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By Chris Neklason
Published May 13, 2024

People are nearby to throw you a line if you feel you are sinking. People are nearby to throw you a line if you feel you are sinking. Image credit: CoolR   Shutterstock/standard

May is Mental Health Month

This week, we note that May is Mental Health Month.  If you live in one of the 10 counties in our coverage area, we include links to groups focusing on supporting your health and well-being below. If not, know that your community has resources available to assist you with information a web search away.

Most importantly, if you or someone in your family is in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, call the California Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Also, as always: Peruse your cureated local News Feed; learn about a local nonprofit doing good work; and check out our Recipe of the Week.

California's Mental Health History

A harrowing number of young people report living in despair, while we witness thousands of our neighbors suffering in the streets. Jon Vankin on the unintended consequenses of a misguided health-care reform effort.

UPDATE: California’s Mental Health Crisis: How We Got Here

The California mental health crisis is tied to both homelessness and rising crime.
How the California mental health crisis emerged out of the state’s history of deinstitutionalization and laws designed to protect the mentally ill, as well as the communities around them.

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Sacramento County's Homepage
Direct your browser to https://sacramento.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Sacramento County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!

A Visitation from the Northern Lights

A mega-storm on the sun and earth's magenetic field collabroated on a show over the weekend.

Aurora Borealis in the Santa Cruz Mountains


The Northern Lights appeared in Northern and Central California Saturday night.

Sacramento County Mental Health Resources

Life is the hardest job there is. Luckily, nobody's in it on their own.

Every community is home to a network of helpers to assist when things become more than one can handle alone.

We’ve gathered a list of Sacramento County nonprofit community groups with a mission to help people through times of crisis,  ill health and the challenges of aging or past service in the military.

If things are feeling too heavy or out of control, reach out.

And if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the California suicide prevention and mental health lifeline now at 988.

Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Spring! cookbook.

Chilled asparagus soup an elegantly cool dish

Serve the soup chilled but not ice-cold for best flavor. Top with crème fraîche, chopped chives and a blanched asparagus top.
New! Spring asparagus blends well with green garlic

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Get to Know a Group

Golden Empire Council logo Golden Empire Council

The Golden Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America pursues the mission of this national organization to “instill values in young people and prepare them to make ethical choices during their lifetimes, to take leadership roles as adults, and to reach their full potential.”

→ Learn more

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From Our Media Allies

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Tahoe Daily Tribune logo PHOTOS: Northern Lights Over Lake Tahoe

A gallery of photographs of the aurora shining over Lake Tahoe.
Folsom Times logo Folsom’s Penelope Oliver Makes List of Presidential Scholars

The United States Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has announced the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars and Folsom resident Penelope Oliver is amongst the list of 161 high school seniors being recognized for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career …
Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Map Update to Existing Fire Ordinance Turns Into Wider Discussion of Fuels Reduction Efficacy

City Council unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance designating Very High Fire Severity Zones within city limits provided by CalFire. South Tahoe Fire Chief Jim Drennan explained, "This really is just a revision of the map for an …
Tahoe Daily Tribune logo TahoeAlerts: Stay Informed About Emergencies Throughout the Lake Tahoe Region

In collaboration with surrounding cities and counties, Placer County announced the launch of TahoeAlerts, an emergency notification system locator.
Tahoe Daily Tribune logo New Playground Coming to Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe

Plywood currently blocks off the entrance to the now nonexistent slide that used to carry kids down the Al Tahoe playground since it was built in the late 1990s.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Lake Tahoe Expected to Fill for First Time Since 2019

For the first time in nearly five years, Lake Tahoe is expected to fill this spring. Although the water year continues through September, the Natural Resources Conservation Service is already confident about this year's positive outlook.

Sierra Sun logo Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation to Accept Workforce Scholarship Applications

Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation will accept applications for Workforce Scholarships. Applications are open to young adults pursuing in-demand careers that benefit our region.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Mid-Town Area Plan Kicks Off at City Council

The city of South Lake Tahoe's Mid-Town Area Plan process is now underway.
Hilltromper Silicon Valley logo Tips on Ticks for Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Partly due to global warming and the proliferation of ticks, Lyme disease is the fastest growing infectious disease in the US. Here’s how to protect yourself.
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Recent Local News

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• Alpenglow Sports Sponsors Community Book Initiative

The month-long event will highlight 21 titles, with proceeds benefitting local nonprofit Clean Up the Lake.

 (05/09/2024) → South Tahoe Now

• Rattlesnake Season is Back

Expert advice on staying safe during rattlesnake season.

 (05/07/2024) → YubaNet
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (05/10/2024)

Healthwest Minerals Inc. DBA Mt Capra Products Recalls Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit and Warns Consumers Against the Use of Product as Infant Formula
Healthwest Minerals, Inc. d/b/a Mt. Capra Products of Chehalis, Washington, is recalling 1,506 boxes of Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit on the recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and advises consumers to immediately discontinue use of the product as infant formula. The FDA is conc
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/10/2024)

Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. Recalls Yogurt Covered Pretzels Because of Possible Health Risk
Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. of Ontario, CA is recalling Yogurt Covered Pretzels, because the yogurt coating has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with wea
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/10/2024)

Voluntary Recall of Select Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds Due to The Possible Presence of Salmonella
Natural Sourcing International is initiating a voluntary recall of one lot of Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds 32 oz. due to the potential presence of Salmonella that may be in some of the finished products. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (05/10/2024)

Sacramento opens the new Del Rio Trail for all to walk, bike, roll and enjoy
The City of Sacramento this week opened the Del Rio Trail, a new active transportation corridor that will provide a low-stress bike route connecting south Sacramento to downtown. The construction of this project, which began in November 2022, marks a significant step toward reducing automobile dependency and promoting sustainable transportation. "This trail is not just [...] The post Sacramento opens …
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (05/10/2024)

Explore career opportunities with SacPD at this upcoming open house
The Sacramento Police Department is hosting a recruiting open house on Thursday, May 16, at the Sacramento Public Safety Center (5770 Freeport Blvd). Attendees will learn more about SacPD and the diverse range of services they provide. Different units will be on site to provide individuals with insights into the various roles within the department. [...] The post Explore career …
Image of City of Elk Grove seal. City of Elk Grove   (05/10/2024)

From Vision to Reality: Elk Grove City Council Approves Plan for New Zoo
After more than two years of imagination, analysis, and outreach performed by local, state, national, and international professionals, the Elk Grove City Council voted Wednesday night to approve the development of a new zoo in Elk Grove with the Sacramento Zoological Society. Considered one of the most consequential development projects ever proposed in the City of Elk Grove, a new …
Image of City of Citrus Heights seal. City of Citrus Heights   (05/09/2024)

Housing & Community Needs Survey
Take our housing survey! We need your help identifying housing & community needs in Citrus Heights.
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (05/09/2024)

City seeking input from renters to evaluate effectiveness of Tenant Protection Program
The City of Sacramento is asking residents to take a survey about its Tenant Protection Program to help assess current knowledge, effectiveness and needs across the city when it comes to renters protections. Data from the survey will help the City evaluate how the program could better assist residents and guide any potential changes to the Tenant [...] The post …
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (05/09/2024)

City approves $2.5 million in funding for affordable apartments in south Sacramento
State funds awarded to the City in recognition of its pro-housing policies will be used to help build 113 affordable apartments on the site of the former San Juan Motel on Stockton Boulevard in south Sacramento. The Sacramento City Council voted Tuesday to direct $2.5 million from the states Prohousing Incentive Pilot grant to provide [...] The post City approves …
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/08/2024)

Texas Pecan Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts (Not Named Individually), Soy, Dairy(Milk), Sesame and Wheat Not Named in Product
Texas Pecan of Dallas TX is recalling 1 Lb and 8 oz products because it may contain an undeclared allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to (tree nuts, peanuts, almonds, brazils, cashews, filberts, macadamias, pistachios, pecans, pine nuts, walnuts, soy, dairy (milk), sesame and