View in Browser Our Journalism Needs Your Support Please Donate Today

Ad for vote.gov

California Local Logo
Graphic which spells out The Newsletter.


By Eric Johnson
Published Sep 09, 2024

The council chambers in Santa Cruz City Hall has been the scene of countless heated political battles, and at least one melee. The council chambers in Santa Cruz City Hall has been the scene of countless heated political battles, and at least one melee. Image credit: Crystal Birns, Contributed

It Takes a Village to Run a Village: Leadership vs. Partisanship

In November, 2021, more than 2,000 people gathered in the bucolic Silicon Valley suburb of Los Gatos for what was called the United Against Hate March. They did so in part because the town's mayor and elected council had been subjected to a slew of attacks in the wake of vaccination mandates and policies promoting diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI). Similar incidents had already happened during public meetings throughout the state and nation, and they have continued ever since. And last Jauary, my friend Fred Keeley, mayor of Santa Cruz, received a death threat following a contentions city council meeting during which protesters stormed the council dais and broke windows in the chambers.

Last month, the Los Gatos town council voted unanimously to cancel its November election because nobody filed to run against the incumbents for two seats that would have been in contention. We've noticed that the same thing has happened in multiple towns and cities throughout Northern California. In this week's edition of The Newsletter, Chris Neklason examines the trend and posits some reasons people might find running for a public office or advisory board—an admitedly serious conmmitment to civic duty—increasingly daunting.

But first, Chris talks with Ryan Coonerty, a former veteran Santa Cruz elected official and, not incidentally, co-host of the podcast "An Honorable Profession," which is about (you guessed it) elected public service. 


The Business Community Steps Up

When we talk about how California works here at CALocal, we frequently point out that the civic infrastructure in most cities and towns is made up of a multitude of individuals beyond elected officials and public employees. They include, for instance, the employees and volunteers at nonprofit community groups. In every instance I know of, the local business community is also involved in the work of civic betterment.

One of the best examples of business leaders stepping up to nurture community involvement are local programs such as Leadership Santa Cruz—there are similar organzations in many counties throughout California and beyond, and they are generally founded by local Chambers of Commerce. 


Building a Civic Engagement Pipeline

Democracy works better when more people actively participate.
We look at one of many local efforts to cultivate the local civic engagement talent pool.

The Simmering California Public Service Crisis

Democracy is all about having a seat at the table.
What happens if you have a democracy and nobody shows up?


California Local logo

Nevada County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://nevada.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Nevada 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 Fall! cookbook.


This fruity syrup makes most of late-season harvest

A mix of berries, plus a few other random summer fruits, go into the fruit syrup.
New! Very Berry Syrup mixes strawberries, blueberries, blackberries -- or whatever you have


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

California Media Alliance logo

From Our Media Allies

→ View All
Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Water Bottle Ban: Auditors Pleased With Business Compliance Rate

A recent audit shows that 82% of audited businesses in the City of South Lake Tahoe are abiding by the single-use water bottle ban that just went into effect on Earth Day this year.

Sierra Sun logo Olympic Valley Board Tackles Wildfire Prevention, Development, New Website

The Olympic Valley Public Service District (OVPSD) Board of Directors met on Aug. 27 to discuss wildfire prevention, development projects, and a new website.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo City Seeking Applications to Fill Vacant Council Seat

The City of South Lake Tahoe has opened the application process to fill the City Council seat vacated by former Mayor Pro Tem John Friedrich. Mr. Friedrich submitted his resignation to the City Clerk on September 3, effective immediately.

Sierra Sun logo Gateway Mountain Center’s 4Roots Youth Wellness Center in Full Swing for the School Year

School is back in session and Gateway Mountain Center's 4Roots Youth Wellness Center is ready to welcome students for the 2024/25 school year! Whether it's at lunch, during a free period, or after school, 4Roots is steps away from the …

Sierra Sun logo Red Cross of Nevada Urges Public to Update Family Emergency Plans During National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, and the American Red Cross of Northern Nevada is encouraging the community to update family emergency plans and to replenish emergency supplies. With recent local emergencies, such as the Gold Ranch Fire and home fires, …

Sierra Sun logo New Restaurants Added to Dining for Schools Program

The Tahoe Truckee Excellence in Education Foundation's popular fundraising program, Dining for Schools, returns on Sept. 22 with the addition of two new participating restaurants—Wild Pine at Northstar California Resort and Best Pies Pizzeria & Restaurant.

  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Local News

→ View All

• CalTrans Interstate 80 Construction Update

CalTrans has updated information of upcoming and ongoing projects along Interstate 80 in the Sierra corridor.

(09/09/2024) → YubaNet

• Community Support Sought During Hunger Action Month

The Interfaith Food Ministry reminds the community that among other things, September is Hunger Action Month and seeks to raise awareness of those who need food assistance in Nevada County.

(09/07/2024) → YubaNet

• Nevada Irrigation District Continues ‘Healthy Forest’ Work

Learn how the Nevada Irrigation District works with state and local partners to improve forest resilience to wildfires to protect local watersheds.

(09/07/2024) → YubaNet

• Tahoe National Forest Seeks Public E-Bike Input

The Tahoe National Forest is asking for public input as it develops proposals for up to 143 miles of designated Class 1 E-Bike trails.

(09/06/2024) → YubaNet

• Sierra Nevada Conservancy Funds Fuel Reduction Program

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy awarded $250,000 towards fuel reduction utilizing cultural-burning practices outside Nevada City to the California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project.

(09/05/2024) → YubaNet

• Nevada County Launches Phase 2 of Ponderosa West Grass Valley Defense Zone

With combined Nevada County and federal funding of $3 million, a program of fuel reduction will take place on 900 acres to provide improved wildfire resilience to the communities of Lake Wildwood, Penn Valley, Rough and Ready and the City of Grass Valley.

(09/04/2024) → YubaNet

• California Air Resources Board Seeks Feedback

California Air Resources Board staff will be on hand for a listening session co-hosted by local nonprofit Sierra Energy Reimagined in Nevada County seeking input toward the development of emission standards for space and water heaters.

(09/03/2024) → YubaNet
  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Statewide News

→ View All

• California "30x30" Conservation Efforts Make Progress

The California state goal to conserve 30% of its land and coastal waters has advanced, with conserved lands reaching 25% and coastal waters 16%.

(09/08/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Reparations Supporters Plot Comeback After Bitter Defeat in California Legislature

The controversial idea of cash reparations divided even Black advocates in the legislature this year. Here’s what’s next.

(09/06/2024) → CalMatters

• CA Rent Control Battle Goes to the Ballot

Amid a Southern California heat wave, about 300 advocates for rent control — with two 10-foot “greedy landlord” puppets — rallied Thursday in downtown Los Angeles, chanting: “The rent is too damn high!”

(09/06/2024) → CalMatters

• Should California Community Colleges Offer Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing? Universities Say No

Lawmakers approved two bills to allow some community colleges to provide bachelor’s degrees in nursing. That’s setting up another conflict with the California State University, which already offers these bachelor’s degrees.

(09/05/2024) → CalMatters

• Are CA Gig Workers Getting Promised Pay and Benefits?

California voters passed Proposition 22 four years ago. The ballot initiative, backed by Uber, Lyft and other gig companies, promised the state’s more than 1 million gig workers new benefits, such as guaranteed minimum earnings, health care stipends, occupational accident insurance and accidental death insurance.

(09/04/2024) → CalMatters

• More Extreme Heat + More People = Danger in These California Cities. ‘Will It Get as Hot as Death Valley?’

Inland communities with big population booms will experience the most extreme heat days under climate change projections. The combination puts more people at risk — and many cities are unprepared.

(09/04/2024) → CalMatters

• California Schools Release a Blizzard of Data, and That’s Why Parents Can’t Make Sense of It

Information about how the state’s K-12 students are performing is located on several sites and is difficult to understand, a new report finds.

(09/04/2024) → CalMatters

• California School Dashboard Lacks Pandemic Focus, Earns a D Grade in Report

The California School Dashboard makes it hard for the public to see how schools and districts are performing over multiple years, concludes the report's lead author.

(09/04/2024) → EdSource

• California Has Spent Billions on Homelessness but Lacks Hard Data on Outcomes

California has allocated more than $20 billion to alleviate the state’s homelessness crisis since Gavin Newsom became governor in 2019, but there’s precious little data on how the money was spent and what effect it’s had, other than the number of unhoused people has continued to climb.

(09/04/2024) → CalMatters

• Health Care in California: How the State Made Almost Everyone Eligible for Coverage

Almost everyone in California has health insurance. That trend reflects about a decade and a half of policymaking designed to expand access to health care. The state’s average uninsured rate has dropped from nearly one in four Californians in 2009 to less than one in ten today.

(09/03/2024) → CalMatters

• CalFire Deploys New Air Tanker

CalFire received the first of five planes promised by the federal government, a former Coast Guard C-130 Hercules air tanker.

(09/02/2024) → https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article291844345.html

• California’s Economy Lags Behind Other States, Here’s Why It’s So Sluggish

California’s unemployment rate, 5.2% of its labor force in July, is no longer the nation’s highest after months of having that dubious distinction.

(09/02/2024) → CalMatters
  California Local Pin Marker  

Government Announcements

→ View All
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (08/30/2024)

Brian Dahle CA Senate 01:
Senator Dahle’s legislation headed to Governor’s Desk for Signature

Senator Dahles legislation headed to Governors Desk for Signature SREPweb Fri, 08/30/2024 - 16:34
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (08/30/2024)

Megan Dahle CA Assembly 01:
Last Week of Legislative Session: Opposing Senate Bill 950 and More

Greetings We are in the last days of the California State Legislatures session for the year and many bills are coming up for a votesome good but others very concerning. Ill be in session late tonight and tomorrow and you can watch live here. One of the problematic bills is Senate Bill 950 which is a [...] The post Last …
Image of United States seal. United States   (08/30/2024)

Hickory Hollow Jerky Recalls Ready-To-Eat Jerky Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2024 - Hickory Hollow Jerky, a Eufaula, Ala., establishment, is recalling approximately 6,229 pounds of ready-to-eat jerky products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection...
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (08/29/2024)

Megan Dahle CA Assembly 01:
Letter to the Governor- Increasing Gas Prices

Image of State of California seal. State of California   (08/26/2024)

Brian Dahle CA Senate 01:
Sen. Brian Dahle Helps to Unlock Millions in Funding to Support Wildfire Prevention Projects

Sen. Brian Dahle Helps to Unlock Millions in Funding to Support Wildfire Prevention Projects SREPweb Mon, 08/26/2024 - 16:52
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (08/23/2024)

Megan Dahle CA Assembly 01:
Lake Tahoe Summit‚ Park Fire Road Closures‚ and More

Greetings On Wednesday August 14th Team Dahle attended the 28th annual Lake Tahoe Summit at Round Hill Pines Beach Resort in Zephyr Cove NV. This years summit themed Connecting Tahoe: Investing in Transit Trails and Technology for the Future focused on the ongoing efforts to preserve Lake Tahoe and address the challenges faced by surrounding [...] The post Lake Tahoe …
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (08/16/2024)

Megan Dahle CA Assembly 01:
Make Your Voice Heard: California Insurance

Greetings I know many of you have faced the incredibly difficult challenge of maintaining insurance in wildfire-prone areas but today we have an important opportunity to make our voices heard. The California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is opening up public input on new regulations that could lead to more insurance options for those living in [...] The post Make Your …
Image of United States seal. United States   (08/16/2024)

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Ineligible Meat and Poultry Products Illegally Imported From the Republic of the Union of Myanmar

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various meat and poultry products that were...
Image of United States seal. United States   (08/16/2024)

Perdue Foods LLC, Recalls Frozen, Ready-To-Eat Chicken Breast Nugget and Tender Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2024 - Perdue Foods LLC, a Perry, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,171 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken breast nugget and tender products that may be contaminated...
Image of United States seal. United States   (08/16/2024)

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ineligible Meat and Poultry Products Illegally Imported from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various meat and poultry products that were...