Greetings, friends—and happy holidays to those of you celebrating the 12th day of Christmas–the feast of the Epiphany. And to all y’all—welcome to the first workweek of the new year (ouch… I feel ya).
In today’s edition of The Newsletter, we are celebrating local news, as we do 52 weeks a year. Today, we turn our attention to a couple of local news initiatives that serve people in rural California communities.
Just below, I share my own story about work I’m honored to be doing in San Benito County, in the little city of Hollister—a farm town a stone’s throw from Silicon Valley. As you’ll see if you click the link (please do; it’s a relatively short read) BenitoLink, an independent nonprofit newsroom, is providing its community with the essential information that they need for self-governance.
I also want to make you aware of important work being done by our friends at Bay City News and their newly acquired outlet, Mendocino Voice. Up on California’s North Coast, there are important issues being decided, and Mendo Voice is the only place people up there can find out about this important stuff.
Please follow this link to see what Mendocino Voice is up to. And read on here to get local news about what’s happening in your county, and, as always, a recipe to help you make life just a little bit better in your kitchen and dining room.
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By Eric Johnson
Published Jan 06, 2025
This ad for BenitoLink's NewsMatch fundraiser proved somewhat successful--and you can still contribute.
Rural California Local News Matters
BenitoLink: A Community's Connection
Founded by the Community Foundation for San Benito County, this nonprofit newsroom brings indepenendent journalism to a rural community in the shadow of Silicon Valley.
Greetings from San Benito County
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El Dorado County's Homepage |
| Direct your browser to https://eldorado.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and El Dorado County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community! | |
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 Winter! cookbook.
Get to Know a Group
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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.”
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From Our Media Allies |
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Folsom City Manager Calls for Dangerous Behaviors to End |
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Over the recent weeks, some neighborhoods and members of our community in our city have been subject to terrorizing attacks by our youth. Teens riding electric bikes/motorcycles formed in groups of four to 14, have been riding recklessly on city … |
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South Lake Tahoe Police Warn of Scam |
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Phone scammers are posing as "AMBER Alert representatives", offering to "register" your children, according to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department's Facebook. |
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Light Rail Service Finally Resumes to Folsom Stations |
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Return features 15-minute weekday frequency, new low-floor rail vehicles |
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Fishman, Tamayo Elected to Lead SMUD Board of Directors |
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The Sacramento Municipal Utility District Board of Directors is ushering in a new era of leadership with the election of Gregg Fishman as President and Dave Tamayo as Vice President. Their terms will span from January to December 2025, marking … |
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Video Contest Brings Scholarship Opportunity to High Schools |
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The National Special Districts Association (NSDA) is promoting its annual scholarship contest for high school students designed to encourage young people to engage with local government to enhance their civics education. The scholarships are designed as awards for a student … |
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Snowpack Near Normal Levels in Tahoe Basin |
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The Tahoe basin snowpack is near normal levels for this time of year, but a drier forecast looms that may challenge that following Friday's storm. |
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Folsom National Charity League Seeks New Mother-Daughter Members |
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Back in August, the Folsom Chapter of National Charity league Inc. (NCL) held their annual Fall Kick Off Meeting. The local chapter of the national mother-daughter volunteer organization had over 200 members in attendance. The group is composed of mothers … |
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Year in Review |
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2024 was a year to remember. There was big news in development in Tahoe. Fires, and snow impacted day-to-day life. And of course, the election dominated the news in November. Here are some of the Tahoe Daily Tribune's top headlines … |
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Blighted Building in South Lake Tahoe Will Get Decision by End of Month |
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A one-story residence at 3515 Rancho Circle has been a concern of the city of South Lake Tahoe since 2022. Though it has stood since 1961, in the past few years, it has fallen into disrepair and has become a … |
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Folsom Fire Department Says Farewell to Assistant Fire Chief and Beloved Therapy Dog Blitz |
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The Folsom Fire Department said a heartfelt goodbye to Assistant Fire Chief Mark Piacentini on Monday, as he retires after 34 years in public safety. |
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Free Aging, Caregiver Educational Series Coming to Placerville |
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The El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Area Agency on Aging Family Caregiver Support Program presents a free, four-part educational series on senior caregiving in January. |
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Folsom Police Say Proposition 36 Already Having a Positive Impact |
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Folsom Police say during the holiday season, they conducted “Operation Grinch” from Dec. 10-20. The operation involved uniformed officers along with undercover detectives who focused on retail stores that have been impacted by organized retail crime in 2024. Detective Andrew … |
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Preparing for the Winter Wonderland at Lake Tahoe’s Ski Resorts |
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Lake Tahoe, a renowned winter haven, is gearing up for another thrilling ski season. With the anticipated opening of popular resorts like Heavenly and Northstar, excitement is palpable among winter sports enthusiasts. Prepare to immerse yourself in snow-capped mountains and … |
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Reduced Speed Limits Now in Effect in Areas of South Lake Tahoe |
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New speed limits are now in effect on several sections of city streets within the City of South Lake Tahoe. The South Lake Tahoe Police Department will begin enforcing these changes to enhance road safety for all users. |
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Matt Hedges Named Chief of Staff to County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez |
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Today, Sacramento County Supervisor-elect Rosario Rodriguez has officially announced that she has selected Matt Hedges as her new Chief of Staff. Hedges, an experienced public servant with deep roots in Sacramento politics, starts in his role today. |
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Recent Local News |
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• McClintock's Office Hours Announced
Read on to learn about upcoming office hours with Congressman Ton McClintock's staff.
(01/07/2025) → Mountain Democrat• Sign Up to Attend Level Up Workshop for Small Businesses
Be sure to attend the Level UP workshop hosted by Tahoe Chamber of Commerce and presented by the Small Business Development Center of South Lake Tahoe on January 16.
(01/02/2025) → South Tahoe NowLearn how to prepare for emergencies or bad weather with these tips from the the Georgetown Divide Community Emergency Response Team.
(01/02/2025) → Georgetown GazetteA look at the hiking trails of Cronan Ranch.
(01/01/2025) → Mountain Democrat• Introduction to the El Dorado Community Foundation Scholarship Giving Circle
Learn how you can participate in the El Dorado Community Foundation scholarship giving circle and help send a local high school senior to college.
(01/01/2025) → Mountain Democrat|
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Recent Statewide News |
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• Too Wet and Too Dry: The Crazy North-South Gap in California’s Rain
Some Northern California cities have been soaked with almost twice their average rainfall, while southern cities are bone-dry. This season’s huge — possibly unprecedented — disparity works in favor of the state’s water supplies.
(01/07/2025) → CalMatters• California’s $20 Billion Unemployment Debt Is Looking Like a Political Hot Potato
The legislative analyst has a plan to fix the “structural insolvency” of the unemployment benefits fund — but businesses aren’t happy and it’s unclear if lawmakers will get on board.
(01/07/2025) → CalMatters• California Study Finds Climate of Fear Driving Local Officials to Quit Amid Harassment, Abuse
THREATS AND HARASSMENT are pushing some politicians out of office, scaring off some would-be candidates and even compelling some elected officials to change their vote.
(01/04/2025) → Local News Matters• 4 New Laws Strengthen Cities’ Abilities to Impound Vehicles Involved in Sideshows
While cities in California continue to pass ordinances to combat illegal sideshows, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several laws that go into effect this year statewide to give municipalities more legal tools to address them.
(01/03/2025) → Local News Matters• California to Launch Amsterdam-Style Cannabis Cafés, Blending Weed and Coffee Culture
Those in California who’d like a latte with a side of weed have gotten their wish now that a new law goes into effect that permits licensed cannabis dispensaries to add sit-in cafes to their sites.
(01/03/2025) → Local News Matters• Can California Keep ICE Away From Schools? Lawmakers Want to Try as Crackdowns Loom
California legislators want to limit deportation actions at schools, but they can’t ban immigration officials.
(01/02/2025) → CalMatters• As California Tribes Sue Their Gambling Rivals, Cities Could Be the Losers
After winning a costly legislative battle last year, California’s casino-owning tribes have sued their rivals in the gambling business. Cities could lose money if the tribes prevail in court.
(01/02/2025) → CalMatters• Two New California National Monuments To Be Declared
Read on to learn about the two new California National Monuments to be declared by outgoing President Biden.
(01/02/2025) → Los Angeles Times|
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Government Announcements |
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United States (01/05/2025) FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen, Raw Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination |
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns of frozen, raw ground beef...
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United States (01/03/2025) Dierbregs Markets Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in Product |
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Dierbergs is recalling all 16oz Premium Home-Style Mashed Potatoes with a Sell By Date of January 09, 2025. The product carries an undeclared allergen of Wheat. The affected product is identifiable by a label ID number of 92 in the lower left-hand corner above the UPC code.
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United States (01/03/2025) Abbey Specialty Foods Recalls Wicklow Gold Cheddar Nettle & Chive 5.2 oz and Wicklow Gold Cheddar Tomato & Herb 5.2 oz Because of Possible Health Risk |
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Abbey Specialty Foods of Fairfield, NJ is recalling Wicklow Gold Cheddar Nettle & Chive 5.2 oz product and Wicklow Gold Cheddar Tomato & Herb 5.2 oz product because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infecti
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United States (12/27/2024) Braga Fresh Issues Voluntary and Precautionary Advisory Due to Possible Health Risk |
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Soledad, Calif. - Dec. 27, 2024 - Braga Fresh is voluntarily issuing a precautionary advisory of a single production lot of washed and ready-to-eat 12oz Marketside Broccoli Florets with best if used by date.
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United States (12/27/2024) Gardners Candies Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts in Cappuccino Meltaway® Bars and Gardners Meltaway Treat Boxes Containing Cappuccino Meltaway Bars |
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Gardners Candies of Tyrone, PA is recalling its 1.25 ounce packages of Gardners Candies brand Cappuccino Meltaway Bars because they may contain undeclared tree nuts (cashews). People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to tree nuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction
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United States (12/20/2024) Lidl Recalls Taste of Deutschland Buttered Vegetables Due to Undeclared Milk Allergens |
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DECEMBER 20, 2024 - Lidl US is recalling all lots of their Taste of Deutschland Buttered Vegetables 10.5 oz box UPC 4 056489 122876 due to undeclared milk allergen. The recall was issued due to undeclared milk in the products. People who have allergies to milk run the risk of serious or life-threate
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United States (12/20/2024) Recall of Jose Madrid Salsa Chipotle Con Queso |
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Jose Madrid Salsa is announcing a voluntary recall of our Chipotle Con Queso Salsa. The salsa is being recalled because it contains Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, which were not listed on the ingredient label. Individuals who are allergic or sensitive to Yellow 5 or Yellow 6 run the risk of minor to serious
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United States (12/20/2024) Impero Foods & Meats, Inc. Recalls Raw Pork Sausage Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection |
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2024 - Impero Foods & Meats, Inc., a Baltimore, Md. establishment, is recalling approximately 7,485 pounds of raw pork sausage products that were produced without the benefit...
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United States (12/20/2024) Ralph's Packing Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork and Beef Bologna Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen |
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2024 - Ralph's Packing Company, a Perkins, Okla. establishment, is recalling approximately 3,132 pounds of ready-to-eat pork and beef bologna products due to misbranding and an undeclared...
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United States (12/19/2024) Orgain Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert on Possible Undeclared Peanut Residue in a Single Batch of 30G Protein Organic Plant Based Powder - Chocolate 2.01lb |
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Orgain of Irvine, California is voluntarily recalling a single batch of its 30g Protein Organic Plant Based Powder - Chocolate 2.01lb because it may contain undeclared peanut residue. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic
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