Many regions in California were hit hard by the 2022-23 winter storms. In Sacramento, the losses came in the form of a thinning of the urban forest.
In the modern world of niche media and streaming entertainment, it’s not often that the citizens of the United States of America share a simultaneous experience. One such occurrence will take place this week, when the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, conducts a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System.
This is the seventh time that this system will be used. An updated version of the Emergency Broadcast System—which delivered those familiar bursts of electronic noise followed by “This is a test…”—the Wireless Emergency Alert will simultaneously send a message to all of the nation’s cell phones. This will happen on Oct. 4 at around 5:20 p.m. Pacific Time.
This imminent event got us thinking. No, we weren’t thinking about ridiculous conspiracy theories, though predictably some folks are. Instead we thought it was an opportune time to contemplate the value of a smartphone in an emergency situation.
Making Radio Waves
This week we’re posting checklists for each of the counties we cover, offering information on resources that can help you stay safe during a local emergency. Each checklist is topped with a link to the county’s office of emergency services and specifics on how to sign up for local alerts. Counties may use different tech platforms to get the word out, but the end result is the same: real-time information dispensed simultaneously to your family, friends and neighbors. These are messages that could literally be lifesavers.
Many communities in California are lucky enough to have groups of local citizens who prepare not only to take care of themselves during a disaster but also to protect others. They form Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) to assist first responders, train to do search and rescue, or form ham radio groups. California Local reporter Kimberly Hickok shares the story of how one such group of radio enthusiasts in the disaster-prone Santa Cruz Mountains works to keep the lines of communication open.
Listening Skills
How local amateur radio operators can help in the next big emergency.
Where to Find Emergency Information in Monterey County
Monterey County is a sprawling area with 12 municipalities and many unincorporated communities, and disasters are not uncommon across this varied terrain. Fortunately, emergency information is just one touch away on our smartphones.
Get to Know a Group
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.
→ Learn more
• Vibes Rolls Out Cannabis Conviction Awareness Campaign
Vibes, the rolling paper brand created by rapper Berner, teamed up with the Last Prisoner Project to launch Release Papers, a campaign to advocate for individuals imprisoned for marijuana-related convictions.
(10/02/2023) → The Sacramento Observer
• Citrus Heights Police Awarded $2.7M for Cameras to Combat Retail Theft
The state grant, aimed at reducing organized retail theft in the area, will fund purchasing nearly 100 license plate reader cameras and other equipment.
(09/29/2023) → Citrus Heights Sentinel
• Sacramento Lowriding Community Tells Its Story in New Exhibit
The show at the Sacramento History Museum, titled “Boulevard Dreams,” runs through Jan. 21.
(09/29/2023) → CapPublicRadio
• Sacramento Set to Activate Its Biggest Groundwater Plant
The city of Sacramento aims to activate the new groundwater treatment facility by mid-October. Once it begins producing up to 4 million gallons of drinking water a day, people living in the Shasta neighborhood could notice their tap water change.
(09/28/2023) → CapPublicRadio
• Sacramento State Takes Over CapRadio After Audit Reveals Mismanagement
One month after Capital Public Radio announced layoffs of 12% of its workforce, an audit has found significant financial problems that led Sacramento State President Luke Wood to announce the university is assuming operational control of the NPR member station.
(09/27/2023) → Read the full The Sacramento Bee report
• Elk Grove Council Delays Decision on Apartment Facility in Old Town
Elk Grove's City Council reconsidered the construction of an apartment complex that would house those experiencing homelessness. After three hours of discussion, the council voted unanimously to continue its decision to Oct. 11.
(09/27/2023) → Read the full Elk Grove Citizen report
• People-Powered Art
Interactive art installations are drawing crowds to experience art firsthand. Sacramento should get in on the action too.
(09/26/2023) → Read the full SacTown report
• Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis Get Ready to Rumble
Fox News announced that Newsom and DeSantis will meet on Nov. 30 in Georgia with Fox News host Sean Hannity as moderator. The news channel is calling the event the “Red State vs. Blue State Debate.”
(09/26/2023) → Read the full The Sacramento Bee report
• Sacramento Looks Pilot Program for Cannabis Consumption Lounges
Three of four members of the Sacramento City Council’s Law and Legislation Committee say they favor allowing cannabis consumption lounges to open as part of a pilot program, paving the way for the full council to consider the issue.
(09/26/2023) → Read the full The Sacramento Bee report
• Gavin Newsom Signs California Gun Tax, New Concealed Carry Rules
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a series of bills to further strengthen California’s gun control measures, drawing praise from anti-gun violence advocates and prompting legal action from firearm rights groups.
(09/26/2023) → Read the full The Sacramento Bee report
• Roadkill Data Data Points to Falling Wildlife Population
Data from an annual UC Davis report shows that wildlife is being hit less frequently on California highways, which could suggest an overall decline in certain animal populations—specifically mule deer and coyote populations.
(09/26/2023) → Read the full The Sacramento Bee report
• Sacramento’s Creation District Uplifts Black, Brown and Queer Unhoused Youth
A piano sits in the middle of a room lined with posters welcoming visitors of the Creation District in Midtown.
(09/25/2023) → CapPublicRadio
• California AAA Includes Elk Grove on List of Autumn Day Trips
Former Elk Grove Mayor Gary Davis' long-sought dream of transforming the Sacramento suburb into a travel destination was at least partially fulfilled when Elk Grove made California AAA’s list of “7 Best Day Day Trips for Fall Fun.”
(09/25/2023) → Read the full ElkGroveNews.Net report
Many regions in California were hit hard by the 2022-23 winter storms. In Sacramento, the losses came in the form of a thinning of the urban forest.
