Camino – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Amador-El Dorado Unit has announced that residential burn permits will be required effective Wednesday, May 1. Burn permits must be obtained online at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/. To acquire a permit, visit the website, watch a short educational video, and apply. The process provides the necessary […]
Posted inRegional
Lyrids Meteor Shower peaks tonight
The Lyrids meteor shower, which peaks tonight, is one of the oldest known meteor showers. The Lyrids have been observed for 2,700 years. The first recorded sighting of a Lyrid meteor shower goes back to 687 BC by the Chinese. The Lyrids are known for their fast and bright meteors. Though not as fast or […]
Posted inRegional Fires
Pendola 2024
Pendola, off Pendola Road and Weeds Point Road near Camptonville, Yuba County. Burning in brush and timber at a slow rate of spread. No structure threat. April 21, 2024 at 6:57 PM Pendola IC reports the fire now fully contained at 18.5 acres. Cause was an escaped pile burn on private property. April 21, 2024 […]
Posted inRegional
Earth Fest in Nevada City – photo gallery
April 21, 2024 – Earth Fest in Nevada City continues until 5:00 pm this Sunday. Now in its third year, Earth Fest continues to grow with a sold-out vendor line-up and numerous new activities. The event aims to inform and inspire all who attend to learn about environmental issues, and to identify solutions to climate […]
Posted inRegional
Community op-ed | Moving Forward: Fire Safe Council and County
NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. April 20, 2024 – The recent announcement by the Fire Safe Council in Nevada County (FSC) that they have “suspended operations” and “furloughed staff” and the County press release proclaiming the FSC as a “high risk vendor”, coupled with the subsequent release of the Grand Jury report, have left many wondering where […]
Posted inRegional
Op-Ed | Hank Weston: Fire Safe Council Burned by Inept Bureaucracy
What are the real impacts of the recent announcement by Fire Safe Council to furlough staff? I’ve dedicated my life to a career in public safety, civic engagement, and volunteerism. I served as a Fire Chief at CAL FIRE, was elected to the county Board of Supervisors, and was a founding member of the Fire […]
Posted inRegional
Nevada County’s Adopt-A-Road Program is great way to give back on Earth Day
Since 1996, Monique Ehrgood, owner of Miner Moe’s Pizza in Nevada City has picked up trash four times a year along a section of road between Nevada City Highway and Banner Lava Cap. For 28 years, Ehrgood and the Miner Moe’s team have served as volunteers in Nevada County’s Adopt-A-Road program committed to keeping an […]
Posted inRegional
National Take Back Day Returns April 27
North San Juan, CA – The next national Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Take Back Day is scheduled for April 27, 2024, which serves as an opportunity for community members to safely turn in unneeded medication for safe disposal. Locally, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) is offering three Take Back Day locations on April 27 […]
Posted inRegional
Nevada County Youth Commission Seeking New Members
Nevada City, CA – The Nevada County Youth Commission is seeking new members for the 2024-25 school year. The commission is looking for members ages 14-19 who live in Nevada County and/ or are enrolled in a Nevada County school system. The group serves as a bridge between young people and the Board of Supervisors […]
Posted inRegional
Free Community Green Waste Events Begin
Nevada City, CA – On Monday, Nevada County residents took advantage of the first of many upcoming opportunities to dispose of residential green waste during free drop-off hosted by Waste Management at the McCourtney Road Transfer Station. Over the coming weeks partners across Nevada County will be rolling out additional 2024 programming designed to provide […]
Posted inRegional
California Awards Nearly $192 Million to Help People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness Move from Encampments into Housing
SACRAMENTO – The California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) today announced it has awarded nearly $192 million in Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) grants for 20 projects in 17 California communities to help people experiencing unsheltered homelessness move from encampments into housing. When completed, the projects funded by the awards announced today will have provided […]
Posted inRegional
Spaulding update: One of four issues restored to half capacity by mid-June
NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. April 18, 2024 – The latest update from PG&E on the infrastructure issues at Spaulding powerhouse #1 and assorted pipes reads as follows: PG&E is proceeding with repairs to the first discharge horn and structural column so that water can begin flowing through the Spaulding 1 powerhouse as early as June 12. […]
Posted inRegional
AAUW event | Elections Confidential: An Insider’s View
You do not have to look far these days to find headlines about stolen elections and Americans’ waning confidence in the election process. While research indicates a slight rebound in election confidence in 2022, voter distrust persists across the partisan divide and among Black and Latino voters. How has our local election process shifted and […]
Posted inRegional
Nevada County Connects Offers Free Bus Fares on April 20 & 22 for Earth Day
GRASS NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. April 18, 2024 – Celebrate Earth Day; consider riding a Nevada County Connects bus on Saturday, April 20, and Monday, April 22, to help reduce carbon emissions and encourage transit use in Western Nevada County. On Earth Day, Nevada County Connects will follow regular operating hours on all routes. And the […]
Posted inRegional
Rooted in Community: Grass Valley Library’s 4th Annual Plant Swap!
The Grass Valley Library invites members of the community to participate in a delightful week of gardening and community spirit at the 4th Annual Plant Swap! From Monday, April 21st to Friday, April 26th participants can bring in their cherished green companions to the library, where they can find new homes and spread some leafy […]
Posted inRegional
Up to two-hour delays possible on I-80 between Colfax and Nevada State Line
PLACER/NEVADA/SIERRA COUNTIES – Caltrans is alerting motorists of the potential for extended delays along Interstate 80 (I-80) stretching between Colfax to the Nevada state line as several projects and emergency repairs get underway for the 2024 construction season. Once all projects are active, delays across the corridor may reach up to a maximum of two […]
Posted inWorld
UN experts deeply concerned over ‘scholasticide’ in Gaza
GENEVA (April 18, 2024) – UN experts* today expressed grave concern over the pattern of attacks on schools, universities, teachers, and students in the Gaza Strip, raising serious alarm over the systemic destruction of the Palestinian education system. “With more than 80% of schools in Gaza damaged or destroyed, it may be reasonable to ask […]
Posted inSci/Tech
Drawing a line back to the origin of life
April 18, 2024 – Scientists at the University of Cambridge suggest molecules, vital to the development of life, could have formed from a process known as graphitisation. Once verified in the laboratory, it could allow us to try and recreate plausible conditions for life’s emergence. How did the chemicals required for life get there? It […]
Posted inRegional
Final Preparations for 2024 Quilt Show are Underway
GRASS VALLEY, Calif. April 18, 2024 – What does it take to put on a Quilt Show that displays over 232 beautiful quilts, a Country Store with 22 tables of items at bargain prices, 30 exquisite Raffle Baskets, 90 Silent Auction Items, quality vendors, delicious food, special displays, and an award-winning Featured Quilter? The answer […]
Posted inRegional
CAL FIRE’s Aviation Division is geared up for fire season
CAL FIRE’s Aviation Division is preparing for fire season by conducting maintenance, training, and recertification of pilots and crews, including training for Fire Hawk pilots and crew to fly with night vision goggles.