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By Eric Johnson
Published Feb 03, 2025

Image credit: Eric Johnson

A Midwinter Check-In

Midwinter greetings from the gray and rainy capital of the greening Golden State. According to the Farmers' Almanac, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, marks the exact halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox—this day is celebrated in snowy cultures as Midwinter.

There are two ways we might use this obscure holiday to inform our discussion in this episode of The Newsletter. 1) Grimly contemplate the dark, cold months we have traversed since the happy holiday season ended, while gravely considering the darker events of those months (or last week). 2) Look forward hopefully to the warmth and brightness of spring, and find something within our remit to celebrate. 

Okay, you win. This week, in our endless quest to present a fresh perspective on the news: While goverment workers are being virtually massacred back east, we offer an appreciative look at the people we like to call "public servants."

Also, below: Maybe you don't need me to tell you that you can find (right here!) local news you need; an inspiring hook-up with a heroic non-profit organization; and (what?) a recipe for a dish that might make everythng feel better.


What is Government Work Worth?

As you have probably heard, some of our California technology brothers (love 'em, hate 'em, or both) have achieved positions of power in DC, and are cleaning house—relieving longtime government workers of their jobs. This is being seen as either a much-needed move toward government efficiency or an attack on democracy. (If the tech bros had any demonstrated understanding of civics or government policy, I'd say that's an open question.)

Coincidentally, local elected officials here at home are being vilified for giving themselves raises—often for the first time in decades. Chris Neklason presents some context.


Most Local Elected Officials Work Hard for Low Pay

Yeah, it might feel like that but it (probably, mostly) isn't true.
Recent votes to give California's mayors and council members pay raises have led to criticism. Is it justified?


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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.


Gingery carrot soup packs in nutrition and comfort

Garnished with orange juice and an optional dollop of orange-zest-infused yogurt, this gingery carrot juice is a guaranteed warmer on a winter day.
New! Vegan soup is loaded with vegetables and spices


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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.”

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From Our Media Allies

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Folsom Times logo Local Teens Collect 1,200 Valentines for Shriners Hospital Kids

Two high school students have found a way to give back to young patients and their families at Shriners Hospital this Valentine’s Day. NorCal Gift From the Heart Foundation’s second annual Valentine’s Day Drive is underway, preparing to shower patients …

Sierra Sun logo Offering Full Moon Snowshoe Ranger-Guided Tours

Snowshoeing under a full moon along the snow-covered west shore of Lake Tahoe is a magical experience. State Park Interpreters will lead Full Moon Snowshoe Tours on February 14, March 14, and April 12 exploring the natural and cultural history …

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Newly Formed South Tahoe Transit Joint Powers Authority Swears in Board Members, Discusses Vision and Goals to Enhance Existing Transit Options

The South Tahoe Transit Joint Powers Authority (STTJPA) announced the swearing-in of board members and the successful conduct of its first meeting. This significant event marks a new chapter in enhancing public transit services for the South Lake Tahoe community. …

Folsom Times logo Folsom Fire Promotes 2 Engineers, 2 Captains and Emergency Medical Chief

The Folsom Fire Department honored five of its dedicated first responders Friday afternoon in a special promotional ceremony, recognizing their commitment, leadership, and service to the community. The event, held at the Folsom Rotary Club at Lew Howard Park, brought …

Folsom Times logo Striking the Right Balance: Supporting Sidewalk Vendors While Keeping Our Community Safe

Last week, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors took a big step forward—we unanimously passed new regulations for sidewalk vendors. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was an important one. These rules are all about finding that sweet spot: …

Folsom Times logo Snowpack Dips Well Below Average in 2nd Snow Survey of the Season

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 22.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 8 inches, which is 46 percent of …

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo ‘HOMEWOOD IS PUBLIC’: Months-Long Wait Is Over With Final Decision

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency reports hundreds attended their Governing Board meeting both online and in-person at the Stateline office on Wednesday, Jan. 22, where the agency approved Homewood Mountain Resort's Master Plan amendments and gondola project.

Folsom Telegraph logo El Dorado Hills Bookstore Receives Award From Mystery Writers of America

What do Angela Lansbury, Alfred Hitchcock and El Dorado Hills bookstore owner Tina Ferguson have in common? They are all recipients of the Raven Award from the Mystery Writers of America.

Folsom Telegraph logo Folsom City Council Approves 3-Year Contract With Goat Herder to Trim Weeds

The Folsom City Council approved a nearly $1 million, three-year contract this week for herds of goats to trim weeds around town.

Folsom Telegraph logo Folsom Declares Natoma Station Tax District on Ballot

Natoma Station area residents will vote on a new assessment district next month to pay for postponed maintenance in the Folsom neighborhood.

Folsom Telegraph logo El Dorado County Fair Announces 2025 Theme

The El Dorado County Fair Association Board and staff announced this year’s theme: “Moovin’ ‘n Groovin.’ ”
Fair CEO Kathy Dunkak explains the theme is selected through a collaborative process, with suggestions welcomed throughout the year and a final vote …

Folsom Telegraph logo Mayor Speaks of Ambitious Goals, Optimism, Challenges in 'State of the City' Address

Folsom Mayor Sarah Aquino gave her State of the City address on Thursday, Jan. 23, with a powerful message filled with ambition, optimism and acknowledgement of major challenges ahead.

Folsom Times logo Folsom Councilman Responds to Non-Residency Allegations

The final regular meeting of the month for the Folsom City Council didn’t have a lengthy agenda, but a topic that wasn’t even on the calendar drew some attention Tuesday evening at Folsom City Hall. Several area residents took to …

Sacramento News and Review logo Delta Communities, Regional Fishing Groups, Startled by New Presidential Executive Orders

On January 24, President Donald Trump issued executive orders that will have “devastating consequences” for California’s water future, public health and environmental protections – threatening a federal takeover of the state’s right to manage its land and resources – according …

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Soroptimist, STHS S-Club Host Bread & Broth Monday Meal

Deeply involved in ongoing service to the community, the Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) sponsored Bread & Broth's Monday Meal on January 13th. With their mission of enhancing the lives of women and youth in their community, they …

Folsom Times logo Dreams Turning to Reality as Folsom’s New Habitat Community Rises

This past week, leaders with the City of Folsom joined volunteers, Habitat for Humanity staff, and future homeowners to raise the walls of the first homes in a new affordable housing community in Folsom’s Historic District. The event marks a …

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Recent Local News

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EID Meeting Report

Read on for a report about the January 20 meeting of the El Dorado Irrigation District, and learn why one board member expressed concern about "the deterioration of the system infrastructure."

(01/31/2025) Mountain Democrat
Oak Ridge High School Declared Victor at El Dorado County Academic Decathlon

Read on to learn more about the El Dorado County Academic Decathlon, won this year by the team from Oak Ridge High School.

(01/29/2025) Mountain Democrat
Spotlight on UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County

Read on to learn more about the University of California Master Gardener program and the UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County.

(01/29/2025) Mountain Democrat
El Dorado Hills Fire Station 86 Temporarily Closed

Following the discovery of mold at El Dorado Hills Fire Station 86 on Bass Lake Road, crews and equipment have been moved to a nearby rented home while damage is being repaired and the mold cleaned out. Read on for more information,

(01/29/2025) Mountain Democrat
El Dorado Roses Profiled

Read on to learn more about the El Dorado Roses and their function as the official hostesses for El Dorado County at many local community events.

(01/29/2025) Mountain Democrat
All That Glitters: Gold Discovery Day in Coloma

Read on to learn more about this year's Gold Discovery Day in Coloma on January 25.

(01/29/2025) Mountain Democrat
Sidewalk Project Slated for Placerville Drive

Read on to learn more about the The Placerville Drive Pedestrian Connectivity Project and other capital improvement projects beginning soon in Placerville.

(01/29/2025) Mountain Democrat
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Recent Statewide News

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Spotlight on Black History Month

A look at 14 places in California where Black businesses and culture thrived.

(02/04/2025) The Sacramento Observer
CA Lawmakers Propose $175 Million Increase for Cal Fire Staffing

Roughly a month after deadly wildfires erupted in Los Angeles County, killing at least 29 people, lawmakers in the state Senate have introduced a proposal to bolster Cal Fire staffing, and Gov. Gavin Newsom is meeting with President Donald Trump over disaster aid.

(02/04/2025) CalMatters
State Farm Asks for More Insurance Rate Increases After LA Fires

State Farm, which already has rate increase requests pending, asked state officials to approve more insurance price increases.

(02/04/2025) CalMatters
Donate to the LA Wildfire Recovery Fund

The California Community Foundation is accepting donations to help the folks impacted by the fires in Southern California. Consider donating today.

(02/03/2025) California Community Foundation
Monarch Butterfly Numbers Plummet

The statewide count of overwintering monarch butterflies shows a sharp drop in number. Read on to learn more.

(02/03/2025) The Sacramento Bee
CA Monarch Butterfly Count Yields Worrisome Finding

For the past three years, more than 200,000 western monarch butterflies spent their winters along the California coast — huddling together in tall tree groves, finding respite from the wind from November to February.

(02/03/2025) CalMatters
Should ‘Aiding’ or ‘Abetting’ a Homeless Camp Be Illegal? It Might Soon Be a Reality in This Bay Area City

The unusual move is alarming activists who worry they could be in the ordinance’s crosshairs.

(02/03/2025) CalMatters
Sierra Snowpack Drastically Below Normal — And No One’s Turning on the Pumps, DWR Says

Snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, which supplies about one-third of California’s water needs, was far lower than average for the end of January at one of the state’s measurement points on January 31.

(02/03/2025) Local News Matters
About That Trump-Ordered San Joaquin Valley Water Release...

Read on to learn more about the Trump-ordered "emergency" release of water from two San Joaquin Valley reservoirs and how it is literally going down the drain (and not to preserve LA from fires as claimed).

(02/01/2025) Stocktonia
Federal Judge Dismisses Case Claiming Community College Diversity Policies Infringe on Academic Freedom

Plaintiffs claimed that being evaluated on their commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility principles is unconstitutional and has a chilling effect on their free speech rights.

(01/31/2025) EdSource
Charging Forward: ‘Lithium Valley’ Could Offer Prosperity for Marginalized Area of California

CHRIS BENNER AND MANUEL PASTOR have had front row seats to the changes taking place in the so-called Lithium Valley, the region around the Salton Sea, where a network of companies have hatched a plan for local and state government entities to mine vast quantities of lithium to use in the batteries that power electric vehicles.

(01/31/2025) Local News Matters
Over $4 Billion in LA Fire Claims Distributed, More to Come

Insurance companies have paid out $4.2 billion in claims so far to survivors of the Los Angeles County fires, the state Insurance Department said Thursday.

(01/30/2025) CalMatters
California Monarchs See Steep Decline

The number of monarch butterflies overwintering in California are at a near-record low, and the wiping out of the Topanga butterfly habitat by the LA fires has made matters worse. Read on to learn more.

(01/30/2025) Los Angeles Times
Artificial Intelligence Is Bringing Nuclear Power Back From the Dead — Maybe Even in California

Energy demands from big tech, including for AI, has elected officials giving an old power source a second look.

(01/29/2025) CalMatters
More CSU Budget Cuts Proposed

Struggling with prior cuts, California State University calls latest proposed budget cuts unacceptable. Read on to learn more.

(01/29/2025) Los Angeles Times
New Regulations Proposed for Battery Energy Storage Facilities Following Moss Landing Fire

In the wake of the fire earlier this month at Vistra Corporation’s Moss Landing Power Plant and Energy Storage Facility, the California Public Utilities Commission has proposed new standards for battery energy storage facilities.

(01/29/2025) Local News Matters
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. Gerber Products Company Announces Recall and Discontinuation of All Batches of Gerber® Soothe N Chew® Teething Sticks Due To Choking Hazard
January 31, 2025 - Gerber Products Company is initiating a recall and discontinuation of all batches of GERBER SOOTHE N CHEW TEETHING STICKS due to a potential choking hazard for babies and young children
United States   (01/31/2025)
Image of United States seal. Blue Ridge Beef Issues a Recall of Blue Ridge Beef Natural Mix Due to Salmonella Contamination
January 31, 2025- Blue Ridge Beef is recalling 5,700 lbs. of their 2 lb log Natural Mix due to a contamination of Salmonella. Lot # N25/12/31 (Lot numbers are stamped in the clips on the end of the chubs/bags) UPC# 854298001054.
United States   (01/31/2025)
Image of United States seal. DJ's Boudain LLC Recalls Sausage Link Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2025 - D.J.'s Boudain, LLC, a Beaumont, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 17,720 pounds of boudain sausage link products that may be contaminated with foreign materials, specifically...
United States   (01/31/2025)
Image of United States seal. United Natural Trading LLC Announces Allergy Alert for Undeclared Milk in Fresh Direct Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels
January 29, 2025 - United Natural Trading LLC, Edison, NJ, is voluntarily recalling Fresh Direct Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels due to the presence of an undeclared milk allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction
United States   (01/30/2025)
Image of City of South Lake Tahoe seal. Meet and Greet with the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
City of South Lake Tahoe   (01/29/2025)
Image of United States seal. Wismettac Asian Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Curvee Puffs Corn Puff Snack
Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA is expanding its January 17, 2025 recall of 2.46 oz packages of Shirakiku brand Curvee Puffs Corn Puff Snack Curry Flavor. The expansion now includes two additional flavors; Sea Salt & Umami Flavor and Corn Potage Flavor. The product contains the und
United States   (01/28/2025)
Image of United States seal. New York Wholesale Group Recalls Zaarah Herbals Shatavari Powder Because of Possible Health Risk
New York Wholesale Group of Hicksville, NY is recalling Zaarah Herbals Shatavari Powder, to the consumer/user level because it has the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead. Short term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms. It is possible that increase
United States   (01/27/2025)
Image of United States seal. FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Wegmans Frozen Fully Cooked Chicken Nuggets Due to Possible Extraneous Material Contamination
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for frozen, fully cooked Wegmans breaded chicken breast...
United States   (01/27/2025)
Image of United States seal. Recall of La Fiesta Brand Bread Crumbs (Unseasoned and Seasoned) for Undeclared Sesame
La Fiesta Food Products, LLC, La Mirada, CA is recalling 8 oz packages of La Fiesta brand Unseasoned Bread Crumbs (Pan Rayado) and Seasoned Bread Crumbs (Pan Rayado Sazonado). The products contain sesame as an undeclared allergen. Additionally, the labels do not include the allergen declaration in S
United States   (01/25/2025)
Image of United States seal. TS Food Packaging is Recalling its "Rural King" and "Wabash Valley Farms" Bacon Seasoning Due to the Presence of an Undeclared Soy Ingredient
TS Food Packaging is recalling its "Rural King" and "Wabash Valley Farms" Bacon Seasoning due to the presence of an undeclared soy ingredient. People who have allergies to products containing soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.
United States   (01/24/2025)