News Briefs
Resources and Guidance for Local Families to Navigate the National Infant Formula Shortage
GRASS VALLEY
Many Nevada County families have heard or read about the national infant formula shortage. The shortage has resulted from supply chain issues and a recall of infant formula due to bacterial contamination at the Abbot manufacturing plant in Michigan. Nationwide, the shortage affects hundreds of thousands of infants and toddlers who require formula for medical needs. Families are encouraged to continue checking lot numbers for the recalled formula.
The Nevada County Public Health Women, Infants, and Children program is closely monitoring the availability of infant formula and has been able to direct inquiring families to local grocers with inventory. WIC and public health nursing staff are also working directly with families to meet unique needs. The most impacted families are those with infants in need of specialty, premature, and other therapeutic formulas. These families are encouraged to work with their health care providers and may also call WIC directly at (530) 265-1454.
General guidance for families encountering a shortage of their infant formula:
- Contact your healthcare provider to see if they have any samples or can suggest a similar formula more readily available.
- Do not water down formula or try to make formula at home or use toddler formula to feed young infants; check with the American Academy of Pediatrics or your healthcare provider if you run out.
- Enroll in WIC. To see if your family is eligible, check myfamily.wic.ca.gov or call (530) 265-1454.
- Don’t discard formula unless it is expired or part of the recall; otherwise donate unopened and unexpired formula to the local food bank.
- If already breastfeeding, continue and maintain your supply with the support of a Certified Lactation Consultant, and, if possible, consider donating to the Mothers Milk Bank in San Jose, which supplies local hospitals.
WIC is an equal opportunity provider.
~ Nevada County Public Health Department press release
Lane Reductions Ahead for I-80 Rehabilitation Project
TRUCKEE
Caltrans is alerting Interstate 80 motorists to expect travel delays between the I-80/State Routes 89/267 interchange and the Donner Pass Road over-crossing (exit 184) in Truckee for continued roadway construction activities.
From 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, through 5 a.m. on Friday, May 27, the left lane of I-80 westbound will be closed around the clock for drainage work in the median. Due to the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, work will be restricted for the long weekend, with the westbound lane closure resuming Tuesday, May 31, at 9 p.m. and continuing through 10 a.m. Friday, June 3. This lane reduction is anticipated to continue weekly Sunday night (8 p.m.) through Friday morning (10 a.m.) until the end of June.
In addition, eastbound motorists should expect intermittent lane closures beginning Tuesday, May 31, at 9 p.m. between the SR-89 south on-ramp and the central Truckee off-ramp (exit 186) while I-80 is re-striped for a slight shift of traffic lanes toward the median. Construction crews will be placing temporary concrete barriers known as k-rail along the right shoulder area in preparation for excavation work.
Construction activities are part of a $30.6 million project to rehabilitate the existing concrete on I-80 in Truckee, install a westbound auxiliary lane from the SR-89 south on-ramp to the Donner Pass Road off-ramp, install eastbound acceleration lanes from the Donner Pass Road on-ramp and SR-89 south on-ramp, improve drainage, and upgrade concrete walkways along ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
Teichert Construction of Rocklin is the prime contractor for the project, which is scheduled to be completed in fall 2022. Weather, equipment availability, or other unexpected events may delay or prolong the work.
~ Caltrans press release
Video Appeal to President Biden to Provide Caldor Survivors With More Support
PLACERVILLE
After the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied El Dorado County residents individual assistance to aid post-Caldor Fire recovery, the county is appealing to President Joe Biden, the only person who can overturn the denial.
FEMA individual assistance helps with temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured shortfalls for personal property losses, medical and dental costs, mental health services, food, clothing, and other needs.
The accompanying video features stories and appeals for assistance from survivors of the Caldor Fire, which ripped through El Dorado County late last summer.
This video complements an electronic petition asking the president to overturn FEMA’s decision. That petition can be found here: ipetitions.com/petition/el-dorado-county-residents-deserve-fema-individual#comments.
To view El Dorado County’s Caldor Fire efforts, visit edcgov.us/pages/caldor-fire-recovery.aspx.
~ El Dorado County press release
Conservation Groups Save Canyon Springs Forever
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Donner Land Trust, Mountain Area Preservation, SOS Glenshire, and the Martis Fund have successfully conserved Canyon Springs, 290 acres of open space in eastern Truckee.
More than 700 donors raised $11.6 million to purchase Canyon Springs in the Glenshire neighborhood in the span of a few short months at the end of 2021, with key gifts from the Martis Fund ($6 million), as well as Tony Fadell and Danielle Lambert ($850,000 as a challenge matching grant).
The land trust owns the property and will steward it to preserve its natural resources and provide for public access.
MAP has been working for 34 years to protect critical wildlife habitat and prevent incompatible development in eastern Truckee. SOS Glenshire also formed as a community group concerned with environmental impacts associated with potential development in eastern Truckee.
The Martis Fund, which granted more than half the acquisition total, was crucial to raising the necessary funds in such a short time.
The Town of Truckee also contributed $500,000 to the stewardship of the property. TDLT is now evaluating stewardship needs and public access opportunities on the property, and seeks donations for stewardship, trail management, and ongoing care. MAP, SOS Glenshire, and the Truckee Donner Land Trust plan to host a ribbon cutting celebration for the property later this year.
~ TDLT, MAP, SOS Glenshire, Martis Fund press release
Rocker Memorial Skatepark Initial Study, Draft Released for Public Review
TRUCKEE
The Town of Truckee’s planning division has released an initial study/mitigated negative declaration public review draft for the Rocker Memorial Skatepark. The study is in response to environmental impacts associated with the project, which proposes a new 24,686-square-foot outdoor skateboarding park and a 28-space parking area in the southeast corner of the Truckee River Regional Park.
The project site, an undeveloped dirt lot, currently serves as an informal parking lot for the rodeo grounds and seasonal events.
Town staff has identified the following potential significant environmental impacts from the project: biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hydrology/water quality, noise, transportation/traffic, and tribal cultural resources. However, the town has incorporated mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the potential impacts. The planning commission will take action on adopting the initial study/mitigated negative declaration at the June 21 meeting.
The public review period for the draft began May 18 and ends on June 17. To access a copy of the document, visit: townoftruckee.com/government/community-development/planning-division/growth-and-development/rocker-memorial-skate-park. Public comments can be submitted in person, by mail, or via email. They must be received by the town prior to the June 21 meeting.
In person/mail: Community Development Department, 10183 Truckee Airport Rd., Truckee, CA 96161
By email: ldabe@townoftruckee.com. Emailed comments may be accepted as public comments provided the name, physical address, mailing address, and telephone number of the person making the comment is included in the email.
~ AH
Poll Workers Needed in Placer County
AUBURN
With just weeks remaining until the June 7 statewide direct primary election, the Placer County elections office is facing a shortage of volunteers to serve in precincts throughout the county.
Poll workers who are bilingual in Spanish, Tagalog, Punjabi, or Korean are in special need, too. Training classes for election poll workers will be held in Auburn, Rocklin, and North Lake Tahoe.
Poll workers must be at least 18 years old (unless participating in the student poll worker program), be registered to vote in California or a permanent legal resident of the United States, provide their own transportation, and be able to work from 6 a.m. to around 9 p.m. on the day of the election.
Poll worker duties include opening and closing polling sites, verifying voter names on election rosters, and issuing and collecting ballots. Pay ranges from $100 to $160 and includes a stipend of $25 for attending poll worker training.
Volunteering can be a great fundraising opportunity for service clubs or community organizations. Staffing an entire precinct can earn a group up to $900.
For more information or to apply online, visit the Placer County elections website or call the elections office at (530) 886-5650 or (800) 824-8683.
~ Placer County press release
Free Green Waste Curbside Pick-up or Chipping Available Now
TRUCKEE
Creating defensible space is an essential step to improve your home’s chance of surviving wildfire. With funding from Measure T, Truckee Fire Protection District is offering disposal options for woody defensible space vegetation. This service is free of charge, available now through Nov. 1.
Vegetation must be moved to the area in front of your property, just off the edge of the roadway. Your pile must be ready before you make a pick-up request. Unlimited pick-up or chipping this season. Chips left on-site. Sign-up now or learn more at truckeefire.org.
Additionally, there will be a free drop-off site at the rodeo grounds on May 20, June 4, and June 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Exemptions from Measure T Cost
In September 2021, voters overwhelmingly approved Measure T, a community wildfire prevention fund, which will cost property owners $179 per parcel.
Low-income property owners, whose income is no more than 80% of the median income for the county, are eligible for an exemption from the cost of the measure. Visit truckeefire.org/exemptions for more information or to apply. If you are unable to access the website to learn about services or sign-up call (530) 582-7850
~ TFPD enews
Moving In, Moving Up, Moving On
Visitors Bureau Promotes Bart Peterson to Director of Sales
INCLINE VILLAGE
Bart Peterson has been named as the new director of sales for the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau after serving for two years as its business development manager. Peterson has worked closely with regional partners through the North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative and he will continue to support the Sierra region through group and leisure sales efforts.
As director of sales for IVCBVB, Peterson will advance the organization’s mission by planning and implementing strategies that drive national group, conference, and leisure sales activities during need periods, in coordination with the North Lake Tahoe Marketing Cooperative. He will continue to represent the region with key partners including Brand USA, US Travel, Visit California, Travel Nevada, and many others.
Peterson has been with IVCBVB since 2016, after returning to the Lake Tahoe area from San Francisco. He has worked at local ski resorts, including Kirkwood Mountain Resort, and on ski-centered travel initiatives in and around Reno/Tahoe. Peterson enjoys the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe as an avid mountain biker and paddle-boarding enthusiast.
~ IVCBVB press release
NTPUD Welcomes Ben Visnyei as New Recreation and Community Events Supervisor
TAHOE VISTA
The North Tahoe Public Utility District is proud to announce the addition of Benjamin Visnyei as the district’s new recreation and community events supervisor.
Visnyei is a longtime member of the Kings Beach community and comes to the NTPUD after serving the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe for more than 16 years.
As recreation and community events supervisor, Visnyei will be focused on developing the district’s recreation programs and specialty classes, as well as managing the district’s special events throughout the year.
During his tenure with the Boys & Girls Club, Visnyei oversaw the creation of numerous programs, camps, special events, and community traditions. He was instrumental in the club’s growth and development over the last decade. He created memorable moments on the dodgeball court, soccer field, tennis court, on the mountain, at special events, as well as in day-to-day interactions with staff, community partners, and volunteers.
Visnyei can be reached via email, bvisnyei@ntpud.org, or phone, (530) 546-4212.
~ NTPUD press release
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