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By Eric Johnson
Published Jan 15, 2024
Hey, Mickey—please pay attention to your driving!
Image credit: Antonio Gravante, Shutterstock
Happy MLK Day, California. A reminder that this day was dedicated to volunteerism when Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act of 1990, encouraging Americans to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy “with acts of civic work and community service.” If you are in a position to do that and plan to do so, we commend you.
And a reminder that below our featured articles, you will find an easily digestible digest of curated news from trusted sources.
This week we begin with the first of two articles about unnecessary losses of life. Jon Vankin writes about the increasing phenomenon of “traffic violence,” which is also known as the automobile “accident.” As you will see, thousands of Californians lose their lives each year because we’ve designed our transportation system to optimize for cars instead of people. Meanwhile, pedestrians are being killed by distracted drivers in bigger and bigger cars in devastating numbers.
Death on the Roads: Traffic Fatality Crisis Far From Over
In his new book, a former New York Times science reporter and expert on pandemics writes: “If the lies hadn’t been told ... we really would’ve ended up with only about 600,000 dead instead of 1.1 million dead.” I consider the book’s harrowing truths while suffering from a late case of COVID-19.
For generations, US copyright law was determined largely by the value of one iconic piece of intellectual property. The fascinating tale of the Walt Disney Company’s successful campaign to protect the world’s most famous mouse, which has finally come to an end.
Mickey Mouse Enters Public Domain. What That Means for California
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Santa Clara County's Homepage |
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From Our Media Allies |
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Tahoe Business Sector in ‘Transition Period’ |
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A shocking number of businesses have shut down, but multiple new ventures are coming in behind them. |
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Climate Profile: David Carter of Deep Planet |
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Climate Profile, a feature by the North Tahoe chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, explores how climate change has affected the lives of local citizens. |
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The Push for a National Landmark at Donner Pass |
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The railroad tunnels high above Truckee hold historic stories. Deep in the granite, the lives of immigrant workers were made and lost over 150 years ago. |
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Tahoe Restaurant Uses Robot Tech to Combat Staffing Shortages |
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When Arvi Sabherwal took over a Zephyr Cove restaurant in November of 2022, he wasn't anticipating the challenge many businesses face: a shortage of employees. |
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Auburn Problem-Oriented Policing Team Experiencing Successes |
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Through connecting with the community and attacking issues until they are solved, Auburn’s Problem-Oriented Policing unit works to improve the city. |
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Auburn Woman Adds More Protection From Mountain Lions |
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Kevi Edmonds read about mountain lion attacks killing livestock in Loomis and saw an opportunity to assist other livestock owners with another way to guard against an attack. |
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Palisades Tahoe: ‘Strange Vibes’ Day After Deadly Avalanche |
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The avalanche occurred about a half hour after the lift opened for the first time this season. |
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KRLT 93.9 The Lake Off Air, Repairing Ice Damage |
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For the third day, The Lake KRLT 93.9 was broadcasting only static less than two months after announcing a change in ownership. |
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Placer Supervisors Approve $175,000 in Defensible Space Grants |
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The Placer County Board of Supervisors approved the acceptance of $175,000 in grant funding for the development of a Defensible Space Fuels Reduction Program, aimed at assisting low-income senior and disabled residents in eastern Placer County. |
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Watershed Plan: ‘Urgent Actions’ Needed for American River |
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The El Dorado Water Agency announced the completed Programmatic Watershed Plan to address concerns regarding the American River watershed. |
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City of Rocklin Seeks Ruhkala Award Nominations |
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The Ruhkala Community Service Awards recognize exemplary community service efforts in Rocklin. |
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Recent Local News |
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• Study Finds Forests Healthier When Burned—or Thinned
A 20-year experiment in the Sierra Nevada confirms that different forest management techniques are effective at reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire in California.
(01/12/2024) → Mountain Democrat• Volunteers Offer Income Tax Advice
The American Association of Retired Persons, in conjunction with the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board, provides volunteer income tax counselors at various locations through April 13.
(01/11/2024) → Georgetown Gazette• Placerville Achievements ‘Add Up to a Better, Safer Place We Call Home’
Placerville City Council kicked off its first meeting of 2024 by taking a look back at some highlights of the year gone by.
(01/10/2024) → Mountain Democrat• Grizzly Flat Recovery: Another Step in Rebuilding Gives Message of ‘Strength and Resilience’
Residents of fire-torn Grizzly Flat often spoke of the community bulletin board next to the post office as a conduit for information.
(01/10/2024) → Mountain Democrat• Sue McGuire Announces Candidacy for District 1 Supervisor
“As a lifelong resident of Nevada County, I am deeply committed to preserving its natural resources, beauty, and fostering a robust economy,” says Sue McGuire, who is seeking a seat on the position of Nevada County Board of Supervisors.
(01/08/2024) → YubaNet|
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Recent Statewide News |
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• SCOTUS to Hear Case with Major Implications for Homeless
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case related to whether cities and towns can ban camping on public property. The high court could overturn Martin v. Boise, a 2018 federal court decision that keeps western cities and counties from blocking public camping when sufficient shelter space is unavailable.
(01/12/2024) → Sacramento Bee• Fourth Graders Might Lose Free Access to California State Parks
California’s projected budget deficit of close to $38 billion likely means some cuts are coming. Among them, Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed ending the California State Park Adventure Pass, which offers free access to some state parks for fourth graders.
(01/12/2024) → SFGate• Iconic California Restaurant Closes Without Warning
Pea Soup Andersen’s, a Buellton, Calif., restaurant just shy of its 100th birthday, closed suddenly. The restaurant's other location, near Interstate 5 in Santa Nella, remains open.
(01/10/2024) → SFGate• $10M-Plus Lawsuit Follows Multiple Deaths at Sacramento Jail
Sacramento attorney Mark Merin has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of a man who died in May after being held at the county jail. Other inmates have died in recent years, and the jail is under a federal consent decree to improve its health care.
(01/09/2024) → Sacramento Bee• Hate Crimes Rising in Los Angeles
Cal State San Bernardino’s Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism found that hate crimes rose 12.9% between 2022 and 2023. The spike follows a particularly stark increase in crimes against Jewish people.
(01/09/2024) → LAist• Newsom Sets March 19 Special Election to Fill McCarthy’s Seat
Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for a March 19 primary to elect a replacement for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who resigned from Congress in December. If a candidate doesn’t win outright, a runoff will be held on May 21.
(01/08/2024) → Sacramento Bee• State Trying to Use Generative AI to Reduce Traffic
Caltrans has set a Jan. 25 deadline for tech companies to show how generative artificial intelligence might reduce traffic congestion in the state. This follows an executive order that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September related to this type of AI.
(01/08/2024) → LA Times• New Year Brings Protections for Deep-Sea Corals and Ocean Fishing Opportunities
New rules took effect Jan. 1 permanently protecting the most fragile deep sea corals off Southern California. Simultaneously, more than 4,500 square miles of ocean waters are now reopened to fishing after more than 20 years of closures.
(01/08/2024) → YubaNet|
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Government Announcements |
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City of Los Altos (01/13/2024) Update on Demolition Plans for 4600 El Camino Real |
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Los Altos, Calif. — January 12, 2024 — Santa Clara County Fire Department (County Fire) continues to collaborate with the City of Los Altos, California Department of Transportation, and business and property owners of 4600 El Camino Real.
Demolition plans have been postponed until further notice. All parties are committed to providing advanced notice to allow time for media outlets …
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State of California (01/12/2024) Esmeralda Soria California Assembly 27: |
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Assemblywoman Soria Releases Statement on Approved Planada Flood Relief Plan
gomezhe
Fri, 01/12/2024 - 09:30
Judy.Yee@asm.ca.gov
julian.gonzalez@asm.ca.gov
(916) 319-2039
(916) 319-2027
Friday, January 12, 2024
SACRAMENTO, CA Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno), issued the following statement on the approved 2023 Winter Storm Flood Relief Plan for the City of Planada.
This week is the one-year anniversary since the residents of Planada …
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City of Campbell (01/11/2024) Summer Employment |
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State of California (01/11/2024) Alex Lee CA Assembly 24: |
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Tax on Extreme Wealth Held by the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee
channi
Thu, 01/11/2024 - 18:17
Nicholas Chan
Email
nicholas.chan@asm.ca.gov
Phone
(916) 319-2392
Title
Communications Director, Office of Assemblymember Alex Lee
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Assemblymember Alex Lee released the following statement after the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee decided to hold his proposed wealth tax, AB 259.
California …
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United States (01/11/2024) World Green Nutrition, Inc. is Recalling ELV Alipotec Brand Mexican Tejocote Root Supplement Pieces (Raiz De Tejocote Mexicano Suplemento En Trozos), Net. Wt, 0.3 0Z (7g), Due to the Presence of Yellow Oleander in this Product |
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WORLD GREEN NUTRITION, INC. is recalling ELV ALIPOTEC brand MEXICAN TEJOCOTE ROOT SUPPLEMENT PIECES (RAIZ DE TEJOCOTE MEXICANO SUPLEMENTO EN TROZOS), NET. WT, 0.3 0Z (7g), due to the
presence of yellow oleander in this product. The consumption of yellow oleander can cause adverse effects on neurolog
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State of California (01/11/2024) Alex Lee CA Assembly 24: |
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Wednesday, January 10, 2024
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City of Milpitas (01/11/2024) Microenterprise Assistance Program Application Period Opens January 16 |
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The City of Milpitas is launching a new microenterprise assistance program with the application period opening January 16.
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City of Milpitas (01/11/2024) Storefront Improvement Grant Applications Being Accepted |
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The City of Milpitas’ Storefront Improvement Grant Program provides grants for exterior commercial storefront improvements to help increase economic vitality for eligible local businesses.
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City of Milpitas (01/11/2024) Call for Artists to Design Park Marker Kiosks |
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The City of Milpitas invites qualified professional artists to submit concepts for an artist-designed historical park marker kiosk that will be unique to Milpitas.
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State of California (01/10/2024) Gail Pellerin CA Assembly 28: |
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Assemblymember Pellerin Chair of the Assembly Elections Committee introduces AB 1784 to clarify that a candidate can only run for one office
robbee
Wed, 01/10/2024 - 20:16
(916) 319-2039
916-319-2028
Friday, January 5, 2024
SACRAMENTO, CA Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) introduces AB 1784 with Co-Authors Assemblymember Berman, Assemblymember Bennet, Assemblywoman Dixon, Assemblymember Friedman, Assemblymember Kalra, Assemblymember Low, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva, …
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