When we started building California Local five-ish years ago, we were alert to the fact that a lot of Americans, including many Californians, had grown cynical about politics—in particular, about politicians. We understood that this cynicism was somewhat justified, but felt it was also largely based on a lack of knowledge or understanding about what really takes place in the halls and chambers of government.
Speaking for myself: Having covered local elected officials for years, I had long ago learned that most of them, regardless of their political affiliations, were decent people trying to do what they believed was the right thing. While it has been my job to hold these people accountable, and while I may or may not have agreed with their policy agendas or politics, the fact that I was professionally bound to give them a fair hearing caused me to develop a pretty deep level of respect for almost every one of them.
Ryan Coonerty, former mayor of Santa Cruz and former county supervisor, is on a mission to spread the news that the people we refer to here as “public servants” are worthy of that kind of respect. Since 2018, he has hosted a podcast called “An Honorable Profession,” where he interviews electeds from all over the country. (He took the name from something once said by Robert F. Kennedy.) (Senior. ;-)
Chris Neklason turned the tables on Coonerty a couple of years ago in an interview that does a first-rate job of explaining what it means to be an elected official. You’ll find that Q&A attached to the story below.
And this week, we return to Ryan and his podcast to tell a story about another Santa Cruz elected official whom we believe you should meet.
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By Eric Johnson
Published Feb 17, 2025
The Work of Politics
Setting Health as a Policy Goal
A decades-long fight to protect children leads to victory—with another battle on the horizon.
Little Santa Cruz Beats Big Sugar
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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.
Get to Know a Group
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Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships |
SWEP’s mission is to promote environmental stewardship by connecting students to their community and local environment through comprehensive watershed education and service learning projects.
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From Our Media Allies |
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County Water Agency Approves Project to Increase Storage at Hell Hole Reservoir |
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Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board of Directors approved a $5.8 million contract for the Hell Hole seasonal storage increase project, adding to the capacity of the Hell Hole Reservoir so it can store more water during wetter winters. |
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Come on In: Placer County Opens Temporary Library in North Auburn |
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The Auburn Library has opened its new temporary location with modified services and the same helpful, friendly staff to help patrons navigate materials and lead library programming. |
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Navy League, Hillmen Foundation Partner to Expand STEM Resources at Placer High School |
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The Hillmen Foundation, in partnership with the Placer County Council of the Navy League of the United States, announced a generous grant supporting Placer High School’s Physics Department. |
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County Opens Temporary Library in N. Auburn |
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The new North Auburn location within the Placer County Government Center’s Finance Administration Building, 2950 Richardson Drive, will offer modified services including holds, pick-up, returns and a small selection of materials to browse. Popular programs such as Preschool Storytime and … |
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State Theatre Looking at Possible Expansion |
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At this stage of the ongoing Theatre Restoration process, Auburn State Theatre (AST) has a unique opportunity to reconfigure the building to better serve future generations. |
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Morrison Seeks to Continue Building as Police Chief |
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In front of several family members, friends and colleagues, Bryan Morrison was officially sworn in as the new chief of the Auburn Police Department on the morning of February 11 at City Hall. |
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Tahoe Inn Planned to Come Down Sooner Than Expected |
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The Tahoe Inn is planned to come down sooner than anticipated after the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency swept the blighted building's fate into decisions regarding Homewood Mountain Resort's Master Plan Amendments. |
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Rocklin City Council Votes for $2 Million Toward Clover Valley Preserve |
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After a long discussion, the Rocklin City Council voted 3-2 last month to proceed in donating $2 million toward saving undeveloped Clover Valley. |
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Know a Veteran in Placer County? Purchase a Plaque for Monument |
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The Placer County Veterans Monument, originally known as the Lincoln Veterans Memorial Coalition, is trying to fill its walls by offering families and friends to purchase a plaque to honor veterans in Placer County. |
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Lincoln's Business Best Recognized at Chamber Event |
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Representatives of more than 60 businesses gathered at McBean Pavilion last Friday, Feb. 7, to mingle and applaud their friends and competitors at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Business Excellence Award Installation and Banquet. |
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Roseville's Riego Creek Park Gets Grass With Leftover Money |
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As the city puts the finishing touches on the new 12-acre Riego Creek Park in west Roseville, leftover funds go toward 52,000 square feet of turf grass. |
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Placer SPCA in Dire Need of Food Donations for Pet Food Pantry |
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Placer SPCA is sending out an urgent request for pet food donations due to its pantry supplies being critically low. |
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Truckee Tahoe Airport Community Meeting Focuses on Aircraft Noise, Resident Concerns |
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The Truckee Tahoe Airport District's Airport Community Team (ACT) meeting on Wednesday, February 12, focused on one of the community's most pressing concerns: aircraft noise. With both in-person and virtual attendees, the meeting served as a platform for residents, pilots, … |
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UC Master Gardener Spring 2025 Workshop Schedule |
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UC Master Gardener of Placer County workshops teach people how to grow food sustainably and cultivate gardens to protect California’s natural resources. They use UC research-based information to present fact-based workshops customized to the unique region. Join them this spring … |
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Recent Local News |
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Recent Statewide News |
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Government Announcements |
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Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company, LLC Issues a Product Recall on Undeclared Almonds in Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias (1oz) Pouches |
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Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company LLC of Kea'au, HI is voluntarily recalling one batch of its Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias snack (1oz) pouches, due to the presence of undeclared almonds which are an allergen.
United States (02/15/2025)
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Come on in: Placer County opens temporary library in North Auburn |
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The Auburn Library has opened its new temporary location with modified services and the same helpful, friendly staff to help our patrons navigate materials and lead library programming.
County of Placer (02/13/2025)
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Teen Rescued from 50-Foot Mine Shaft in Placer County |
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Resources from the Placer County Fire Department and the Auburn City Fire Department responded to a medical rescue involving a 16-year-old male who had fallen into a vertical mine shaft approximately 50 feet deep.
County of Placer (02/13/2025)
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Sierra College President Willy Duncan earns international economic development award |
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In recognition of his efforts to help bring BOSCH to Placer County and his leadership with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Sierra College President Willy Duncan earned the International Economic Development Council's Community Partner Award.
County of Placer (02/13/2025)
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'Two hearts, one home' adoption special |
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No Valentine this year? Visit PCAS and discover your perfect match. We have numerous adorable animals available for adoption for just $14 this Friday and Saturday!
County of Placer (02/13/2025)
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JE Bakery 2019 LLC DBA Broadway Bakery Issues Allergy Alert for Mislabeled Raisin Bran Muffin 6 Count Due to Undeclared Walnuts |
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JE Bakery 2019, LLC, Minneapolis MN is voluntarily recalling its Raisin Bran Muffin 6 count due to a labeling error. The affected product was mislabeled and instead contains Glorious Morning Muffins, which contains Walnuts, a known allergen not declared on the label.
United States (02/13/2025)
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Common Sense Soap Recalls Beef Tallow Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection |
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2025 - Common Sense Soap, a North Walpole, N.H. establishment, is recalling approximately 33,899 pounds of beef tallow that was processed, packaged, and labeled on behalf of...
United States (02/12/2025)
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FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Pasties Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen |
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for frozen, fully cooked ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and...
United States (02/12/2025)
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AKT Trading Inc. Recalls Seasoned Bamboo Shoots Because of Possible Health Risk |
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AKT Trading Inc of Torrance, California is recalling 120 packages of Menma Ajitsuke Prepared Bamboo Shoot Product, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product e
United States (02/11/2025)
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City Hall closed 2/17/25 in observance of Presidents' Day |
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City of Auburn (02/10/2025)
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