Nevada County Community Service & Support Digest

State law requires community colleges to spend at least half their general fund on instructors. But administrators say they want more flexibility to pay for the growing need for student services.

The Food Bank of Nevada County reached the goal with the help of local groups, businesses and volunteers, with one of its warehouses transformed into an assembly line to package the dry ingredients for rice & beans and mac & cheese meals.

Starting Nov. 1, the annual drive for warm coats, hats, gloves, and socks is being held by United Way of Nevada County.

This year, with the help of sponsors, donors, and attendees of its Street of Dreams fundraiser, Nevada County Habitat For Humanity raised more than $100,000.

Tiny homes are increasingly California cities’ shelter option of choice — but how far they go in solving homelessness is a contentious question.

After years of planning a broadband system to bridge California’s digital divide, officials deprioritized some low-income areas due to unexpected costs. Gov. Gavin Newsom says he’s committed to funding the entire network, but advocates are skeptical.

Despite an influx of money to counter learning loss during the pandemic, English language arts and math test scores remain low.

With the growing use of AI, campus officials are trying to set clear guidelines for college application essays.

The 2023 Nevada County Community Survey poses 44 questions that locals can answer until Oct. 24.

The facts of climate change can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Some California activists are creating communities for people to talk about those feelings.

The CPUC is considering a rule that would gut the payments that solar panels on apartment buildings receive, and many housing groups are blazing mad about it.

Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation is raising funds and community involvement with sales of a pink bracelet for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

In addition to acquiring a new warehouse next, door, the Food Bank added a solar array on the roof, an electric car charging port, and a commercial baler that will help in the reuse of cardboard and plastic.

After a historic decline in community college enrollment during the pandemic, students are returning to school again, according to the state’s most recent data. But students between the ages of 20 and 30 are lagging behind.

Several anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers are advertising abortion pill reversal. California Attorney General Rob Bonta calls the claims false advertising that mislead vulnerable patients.

Grass Valley Courtyard Suites presents “Ronnie Hart: Just a Little Strange Art Show,” featuring unique artwork by Ronnie Hart. The purchase price from all art sales will benefit Interfaith Food Ministry, a local non-profit serving families in Western Nevada County.

A last-minute legislative deal would raise pay for California health care workers while giving medical providers a guarantee that they won’t have to battle local measures on employee compensation.

Elected for a second year to lead the branch is Deborah York, who will return as Branch President. The other 2023-2024 AAUW Nevada County Branch elected officers are Ann Gould, Secretary; Jennifer Wilkerson and Peg Flanders, Co-Finance Officers; Diane Kellegrew and Karen Hull, Program Co-Vice Presidents (VPs); Carol McMillan and Mari Kobus, AAUW Funds Co-VPs; and Deb Cubberley, Membership VP. Also serving on the Executive Committee is Past President Katherine (Bup) Greenwood.

In partnership with Nevada County Social Services and Bright Futures for Youth, Connecting Point provides paid internships at local non-profits and government agencies for Nevada County and Tahoe-Truckee residents ages 16-30 that address food insecurity, climate action and COVID-19 recovery.

Music in the Mountains (MIM) executive director Jenny Darlington-Person was elected to a three-year position on the board of directors of The Association of California Symphony Orchestras, where she will continue to advocate for small-budget, rural arts organizations while taking advantage of opportunities to connect with artists and leaders throughout the state.

The 18th Annual Gold Country Golf Classic benefiting Sierra Services for the Blind will take place at the Alta Sierra Golf Club on Oct. 6.

A new law allows community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees, an option for students unable to attend a four-year institution. But California State University officials are objecting to many of those proposed programs.

Last year California began providing free school lunches to all TK-12 students, regardless of family income. Now, with an influx of state and federal money, school districts are revamping kitchens and training staff so they can provide freshly made, healthy meals.

Frustration runs deep among medical cannabis patients and advocates who say the commercial market created by Proposition 64 in 2016 isn’t meeting their needs.

Clean Up the Lake, known for its 72-mile cleanup project around the shores of Lake Tahoe, has opened its Environmental Dive Center at Lake Tahoe.

The Nevada County Transit Services Division and Nevada County Now paratransit services announced that, effective August 1, Nevada County Now will begin offering same-day on-demand services to seniors and community members with disabilities.

California is one of the few states that have empowered county grand juries with a civil watchdog function: responding to citizen complaints and initiating their own investigations.

The California Tahoe Conservancy has awarded a $500,000 grant to the nonprofit Wildlands Network, in partnership with Pathways for Wildlife, for a multi-year study of wildlife connectivity in the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The inaugural Nevada County Pride Festival 2023 event is free and open to all, with a suggested donation at the door from 1 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 6 at the Miners Foundry.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will spend $4.5 million on free legal services for undocumented workers involved in state investigations of wage theft or other labor violations. The lawyers can help with their immigration cases.

With a record number of participants this year, the 18th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge got more people than ever out of their cars to help improve Lake Tahoe's environment and communities.

The Friends of the Truckee Library made another step toward building a new library in Truckee after the Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved support for a grant application.