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By Eric Johnson
Published Jul 08, 2024

A commitment to justice and accountability is carved in stone, so to speak, in the California constitution, which gives every citizen the right to serve on their county's civil grand jury.
A commitment to justice and accountability is carved in stone, so to speak, in the California constitution, which gives every citizen the right to serve on their county's civil grand jury.
Image credit: Danylo Samiylenko, Shutterstock

Civil Grand Juries: Citizens Investigating Governments

As you can see above in the banner ad for our book, How California Works, by Jonathan Vankin, we believe that “Democracy Lives in California”—despite the very real threats it has faced for decades, which persist today. 

Obviously, this hopeful position is not fashionable in this era of hyper-partisan negativity. It is easy, these days, to fall into a trap of believing that politics is entirely corrupt. We have discovered that if you look closely, you will find that here in California, a lot of people—including elected leaders—are still working hard at the project that gives our book its subtitle: “Building Democracy in the Golden State.”

That said, this is not a time to be passive or naive. It is the first job of every journalistic enterprise—and every active citizen—to hold public officials accountable.  

In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, Chris Neklason writes about a uniquely Californian institution that allows ordinary citizens to exert significant power over their local governments.


A Uniquely Californian Democratic Institution

Over the past week, citizens empowered as members of civil grand juries issued reports of their investigations of local governments. It's an honorable institution, and these volunteer government watchdogs found some dishonorable stuff. Here's how the civil grand jury system works, and what this year's reports reveal.


How Civil Grand Juries Make Government Better

Participation on Civil Grand Juries is open to all Californians of voting age.
Civil Grand Juries are a powerful means by which ordinary citizens investigate local governments and provide recommendations for improvement.

2024 Civil Grand Jury Reports

In civil grand juries, citizens make sure the actions of California’s local governments add up.
We celebrate California's Civil Grand Jury session of 2023-2024 with a review of some findings and results from across the state.


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Nevada County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://nevada.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Nevada 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 Summer! cookbook.


Fresh summer veggies, marinated and grilled

Marinated and grilled, summer vegetables make a great accompaniment to grilled chicken or steak. Choose whatever's in season.
New! Pick your garden favorites for a quick side dish


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Chest of Hope logo Chest of Hope

Created in 2005 by friends and volunteers, Chest of Hope raises funds to support women and orphans who are suffering from domestic violence.

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From Our Media Allies

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Local News Matters Stockton logo Lodi Lake Safety Hazard: Swimming a No-Go After Test Reveals Harmful Bacteria in Water

Health officials announced a temporary ban on swimming at Lodi Lake after tests Wednesday showed unsafe levels of bacteria, the Lodi Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department said.

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In their June 24 meeting, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved a new fee schedule for rental of county park facilities.
(07/06/2024) LodiNews
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(07/05/2024) Stocktonia
Mountain House is Officially a City
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(07/05/2024) Tracy Press
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Officials announced $500,000 in federal funding has been received to go towards development of the Salas Senior Housing project to be constructed on South Stockton Street.
(07/04/2024) LodiNews
Tidewater Bikeway Celebrated
A recounting of the purchase of the Tidewater Southern Railway corridor by the City of Manteca and its transformation into a vital local amenity.
(07/03/2024) Manteca Bulletin
New Community Center Seeks Volunteers
The new Thomas Toy Community Center in Manteca is calling for volunteers as it prepares to open in September.
(07/02/2024) Manteca Bulletin
Fireworks Giant Donates to Lodi Nonprofits
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Funding for a new animal shelter is set to be approved by the Lodi City Council to be built on East Auto Center Drive.
(07/02/2024) LodiNews
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The Supreme Court Took Powers Away From Federal Regulators. Do California Rules Offer a Backstop?
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Gavin Newsom Says Never Mind on CA Crime Measure
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. Al-Safa US LLC Recalls Frozen Ready-To-Eat Chicken Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
WASHINGTON, July 5, 2024 - Al-Safa US LLC, the importer of record located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, is recalling approximately 2,010 pounds of imported frozen ready-to-eat chicken products that may...
United States   (07/05/2024)
Image of State of California seal. Brian Dahle CA Senate 01: Update from Senator Dahle - 07.03.2024
Update from Senator Dahle - 07.03.2024 SREPweb Wed, 07/03/2024 - 14:02
State of California   (07/03/2024)
Image of United States seal. 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...
United States   (06/30/2024)
Image of State of California seal. 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
State of California   (06/27/2024)
Image of State of California seal. 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
State of California   (06/25/2024)
Image of United States seal. Totally Cool, Inc., Recalls All Ice Cream Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Totally Cool, Inc. of Owings Mills, Maryland is recalling multiple brands of ice cream products, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others w
United States   (06/24/2024)
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Image of United States seal. DSD Merchandisers, LLC Announces Voluntary Recall of Deluxe Roasted & Salted Mixed Nuts Due to Undeclared Peanut
DSD Merchandisers, LLC is voluntarily recalling UPC 6-51433-99651-6 Deluxe Roasted & Salted Mixed Nuts, Sell by: 10/09/24, due to the presence of undeclared peanut. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to specific type of allergen peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening aller
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Image of United States seal. Vitakraft Sun Seed Recall of Sun Seed Vita Prima Hedgehog Food Due to Possible Salmonella Health Risk
Vitakraft Sun Seed Inc. of Weston, OH, is voluntarily recalling one lot of Sun Seed Vita Prima Hedgehog Food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is also a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products,
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Image of United States seal. Hudson Harvest Issues Voluntary Recall of Tomato Basil Sauce Due to Potential Under-Processing
Hudson Harvest of Germantown, NY, is voluntarily recalling Hudson Harvest Tomato Basil Sauce because of reported swelling, leaking, or bursting jars. There is a possibility that the product has been under processed, which could lead to the potential for spoilage organisms or pathogens.
United States   (06/18/2024)