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By Eric Johnson
Published Jan 20, 2025

Edgar McGregor picking up trash on March 18, 2024 in Eaton Canyon. Ten months later, McGregor’s posts on Facebook saved a lot of lives as the Eaton Fire blazed through Altadena.
Edgar McGregor picking up trash on March 18, 2024 in Eaton Canyon. Ten months later, McGregor’s posts on Facebook saved a lot of lives as the Eaton Fire blazed through Altadena.

People Have the Power

Recognizing that today is both MLK Day and Inauguration Day, a fact that provides obvious opportunities to draw contrasts between Martin Luther King and Donald J. Trump, we choose instead to keep The Newsletter on message, which is to say local, and focused on solutions.  

Today we recognize two instances of people-power being exerted by a couple of ordinary heroes. The first you may have heard about—a young Altadena weather-watcher who mounted an effort on social media that saved a lot of people from possible fiery death. (As it happens, we know this guy.)

The second story is less-obviously heroic, but in this era of mass misinformation, the effort of another young man to counteract a campaign that could cripple smart development in the little city of Hollister is worth noting.

And in celebration of this issue's theme, dig this tune for our times from Patti Smith, singing one of the greatest small-d democratic anthems ever written— her own (you guessed it) “People Have the Power. This might be just the thing you need today.


Saving Lives and Fighting Lies

In LA County, a young meteorologist started a Facebook page to help his neighbors keep track of the weather. In San Benitio County, a student of land-use planning started a website to counteract misinformation (and incivility) on NextDoor. Sometimes, as they say, what happens online is happening In Real Life.  


Life and Death and Weather and Planning

Satellite image of Altadena before and after the Eaton Fire.
Raymond Martinez and Edgar McGregor are practitioners of the art of digital citizenship. As allies in this endeavor, we commend their righteous efforts.


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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!


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.


Serve season's oranges dressed for dinner -- or breakfast

Blood oranges deliver the eye-catching color in this plate of seasonal citrus. The lavender-lemon syrup, at upper right, is pretty, too.
Blood oranges and navels with a lavender-lemon syrup


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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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Sierra Sun logo Kings Beach to Receive Litter Reducing Help This Summer

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Sierra Sun logo Golden Programs: Building Community and Connection for Truckee Seniors

The Steve Randall Community Recreation Center in Truckee has become a hub of connection and engagement for local seniors, thanks to the success of its Golden Programs. Launched in April 2022 under the leadership of Sven Leff, General Manager of …

Sierra Sun logo A Heartfelt Thank You From Truckee Community Cares (Opinion)

Truckee Community Cares (TCC) would like to thank the Truckee community for supporting our 2024 program. Our nonprofit provides grocery gift cards, toys and coats to Truckee locals who need assistance during the December holiday season. Each year, TCC partners …

Loomis News logo Gatherings: Gold Discovery Day at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

California State Parks invites the public to commemorate the anniversary of James Marshall’s discovery of gold during Gold Discovery Day at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Auburn Journal logo Presentation Addresses Auburn's Vacant Commercial Buildings

There are vacant commercial buildings throughout the city of Auburn.

The Auburn City Council asked what can be done to try to lure new businesses into those buildings during its first meeting of 2025 on January 13.

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It's been more than two years since construction began on the American Canyon Roundabout Project at the intersection Lincoln Way, Borland Avenue and Highway 49 in Auburn.

Benito Link logo Cal Fire Warns About Scam Donation Requests

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) is alerting the public about fraudulent social media accounts impersonating Cal Fire and soliciting donations. Cal Fire does not solicit donations from the public, either in person or online.Additionally, all …

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IF YOU HAVE tried to bake a cake recently, you might have had a hard time finding eggs. The empty shelves are a sign of the devastating impact of avian influenza, H5N1 or HPAI, on commercial poultry flocks in California.

Sierra Sun logo TRPA Governing Board to Review Homewood Master Plan

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board will consider proposed amendments to the Homewood Master Plan at its regular meeting January 22. Interested members of the public can attend the meeting next Wednesday in person at the TRPA offices in …

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The Roseville Press Tribune logo Roseville Tabs Sinkhole Pipe Fix on Cirby Way at $1M

After a water pipe leak caused a sinkhole and traffic accident a year ago, Roseville officials plan to spend $1 million to fix the waterworks under Cirby Way.

The Roseville Press Tribune logo New Shade Structure for Wanish Park in Roseville

The Roseville City Council last month approved a $109,423 purchase from Ross Recreation Equipment for a new shade structure at the park next to Heritage Oak Elementary School on Americana Drive and Junction Boulevard.

Auburn Journal logo Colfax Approves Sidewalk Repair Ordinance Introduction

The Colfax City Council approved the introduction of a sidewalk repair ordinance, which aims to maintain safe walkways for pedestrians, during its Jan. 8 meeting.

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Fact Check: Did Gavin Newsom Really Help Create 625,000 New Job Opportunities in California?

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PG&E Receives $15 Billion Federal Loan

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LA Fires Bring Scrutiny to Worker Safety, Private Firefighting

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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. D. Coluccio & Sons, Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in "Colussi Cantuccini Chocolate Drops" Cookies
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Image of County of Placer seal. Schematic designs revealed for new Truckee Regional Library
The Friends of the Truckee Library, in partnership with Nevada and Placer Counties and the Town of Truckee, are thrilled to reveal the new schematic design for the highly anticipated Truckee Regional Library.
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Image of United States seal. Wismettac Asian Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Curvee Puffs Corn Puff Snack Curry Flavor
Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA is recalling 2.46 oz packages of Shirakiku brand Curvee Puffs Corn Puff Snack Curry Flavor. The product contains the undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reacti
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Image of Town of Loomis seal. Town Offices Closed 1/20/25
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Town of Loomis   (01/16/2025)
Image of City of Auburn seal. City Hall Closed Monday
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Image of County of Placer seal. Placer County appoints Director of Human Resources Joe Ambrosini
Following four years at the City of Long Beach, Joe Ambrosini has been appointed to serve as our new Director of Human Resources and will oversee 57 employees and an approximate budget of $7.7 million.
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Image of Town of Loomis seal. National Seed Swap Day 1/25/25
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Town of Loomis   (01/15/2025)
Image of United States seal. Mutual Trading Co., Issues Allergy Alert Undeclared Milk in Prepared Monkfish Liver
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Image of City of Auburn seal. Financial Transparency Website
The City of Auburn has launched its first ever financial transparency website for all to see!
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