milorganite (milorganite.com). This organic nitrogen fertilizer promotes rooting without stimulating fall growth subject to winter kill. Start planting spring flowering bulbs after the nighttime temperatures hover between 40 and 50 degrees. Be patient – waiting until the soil cools reduces the risk of early sprouting that often occurs during a warm fall. Those gardening in the far south and along the gulf coast can purchase pre-cooled bulbs to compensate for the warm winters. Or the chilling can be done at home by storing the bulbs in a 35 to 45 degree location for at least 14 weeks before planting. Those tired of battling the animals may want to plant resistant bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths, Fritillaria, alliums, Camassia, glory-of-the snow, snow drops, squills, and grape hyacinths. You may find it is easier to avoid the problem than battle the animals with repellents and scare tactics. Plant a few short season vegetables in your garden for fresh-from-the garden flavor this fall. Simply count the days from planting to the average first fall frost to determine how many growing days are left in your area. Select vegetables that will mature and can be harvested in that amount of time. Leaf lettuce, spinach, mustard greens, radishes and carrots are fast growing, cool weather tolerant vegetables that make great additions to the fall garden and your dinner plate. Get these vegetables off to a good start with a side dressing of low nitrogen fertilizer. Incorporate it into the soil prior to planting or sprinkle a narrow band along the row of plants. This organic nitrogen will provide needed nutrients without damaging the tender seedlings. Extend the harvest season with the help of floating row covers. These fabrics allow air, light and water through while trapping the heat around the plants. No construction is needed; just loosely cover the plants with the fabric, secure the edges with pipes, boards or landscape staples and let the plants provide the support. So be sure to get a jump on next spring’s garden season with a bit of fall planting now. Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For Everyone” DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments. Myers is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ web site, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips. Published: 09/09/15 LOYALTON ROTARY MEETING CANCELLED IN HONOR OF DICK "TWIGGY" WIGGIN "It is with profound sadness that I must inform you all that this morning we lost our dear Twiggy," was sent out to Rotary members over the loss of Dick "Twiggy" Wiggin of Chilcoot. She later wrote, "This day has turned out more difficult then expected, for myself as well as I am sure for many of you who loved and adored Twiggy. It is because of this grief and more so because of the love and respect we all have for Twiggy that tonight, September 3, 2015, The Rotary Club of Loyalton will remain dark, there will be no meeting." Published: 09/03/15 Assemblyman Travis Allen Blasts the Governor for Wanting to Raise Taxes on All Californians Assembly Republicans introduced a $6.6 billion transportation plan in June that would not raise taxes on California families SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Allen issued the following statement regarding Governor Brown finally chiming in on California’s transportation funding problem: “The proposal that the Governor unveiled today shows that he agrees with Republicans that CalTrans needs to become more efficient to save Californians money. However, the Governor and the Democrats in the Legislature can’t resist their desire to raise taxes,” said Assemblyman Travis Allen. “The Republicans in the Legislature have put forward a plan that would get families out of traffic, repair our roads and bridges, and not raise taxes on a single person.” A new poll released yesterday shows that 63% of California voters oppose the Democrats’ plan to increase state gas taxes. The poll is in response to the Democrats committing to a 12 cent per gallon tax increase, a “road access charge” of $35 per vehicle annually, and a $35 increase on vehicle registration. The Governor’s proposal contains similar costs on California’s families in the form of a gas and diesel tax increase, coupled with a $65 “highway user fee”. “Simply put, the Republican transportation plan was put forward almost two months ago. We stand with the people of California who are missing time with their families, at work, and in their day to day lives due to traffic; the same people who want our roads fixed without the government once again reaching into their pocketbooks,” said Assemblyman Travis Allen. Published: 09/03/15 Loyalton Lab Changes: Eastern Plumas Health Care, Loyalton patients need to go to the Loyalton Clinic for their blood draws from now on. The SNF/hospital will no longer be doing blood draws. Hours/days: 8:30am - 12:00pm, Mon. - Thurs. Walk-ins are accepted, but the Loyalton clinic requests that you call ahead if possible: 993.1231. Published: 09/02/15 Dahle Calls on Democrats to Stop Tax Drive California drivers need bureaucratic reform, not still higher taxes SACRAMENTO – On the 75th day of the transportation special session, Assemblyman Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, and his fellow Assembly Republicans are calling on the Democrats to stop their push for still more taxes and fees on already strapped California drivers and instead fast-track the Assembly Republican plan to fix California’s roads. The Republican roadmap is stuck in legislative gridlock while Democrats hold partisan press conferences around the state, the latest of which took place in Fresno on Friday. The 9-point plan, unveiled by Assembly Republicans on June 29, would generate $6.6 billion in annual funding for roads and highways without new taxes. The Assembly GOP plan is the only comprehensive transportation funding plan on the table. It was endorsed on Friday by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. “California’s drivers already pay among the nation’s highest fuel taxes, including new cap-and-trade charges that took effect this year, but suffer some of America’s worst maintained roads,” Dahle said. “The Republican plan would use existing funds and streamline California’s costly bureaucratic system to ensure taxpayers get their money’s worth.” Today marks 75 days since the special legislative session on transportation first convened. During that time, Assembly Democrats have held partisan events in the Bay Area, Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Meanwhile, they have not presented a comprehensive plan on how to fully fund California’s transportation needs. Despite a $4 billion surplus and a record state budget, Democrats failed to make transportation a budget priority this year. Published: 09/01/15 HUNGER THROUGHOUT HUNGER ACTION MONTH FOOD BANK OF NORTHERN NEVADA AND FEEDING AMERICA NETWORK RAISE AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE OF HUNGER THROUGHOUT HUNGER ACTION MONTH Hunger-Relief Organizations Encourage the Public to Join Spoontember this September and Support the 49 Million People Who Struggle with Hunger in America . McCarran, NV, September 1, 2015 – Food Bank of Northern Nevada , a member of the Feeding America® nationwide network of food banks, will observe Hunger Action MonthTM – a nationwide initiative designed to mobilize the public to take action on the issue of hunger and join the movement to help end hunger. Hunger advocates from northern Nevada and across the country are working together this September to shine a light on the issue of hunger and the 1 in 6 people who face hunger in America – including 105,320 here in northern Nevada. “One in 6 people, including 43,360 children in northern Nevada struggle with hunger, and Food Bank of Northern Nevada is eager to rally around Hunger Action Month as we continue our fight to solve this issue,” said Cherie Jamason, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. “Hunger is an issue that affects everyone – our child’s classmate, an office coworker or neighbor down the street. September is an opportunity for all hunger-relief advocates to take simple steps towards supporting those in need.” The Feeding America network of food banks also is participating in the new SpoontemberTM online initiative. To get involved, supporters can share a ‘spoon selfie’ or video of themselves balancing a spoon on their nose – a utensil that is most often used to prepare and provide food for others – and challenge friends and family to join them to generate awareness of the 49 million Americans who may not know where they’ll find their next meal. In addition, Food Bank of Northern Nevada will commemorate Hunger Action Day®, which will be held Thursday, September 3. Hunger Action Day is an opportunity for the country to learn more about how hunger affects their community. Hunger advocates are encouraged to wear orange, post selfies, and use the hashtags #hungeraction, and #spoontember. “Domestic hunger affects every community in our nation, preventing millions of families, seniors and children from thriving,” said Matt Knott, president of Feeding America. “This September we all are given a chance to come together and make a difference for those facing hunger." Food Bank of Northern Nevada is providing several opportunities for community members to get involved in Hunger Action Month in northern Nevada: · Thursday, September 3 - Go Orange and spread the word! Post your #spoontember selfie. · The month of September also kicks off Bank of America’s Give a Meal Campaign. This campaign allows donors to amplify their donations through a 2 to 1 match! Individuals can donate to the campaign online by visiting feedingamerica.org/bankofamerica to help support the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. For every $1 donated through Give A Meal, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will give $2 more, up to $1.5 million across the nation - giving donors the opportunity to triple their impact. · Run on Tuna Garage Sale: Saturday, September 12 from 7 am – 3 pm, located at 588 Marsh Avenue, Reno, NV 89509. Shoppers can exchange tuna for “tuna bucks” to buy items or pay with cash that will be used to buy tuna. All tuna raised will be donated to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. · Thursday, September 17 – Under Shelter: The Power Within at the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. A very special evening of art and entertainment with the beautiful images in the exhibit by Judy Schott featuring portraits of people living in family shelters. The event is from 5:30 -8:30 pm with a suggested donation of $10. Proceeds to benefit the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and Volunteers of America. RSVP for this event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/under-shelter-the-power-within-tickets-18264335118 · Volunteer – Each contribution of time by volunteers sorting and packing food makes such a huge difference in the lives of families receiving food assistance. Visit http://fbnn.org for more information or email Mary Burdick at maburdick@fbnn.org to sign up. · Beginning Saturday, September 26 – The Food Bank themed Andelin Family Farms corn maze. Get $1 off admission into the maze with a food donation through October 31. Visit http://www.andelinfamilyfarm.com/ for more information. · All Month – Kimmie Candy is selling special Hunger Action Month ChocoRocks® with 100% of the profits going to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. Candy can be purchased online at https://www.shopkimmiecandy.com/. · Squeeze In – Visit any of the three Reno/Sparks locations of Squeeze In, donate tuna to the Food Bank and receive double points in their Egghead loyalty program. Locations can be found at Squeezein.com · Kings Row Pet Hospital Tuna Drive – Donate 3 cans of unexpired tuna and receive $5.00 off your vet bill. Donate six cans and receive $10 off your bill! More about Kings Row Pet Hospital here: http://krphvets.com/. Details and additional Hunger Action Month activities can be found at fbnn.org. Individuals can also help show their support for hunger relief and Spoontember by joining the Hunger Action Month Thunderclap on Hunger Action Day, Thursday September 3, at 12pm EST. By visiting the Hunger Action Month Thunderclap https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/29835-spoontember advocates can synchronize a Thunderclap Facebook and Twitter message to be shared in tandem with thousands of others to raise awareness about domestic hunger. Food Bank of Northern Nevada is one of 200 member Feeding America food banks, which serves every county in the United States and provides over 3 billion meals each year to Americans in need. Published: 09/01/15 Tahoe National Forest Launches Every Kid in a Park Pass Fourth graders, their families eligible for free access to Federal lands, waters nationwide NEVADA CITY, Calif. – The Tahoe National Forest is proud to help launch the Every Kid in a Park program, as part of President Obama’s commitment to protect our nation’s unique outdoor spaces and ensure that every American has the opportunity to visit and enjoy them. Starting today, fourth graders nationwide can visit the new Every Kid in a Park website to obtain a pass that provides free access to students and their families to all federally-managed lands and waters – including national forests, grasslands, wildlife refuges and waters. The pass is valid for the 2015-2016 school year and grants free entry for fourth graders and three accompanying adults (or an entire car for drive-in parks) at more than 2,000 federally-managed sites. “The Every Kid in a Park initiative will help plant seeds of knowledge, respect and understanding of the natural world into the minds and hearts of children. Cultivating a generation of children who understand the importance of natural resources, like those so plentiful in our Nation's forests and grasslands, will continue the Forest Service's legacy to manage the land for the 'greatest good for the greatest number in the long run,'” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. The Tahoe National Forest does not charge an entrance fee. However, some developed recreation areas on the Forest charge a day use fee. The Every Kid in a Park Pass covers day use fees on the Forest. Other recreational fees, such as those at campgrounds, are not covered by the Pass. President Obama launched the Every Kid in a Park initiative earlier this year as a call to action to get all children to experience America’s unparalleled outdoors. Today, more than 80 percent of American families live in urban areas, and many lack easy access to safe outdoor spaces. At the same time, youth spend more hours than ever in front of screens instead of outside. Fourth graders can log onto the website at www.everykidinapark.gov and complete a fun educational activity in order to obtain and print their pass. Students can also trade in their paper pass for an official access card at participating federal sites nationwide. Passes are available at all Tahoe National Forest offices. Educators and community leaders can access educational activities, field trip options, and the ability to print passes for their classrooms. Parents visiting the new website can find additional links for more information on planning trips to nearby public lands. Every Kid in a Park is a crucial component of a multi-pronged approach to inspire the next generation to discover all that our nation’s public lands and waters have to offer, including opportunities to be active, spend time with friends and family, and serve as living classrooms to build critical skills. The Every Kid in a Park program is an Administration-wide effort administered in partnership with the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Education, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For 110 years, the Forest Service has been a leader in environmental education. The Forest Service has an array of programs designed to get people into the woods, especially children. The agency reaches an average of 5 million people with conservation education programs, including Children’s’ Forests, NatureWatch, and FSNatureLIVE, a series of distance learning adventures that covers topics such as climate change, pollinators, bats, and wetlands. Published: 09/01/15 |