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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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 Winter! cookbook.
Get to Know a Group
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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.
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From Our Media Allies |
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District 5 Supervisor Hardy Bullock Sworn in at Nevada County Government Center |
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Nevada County District 5 Supervisor Hardy Bullock officially took the oath of office on Monday, Jan. 6, at the Board Chambers in the Nevada County Government Center. |
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Tahoe Forest Health System Welcomes First Baby of 2025 |
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Tahoe Forest Health System announced the arrival of the first baby of the New Year, Idalia Sol Gainey, born on January 1, 2025, at 10:40 a.m. |
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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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Alpenglow Sports, Tahoe Fund Announce the $19k Matching Challenge |
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Alpenglow Sports, a backcountry sports retailer and community event organizer, and the Tahoe Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding environmental projects around the Lake Tahoe Basin are proud to announce their partnership for the 2024-25 Winter Speaker Series season. |
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High Fives Foundation Revamps Empowerment Grant Cycles for 2025 |
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The High Fives Foundation announced a streamlined approach to its Empowerment Grant process, designed to maximize accessibility and impact for adaptive athletes. In 2025, the Foundation is transitioning from three grant cycles per year to two, creating a more streamlined, … |
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Truckee Donner Land Trust Secures 691-Acre Wilderness in Carpenter Valley |
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In a pivotal conservation effort, the Truckee Donner Land Trust, in collaboration with the Northern Sierra Partnership, has acquired 691 acres of untouched wilderness at the headwaters of Carpenter Valley. This expansion of protected lands ensures the preservation of an … |
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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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Angela Hawse Presents ‘Small but Mighty’ at the Winter Speaker Series |
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On February 7, Angela Hawse will join the 24-25 Alpenglow Sports Winter Speaker Series lineup, presented by the North Tahoe Chamber, with her presentation of "Small but Mighty". Attend the event in person at the Palisades Tahoe Olympic Village Event … |
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Preparing for ‘The Big One’: How Computer Modeling Can Help Cities Plan for Massive Floods |
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Nearly 30 years ago, unseasonably warm rains melted the snowpack in the Truckee, Carson, and Walker Rivers, bursting over their banks and eventually covering almost 64,000 acres of land over the course of three days. While agencies disagree about how … |
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Recent Local News |
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• Nevada County Library Offering Free Technology Classes
Read on to learn more about how you can develop your beginner to intermediate tech skills with free classes offered by the Nevada County Library in January and February.
(01/07/2025) → YubaNet• Nevada County Supervisors Sworn In
In their January 6 meeting, two reelected and one newly elected Nevada County Supervisors were sworn in for their new term of office. Read on to learn what they had to say.
• Introducing New District 5 Supervisor Robb Tucker
Read on to learn more about newly elected and now sworn in Nevada County District 5 Supervisor Robb Tucker.
(01/06/2025) → The Union• Dog Bar Fire Station Reopens
Fire protection in Southern Nevada County will improve with the reopening of Station 22 off of Dog Bar Road in the Higgins Fire Protection District. Read on to learn how the station was reopened after almost a decade after being closed.
(01/02/2025) → The Union• Plan to Attend the Deer Creek Project Community Town Hall
A presentation by the Fire Safe Council on the Deer Creek shaded fuel project will be held in Nevada City on January 7. Read on to learn more and plan to attend.
(01/02/2025) → The Union|
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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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