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Photo of the weekThis #PlacerLife photo, capturing a fisheye view of runners in the snow, was taken in Tahoe City by @suziekieck on Instagram. Featured story Wishing good luck to Placer Olympians representing USA at Milano Cortina 2026A total of 232 athletes have been named to Team USA for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, which start this week, but keep your eye out for these locals: From Olympic Valley, Bryce Bennett (left, above) returns to the Olympic slopes as a veteran alpine skiing racer. A two-time Olympian already (2018, 2022), Bennett brings strong World Cup experience in speed events to his third Winter Games in Italy. James Clinton “JC” Schoonmaker (middle, above), hails from Tahoe City, and qualified again for this year’s cross-country skiing event. A 2022 Olympian, Schoonmaker has continued to rise through the ranks on the U.S. Ski Team and will once again represent the U.S. in Nordic competition this month. Amelia “AJ” Hurt (right, above) of Carnelian Bay started skiing as part of Team Palisades Tahoe as early as four-years-old. Hurt made her Olympic debut in 2022 and returns to the U.S. team to compete in giant slalom and other alpine events this year. Want to dive deeper into Olympics history? Check out This Week in Placer County History below. And listen to our The Placer Life podcast to learn how the legendary 10th Mountain Division helped shape modern outdoor recreation after World War II, including the rise of ski culture in Tahoe and across the west. Many veterans returned home and became pioneers of the ski industry, helping inspire the kind of world-class mountain recreation we still enjoy today at Placer County resorts, mountains and the backcountry. Listen North Lake Tahoe Over $5 million of TOT funding approved for community projects Our Board of Supervisors this week approved more than $5 million of transient occupancy tax funding for seven projects in North Lake Tahoe. The approved projects include new facilities, trails, transportation and housing. Read more Pets & animals Bring home a new Valentine for $14 the entire month of February Placer County Animal Services is spreading the love this Valentine’s Day with $14 pet adoptions all month long. If you’ve been thinking about adding a furry friend to your family, now’s the time! Check out adoptable animals and learn more. Infrastructure Federal funding dedicated to Baseline Road improvements Congressman Kevin Kiley secured a total of $9 million for key projects across our region, including Baseline Road improvements in unincorporated Placer, modifications of I-80 interchanges at Horseshoe Bar and Rocklin Roads and more. Read more Local jobs New Placer Job Network connects local employers and job seekers There is a new way to find jobs right here at home in Placer County. Introducing the Placer Job Network, a free online job board designed to connect local employers with local job seekers to strengthen the region’s workforce. Learn more In other newsThis summer, Placer will look to expand paid parking to two new lots and parking fees will be adjusted in North Lake Tahoe Candidate filing for June 2026 primary starts next week at Elections Office Placer County seeks District 2 representative for Library Advisory Board Roseville secures federal funding for water reliability project Join the North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council this week to learn more about the proposed 39 Degrees North mixed-used project in Kings Beach Feb. 13 sexually violent predator placement decision postponed, public hearing still happening and moved to Auburn Tahoe Regional Planning Agency announces illegal boat launch stopped at Lake Tahoe This week in Placer County history Olympic Valley, historically known as Squaw Valley*, is located about 10 minutes south of Tahoe City along state Route 89 in the Sierra Nevada. The 4,700-acre valley features mountain peaks rising above 9,000 feet. The valley’s earliest inhabitants were the Washoe, who lived in the area and around Lake Tahoe during the summer months. Located along the historic Emigrant Road, the area experienced a brief silver mining boom in the 1860s before settlers turned to seasonal ranching, dairy farming and shingle milling. The valley gained international recognition in February 1960 as the host of the VIII Winter Olympic Games. Placer County leaders had pursued the Winter Olympics for decades, and development accelerated after the Squaw Valley Development Corp. opened a ski resort for the 1949-50 winter season. In preparation for the games, much of the valley’s infrastructure was built from the ground up. The state appropriated nearly $8 million for construction, supplemented by federal funding. Facilities constructed for the Olympics included the Blyth Memorial Ice Arena, a speed skating oval, athlete and official housing, administrative offices and public information centers. The opening ceremony was held Feb. 18, 1960, with Vice President Richard Nixon declaring the games open and Walt Disney overseeing the pageantry. A total of 665 athletes from 30 nations competed in 27 events. The games concluded Feb. 28, 1960, and the site has continued operating as a winter ski resort. Photo: 1960 Olympics Winter Games in Olympic Valley; Placer County Museums’ collection. * It is now widely accepted that squaw is a derogatory term and in 2021 the resort officially became “Palisades Tahoe,” and the Squaw Valley Public Service District changed its name to the Olympic Valley Public Service District. Advisory committees and commissions Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply Current recruitments include:Area 4 Agency on Aging Advisory Council Building Board of Appeals Cemetery Tahoe District Central Municipal Advisory Council Colfax Cemetery District Economic Development Board Fish & Game Commission First 5 Placer Children & Families Commission Flood Control & Water Conservation District Board Gold Run Cemetery Committee Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council Greater Lincoln Area Fire Safe Council Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council Housing Development Advisory Taskforce In Home Support Services Advisory Committee Juvenile Justice / Delinquency Prevention Library Advisory Board Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council Municipal Advisory Council - Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council - Olympic Valley Municipal Advisory Council - Rural Lincoln Municipal Advisory Council - Sheridan Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council North Auburn/Ophir Fire Safe Council Placer County Child Care Advisory Council Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission Solid Waste Local Task Force Tahoe Basin Design Review Committee (DRC) Veterans Advisory Council Wastewater Advisory Committee Fun things to do this week Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in... Roseville: Mahany Park Certified Farmers' Market, Maidu Park Farmers' Market, Roseville Fountains Farmers' Market, Kaiser Riverside Farmers' Market, Kaiser Eureka Farmers' Market Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market Colfax: Coffee & Conversation, Community Craft Club North Lake Tahoe: Smore’s O’clock, The Village at Northstar Après Music Series, KT Bass Bar Music Series, Throwback Thursdays ...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events. Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County! Placer County Visitors' Bureau North Tahoe Community Alliance Tahoe City Downtown Association The Arts Council of Placer County Placer Valley Tourism PlacerGROWN Placer Wine Trail Upcoming public meetings and events Olympic Valley Municipal Advisory Council, Feb. 5, 6 p.m. Information Olympic Valley Community/Supervisor Forum, Feb. 5, 6:15 p.m. Information County offices closed for Lincoln’s birthday holiday, Monday, Feb. 9 Information To learn about other Placer County committees and commissions and current opportunities to serve your community click here. List of active projects throughout Placer CountyProjects are listed alphabetically and by Board of Supervisors districts. A hard copy of the list is available at the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn. Active Projects Click here to sign up for emergency notifications Stay connected with us online! Copyright © Placer County. All Rights Reserved.

Photo of the weekThis #PlacerLife photo of the tunnel on Taylor Road in Newcastle was taken by @ca.love.fornia on Instagram. Featured story Human traffickers sentenced to prisonA traffic stop in Placer County led to the rescue of two 15-year-old girls and the successful prosecution of the men who trafficked them, highlighting the power of coordinated law enforcement efforts. After deputies stopped a speeding vehicle on Interstate 80, investigators recognized signs of human trafficking and launched a joint investigation involving the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office. Specialized forensic interviews and extensive follow-up work uncovered that the girls had been recruited online and exploited across multiple cities. As a result, both traffickers were convicted of felony human trafficking of a minor and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. During Human Trafficking Awareness Month, this case serves as a powerful reminder that vigilance, partnership and community awareness can turn a single traffic stop into a lifesaving intervention. Learn more about protecting children from online grooming. Guard Against the Groom(ing) Housing Board grants final approval for Hope Way project, votes down funding On Monday, our Board of Supervisors granted final approval for the 240-unit Hope Way Apartments affordable housing project in Penryn near Interstate 80, and in a separate action, voted against a $10.8 million funding agreement. Read more Tax season Placer County offers free tax help for eligible community members Placer County Health and Human Services is once again offering free tax preparation assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for those earning $69,000 or less. Help is available online or in person. Learn more Health & wellness Placer County marks Cancer Prevention Day with new campaign, prevention webinar Following the Placer County Board of Supervisors’ recent designation of Feb. 4, 2026 as Cancer Prevention Day, the Public Health division is launching a week-long campaign and a free virtual skin cancer prevention webinar. Learn more Health and safety Sheriff’s Office to hold Community Awareness Academy Residents can register until Feb. 2 for the Sheriff’s Community Awareness Academy, which begins in March. The academy will provide a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement operations, responsibilities and decision-making. Register here In other newsTonight: Join Placer County Office of Education’s in-person expert panel on child sexual exploitation and human trafficking Join the next Placer County Board of Supervisors meeting in Tahoe, Feb. 3, at Granlibakken This Friday, attend a special Olympic Valley Design Review Committee meeting to discuss the Village of Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan New legislation introduced to support Lake Tahoe conservation efforts, adding funding with no new costs to taxpayers Placer County Sheriff’s Office releases new strategic plan for 2026-2028 This week in Placer County history On Feb. 1, 1939, this art deco moderne building opened on Lincoln Way in Auburn to serve as a new post office for the community. It was one of hundreds of post offices built during the 1930s as part of the federal government’s New Deal, which focused on funding public projects during the Great Depression. The sleek new 11,000-square-foot reinforced concrete building replaced a nearby 1902 post office in downtown Auburn. It cost the U.S. Treasury Department about $81,000, including $30,000 in furniture and state-of-the-art equipment. The 1930s were a period of transformation in Auburn, with several other publicly funded landmarks built during the era. Among them were the city hall and firehouse building, the Placer Union High School (later, “Earl Crabbe”) gymnasium, sidewalks, sewer upgrades and several rock walls throughout town. The fairgrounds served as Camp Flint, a labor camp for the Works Progress Administration and the State Relief Agency, where several buildings and improvements were also made. The 1939 post office is now hidden in plain sight at 905 Lincoln Way in Auburn. It was replaced in the 1980s by the Nevada Street post office and today, it operates as a bank. Photo: New Auburn post office nears completion, Nov. 28, 1938. Placer County Museums collection. On Feb. 1, 1939, this art deco moderne building opened on Lincoln Way in Auburn to serve as a new post office for the community. It was one of hundreds of post offices built during the 1930s as part of the federal government’s New Deal, which focused on funding public projects during the Great Depression. The sleek new 11,000-square-foot reinforced concrete building replaced a nearby 1902 post office in downtown Auburn. It cost the U.S. Treasury Department about $81,000, including $30,000 in furniture and state-of-the-art equipment. The 1930s were a period of transformation in Auburn, with several other publicly funded landmarks built during the era. Among them were the city hall and firehouse building, the Placer Union High School (later, “Earl Crabbe”) gymnasium, sidewalks, sewer upgrades and several rock walls throughout town. The fairgrounds served as Camp Flint, a labor camp for the Works Progress Administration and the State Relief Agency, where several buildings and improvements were also made. The 1939 post office is now hidden in plain sight at 905 Lincoln Way in Auburn. It was replaced in the 1980s by the Nevada Street post office and today, it operates as a bank. Photo: New Auburn post office nears completion, Nov. 28, 1938. Placer County Museums collection. Advisory committees and commissions Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply Current recruitments include:Area 4 Agency on Aging Advisory Council Building Board of Appeals Cemetery Tahoe District Central Municipal Advisory Council Colfax Cemetery District Economic Development Board Fish & Game Commission First 5 Placer Children & Families Commission Flood Control & Water Conservation District Board Gold Run Cemetery Committee Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council Greater Lincoln Area Fire Safe Council Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council Housing Development Advisory Taskforce In Home Support Services Advisory Committee Juvenile Justice / Delinquency Prevention Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council Municipal Advisory Council - Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council - Olympic Valley Municipal Advisory Council - Rural Lincoln Municipal Advisory Council - Sheridan Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council North Auburn/Ophir Fire Safe Council Placer County Child Care Advisory Council Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission Solid Waste Local Task Force Tahoe Basin Design Review Committee (DRC) Veterans Advisory Council Wastewater Advisory Committee Fun things to do this week Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in... Roseville: Mahany Park Certified Farmers' Market, Maidu Park Farmers' Market, Roseville Fountains Farmers' Market, Kaiser Riverside Farmers' Market, Kaiser Eureka Farmers' Market, Walking in Our Moccs: Perspectives From Indigenous Artists – Closing Exhibition Reception, Sweet Surprises Gift Card Hunt Rocklin: Game Plan: Get Home Safe - Impaired Driving Awareness Event Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market North Lake Tahoe: Smore’s O’clock, The Village at Northstar Après Music Series, KT Bass Bar Music Series, Throwback Thursdays ...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events. Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County! Placer County Visitors' Bureau North Tahoe Community Alliance Tahoe City Downtown Association The Arts Council of Placer County Placer Valley Tourism PlacerGROWN Placer Wine Trail Upcoming public meetings and events Board of Supervisors meeting - Tahoe, Feb. 2, 9 a.m. Information Foresthill town hall, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. Information Board of Supervisors meeting - Tahoe, Feb. 3, 9 a.m. Information Eastern Regional Firewise Coalition, Feb 3, 5:30 p.m. Information Placer West Fire Safe Council, Feb. 4, 5:30 p.m. Information To learn about other Placer County committees and commissions and current opportunities to serve your community click here. List of active projects throughout Placer CountyProjects are listed alphabetically and by Board of Supervisors districts. A hard copy of the list is available at the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn. Active Projects Click here to sign up for emergency notifications Stay connected with us online! Copyright © Placer County. All Rights Reserved.

Photo of the weekThis #PlacerLife photo of an airplane crossing the setting sun was taken by @thewinningshotphotos in Rocklin and shared on Instagram. Featured story Shining a light on human trafficking in our communityThe call to action is loud this January: Human Trafficking Prevention Month brings a wave of events and resources to empower our community. The annual Red Sand Project event was recently held in Roseville. In partnership with county and community organizations, participants poured red sand into sidewalk cracks to honor children and families impacted by human trafficking. The red sand serves as a visual reminder not to let anyone “slip through the cracks” and to raise awareness about this important issue. Watch a recap video here People who were unable to attend the event are encouraged to participate throughout January by picking up free bags of red sand to use at home or by their office. Bags are available at the following Children’s System of Care locations: 11434 B Ave., Auburn 1000 Sunset Blvd., Rocklin A panel discussion, hosted by the Placer County Office of Education, is also scheduled for next Thursday for those interested in learning more about the issue of human trafficking in our community. Placer County will also display artwork created by youth impacted by child exploitation in the lobby of the county's Sunset Boulevard location in Rocklin. More on how to keep kids safe When people think about child trafficking, they often picture a child being grabbed by a stranger in a park or parking lot. In reality, the majority of exploitation begins with grooming — a slow, deliberate process where predators earn a child’s trust, isolate them and then coerce them into sexual abuse, trafficking or online exploitation. Today’s grooming often happens through screens, not strangers. The Placer County District Attorney’s Office has launched a new campaign to educate parents about the risks and how to guard against them, called Guard Against the Groom(ing). Learn more Public safety Share your concerns about possible violent predator placement in Alta Alta area residents turned out for a community meeting this week to share concerns about the state’s proposed placement of a sexually violent predator in their community. Local elected and safety officials oppose the release. How to help Trails Trailhead project helps expand recreational access in North Tahoe Placer County recently completed paving, access and trailhead improvements at the Lower Sawtooth parking lot to enhance winter recreation options at the popular entrance to U.S. Forest Service Road 06 in the Truckee area. Watch video Wildfire safety ICYMI: CAL FIRE discusses wildfire behavior CAL FIRE provided an overview of wildfire behavior at the latest Placer County Fire Safe Alliance meeting, covering how wildfires start, how they spread, suppression strategies and which agencies have authority during wildfires. Watch video Transportation Caltrans completes SR-49 roundabout and safety barrier project Caltrans has announced the completion of the $33.2 million state Route 49 Roundabout and Safety Barrier Project in Placer County on Grass Valley Highway, which will improve operations and reduce crashes along the corridor. Read more In other newsWatch: Placer County leaders honor and remember U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa Olympic Valley Design Review Committee special meeting scheduled for Jan. 30 to discuss appendix B of amended Village at Palisades Specific Plan January is Stalking Awareness Month. Report stalking crimes to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office at 530-889-7800 Improve bus stops in Placer County by taking this short survey (with a chance to win a $50 gift card!). Join us Jan. 28 for a virtual town hall on emergency shelters, supportive housing and residential care home ordinances (Zoom link available) Important information for CalFresh customers about upcoming work rules Register to attend an online town hall with Supervisor Shanti Landon and Senator Roger Neillo This week in Placer County history On Jan. 24, 1848, James Marshall looked down into the tailrace of the sawmill he was building for John Sutter on the South Fork of the American River at Coloma and noticed bright glimmering flakes of what turned out to be gold. By early May, word of the discovery began to spread and Claude Chana, a former coworker of Marshall’s, traveled with a few companions from what is now Wheatland to Coloma via Sacramento to verify the rumors. Returning to their home, they gathered supplies and more companions, with plans to quickly return to Coloma. Chana’s companions on this return journey included a few Frenchmen familiar with the area and they proposed an old shortcut from Wheatland, which brought the group to what is now Auburn. On May 16, Chana scooped up pans of sand and gravel from the Auburn Ravine and washed out three considerable pieces of gold. Some of the group moved on in hopes of greater riches, while Chana and others stayed for three weeks and collected about three pounds of gold from the ravine. It was just a matter of time before hopeful prospectors from around the world rushed to California in search of wealth. This historic migration changed the course of history for the state and its impacts are still felt today. It was also the first time in history that commercial photographers were able to document such a moment in time.To learn more about this historic event, plan your visit to our Gold Rush Museum. Open Thursday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission. Photo: This daguerreotype is one of the most famous images taken during the early days of the Gold Rush. It was taken in the Spanish Flat area of Auburn along today’s Nevada St. Circa 1852. California State Library collection. Advisory committees and commissions Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply Current recruitments include:Area 4 Agency on Aging Advisory Council Building Board of Appeals Cemetery Tahoe District Central Municipal Advisory Council Colfax Cemetery District Economic Development Board Fish & Game Commission First 5 Placer Children & Families Commission Gold Run Cemetery Committee Greater Lincoln Area Fire Safe Council Housing Development Advisory Taskforce In Home Support Services Advisory Committee Juvenile Justice / Delinquency Prevention Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council Historical Advisory Board Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council Municipal Advisory Council - Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council - Rural Lincoln Municipal Advisory Council - Sheridan Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council North Auburn/Ophir Fire Safe Council Placer County Child Care Advisory Council Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission Solid Waste Local Task Force Tahoe Basin Design Review Committee (DRC) Veterans Advisory Council Wastewater Advisory Committee Fun things to do this week Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in... Roseville: Mahany Park Certified Farmers' Market, Maidu Park Farmers' Market, Roseville Fountains Farmers' Market, Kaiser Riverside Farmers' Market, Kaiser Eureka Farmers' Market Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market Loomis: Entertainment Zone Open House Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market, Nature Quest 2026 Kick off, The Golden Thread-Stories That Shine Colfax: Trivia Tuesday North Lake Tahoe: Smore’s O’clock, The Village at Northstar Après Music Series, KT Bass Bar Music Series ...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events. Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County! Placer County Visitors' Bureau North Tahoe Community Alliance Tahoe City Downtown Association The Arts Council of Placer County Placer Valley Tourism PlacerGROWN Placer Wine Trail Upcoming public meetings and events Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council, Jan. 22, 6 p.m. Information Board of Supervisors special meeting, Jan. 26, 9 a.m. Information Newcastle/Ophir Supervisor Forum, Jan. 26, 6 p.m. Information Newcastle/Ophir Municipal Advisory Council, Jan. 26, 6:15 p.m. Information North Auburn Ophir Fire Safe Council, Jan. 27, 4 p.m. Information Planning Commission, Jan. 29, 9 a.m. Information To learn about other Placer County committees and commissions and current opportunities to serve your community click here. List of active projects throughout Placer CountyProjects are listed alphabetically and by Board of Supervisors districts. A hard copy of the list is available at the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn. Active Projects Click here to sign up for emergency notifications Stay connected with us online! Copyright © Placer County. All Rights Reserved.

Photo of the weekThis #PlacerLife photo of water spilling over North Fork Dam was taken by @mitchell_hintz5430 on Instagram. Featured story American River Bridge Debris Removal Project complete, warning sign lifted from SR-49 BridgePlacer County leaders were joined by members of the community group Protect American River Canyons in Auburn on Monday to celebrate the completion of the American River Debris Removal Project, a complex effort that removed 450 tons of steel and more than 600 cubic yards of concrete remnants of the old state Route 49 bridge that was washed out in a 1964 flood. As part of the event, the project contractor removed a long-standing warning sign from the state Route 49 bridge that had cautioned visitors for decades about hazardous concrete and metal debris below the river’s surface. Learn more Public safety Community town hall on violent predator placement Jan. 20 Residents are invited to a town hall Jan. 20 at the Alta Community Center to discuss the state’s proposed placement of a sexually violent predator in the area. Hear next steps, public safety efforts and how you can share concerns. Learn more Conservation Placer County conserves 235 acres north of Roseville ranch land This land acquisition is now part of the Placer County Conservation Program’s reserve system, which has already conserved more than 9,000 acres of open space in Placer County, all of which will remain working ranchlands. Read more Mental health Client finds hope through county's new mental health program "I knew that wasn’t my life anymore," Jacob says after years of homelessness. An innovative mental health program meets clients where they are, a new level of care that bridges the gap between clinic services and intense support. Watch video Workforce housing Apply for Tahoe’s workforce housing program starting Feb. 25 More than $3 million in workforce housing funding could soon be available for North Lake Tahoe. The next notice of funding availability for the Launchpad workforce housing program is expected to open for new applications Feb. 25. Read more In other newsTONIGHT @ 6 p.m.: CAL FIRE presentation on wildfire behavior - Placer County Fire Safe Alliance virtual meeting Placer County hosts virtual town hall on emergency shelters, supportive housing and residential care home ordinances Jan. 28 Want to get involved in your community? Join the DA’s Citizens Academy! Help protect your kids against predators with new parent playbook Let us know how groundwater impacts you at the Groundwater Sustainability Plan meeting Jan. 22 More than $300,000 in college scholarships are now available thanks to PG&E employees Like news pertaining to eastern Placer? Sign up for our monthly North Lake Tahoe newsletter Placer to open next funding round for Tahoe's workforce housing program Launchpad on Feb. 25 with over $3 million From micro-transit services to park and ride programs, bus services and employee vanpools, there are numerous ways to reduce single-occupancy vehicles on Tahoe’s two-lane mountain roads Court rules in favor of Placer County in Tahoe Basin Area Plan amendments lawsuit Join our next Board of Supervisors meeting in Tahoe on Feb. 3 LISTEN: Placer’s Tahoe County Executive Office staff joined KTKE for a community conversation this week highlighting short-term rental proposals and plastic waste reduction efforts Placer County continues fuels reduction in Olympic Valley and Cabin Creek Join the Feb. 12 North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council meeting to learn more about the proposed 39 North mixed-use development project This week in Placer County history On Jan. 14, 1889, the first group of students entered the newly built Fruitvale schoolhouse and were welcomed by their teacher, Mr. Lewis Cass Gage (pictured center). The school was built in a farming region near Lincoln and grew out of a need for children in the surrounding districts who could not reach their assigned schools when seasonal flooding in area ravines halted travel. Students included siblings from several families and they attended lessons at the one-room school from first through eighth grades. In 1893, 23 students were enrolled in the school and by 1902, this had grown to 39 and it was the largest school population in the area. Improvements were made over time, including the addition of a shed to house horses and buggies. As more families moved to the area, another room was added in 1923 to separate the younger grades, and a second teacher was hired. The schoolhouse became the center of activity for the community and hosted a variety of events.It closed in 1946, and community supporters continued to preserve the schoolhouse until it was deeded to Placer County in 1921, where it has become the eighth museum managed by the Placer County Museums Division. The Fruitvale Schoolhouse Museum continues to sit in a beautiful natural setting in the countryside near Lincoln. It is open to visitors on the second Sunday of each month from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free. In keeping with tradition, it is also available to rent and hosts a variety of groups throughout the year. Plan your visit here Photo: Fruitvale School class photo, circa 1890. Placer County Museums collection. Advisory committees and commissions Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply Current recruitments include:Area 4 Agency on Aging Advisory Council Building Board of Appeals Cemetery Tahoe District Central Municipal Advisory Council Colfax Cemetery District Economic Development Board Fish & Game Commission First 5 Placer Children & Families Commission Gold Run Cemetery Committee Greater Lincoln Area Fire Safe Council Housing Development Advisory Taskforce In Home Support Services Advisory Committee Juvenile Justice / Delinquency PreventionGranite Bay Municipal Advisory Council Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council Historical Advisory Board Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council Municipal Advisory Council - Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council - Rural Lincoln Municipal Advisory Council - Sheridan Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council North Auburn/Ophir Fire Safe Council Placer County Child Care Advisory Council Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission Solid Waste Local Task Force Tahoe Basin Design Review Committee (DRC) Veterans Advisory Council Wastewater Advisory Committee Fun things to do this week Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in... Roseville: Mahany Park Certified Farmers' Market, Maidu Park Farmers' Market, Roseville Fountains Farmers' Market, Kaiser Riverside Farmers' Market, Kaiser Eureka Farmers' Market Rocklin: Placer MLK Day Celebration Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market Colfax: Colfax Flea Market North Lake Tahoe: Smore’s O’clock, The Village at Northstar Après Music Series, KT Bass Bar Music Series ...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events. Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County! Placer County Visitors' Bureau North Tahoe Community Alliance Tahoe City Downtown Association The Arts Council of Placer County Placer Valley Tourism PlacerGROWN Placer Wine Trail Upcoming public meetings and events CANCELED - Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council, Jan. 15 Information Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council, Jan. 16, 9 a.m. Information Placer County offices closed for MLK Day holiday, Jan. 19 Information Meadow Vista Municipal Advisory Council, Jan. 19, 6 p.m. Information Meadow Vista Community/Supervisor Forum, Jan. 19, 6 p.m. Information Board of Supervisors, Jan. 20, 9 a.m. Information Sexually Violent Predator Town Hall, Jan. 20, 5:30 p.m. Information Foresthill/Iowa Hill Fire Safe Council, Jan. 20, 5:30 p.m. Information CANCELED - West Placer Municipal Advisory Council, Jan. 21 Information Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council, Jan. 22, 6 p.m. Information Board of Supervisors special meeting, Jan. 26, 9 a.m. Information To learn about other Placer County committees and commissions and current opportunities to serve your community click here. List of active projects throughout Placer CountyProjects are listed alphabetically and by Board of Supervisors districts. A hard copy of the list is available at the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn. Active Projects Click here to sign up for emergency notifications Stay connected with us online! Copyright © Placer County. All Rights Reserved.

Great community update — lots of fun and useful local happenings in Roseville, from the Mahany Fitness Center open house and swim lesson previews to CAD classes, city planning feedback sessions, and curbside leaf pickup through mid-January. Dita sunglasses

Photo of the weekThis #PlacerLife photo of a mandarin orchard in Newcastle was taken by @tyler_photography_folsom on Instagram. Featured story New chair to lead Board of Supervisors in 2026Supervisor Shanti Landon will be the new chair and Supervisor Cindy Gustafson will be the new vice chair of the Board of Supervisors. As part of the rotational process, Supervisor Bonnie Gore passed the gavel to Landon on Jan. 6, the first meeting of the new year. More than two dozen elected and faith leaders attended the meeting to show their support for Landon, whose first message as chair was one of unity and grace. This is the first time Landon has served as chair of the board since she took office in January 2023. We had an opportunity to speak with her about the leadership position. Watch video North Lake Tahoe Use alternative transportation or carpool if you’re headed to Tahoe With roughly nine feet of new snowfall at Tahoe’s popular ski resorts, county officials are encouraging visitors and residents alike to plan ahead and do their part to help reduce traffic congestion throughout the region. Read more Libraries Reminder: Winter Book Bingo continues at your local library You still have until Jan. 31 to participate in Winter Book Bingo and explore new genres, discover hidden gems and enjoy fun winter reading challenges. Pick up your card at any Placer County Library or join on Beanstack. Read more Environment Weather conditions extend former Lincoln Gun Ranges remediation Recent weather has extended our cleanup at the former Lincoln Gun Ranges lead remediation project. So far, more than 12 tons of lead has been recycled and major soil removal completed. Read more Health and safety Red Sand Project: Stopping human trafficking Placer County families and organizations are invited to participate in this year’s Red Sand Project, a community-wide effort to combat human trafficking, on Jan. 15 in Roseville. Additional events are planned throughout January. Learn more In other newsPlacer County Fire Safe Alliance meeting: Wildfire Behavior presented by CAL FIRE Reminder: Parking along county-maintained roadways east of Emigrant Gap is prohibited through May 1 for snowplow operations Read the Healthy Aging newsletter for January This week in Placer County historyPlacer County’s first hospital was built in 1855 near the corner of Court and Commercial streets in Auburn. It narrowly escaped a fire that year that destroyed much of the town but burned down in 1859. A replacement building was soon constructed, though it quickly became clear a larger hospital was needed and that it should be located outside the commercial district for safety reasons. In 1863, county officials selected a site atop a hill about a mile away and built a new hospital. In 1899, the facility was expanded to include six male wards equipped with gas tubing, electric wiring, and piped hot and cold water. Around the same time, Auburn’s new courthouse was completed, and the old Greek Revival courthouse was relocated to the hospital grounds. The former courthouse was converted into a dining room and female ward and placed behind the original hospital building. The expanded complex was completed in January 1900. East of the hospital sat a cemetery with an estimated 1,700 burials. The hospital closed in 1975. Today, Elm Street runs along the front of the former hospital grounds, now part of the Auburn town center. Most of the graves were excavated and relocated to the New Auburn Cemetery during construction of Interstate 80 in the 1950s and again during its expansion in the 1970s. Two headstones remain as the only markers of the former county hospital site. Photo: Placer County Hospital, circa 1910. Placer County Museums collection. Advisory committees and commissions Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply Current recruitments include:Area 4 Agency on Aging Advisory Council Building Board of Appeals Cemetery Tahoe District Central Municipal Advisory Council Colfax Cemetery District Economic Development Board Fish & Game Commission First 5 Placer Children & Families Commission Gold Run Cemetery Committee Greater Lincoln Area Fire Safe Council Housing Development Advisory Taskforce In Home Support Services Advisory Committee Juvenile Justice / Delinquency Prevention Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council Historical Advisory Board Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council Municipal Advisory Council - Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council - Rural Lincoln Municipal Advisory Council - Sheridan Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council North Auburn/Ophir Fire Safe Council Placer County Child Care Advisory Council Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission Solid Waste Local Task Force Tahoe Basin Design Review Committee (DRC) Veterans Advisory Council Wastewater Advisory Committee Fun things to do this week Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in... Roseville: Placer County Dots Coffee Connect, Mahany Park Certified Farmers' Market, Maidu Park Farmers' Market, Roseville Fountains Farmers' Market, Kaiser Riverside Farmers' Market, Kaiser Eureka Farmers' Market Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market North Lake Tahoe: S'mores O'Clock, The Village at Northstar Après Music Series ...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events. Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County! Placer County Visitors' Bureau North Tahoe Community Alliance Tahoe City Downtown Association The Arts Council of Placer County Placer Valley Tourism PlacerGROWN Placer Wine Trail Upcoming public meetings and events Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council, Jan. 8, 6 p.m. Information Rural Lincoln Community Forum, Jan. 12, 6 p.m. Information Rural Lincoln Municipal Advisory Council, Jan. 12, 6:15 p.m. Information North Auburn Municipal Advisory Council, Jan. 13, 6 p.m. Information North Auburn Community/Supervisor Forum, Jan. 13, 6:30 p.m. Information Sheridan Community Forum, Jan. 14, 6 p.m. Information Sheridan Municipal Advisory Council, Jan. 14, 6:15 p.m. Information Planning Commission, Jan. 15, 9 a.m. Information Placer County Fire Safe Alliance, Jan. 15, 6 p.m. Information To learn about other Placer County committees and commissions and current opportunities to serve your community click here. List of active projects throughout Placer CountyProjects are listed alphabetically and by Board of Supervisors districts. A hard copy of the list is available at the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn. Active Projects Click here to sign up for emergency notifications Stay connected with us online! Copyright © Placer County. All Rights Reserved.

Photo of the weekThis heart-warming #PlacerLife photo of a festive family in Lincoln was taken by @adventures0fnerdgirl on Instagram. Featured story Winter storm set to hit Placer CountyA powerful winter storm is expected to impact Placer County from the valley to the Tahoe Basin this week. Residents are urged to prepare now for high winds, heavy snow and hazardous travel conditions. High Wind Watch Today through Friday evening for the valley and Sierra foothills. Damaging winds could bring down trees and cause power outages, especially with saturated soils. Winter Storm Warning Sierra above 4,500 feet from today through Friday at 10 p.m. Strong winds and heavy snow could create dangerous to nearly impossible mountain travel. Best Travel Window Saturday. Mountain travel is highly discouraged during this holiday week. Stay informed with the ReadyPlacer Dashboard: Road closures Power outages Highway cameras Real-time updates Placer County Sheriff evacuation info Visit the ReadyPlacer Dashboard Need non-emergency help? Call 2-1-1 to connect with a local specialist. Now is the time to prepare: charge devices, secure loose items, plan for possible outages and check on neighbors. Let’s weather this storm together, Placer County 🌲🤝 First responders Retiring fire chief shares final thoughts as new chief sworn in CAL FIRE/Placer County Fire Chief Brian Estes has officially passed the leadership torch to Chief Jim Hudson. Estes, who is now officially retired, shared some final thoughts with us - the Placer community he loved to serve. Watch video Everyday heroes Holiday heart in action: meet Robbie Robbie Baumbach protects residents who can’t protect themselves. Through our Public Guardian team, he safeguards adults who’ve been conserved, motivated by his own family story. He’s a Heart of HHS honoree. Watch his story and others. North Lake Tahoe Know before you go: Numerous ways to get around Tahoe with TART Free TART Park and Ride services are back in North Lake Tahoe to help alleviate traffic congestion during peak winter times. Find where to park, hop on and ride, plus TART’s winter schedule for fixed route bus service is in effect. Learn more Local government 12 Days of Placer County: All the highlights of 2025 Our 12 Days of Placer County series is now complete, celebrating the people, programs and services that made a difference across our county in 2025. Explore every story on Facebook, Instagram and our website. Learn more In other newsCaltrans opens State Route 49 Roundabout at American River Canyon Data shows parking trends for North Lake Tahoe’s Parking Management Program in 2025 This week in Placer County history Cisco Grove began in about 1930 as a vision by James L. Gould of the Gold Run Ditch and Mining Company. He saw an opportunity to open a resort along the newly built all-weather Highway 40 near Emigrant Gap that would cater to travelers heading over the Sierra. In the early 1930s, Gould built a gas station, restaurant and bar, a store, cabins and other amenities for travelers. The Forest Gift Shop and juice stand were built by noted stone mason, Les Hammond. Gould chose the site, which he named for the grove of cottonwood trees on the property, about 1-mile south of the former town of Cisco. Cisco had once served as the terminus of the Central Pacific Railroad from 1866 to 1868 while workers built an extensive system of snowsheds and tunneled their way through the summit of the Sierra Nevada. In 1932, the Auburn Ski Club moved its organization to the area and developed a new ski hill that was touted as an opportunity to break ski jumping world records. Several major ski championships and notable “firsts” were held at this location while the area’s reputation for winter sports grew. In 2004, the Gould family worked with Placer County and the Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust to preserve 15-acres of the former resort and stone ruins, which is now the Cisco Grove Gould Park. It continues to receive heavy snow in the winter, but in warm weather, travelers can jump on Old Highway 40 and take a leisurely drive over the summit, which includes a number of scenic overlooks and historic sites along the way. Photo: Cisco Grove Resort, 1938. Placer County Museums collection.Alt text: 1930’s era photo of a row of cars parked along a tall snow embankment Advisory committees and commissions Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply Current recruitments include:Area 4 Agency on Aging Advisory Council Building Board of Appeals Central Municipal Advisory Council Colfax Cemetery District Economic Development Board Fish & Game Commission First 5 Placer Children & Families Commission Gold Run Cemetery Committee Greater Lincoln Area Fire Safe Council Housing Development Advisory Taskforce In Home Support Services Advisory Committee Juvenile Justice / Delinquency Prevention Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council Historical Advisory Board Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council Municipal Advisory Council - Rural Lincoln Municipal Advisory Council - Sheridan Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council North Auburn/Ophir Fire Safe Council Placer County Child Care Advisory Council Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission Solid Waste Local Task Force Tahoe Basin Design Review Committee (DRC) Veterans Advisory Council Wastewater Advisory Committee Fun things to do this week Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in... Roseville: Roseville Fountains Farmer’s Market Auburn: Old Town Farmer’s Market North Lake Tahoe: Great Basin Carolers, Winter Wonders Roundup of New Years events in North Lake ...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events. Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County! Placer County Visitors' Bureau North Tahoe Community Alliance Tahoe City Downtown Association The Arts Council of Placer County Placer Valley Tourism PlacerGROWN Placer Wine Trail Upcoming public meetings and events No public meetings scheduled this week. To learn about other Placer County committees and commissions and current opportunities to serve your community click here. List of active projects throughout Placer CountyProjects are listed alphabetically and by Board of Supervisors districts. A hard copy of the list is available at the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn. Active Projects Click here to sign up for emergency notifications Stay connected with us online! Copyright © Placer County. All Rights Reserved.

Photo of the weekThis #PlacerLife photo of the historic Placer County courthouse colonnade lit up in green and red was taken by @newscam_alanb on Instagram. Featured story Placer County 2025 Year in ReviewIt was a year full of significant projects and accomplishments for Placer County. From new construction projects to major land conservation, 2025 was packed full of milestones. Join County Executive Officer Daniel Chatigny for a look back in the 2025 Year in Review. Watch video Preparedness FLOOD WATCH Dec. 20-26: Stay prepared and informed A Flood Watch is in effect Dec. 20–26 as snow levels may drop to 6,500 feet, bringing rain and gusty winds. Get winter tips for your home and vehicle at ReadyPlacer, check the ReadyPlacer dashboard or dial 2-1-1 for help. Learn more Community Meet the artists of the new Veteran Memorial Mural in Colfax When the American Legion Post 192 put out a call for artists to paint a mural behind the Colfax Veterans Memorial Hall, Foxey McCleary and a band of artists responded. After months of work, the mural is now complete. Learn more Housing Board hears appeals of Hope Way Apartments, grants tentative approval Our Board of Supervisors this week voted 3-2 to tentatively approve design review and state density bonus requests for the Hope Way Apartments in Penryn, a 240-unit affordable housing project near I-80. A final vote is scheduled for Jan. 26. Read more Local government 12 Days of Placer County: Looking back at 2025 highlights countywide Now in its second week, the 12 Days of Placer County continues our countdown of the programs, people and services that shaped 2025. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram and our website to revisit the moments that mattered most. Learn more In other newsPlacer County Elections Office to open candidate filing period for June 2, 2026 Statewide Direct Primary Election REMINDER: Hidden Falls Park parking reservation required during peak-use days: Dec. 22 - Jan. 2 This week in Placer County history Scribner’s General Merchandise Store in Rocklin opened in 1894 and primarily sold clothing, shoes, fabric and accessories. Display cases featuring removable mens cuffs and collars, suspenders, shirts, ties, jewelry and pocket watches lined the store’s interior. Meanwhile, cartons of shoes, gloves, hats, fabric bolts, and even luggage sat cleanly organized on floor-to-ceiling shelves. Scribner’s store was a popular shopping destination and sat near the intersection of what today is Pacific Avenue and Rocklin Road along the railroad line. On October 1,1897, it was also the site of a nighttime heist in which thieves got away with shoes, gloves, pocketknives, hats, watches, jewelry, razors, and clothing. A $25 reward was promptly offered by Sheriff Conroy for information leading to their arrest and conviction while he shared details of the stolen loot with law enforcement throughout the region. Around the same time, a rash of burglaries and daring daytime robberies had been occurring throughout Sacramento by armed, masked men. From private residences to pedestrians, grocers, and saloon owners, victims of the robberies shared details which seemed to identify a gang of three men responsible. Deputies were in search of a trio of tramps, one being very tall and the other being quite short in stature. Authorities suspected the men to have been riding the rails between heists. On Oct. 7 the gang’s success came to an end. Wearing the hats and clothing they had stolen from Scribner’s store, they held up a Sacramento grocer at gunpoint then stole a boat and rowed across the Sacramento River before walking back over the bridge into Sacramento to steal a train ride. They shot at a brakeman as he confronted them and were soon arrested and handed over to authorities. Almost immediately, short-statured Frank Davis (alias) confessed to everything and incriminated his mates, tall Harry Lynch and Fred Howard (also aliases). While this may have spared Davis a trial in Sacramento, he was promptly handed over to Sheriff Conroy to answer for the felony burglary at Scribner’s. Davis pled guilty and was sentenced to three years in San Quentin. Photograph: Interior of Scribner’s General Merchandise Store in Rocklin. Circa 1900. Placer County Museums, Rocklin Historical Society collection. Advisory committees and commissions Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply Current recruitments include:Area 4 Agency on Aging Advisory Council Building Board of Appeals Colfax Cemetery District Economic Development Board Fish & Game Commission Gold Run Cemetery Committee Greater Lincoln Area Fire Safe Council Housing Development Advisory Taskforce In Home Support Services Advisory Committee Juvenile Justice / Delinquency Prevention Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council Historical Advisory Board Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council Central Municipal Advisory Council Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council North Auburn/Ophir Fire Safe Council Placer County Child Care Advisory Council Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission Solid Waste Local Task Force Tahoe Basin Design Review Committee (DRC) Veterans Advisory Council Wastewater Advisory Committee Fun things to do this week Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in... Roseville: Blue Line Artists Reception Lincoln: Santa in the Plaza Auburn: Auburn Country Christmas, “A Christmas Portrait" 2025 by Auburn Winds Newcastle: Santa’s Toy Chest Meadow Vista: Gingerbread House Decorating Party North Lake Tahoe: Tahoe City Holiday Market ...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events. Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County! Placer County Visitors' Bureau North Tahoe Community Alliance Tahoe City Downtown Association The Arts Council of Placer County Placer Valley Tourism PlacerGROWN Placer Wine Trail Upcoming public meetings and events No public meetings this week To learn about other Placer County committees and commissions and current opportunities to serve your community click here. List of active projects throughout Placer CountyProjects are listed alphabetically and by Board of Supervisors districts. A hard copy of the list is available at the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn. Active Projects Click here to sign up for emergency notifications Stay connected with us online! Copyright © Placer County. All Rights Reserved.