Thursday, 04 July 2024

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Deb St. Cyr. and Ken Wells are co-leaders for the newly formed Redwood Trails Alliance. Courtesy by PINE Photo.

NORTH COAST, Calif. — The Redwood Trails Alliance has been created through the union of the Sonoma County Trails Council and the Redwood Empire Mountain Bike Alliance.

In November 2020 the Board of Directors of both corporations agreed to join forces and to pursue their common mission as the Redwood Trails Alliance with an initial board of directors combined from both nonprofits.

By joining forces, the new Trails Alliance will be able to increase the quality and quantity of our
local trails for more trail users while respecting the environment we visit.

Their work includes education, advocacy and trail projects which are funded by memberships, donations, and income from trail construction and training services.

Trails Alliance projects have included trail design, construction and maintenance.

The group is currently working at several Sonoma County Regional Parks, including Helen Putnam in Petaluma, Foothill in Windsor and Taylor Mt. in Santa Rosa and recently completed trail work at Napa County’s Moore Creek Park.

The new organization will be co-led by Ken Wells and Deb St. Cyr.

Wells, the alliance’s trails director, has been on trails all his life with over three decades of trail advocacy and construction experience. His efforts have been recognized with a long list of awards.

St. Cyr is the alliance’s executive director and comes to the partnership with over 20 years of volunteering with nonprofits.

Powered by a passion for the outdoors, St. Cyr stepped into the trail building and mountain bike
advocacy world after a devastating wildfire destroyed her home, community and local trail system.

The Ken and Deb partnership creates a powerful combination of organizational skills, nonprofit knowledge and trail construction experience, establishing a solid foundation to build more and better trails for all.

With the substantial experience, knowledge and resources that is now the Redwood Trails Alliance, the organization is a respected leader of the trails community in the North Bay.

The Trails Alliance recognizes the environmental and social challenges our communities face, as well as the critical role being outside provides for our mental, physical and social wellbeing.

It provides the essential link to the natural world — trails.

The Trails Alliance is committed to the creation and stewardship of a network of durable and enjoyable trails to enable people to visit our amazing landscapes.

Visit the group’s website and follow it on Instagram and Facebook.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — Out of an abundance of caution, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and Cache Creek Casino Resort executive leadership have decided to delay grand opening plans originally scheduled for September.

Concerts will also be postponed until further notice. This difficult decision was made with the health and wellness of guests and employees as our top priority.

The concerts postponed include Train, the Beach Boys, Clint Black, and Boyz II Men.

New dates will be announced once confirmed.

Although these events are postponed, the casino, hotel, and its amenities — including the South Tower with its luxury suites, Ensō sushi and the newly reconfigured C2 Steak and Seafood — remain open at this time with appropriate COVID-19 protocols in place.

“We take our responsibility as leaders in Northern California’s hospitality industry seriously. The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and Cache Creek Casino Resort will remain vigilant on behalf of the health and safety of guests and employees, as we have done throughout the pandemic,” tribal and casino leadership said in a statement.

Even before public health officials called for it, Cache Creek Casino Resort was among the first properties to close in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation continued to provide full pay and benefits to staff for months, throughout that closure.

Once vaccines became available, the Yocha Dehe Fire Department hosted several on-site vaccine clinics, providing more than 2,000 vaccine doses to casino and tribal employees, as well as the rural Capay Valley community.

Tribal leadership and resort management said they will continue to work with county and state public health officials to inform future decisions regarding events, ticketed entertainment and all other operations at Cache Creek Casino Resort.

Cache Creek Casino Resort, owned and operated by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, is located 40 miles northwest of Sacramento and 80 miles from the San Francisco Bay Area in Brooks. It features more than 600 four-diamond luxury hotel rooms, thousands of exclusive slot machines, hundreds of table games, 10 dining experiences, world-class nightlife, a full-service spa and an 18-hole championship golf course.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Tuesday that the White House has approved California’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, submitted Monday, to bolster the ongoing emergency response to wildfires and support impacted communities in Lassen, Nevada, Placer and Plumas counties.

“California is grateful for President Biden’s swift approval of our request and the ongoing work of our heroic firefighters and emergency responders to protect communities across Northern California,” said Gov. Newsom. “This declaration makes vital resources available as we continue to work in lockstep with local, state and federal partners to meet the challenge of these catastrophic wildfires and support communities in recovery.”

A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration helps people in the impacted counties through eligibility for programs and support that can include housing assistance, counseling, medical services and legal services.

The declaration includes public assistance to help state, tribal and local governments with ongoing emergency response and recovery costs and hazard mitigation, which helps state and local governments reduce the risks and impacts of future disasters.

The request approved Tuesday is specific to the Dixie and River fires. Other fires, including the Caldor fire, may be included once fire conditions allow state, local and federal officials to safely assess the scope of damage.

Although wildfires are actively burning, the state and its partners are working quickly to provide California communities the resources they need to get back home as soon as it is safe to do so.

The state is already removing household hazardous waste due to fires in multiple counties, the first stage of returning damaged properties to their owners.

There are also teams on the ground conducting damage assessments documenting the extent of the losses so that the state can maximize its requests for federal aid.

In addition, the state provided millions of dollars in California Disaster Assistance Act Public Assistance advance funding to Plumas and Alpine counties.

This advance funding provides financial assistance from the state for costs incurred by local governments because of a disaster event — due to the magnitude of the damage sustained in Plumas County due to the Dixie Fire and in Alpine County from the Tamarack Fire.

California recently secured Fire Management Assistance Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support the state’s response to the Dixie fire in Lassen, Butte and Plumas counties and the response to the Caldor fire, Monument fire, River fire and Lava fire.

Gov. Newsom has activated the State Operations Center to its highest level and proclaimed a state of emergency in counties impacted by the Caldor, McFarland and Monument fires, Antelope and River fires, Dixie, Fly and Tamarack fires and the Lava Fire and Beckwourth Complex fire.

The governor signed an executive order to support impacted communities and bolster wildfire response and recovery efforts.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY.
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The California Highway Patrol’s Northern Division, having jurisdiction over the major transportation corridor of US-101 throughout northern California, is announcing a Major Corridor Enhanced Primary Collision Factor Enforcement Campaign on Thursday, Aug. 26.

This effort aims to reduce the number of injury and traffic crashes on US-101 throughout Northern Division.

In 2019 and 2020, a total of 1521 crashes occurred on US-101 in Mendocino and Humboldt counties, causing 535 injuries and killing a total of 23 people.

The primary causes for these crashes were determined to be speed, reckless driving, unsafe lane change, unsafe turning movement, following too close, distracted driving, and driving under the influence, with increased injuries and deaths from occupant restraint violations.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security. This includes the prevention of loss of life, injuries, and property damage resulting from traffic crashes through enforcement, education, engineering, and partnerships.

The CHP is promoting awareness and safe driving along this major corridor route.

During the enhanced enforcement campaign, the CHP Northern Division will target US-101 in Mendocino and Humboldt counties with increased traffic safety operations to educate and, if necessary, take appropriate enforcement action on drivers who violate traffic laws along this major corridor route.

“The US-101 corridor within Northern Division represents a large portion of where traffic collisions are occurring,” said Northern Division Chief Greg Baarts. “Increased visibility, aggressive enforcement, and public education within the Areas along this corridor will contribute to improved safety for motorists traveling on US-101.”

The CHP reminds motorists to follow these basic traffic safety rules: always wear a seat belt, drive at a speed safe for conditions, eliminate distractions while driving, and always designate a sober driver.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced that California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the French fire in Kern County.

To date, the French fire has burned 20,678 acres, threatening homes in and around Wofford Heights and Kernville.

The Fire Management Assistance Grant, or FMAG, which is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund on a cost-share basis, will enable local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for 75% reimbursement of their eligible fire suppression costs.

The program, which is administered through the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, or Cal OES, provides rapid financial assistance to communities impacted by fires.

Gov. Newsom on Tuesday announced that the White House approved California’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, including supports available to wildfire-impacted residents and assistance for state, tribal and local governments with ongoing emergency response and recovery costs.

California also recently secured FMAGs to support the state’s response to the Dixie fire in Lassen, Butte and Plumas counties, and the response to the Caldor fire, Monument fire, River fire and Lava fire.

Gov. Newsom has activated the State Operations Center to its highest level and proclaimed a state of emergency in counties impacted by the Caldor fire, McFarland and Monument fires, Antelope and River fires, Dixie, Fly and Tamarack fires and the Lava Fire and Beckwourth Complex fire.

The governor signed an executive order to support impacted communities and bolster wildfire response and recovery efforts.

Cal Fire and Cal OES personnel are responding in concert with other federal, state and local agencies to address emergency management and mutual aid needs for the fires.
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Highway 70 in Butte County, California. Photo courtesy of Caltrans.

BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. — In a major milestone, Caltrans is beginning construction this week on a safety and passing lanes project on State Highway 70 in southern Butte County.

On Monday, crews began placing temporary concrete barriers, or K-rail, along a four-mile stretch of roadway from East Gridley Road to the Honcut Creek bridge.

Caltrans and the Butte County Association of Governments, or BCAG, are partnering on this $50 million project to create continuous passing lanes with a two-way left-turn lane and build a new bridge over Honcut Creek.

Other improvements include widening the shoulders to 8 feet, upgrading drainage systems and establishing an area for vehicles veering off the roadway to return to the main highway.

The work represents the last of three Butte County projects to improve safety on the Highway 70 corridor between Oroville and the Butte-Yuba County line.

A second safety and passing project between Palermo Road and Cox Lane is currently under construction and expects to be completed this fall. An earlier safety improvement project from Ophir Road to Palermo opened to traffic in fall 2019.

“It took a lot of hard work by our partners and Caltrans to get to this stage. We’re excited to begin construction on this segment,” said Caltrans District 3 Director Amarjeet S. Benipal. “After this important safety project is completed, motorists will have continuous passing opportunities from Oroville to the Butte-Yuba County line.”

About 17,000 vehicles and approximately 900 trucks per day use this segment of Highway 70 on average.

“Butte County and Caltrans have spent more than three decades working to provide safe, reliable four-lane access on the Highway 70 corridor. It’s vital that we modernize this highway for the safety of motorists and residents as well as the regional economy,” said Butte County Supervisor Bill Connelly, who also serves on the BCAG board.

Teichert Construction of Sacramento and MCM Construction of North Highlands are the contractors on the project.

Over the next two years, motorists may expect intermittent traffic-interfering and occasional overnight roadwork. The contractor will maintain driveway access to the highway for businesses and residents.

As part of a Caltrans work zone safety initiative, the speed limit has been reduced from 55 to 45 mph in the construction zone. Radar speed feedback trailers are in place along the highway to remind motorists of the reduced driving speed.

Caltrans District 3 maintains more than 4,385 lanes miles of state highway in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. The department issues updates about road conditions on Twitter and on Facebook.

For real-time traffic information, go to http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the free Caltrans QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.

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