News Flash

River Ambassadors Needed for the 2022 River Season

The South Yuba River Citizen’s League (SYRCL) is seeking 70 volunteer River Ambassadors to help educate river visitors between May 27 and September 5. 

Each year, over 800,000 people visit the Yuba River, many without a basic understandi...

Burn Ban in the South Yuba River Corridor

In September 2018, the Board adopted Urgency Ordinance 2454 adding Article 6 of Chapter XVI to the Nevada County Land Use and Development Code prohibiting outdoor burning on private property in the South Yuba River Wild and Scenic corridor. The South Yuba...

Volunteering

Did you know there are many fun and rewarding opportunities to get involved in your community? In a smaller community like ours, volunteers are the lifeblood of important projects and events that simply wouldn’t happen without them. Below are ju...

Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Grant Applications Now Open

Nevada County’s Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Grant Program will provide up to $850,000 in one-time grants to respond to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by funding projects to promote public health and public safety at highl...

Penn Valley Municipal Advisory Council

The MAC, as we call this group, continues to meet monthly – at 6 pm on the third Thursday of the month – to advise me (as the District 4 supervisor), the overall Board of Supervisors, and the Planning Department on land use and develop...

Free Green Waste Drop-Off Events

On March 8, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors took action on seven items moving the County forward on its wildfire preparedness initiative. The Board unanimously approved nearly $850,000 in grant-funded contracts and programs for defensible space and...

South Yuba River Updates

I co-chair the Yuba River Public Safety Cohort, a multi-agency roundtable that coordinates around public safety issues at the South Yuba River. As we head into the 2022 river season, we’re getting three new emergency call boxes installed at the ...

Microbusiness Grants – Deadline March 25, 2022

Nevada County will disburse $107,500 in relief funds to up to 43 microbusinesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible microbusinesses in Nevada County may receive up to $2,500 each in grant funding. Applications opened on February 23 and will be ac...

Sierra Family Health Center Celebrates 40 Years of Service

In late February, the Board of Supervisors gave a certificate of recognition to the Sierra Family Health Center and its founder, Dr. Peter Van Houten, acknowledging their 40 years of service to North San Juan and the rest of Nevada County. 

Back i...

Public Comment Period Extended for Idaho Maryland Mine

In case you haven’t yet heard, the draft environmental impact report for the Idaho Maryland Mine (owned by Rise Grass Valley) has been released for public review and comment. However, please note that the 60-day review/comment period has recently been ext...

Nevada County’s 2022 Homeless Point-In-Time Count Set for Feb. 24

The Nevada County Regional Continuum of Care (NCRCoCC), in coordination with Nevada County and the Homeless Resource Council of the Sierras (HRCS), has announced that Nevada County’s annual point-in-time count of homeless individuals and families will tak...

Meet the New Public Health Officer, Dr. Cooke

At the December 14, 2021 Board of Supervisors meeting, we unanimously approved an 18-month contract with Dr. Sherilynn Cooke to serve as Nevada County’s Health Officer beginning January 1, 2022. 

“We feel extremely fortunate to...

Community Resiliency Grants

Back in April, the board carved out 30% of its federal COVID relief funds, $5.8 million, to promote community & economic resiliency. Up to $2 million of that was set aside for a “Community Resiliency Grants” program to help respond to the negative eco...

Looking Back at Military Appreciation Week

On November 11, Veterans Day, we honored and celebrated military veterans, as we do every year. But this year, Nevada County also held its first ever Military Appreciation Week from Nov. 6 to14, during which participating businesses offered discounts and ...

Bridgeport Covered Bridge Reopening

On Thursday, November 4, the Save our Bridge campaign held a grand re-opening ceremony to commemorate the completion of the $6.9 million rehabilitation of the Bridgeport Covered Bridge. The bridge is a visually striking, cherished icon that connects us to...

Historical Landmarking of Kentucky Ridge Mine Site

The board of supervisors recently approved the historical landmark designation of the former Kentucky Ridge Mine, located here in district 4 on Lone Lobo Trail. 

The Kentucky Ridge Mine – which likely spanned over a hundred acres on the ...

Living Amongst Wildlife

As you may have seen on social media or in the news, there have been many recent wildlife sightings in populated areas. From mountain lions strolling through neighborhoods, to bears crossing roadways (and even getting hit by cars), we’re seeing ...

Safe Debris Burning

1. Check if it’s okay to burn before lighting your burn pile by calling (530-274-7928) or checking online.
2. Landscape debris piles...

Fire Season Status Update from CAL FIRE

CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit Assistant Chief Jim Mathias gives us this update on the 2021 fire season:

Wetter weather may be on the way but don’t let your guard down.

Most of us have welcomed the cooler temperatures and shorter hours of intense sunlight...

Land Use and Development in Penn Valley

Are you interested in land use and development issues in Penn Valley? If so, please join the Penn Valley Municipal Advisory Council (PVMAC), which I chair, at our monthly meetings on the third Thursday of the month at 6 pm, with the next meeting on Thursd...

Housing for Veterans

Nevada County was recently recognized by a national initiative known as Built for Zero for making tremendous progress in reducing the number of veterans experiencing homelessness. Now, the community is working to reach a goal called functional zero by Nov...

Military Appreciation Week

Nevada County has a long history of honoring its veterans for their military service and for working to improve our community - from the American Legion Post 130 dreaming up the concept of building the Veterans Memorial Building in Grass Valley in 1927 (c...

Grant Funding for Defensible Space Assistance

The County of Nevada has received over $5 million dollars in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help eligible homeowners pay for fire safe vegetation clearing (also known as “defensible space”) around their properties. Nevada C...

Code Compliance Officer Appreciation Week

The week of October 3 through 9, people across California joined together to recognize code professionals and their vital role in promoting the health and safety of the public and the environment. These professionals work tirelessly in the community to en...

Cannabis in Nevada County

As we enter harvest season, cannabis is more visible in our community. Did you know that cannabis permitting and enforcement in our community is administered by the Nevada County Cannabis Compliance Division? This division within Code Compliance works in ...

211 - Resource and Information Hub

Finally, remember the great resource available to us all – 211 – for all kinds of information on everything from behavioral and mental health services, employment resources, transportation options, senior services, and more. It really ...

North San Juan Wildfire Town Hall

At the end of June, I hosted a wildfire town hall in North San Juan at the North Columbia Schoolhouse. It was a great opportunity to connect with that community and I really enjoyed seeing everyone who came out. We discussed wildfire preparedness, public ...

The Buzz of Activity in District 4

I am so pleased to see our community coming out of its COVID hideaway and buzzing with activity. The Bridgeport bridge is getting ever-so-close to completion. It’s back to looking like the old bridge and completion is targeted for the end of September. Th...

Tabletop Wildfire Evacuation Exercise in Lake Wildwood

Last month, on June 9, Nevada County public safety agencies hosted a wildfire readiness “tabletop” exercise with Lake Wildwood. The goal was to strengthen interagency communication and community response. Test CodeRED messages were sent out to the residen...

Wildfire Prevention

We are entering such a dry and hot time of the year, that using power tools to create defensible space around your home is increasingly risky. There have been several recent fires caused by the hot muffler on a weed whacker. Please be extremely mindful of...

Drought

It's hard to miss the fact that there is an extended drought underway in Nevada County. I’m seeing more and more dead trees and notices regarding closed boat ramps at our regional lakes. Nevada Irrigation District (NID), the City of Grass Valley, the City...

Affordable Housing for Seniors

District 4 has affordable housing for seniors coming online very soon. The Lone Oak Senior Housing Project, located on Broken Oak Court in Penn Valley, will provide 31 new units of needed affordable housing for seniors. The project includes a community ga...

The Yuba

California State Parks and SYRCL kicked off the river season on Memorial Day weekend with the launch of the River Ambassadors’ 2021 presence at the South Yuba River crossings. River Ambassadors are volunteers who use a friendly, non-confrontational approa...

Heat

Well above average temperatures with generally dry conditions are continuing. In addition to drying out vegetation and elevating wildfire risk, this weather can also lead to heat illness. Penn Valley Fire reports that they have already responded to severa...

Wildfire

Fire season is here. There have been several recent fires in District 4, including the Hutto Fire on the Yuba/Nevada County line, which burned 11 acres and triggered our first evacuation warning of 2021. Let it serve as a reminder of the value of our coun...

Support for Local Microbusinesses: Nevada County Will Open Microbusiness Grants on February 23rd

Nevada County will disburse $107,500 in relief funds to up to 43 microbusinesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Microbusinesses in Nevada County may be eligible for $2,500 in grant funding. Applications will be open Wednesday, February 23^rd at 9:00 a....

Library Resumes In-Person Services on February 15th

On Tuesday February 15th, The Nevada County Community Library will be resuming in-person services at all branches.  Patrons will be invited back into the buildings to browse the shelves, use public computers, and enjoy library spaces once more.

“W...

Nevada County’s 2022 Homeless Point-In-Time Count Set for February 24th

The Nevada County Regional Continuum of Care (NCRCoCC), in coordination with Nevada County and the Homeless Resource Council of the Sierras (HRCS), announced Nevada County’s annual point-in-time count of homeless individuals and families will take place o...

Health Officer Replaces Local Masking Requirements to a Masking Recommendation Effective Wednesday

Nevada County’s Public Health Officer, Dr. Sherilynn Cooke, announced that Nevada County will revert to the State of California Health Officer Order for masking going into effect at 12:01 am on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. As the local masking order is r...

Priority Permitting and Fee Waiver for Winter Storm Damage

Residents with storm damage repairs will receive priority permitting and have local fees waived for repair permits through the Nevada County Community Development Agency (CDA) for serious repairs needed following the December 27, 2021 winter storm.

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Nevada County Superior Court Seeks Volunteers for the 21/22 Grand Jury

The Superior Court of California, County of Nevada is seeking applications from Nevada County citizens interested in serving on the 2021/2022 Grand Jury.  If selected, you would serve until the end of this Jury year (June 30, 2022). We are also r...

Notice of Availability of Idaho-Maryland Mine Draft EIR & Public Meeting to Provide Comments

Nevada CountyNotice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Notice of Public Meeting to Provide Comments on the Idaho-Maryland Mine Project EIR 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A 60-DAY REVIEW PERIOD HAS BEGU...

Health Officer Replaces Local Masking Requirements to a Masking Recommendation Effective Wednesday

Nevada County’s Public Health Officer, Dr. Sherilynn Cooke, announced that Nevada County will revert to the State of California Health Officer Order for masking going into effect at 12:01 am on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. As the local masking order is r...

Support for Local Microbusinesses: Nevada County Will Open Microbusiness Grants on February 23rd

Nevada County will disburse $107,500 in relief funds to up to 43 microbusinesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Microbusinesses in Nevada County may be eligible for $2,500 in grant funding. Applications will be open Wednesday, February 23^rd at 9:00 a....

Nevada County’s 2022 Homeless Point-In-Time Count Set for February 24th

The Nevada County Regional Continuum of Care (NCRCoCC), in coordination with Nevada County and the Homeless Resource Council of the Sierras (HRCS), announced Nevada County’s annual point-in-time count of homeless individuals and families will take place o...