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By Chris Neklason
Published Jul 01, 2024

Um, how much for the fire extinguisher? Um, how much for the fire extinguisher? Image credit: Mike Mozart/Flickr   Creative Commons 2.0

Staying Safe and Sane

Back when I was a young kid growing up in sixties era Redwood City, the Fourth of July was a big deal because I loved fireworks. 

As the day approached, I'd gaze at the colorful newspaper ads and brochures, and consider which of the different assortment packs my brothers and I would wheedle and plead our father into buying.

The fireworks sold from stands in parking lots back then all came from the Red Devil fireworks company. 

A favorite was the Piccolo Pete, a thin cardboard tube with a portruding fuse and a little plastic stand that was placed upright on the ground. I'd light the fuse and then run back a few yards and a bright vertical geyser of sparks would erupt with a loud piercing whistling noise.

Another favorite was pinwheels, round cardboard discs with a little rocket on the outer edge. Our father would nail one to a telephone pole and light the fuse and the wheel would spin furiously, propelled by the sparks from the blazing rocket in a flaming circle.

Like many industries, the fireworks business has consolidated and Red Devil was acquired by TNT Fireworks in 1989.  TNT has come a long way since it began in 1920 when Clyde Anderson started selling fireworks from his newsstand in Florence, Alabama.  

My perspective on fireworks, though,  has been altered over the years by being a land owner and a pet owner.  

The booms, bangs and whisling shrieks are distressing to many pets, and the houses and acres ignited by celebratory revelers keep fire departments across the state busy for days and days.

This Fourth of July marks the 248th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and we at California Local wish you (and your pets!) a safe and sane holiday. 


An App For That

This issue of The Newsletter continues our focus on fire season as the Flash/Bolt and Basin fires burning in Fresno County have thus far consumed a combined 22,000 acres. The fires grew very rapidly, and evacuation orders have been issued for several affected areas.  Folks didn't get a lot of notice to get up and go.

The need to know "what is happening near me right now" has become more pressing as fires increase in frequency and intensity.

Our featured story is about how a resident of northern California turned their experience from the awful summer fires of 2020 into One Good Thing.


Volunteers Keeping Watch Over California

Where there's smoke, there's fire. Watch Duty has all the details in one place.
The Watch Duty team monitors a variety of real-time information resources and compiles all the information in one place.


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Placer County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://placer.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Placer County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Fire Season is Mosquito Season is West Nile Season

More than an itch-inducing nuisance, the mosquito is the world's deadliest animal.

Mosquito season is already underway after a wet winter and spring, and testing has confirmed West Nile virus present in Sacramento, Yolo and San Joaquin Counties.

Learn more about West Nile and the efforts to control mosquito populations in the articles below.


West Nile Virus Survivor Offers a Warning and a Plea

In the years since she recovered from a severe illness brought on by West Nile Virus, Marie Heilman has helped spread the word about the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District's "Fight the Bite" campaign.
Marie Heilman of Winters, who is happy to be alive, wants people to guard against mosquitoes and the deadly virus they carry.

Taking a Bite Out of the Mosquito Population

Mosquitos kill about 725,000 people every year, worldwide.
The pesky mosquito can be deadly as well as annoying. Here’s how local governments in California have been waging war on mosquitoes for more than a century.

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 Summer! cookbook.


Pop apricots on the grill for this flavorful summer salad

Grilled apricots are the star of this early summer salad.
New! Grilled apricot and feta salad with balsamic vinaigrette


Impact Report Image for decorative use


Get to Know a Group

Big Brothers Big Sisters logo Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brother Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported mentorship. The chapter serves Sacramento and Yolo counties, as well as southern Placer County.

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From Our Media Allies

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Placer Herald logo Placer County Approves $1.22 Billion Budget for 2024-25

The budget for the next fiscal year, which begins Monday, July 1, is $1.22 billion, a decrease of $53.1 million (4.2 percent) from 2023-24.

Auburn Journal logo Foresthill Bridge to Undergo Federally Funded Testing

The Foresthill Bridge will soon undergo ultrasonic testing of 282 weld points as part of a national effort to provide preventive maintenance and quality assurance to bridges built with a similar type of steel.

Auburn Journal logo Auburn Moves Forward With Travelers Tax Increase on November Ballot

The Auburn City Council voted June 24 to place a transient occupancy tax (TOT) on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Tahoe Guide logo Ultimate Tahoe Family Summer Bucket List

The Tahoe Sierra is an adventureland of fun family friendly activities to enjoy from easy hiking trails to free concerts, movies and shows.

Sierra Sun logo Placer County Elections Office Announces offices on Ballot, Candidate Filing Details For November 5, 2024 General Election

With the November 5, 2024 General Election just a few months away, the Placer County Elections Office is in full swing preparing for one of the most highly-anticipated presidential elections in decades.

Loomis News logo Placer County Opens Renovated Apartments at Former Hotel

County opens renovated apartments to homeless at former hotel in Roseville.

Sierra Sun logo Tahoe City Public Utility District Board Seats Up for Election

The Tahoe City Public Utility District will conduct a consolidated general election with both Placer County and El Dorado County Elections Departments on November 5, 2024. Three board member seats will be up for election.

Sierra Sun logo Sierra Pacific Industries to Close Public Access to California Forestlands Due to Wildfire Risk

Due to the increasing risk of wildfires, Sierra Pacific Industries will close its California forestlands to public access beginning Fri., June 28. SPI has forestlands in the Coldstream Creek and Martis Peak areas, along with the Jackson Meadows area.

Sierra Sun logo Placer County Supervisors Approve Short-Term Rental Ordinance Amendments

The Placer County Supervisors discussed several basin issues and topics during their quarterly Lake Tahoe meeting on Tuesday, June 26.

Auburn Journal logo Placer Superior Court Announces Appointment of New Court Commissioner

The Placer Superior Court recently announced the appointment of Mr. Leon A. Dixson of Rocklin as the newest court commissioner, effective July 29.

Auburn Journal logo Colfax Approves Budget for Next 2 Fiscal Years

According to the staff report, revenues are projected to be $2.64 million for fiscal year 2024-25 and $2.68 million for 25-26, Expenditures are projected at $2.5 million for the first budget year and $2.6 million for the second.

Auburn Journal logo Delayed PG&E Repair Work Triggers PCWA Conservation Measures

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) emergency repair delays are causing Placer County Water Agency customers to cut back on water usage this week.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Free Food for Children-Bread & Broth 4 Kids Summer Program Begins June 26

The 2024 St. Theresa Bread & Broth 4 Kids Summer Program begins June 26 and will continue every Wednesday through August 21.

Sierra Sun logo Tahoe Conservancy Awards $220,000 to Support Washoe Tribal Involvement in Environmental Planning, Restoration at Tahoe

At its meeting last week, the California Tahoe Conservancy Board awarded a $220,000 grant to help fund the creation of a new Lake Tahoe Basin liaison position for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California.

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Recent Local News

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Summer Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Opens

This year the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is presents The Merry Wives of Windsor along with the musical Always…Patsy Cline through August 26.

(07/01/2024) → Edible Reno-Tahoe

Placer County 2024-2025 Budget Approved

In their June 26 meeting, the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved the $1.2 billion 2024-2025 budget.

(06/27/2024) → YubaNet
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Recent Statewide News

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• Does a Proposed $10 Billion Bond Favor Richer California School Districts?

Small and low-income school officials say the bond measure deal is unfair. The money is allocated through matching grants, so wealthier districts that can raise more local funds will get more money from the state.

(07/01/2024) → CalMatters

• SCOTUS Rules Cities Can Ban Homeless Camps

The Supreme Court 6-3 ruling in the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson case found that the fining and arresting of homeless people does not violate Eighth Amendment rights.

(06/28/2024) → The Sacramento Bee

• Supreme Court Gives Cities in California and Beyond More Power to Crack Down on Homeless Camps

The ruling by the conservative court majority means cities no longer are prohibited from punishing homeless people for camping if they have nowhere else to go.

(06/28/2024) → CalMatters

• ‘Total System Breakdown’: California Firefighters With PTSD Face a Workers’ Comp Nightmare

Even when suicidal, California firefighters struggle to find medical help and navigate the workers’ comp morass to pay for it.

(06/25/2024) → CalMatters

• Drinking Water of Almost a Million Californians Failed to Meet State Requirements

Almost 400 suppliers, two-thirds in communities of color, don’t meet safety and reliability standards. Fixing them would cost billions.

(06/25/2024) → CalMatters

• California’s Debate Over Coastal Zone Reforms Has Created a False Choice Between Homes and Protections

A push to bolster housing production in California's coastal communities in recent years has led to heated battles over potential state reforms. Below, a veteran elected official believes the debate has created a false choice between housing and protections. The opposing view: A former attorney for the Coastal Commission says the state Coastal Act has failed to deliver on what it envisioned.

(06/25/2024) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (06/30/2024)

Michael Foods Inc. Recalls Fair Meadow Foundations Liquid Egg Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

WASHINGTON, June 30, 2024 - M.G. Waldbaum dba Michael Foods Inc., a Gaylord, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,620 pounds of liquid egg products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens...
Image of County of Placer seal. County of Placer   (06/28/2024)

PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL NOTICE

The Western Regional Sanitary Landfill (WRSL) operates under a Solid Waste Facility Permit (SWFP) issued by the LEA...
Image of County of Placer seal. County of Placer   (06/27/2024)

Placer Supervisors extend TART Connect mico-transit contract to serve North Lake Tahoe through June

The Placer County Board of Supervisors approved a contract with Tahoe Downtowner LLC to continue the Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit micro-transit service TART Connect through June 30, 2027, with two one-year renewal options.
Image of County of Placer seal. County of Placer   (06/27/2024)

Offices up for election and candidate filing details for Nov. 5 election

Its that time of year, again! The Placer County Elections Office has just shared the offices up for election, as well as important information for those considering a run for office, during the November 5, 2024 General Election.
Image of County of Placer seal. County of Placer   (06/27/2024)

Foresthill Bridge to undergo federally funded testing of steel welds

The Foresthill Bridge will soon undergo ultrasonic testing of 282 weld points as part of a national effort to provide preventative maintenance and quality assurance to bridges built with a similar type of steel.
Image of City of Colfax seal. City of Colfax   (06/27/2024)

Request for Proposal – City Attorney Services

The City of Colfax invites interested legal firms and/or individuals to submit proposals for City Attorney Services as described in the scope of work set forth in this request for proposals (RFP). Responses Must Be Received by: 5pm July 10, 2024 The post Request for Proposal - City Attorney Services appeared first on City of Colfax.
Image of Town of Loomis seal. Town of Loomis   (06/27/2024)

Create A Defensible Space and Avoid Wildfires!

Wildfire season is here! Are you ready? View the 2 flyers below to learn how to create a defensible space and practice equipment safety! The post Create A Defensible Space and Avoid Wildfires! appeared first on Loomis, CA.
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (06/27/2024)

Brian Dahle CA Senate 01:
Sen. Dahle: California Headed for ‘Cruel Summer’ with Budget Woes

Sen. Dahle: California Headed for Cruel Summer with Budget Woes SREPweb Thu, 06/27/2024 - 12:02
Image of County of Placer seal. County of Placer   (06/26/2024)

Board of Supervisors approves new budget for fiscal year 2024-25

With an eye on balanced growth, the Placer County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution on June 25, 2024 to formally adopt the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget.
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (06/25/2024)

Brian Dahle CA Senate 01:
California Senate Republicans respond to Governor Newsom’s State of the State social media post

California Senate Republicans respond to Governor Newsoms State of the State social media post SREPweb Tue, 06/25/2024 - 15:10