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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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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!


Mental Health Resources in El Dorado County

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 El Dorado County nonprofit community groups with a mission to help people through times of crisisill 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.

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.

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


Impact Report Image for decorative use


Get to Know a Group

Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus logo Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus

Supporting local singers by building, promoting, and nurturing vocal music programs, the Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus hosts two annual concert series that feature music from a range of genres, such as classical, Broadway, and contemporary hits.

→ Learn more

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From Our Media Allies

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Sierra Sun logo South Yuba River Citizens League Launches Phase 2 of Van Norden Meadow Restoration Project With $2.5M Grant

The South Yuba River Citizens League is beginning Phase 2 of the Van Norden Meadow restoration work this summer.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo PHOTOS: Northern Lights Over Lake Tahoe

A gallery of photographs of the aurora shining over Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo ‘Singletrack Radness;’ Truckee Dirt Union Aims to Build, Enhance Local Mountain Bike Community

The ski resorts are closed, the snow is melting and many people are dusting off their mountain bikes, putting air in their tires, and hitting the trails.

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.

Sierra Sun logo Library Loop: Truckee’s Rich History

The Truckee Library would like to invite the community to three free upcoming events that celebrate our area's rich local history.

Sierra Sun logo Placer County CEO Retires

After more than three decades of service with a number of local government agencies spanning the West Coast, Jane Christenson announced her retirement from Placer County effective May 4, 2024.

Sierra Sun logo Truckee Donner PUD Approves Electric Bill Credit for Customers

At Truckee Donner Public Utility District's May board of directors meeting, the board approved an electric bill credit, approved a crucial water infrastructure maintenance project in Tahoe Donner, and held a workshop to review TDPUD's new Emergency Operations Plan.

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.

Sierra Sun logo Placer County Launches New Campaign to Promote Perinatal Substance Use Services

This year, Mother's Day (May 12) happens to also be the first day of National Prevention Week, which promotes substance misuse prevention and positive mental health.

Sierra Sun logo Objections to Olympic Valley Rate Hikes Taken Until May 28 Hearing

Olympic Valley Public Service District board of directors formally introduced an ordinance to adopt water, sewer, and garbage rate hikes, and revised district codes.

Sierra Sun logo Local High School Senior Isaac Pacheco Martinez Accepted to Harvard and Yale

Although Isaac Pacheco Martinez's acceptances to Harvard and Yale are remarkable, what truly distinguishes him is his outlook on life.

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Recent Local News

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• 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 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
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/08/2024)

DaVinci Laboratories Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Shellfish Allergen in Amyloid Complete Product Lot 549853001

DaVinci Laboratories, a division of FoodScience, LLC of Williston, Vermont is recalling 72 bottles of Amyloid Complete because it may contain undeclared shellfish (Shrimp and Crab). People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to shellfish run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic rea
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/06/2024)

Recall_Supplier Recalls Impact Two Hy-Vee Products Third-Party Manufacturers Alert Retailer of Potential for Contamination; No Illnesses Reported

Hy-Vee, Inc., based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling two varieties of its Hy-Vee Cream Cheese Spread out of an abundance of caution due to the potential for contamination with Salmonella. Additionally, Hy-Vee is voluntarily recalling its bulk-packaged Cookies & Cream Mix out of an
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/05/2024)

Palmer Candy Company Recalls White Confectionary Products Because of Possible Health Risk

Palmer Candy Company, Sioux City, Iowa, is recalling its "White Coated Confectionary Items" because they have 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 weakened immu
Image of City of South Lake Tahoe seal. City of South Lake Tahoe   (05/03/2024)

Tahoe Valley Stormwater and Greenbelt Improvement Project

Image of United States seal. United States   (05/03/2024)

Chuao Chocolatier Recalls Its: .39 oz /11 Gram Potato Chip Mini Bar Lot 4022 Due to Undeclared Hazelnuts

May 3, 2024, Chuao Chocolatier is voluntarily recalling a single production of Potato Chip mini bar .39oz/11 gram LOT 4022 because some packages may contain undeclared hazelnut. People who are sensitive or have allergies to hazelnut could be at risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reactio
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/03/2024)

Hormel Foods Sales, LLC Recalls a Limited Number of Planters® Honey Roasted Peanuts 4 Oz. and Planters® Deluxe Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts 8.75 Oz. Because of Possible Health Risk

Hormel Foods Sales, LLC is voluntarily recalling a limited number of two PLANTERS products that were produced at one of its facilities in April. This recall only impacts two retailers in five states. These products are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria