April showers bring May ... rattle snakes

Here's a helpful reminder about rattle snake safety, courtesy of California Department of Fish & Game. 

As the warm weather returns, humans are not the only species coming out to enjoy the sun. Snakes, too, can be found basking in the sun’s rays. Although most snakes in the state are harmless, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds the public to steer clear of the venomous rattlesnake and know what to do if one strikes.
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You've got election mail: Absentee ballots coming soon

Placer County Election officials will begin mailing absentee ballots on May 7, 2012. Voters can either use the vote-by-mail ballot request form on the sample ballot pamphlet or download a request form from our website.

To ensure sufficient processing time, the last day by law that the Office of Elections can mail a voter-requested vote-by-mail ballot is May 29, 2012. You may pick up a vote-by-mail ballot in Placer County Elections office from May 7, 2012 until Election Day, June 5, 2012.

The Office of Elections is located at 2956 Richardson Drive in the DeWitt Center in Auburn. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Election Day hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

May is Water Awareness Month in California

From the California Department of Water Resources:


The Department of Water Resources (DWR) urges Californians to observe "Water Awareness Month" in May.


"Water is a vital necessity for California's people, wildlife, ecosystems and economy," stated DWR Director Mark Cowin.
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Celebrate the earth in South Lake Tahoe this Saturday

South Tahoe Earth Day is returning to the Bijou Community Park on Saturday,  from 10am-4pm. 

This year's free Earth Day event has something for everyone, including:

• a new speakers’ stage with talks on aquatic invasive species, 
• the history of Lake Tahoe, 
• the story of Tahoe Tessie, 
• and edible plants of the Sierra. 

The Kid Zone area will be full of recycle-themed arts and crafts, such as milk-carton wallets and sun print papers, and the Bounce House will help kids bounce out that extra energy.
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Beth Gaines co-authors legislation to create Reagan memorial

Republican Assembly members hope to see a Ronald Reagan memorial constructed in the Capitol in the coming year as AB 2358 makes its way through the legislative process.

So far, the bill -- AB 2358 -- is moving along nicely, having passed the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife committee Tuesday on a 8-0 vote.

Specifically, the bill would authorize the Ronald Reagan Centennial Capitol Foundation to plan and construct a memorial to California's 33rd governor and America's 40th president in the State Capitol Building Annex. The memorial will be funded through private donations.


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Military vets would pay in-state tuition under Gaines bill

Assemblywoman Beth Gaines is co-authoring legislation that would allow every military veteran to pay in-state tuition. 


The bill, which also applies to veterans’ spouses, only requires that a veteran be honorably discharged and have served a minimum of 36 months in the Armed Forces or the State Military Reserve. 
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Partners in anti-crime: Rocklin PD and Sierra College

The Rocklin Police Department and the Sierra College Auto-Club are partnering to host a Catalytic Converter Etching Event.

Catalytic converters, along with copper and other metals, have become a hot commodity for thieves. 

Catalytic converter theft has become popular because of their value, relative ease to steal, and their lack of identifying markings, according to a memo issued by the Rocklin Police Department today. The lack of identification makes it difficult to identify victims and successfully apprehend and prosecute criminals. 

The most common vehicles that catalytic converters are stolen from are Toyota trucks and SUVs due to their high-ground clearance. These thefts can result in thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs.    

The Rocklin Police Department is partnering with the Sierra College Auto-Club and local businesses to address one of these issues by hosting a free catalytic converter etching event. 


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San Juan Water District sues Fair Oaks Water District

San Juan Water District filed a lawsuit on April 13 demanding Fair Oaks Water District honor its legal obligation and pay its fair share of the costs to rehabilitate the Fair Oaks 40 Pipeline, which is owned and operated by San Juan but used in part by FOWD. 


The pipeline is more than 50 years old and is in critical need of repair, according to an announcement on SJWD's website. Please click here for a letter to customers from San Juan Water District General Manager Shauna Lorance.

Regional university to add MBA Healthcare Administration to its curriculum

Placer County healthcare professionals looking for an edge might want to look into Drexel University Center's new program: MBA in Healthcare Administration. Classes for the advanced degree begin in September.

Interested? 

Read this story released by the Sacramento-based school.

This unique MBA program, using expertise from the highly-ranked Drexel University College of Medicine and Drexel’s LeBow College of Business, is designed for working medical professionals who want to acquire additional business skills.
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Placer County agency awards Clean Air grants to local businesses

The Placer County Air Pollution Control District is awarding $931,000 in 2012 Clean Air Grant funds to 10 projects that will reduce air pollution in Placer County.


“The Clean Air Grant program directly supports our primary goal of improving Placer County’s air quality,” said Tom Christofk, Placer County Air Pollution Control Officer. 
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Francis Chan to speak tonight at William Jessup University

William Jessup University will host a Community Coffee Talk with Francis Chan tonight at 7:30 pm in the Academic Warehouse.

Chan is a popular preacher, author and speaker. In 2009 his book entitled Crazy Love was on the New York Times Best Seller List.

In 1994, Chan and his wife started Cornerstone Christian Church with just 30 people. Since that time, the church has grown to be one of the largest churches in Ventura County.

Chan has since left his post as pastor of the church and is now heading up a project that aims to reach people in the San Francisco Bay Area.


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Election 2012: The Primary Race- Assembly District 1

Five candidates are bidding for the 1st Assembly District seat, which includes 58,104 Placer County residents living in Applegate, Colfax, Kings Beach, Meadow Vista, North Auburn, Squaw Valley and Tahoe City. 


There are no incumbents running in this Republican favored race, as Assemblyman Dan Logue and Assemblywoman Gaines were drawn out of this district, but are both running in other races.
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Placer County residents can check voter registration info online

Jim McCauley, Placer County Registrar of Voters is pleased to announce that voters can now go to the Office of Elections website to see if they are registered to vote in Placer County.

After voters click on the “Am I registered?” link, they enter their birth date and the last four digits of their driver’s license/state issued ID number or social security number. 
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Former Auburn Mayor files FOIA request with City of Auburn

Former Auburn Mayor Hank Gonzales has filed a Freedom of Information Act Request with the City of Auburn, asking how much in taxpayer funds were spent on the City’s recent lawsuit against Measure A Opponents (Labrie vs. Board of Supervisors, et al.).

“Taxpayers deserve to know how much of their money was used to keep them in the dark about Measure A, and to try and silence the perfectly valid concerns of four former City Mayors and the County’s leading taxpayer advocate,” Gonzales said.
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Rocklin citizens invited to "Chat with the Chief"

The Rocklin Police Department is offering three “Chat with the Chief” meetings to share information with Rocklin residents, promote new police programs, and foster open communication with community members.
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Blood, not urine, for Drug DUIs

There's a bill winding its way through the California Legislature that would require law enforcement to administer a blood test, not urine, to drivers suspected of drug DUIs.

Under current law, DUI offenders suspected of being under the influence of 
drugs or the combination of drugs and alcohol can opt for a blood or urine test, states Assemblyman Richard Pan, the author of the bill, in an Assembly analysis of the bill.
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Gaines bill identifies potential traps created by disability laws

In an effort to help California businesses avoid pitfalls, or traps, when setting up brick and mortar shops, Assemblywoman Beth Gaines (R-Roseville) is authoring a bill that would require the state architect to prepare a report that identifies all federal and state disability access regulations.  

The bill, AB 1879, passed  unanimously by the Assembly Business, Professions and Consumer Protection committee this week and will move on to a full vote by the Assembly in the coming weeks.
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Facts about Measure A - 'Home Rule' for City of Auburn

Measure A - City of Auburn
What does it do? Adopts the Home Rule for Auburn Charter of 2012. 
Vote threshold: Requires a simple majority to pass
How much will it cost? Proponents say the measure will save Auburn $6 million over the next six year. 
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State tax official proposes legislation to cap gas tax

California Board of Equalization member George Runner said Sen. Bob Dutton, R-San Bernardino, will soon introduce Runner’s proposal to cap the gas tax.

“Senator Dutton is stepping forward to fight for California consumers who are sick of high gas prices,” Runner said. “Lawmakers like to complain about high gas prices. Now they have a chance to do something to help.”

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You've got mail: Sample ballots soon to arrive

FROM THE PLACER COUNTY ELECTION'S OFFICE:


All Placer County registered voters should start checking their mailboxes for the June 5, 2012 Presidential Primary Election Sample Ballot Pamphlet. Sample ballot pamphlets will begin to mail on April 26, 2012.
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The Metropolitan Opera: Manon on the big screen Saturday in Roseville

The Metropolitan Opera comes to Roseville this Saturday. Not in person, but the next best thing: A live recorded production that will unfold on the big screen of Century Roseville 14 theater. Anna Netrebko delivers a dazzling portrayal of the tragic heroine in Laurent Pelly's new production "Manon."
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OPINION: Enough Red Tape to Stripe California’s Highways

By Kirk Uhler

No one understands the needs of Placer County residents better than the people who live here. We love our community and are always looking for things we can do to make it even better.

As both a County Supervisor and a longtime member of the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency (PCTPA) Board of Directors, I enjoy working with other local elected officials to identify and solve those problems most impactful to our constituents. Together, we have been forward-thinking, proactive and worked to ensure our region’s transportation infrastructure meets the needs of our community.

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Man attacks Placer County process server

FROM PLACER COUNTY SHERIFF:

An Auburn man who became angry at a process server with eviction papers Wednesday flew into a rage and shot the woman, shattered her car window and threw rocks and mud into her vehicle. He also reached inside her car and rubbed the mud into her face. He was arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism. He posted $25,000 bail and was released late Weds.
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Placer County Treasurer recognized by Sierra Business Council

Jenine Windeshausen.

The Sierra Business Council (SBC) is pleased to announce this year’s Sierra Vision Award winners.  These individuals and organizations have contributed exceptional work toward securing the social, natural and financial health of the Sierra Nevada region.  The celebration of their work will be held the evening of May 1 at the Sierra Health Foundation in Sacramento from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
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Erosion Control BMP Workshops for Contractors Return to the Tahoe Basin in April

The 13th annual Workshops for Erosion Control Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the Tahoe Basin will be offered on April 20 and 27 in Incline Village and Stateline, NV. The BMP Workshops train and update contractors and do-it-yourselfers in proper BMP installation procedures for the Lake Tahoe Basin, featuring outdoor presentations, exhibits and activities in addition to indoor lectures.  
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Julia Mancuso Promotes Tahoe License Plates and more

Julia Mancuso, coming off gold-winning performances in the super-G and giant slalom Friday and Saturday at the U.S. ski championships in Colorado, has agreed to appear in TV and radio spots promoting the California and Nevada Lake Tahoe license plates. 

The Tahoe plates help fund recreation and conservation projects at Lake Tahoe, and buyers can still receive two free Alpine lift or Nordic passes to the Tahoe resort of their choice for the current season if they purchase plates through the non-profit Tahoe Fund.
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