By Eric Johnson
Published Jan 02, 2024

Family and friends are the best part of any year. Image credit: AlessandroBiascioli Shutterstock/standard

The Best and Worst of 2023

Happy 2024 from your friends at California Local. In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, you will find more of what you’re looking for, if what you’re looking for is reliable information about the place you call home.

This week’s News Digest, as always curated by our good friend and executive editor Sharan Street, is the most robust ever, and can be your guide to the most important stories you may have missed over the holiday.

Our Year in Review, also cat-herded by Sharan, will remind you that this was (another) nut job of a year—and that there’s some good stuff happening in California, too.

Speaking of good stuff: Chris Neklason, our good friend and fearless leader, compiled a list of the big changes that have happened here at California Local over the past 12 months. It kind of blew my mind, and I work here every day—so I’m not sure why I was surprised.

And yes! Even more good stuff. From our good friend and publisher, Mike Gelbman, some retrospection and inspiration.

What Happened in the Year 2023?

In October of this year, California’s own Kevin McCarthy lost his job as speaker of the House of Representatives following a long and ugly fight with extremist members of his own party. It was the first time in U.S. history that a house speaker was fired, was one of the biggest stories of 2023, and in some ways epitomized the year. As you will see, there were some tectonic shifts in the year just past that will reverberate into the future, and not all of them were bad.

Facing the New Year

California Local looks back at 2023, with an eye toward what stories will matter most in 2024.

A Note from CALocal's CEO

No brag—just fact: Some good stuff happened here at California Local over the past year. Teaser: We are publishing a book boldly and accurately titled How California Works. We won two big awards from the California News Publishers Association. Click below to learn more. (And please consider joining our family by taking 10 seconds to click the red button and sign up for a free membership ;-)

2023 at California Local in Review

In which we count our accomplishments, and blessings, at the turning of the year.

A Letter from Our Publisher

Michael Gelbman had a big reason to give some thought to the meaning of his life and his work, and he had some longtime beliefs confirmed.

Reflections on My 2023

Michael Gelbman finds some perspective amid the divisiveness.

From Our Media Allies

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	Fun Ways to Spend the First Day of the New Year
	While Jan. 1 may be a bit more quiet than New Year’s Eve, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the first day of the year.

	Sierra Sun Year in Review
	Weather is always a hot topic of conversation, but there were plenty of other local news stories that caught the public’s interest.

	Tahoe Daily Tribune’s Year in Review
	For the first few months of the year, snow was all anyone could talk about.

	Sock Parlour Experiences Both Backlash, Support After YouTube Video Released
	Following the posting of a video on a YouTube channel run by father-son duo David and Ben Gutterman, showcasing a heated confrontation in front of Sock Parlour, the lives of the store’s owners have been drastically changed.

	Fish & Wildlife Shares How to Keep Mountain Lions Out
	A mountain lion has been killing livestock on Loomis properties, and while walking on Christmas Day, a man took a picture of a puma on Miner’s Ravine Trail in Roseville.

	TRPA Advances Workforce Housing Solutions
	The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board approved a package of incentives to address the housing crisis in Lake Tahoe, targeting zoning regulations to lower the cost of affordable and workforce housing, benefit water quality, and reduce traffic and vehicle …

Smokey Bear Turns 80 in 2024

Smokey Bear’s actual birthday is Aug. 9, but the Forest Service will launch a yearlong celebration starting off with Smokey appearing in the Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1.

	CHP Highlights New Traffic Safety Laws for 2024
	The California Highway Patrol is educating the public on laws that were passed during this year's legislative session and take effect on Jan. 1.

	Placer Superior Court Chooses New Leadership
	The judges of the Superior Court of Placer County unanimously voted to re-elect the Honorable Alan V. Pineschi as presiding judge and elect the Honorable Jeffrey S. Penney as assistant presiding judge. Each serves a two-year term, to commence Jan. …

	Roseville Police Make Theft Arrests During Holidays
	The Roseville Police Department’s Operation Grinch Team arrested three involved in retail thefts.

	First Day Hikes Offered by State Parks
	At the start of a new year, many resolve to be more active. California State Parks helps kick off such efforts with its annual First Day Hikes.

	Rocklin Police Awarded Grant to Enhance Roadway Safety
	The Rocklin Police Department received $75,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety for ongoing enforcement and education programs to help reduce traffic injuries and deaths.

	Omakase Por Favor Brings Fresh Restaurant Concept to Lincoln
	Owner/chef Jeana Pecha dreamed of opening a restaurant near her hometown. She found a warm welcome at Twelve Bridges shopping center.

	Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee Launches Health Needs Survey
	The Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee requests resident participation in a confidential survey that will measure quality of life, community engagement, and behavioral health needs.

Recent Local News

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• Pioneer Community Energy Expands Service to Nevada County

Pioneer Community Energy, a not-for-profit electricity provider, is expanding service into Grass Valley and Nevada City beginning in January 2024.

(01/02/2024) → YubaNet

• Cameron Park CSD Hires New Leader

After a six-month search the Cameron Park Community Services District Board of Directors has named a new general manager.

(01/01/2024) → Village Life

• Judge Won’t Order Trial of Caldor Fire Suspects, Lawyers Say

A judge has refused to order the father and son duo charged with starting the 2021 Caldor Fire—which destroyed Grizzly Flat and burned across three Northern California counties—to face charges that they recklessly started the fire by target shooting.

(12/29/2023) → Read the full The Sacramento Bee report

• EID Rate Hikes Approved

El Dorado Irrigation District Directors Alan Day and Lori Anzini tried for a motion to hike water rates 8 percent, but lost on a 2-3 vote.

(12/29/2023) → Village Life

• ABT Relaunches ‘ABT Gives Back’ Charitable Giving Program

ABT Plumbing, Electric, Heating & Air is reinvigorating its ABT Gives Back program, launched as an effort to build awareness and financial support for nonprofits in the Nevada County and Placer County areas.

(12/28/2023) → Read the full The Union report

• New Managed Care Plan for Medi-Cal Recipients Kicks in Jan. 1

On Jan. 1, Partnership HealthPlan of California will become the Managed Care Plan for Medi-Cal recipients in these counties: Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba.

(12/28/2023) → YubaNet

• Rite Aid to Close Additional Sacramento Area Stores

The closure of two locations in the Sacramento region is part of nationwide store shutdowns following Rite Aid’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The Placerville store is set to close Jan. 8, while the Auburn store will shutter Jan. 15.

(12/28/2023) → Rio Linda Messenger

• Transit Ops Manager to Retire

After 30 years of public service, El Dorado Transit Operations Manager Scott Ousley is retiring effective Jan. 6.

(12/27/2023) → Mountain Democrat

Recent Statewide News

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• Sierra Snowpack at 25% of Usual Levels

The California Department of Water Resources has found that the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains is at just 25% of normal levels for this time of year. This could potentially impact water supply and wildfire protection.

(01/02/2024) → Sacramento Bee

• Hospitals Seeing More People with COVID-19 and Flu

Los Angeles County has entered the medium category of COVID-19 hospitalization defined by the CDC, with providers warning that illnesses like RSV like to travel in tandem with the virus. Officials are urging the public to mask when visiting hospitals or other indoor facilities.

(01/02/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• CA Minimum Wage Hits $16 an Hour

The dawn of 2024 meant that California’s minimum wage rose from $15.50 to $16 an hour. That puts the Golden State at the second-highest minimum wage for a U.S. state, trailing only Washington state at $16.28 an hour.

(01/02/2024) → New York Times

• Law Goes Into Effect Blocking Guns in Many California Public Places

A law passed by the California legislature in 2023 has gone into effect banning licensed gun holders from bringing their firearms to places like playgrounds, churches and casinos. The law faces an ongoing challenge in the federal court system.

(01/02/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• 7 Ways to Hang On to More Money in 2024

Just as you might intend to change your diet or workout plan, resolve to make changes that will allow you to meet financial goals.

(12/27/2023) → Daily Democrat

• American Graffiti is Back: Cruising Now Legal Again in California, But So Are Speed Cameras

Under new state laws, five cities will test cameras to catch speeding drivers and cruising bans will be lifted statewide. The first is supposed to improve road safety, but critics of the second say it will endanger the public.

(12/27/2023) → CalMatters

• San Diego Zoo Displays World’s Rarest Insect

Visitors can see the critically endangered Lord How Island stick insect, on display for the first time in North America, in a special habitat at the zoo’s Wildlife Explorers Basecamp.

(12/27/2023) → San Joaquin Valley Sun

Government Announcements

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	United States (12/31/2023) Valley Meats, LLC, Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2023 - Valley Meats, LLC, a Coal Valley, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 6,768 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli...

	United States (12/30/2023) Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Voluntarily Recalls Select Batches of Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder Because of Possible Health Risk
Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN), a producer of nutrition products, announced today that it has voluntarily chosen to recall from the U.S. market select batches of Nutramigen Powder, a specialty infant formula for the dietary management of Cows Milk Allergy (CMA) in 12.6 and 19.8 oz cans, due to

	United States (12/28/2023) Nam & Son of MD Recalls Soybean Sprouts Because of Possible Health Risk
Nam & Son of MD, Jessup, MD is recalling one-pound bags of soybean sprouts, with the sell-by date of December 14, 2023, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

	United States (12/26/2023) World Variety Produce, Inc. Recalls Kimchi Hot Because of Possible Health Risk
World Variety Produce, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA is recalling Melissa's Kimchi Hot 14 oz, because of mislabeling of allergen ingredient "Fish" was not listed in the ingredient panel within the allergen information panel. Food allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms involving hives and l

	United States (12/22/2023) Scanga Meat Company Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O103 Contamination
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2023 - Scanga Meat Company, a Salida, Colorado establishment, is recalling approximately 563 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O103, the...

	United States (12/21/2023) Tampa Bay Fisheries, Inc. Dover, Florida is Voluntarily Recalling 1 Lot of 365 Whole Foods Market Beer Battered Pollock Fillets and 2 Lots of 365 Beer Battered Cod Fillet Due to an Undeclared Soy Allergen
TAMPA BAY FISHERIES, INC. IS VOLUNTARILY RECALLING ONE LOT OF 365 WHOLE FOODS MARKET "BEER BATTERED POLLOCK FILLETS" (32OZ) BAGS WITH UPC 9948249803, LOT# 32508201, AND BEST BUY: 03/07/2025 LOCATED ON THE BACK OF BAG. 2 LOTS OF 365 WHOLE FOODS MARKET "BEER BATTERED COD FILLET" (12OZ) CARTONS WITH UP

	United States (12/20/2023) Astor Chocolate Corporation Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Coconut in Burnt Caramel Bars
Astor Chocolate Corporation of Lakewood, New Jersey is recalling 1,092 Burnt Caramel Candy Bars, because it may contain undeclared coconut. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to coconut run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. The Th

	United States (12/19/2023) Houdini, Inc. Recalls Gift Baskets with Quaker Oats Chewy Granola Bars Because of Possible Health Risk
Wine Country Gift Baskets / Houdini Inc. of Fullerton, CA is taking precautionary measures of voluntarily recalling all gift baskets produced with Quaker Chewy Granola bars due to a recall by the Quaker Oats company because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which c

	United States (12/18/2023) RDK Corp (DBA Racine Danish Kringles) Issues Allergy Alert on Potential for Undeclared Pecans in 14oz Raspberry Kringle
Racine Danish Kringles of Racine, Wisconsin is recalling 960 units of Raspberry Kringle 14oz with lot code 23299 sold in select ALDI retail stores because the item may contain undeclared pecans. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to pecans run the risk of serious or life- threatening a