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Photo of the weekPerfect weather for a sunset ride. This #PlacerLife photo of a girl on her horse on a trail in Granite Bay was taken by @sarah_reinhart on Instagram. Featured story Celebrating the completion of the new Martis Valley Trail segment in North Lake TahoeResidents and visitors have long enjoyed the previously constructed 4.6-mile segment of the Martis Valley Trail since it first opened in August 2022. Late last year, Northstar Community Services District paved and completed a new segment, closing the mile-long gap between Northstar’s Castle Peak parking lots and Northstar Village and connecting the Town of Truckee to one of the region’s most popular resorts. The Martis Valley Trail is a key component of the Resort Triangle Trail, an ambitious regional system in Tahoe that will ultimately include 62 miles of paved trails connecting Kings Beach, Tahoe City, Olympic Valley, Truckee, Martis Valley and Northstar in a continuous loop. Watch video and learn more Housing Affordable housing project in west Placer now taking applications The Parkside at Sabre City affordable housing project features 44 three- and four-bedroom primary residences paired with two-bedroom accessory dwelling units across 22 single-family lots. Rentals will be converted to for-sale units. Read more Community Watch: Social worker’s story fuels her passion to help families This National Social Work Month, we’re celebrating all of the social workers in our Children's and Adult Systems of Care. Janai is one of them! A former foster youth herself, she now uses her own experience to empower others. Watch Health Placer measles cases part of multi-jurisdictional outbreak Placer County’s three initially identified measles cases are now understood to be part of a multi-jurisdictional outbreak. Public Health has since confirmed a fourth Placer case and will share updates as the situation evolves. Learn more Road safety Second Local Roadway Safety Plan virtual workshop on March 18 Last fall, you shared where safety improvements are needed on our Placer County roadways. Now, we’re inviting you to join us for a second Local Roadway Safety Plan virtual workshop March 18 to hear an update and provide more input. Register In other newsAn award-winning project in Tahoe City, plus resources for those in our community in this North Lake Tahoe newsletter Save the date: Join us at the Dollar Creek Crossing affordable housing information night April 2 This week in Placer County history Between 1948 and 1956, the Folsom Dam was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers below the confluence of the north and middle forks of the American River. Its primary purpose was to provide flood control as the river flowed toward Sacramento. It was built in tandem with the Bureau of Reclamation’s construction of Nimbus Dam downriver. While building Folsom Dam, a diversion tunnel was constructed that allowed the American River waters to continue flowing toward the Sacramento Valley. Pictured here Feb. 25, 1955, the 52-ton gate at the intake portal of the diversion tunnel is being shut for the last time. With its closure, water began to fill behind the dam and create Folsom Lake. While carefully controlled during the final phases of construction, the lake now covers between 10,000 and 11,000 surface acres of water, and extends over 10 miles up the south fork and 15 miles up the north fork of the American River. Photo: Closing the diversion tunnel gate to create Folsom Lake. Feb. 25, 1955. Placer County Museums, Auburn State Recreation Area/California State Parks 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:Agricultural Commission 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 Behavioral Health Advisory Board 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, Sacred Arts Of Tibet Tour In Auburn-Sand Mandala, North Auburn Artists Reception, Farmers Market at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, For The Love Of Birds Presented by the Sierra Foothills Audubon Society Colfax: Community Craft Club, Coffee & Conversation North Lake Tahoe: Smore’s O’clock, The Village at Northstar Après Music Series, KT Bass Bar Music Series, Throwback Thursdays, Snowfest 2026, Ididarun Sled Dog Race ...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 Supervisor Forum, March 5, 6 p.m. Information Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council, March 5, 6:30 p.m. Information Olympic Valley Municipal Council, March 5, 6 p.m. Information Board of Supervisors, March 10, 9 a.m. Information Planning Commissioners Academy Conference, March 11-13, 9 a.m. Information Virtual Office Hours - Firewise USA Program questions, March 12, 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 the snow cat clearing snow in Olympic Valley was taken by @clln_schwrtz on Instagram. Featured story Placer County adds 27 acres near Roseville to conservation programThe Placer County Conservation Program recently recorded a 27-acre conservation easement along the Dry Creek corridor. The property, just outside of Roseville city limits, will be preserved in perpetuity. The acreage was dedicated by the developers of Creekview Ranch, a housing subdivision that abuts sections of Dry Creek on the north end of the project. The corridor on the property contains dense, diverse vegetation that provides valuable wildlife habitat. Dry Creek is a salmonid stream and is federally designated as critical habitat for Central Valley steelhead. Read more In other newsTahoe Regional Planning Agency and Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation align housing findings, highlight regional workforce housing crisis WATCH: New series from Tahoe Housing Hub highlights real stories from people living the housing crisis and the solutions North Lake Tahoe Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project earns statewide award The Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project in Tahoe City has been recognized as a 2026 winner of California’s Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Project Awards. Read more about it and hear its long history. View video Community spaces 30,000+ visitors so far: Everyone’s using the HHS Conference Center The Health and Human Services Conference Center in Auburn is available for county and community use. The center offers flexible, high-tech meeting rooms designed to support everything from small meetings to large events. Watch video Health Supervisor Shanti Landon advocates for farmers in national arena Farmers and ranchers experience suicide rates 3.5 times higher than the national average because of industry stressors. In response, Supervisor Landon is advocating at the national level for enhanced mental health services. Learn more Infrastructure Senator Padilla secures $1.14 million for Tahoe City water system U.S. Senator Alex Padilla announced this week federal funding for four projects, including $1.14 million to complete an infrastructure improvement project and replace an aged and failing water system in Tahoe City. Learn more This week in Placer County history On Feb. 27, 1944, the DeWitt General (Army) Hospital in North Auburn officially opened with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by an open house of the entire facility. An estimated 4,000 civilians from the surrounding communities attended the event and toured the hospital that had taken just eight months to build. The hospital was designed to receive war casualties and coordinate with military installations in the area, including the Reno Army Air Base, Chico Army Air Base, Camp Beale, Camp Kohler, Mather Field, McClellan Field and the Sierra Ordinance Depot. The location was selected in part because of the proximity to area military bases, reliable transportation infrastructure and ideal climate. 9,741 patients were treated at the hospital over the course of the war. After World War II, the hospital became the DeWitt State Hospital until 1972, and now functions at the Placer County Government Center. The site is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors are welcome to learn more at the DeWitt History Museum at 2985 Richardson Drive in Auburn. This free-admission museum is open Wednesdays, noon to 4 p.m. Plan your visit, here. Take a deeper dive into the history of the DeWitt campus with award-winning The Placer Life podcast episodes: The Placer life during World War II - the Heart of Auburn and Inside the Lines, featuring the incredible story about world-famous artist Martín Ramírez, who created hundreds of extraordinary drawings while living at the former DeWitt State Hospital. Photo: DeWitt General Hospital flag raising ceremony, Febr. 27, 1944. 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:Agricultural Commission 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 Behavioral Health Advisory Board 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, Sacred Arts Of Tibet Tour In Auburn-Sand Mandala, North Auburn Artists Reception, Farmers Market at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital Colfax: Community Craft Club North Lake Tahoe: Smore’s O’clock, The Village at Northstar Après Music Series, KT Bass Bar Music Series, Throwback Thursdays, Snowfest 2026 ...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, Feb. 26, 6 p.m. Information Foresthill Town Hall, March 2, 7 p.m. Information Eastern Regional Firewise Coalition, March 3, 5:30 p.m. Information Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council, March 4, 6 p.m. Information Placer West Fire Safe Council, March 4, 5:30 p.m. Information Virtual Office Hours - Firewise USA Program Questions, March 5, 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 longhorn cattle in Lincoln was taken by @myaristrobot on Instagram. Featured story One of Tahoe City’s most cherished landmarks, Fanny Bridge, has officially reopenedPlacer County and project partners this week celebrated the completion and opening of the new $10.6 million Fanny Bridge in Tahoe City, improving safety while preserving the historic bridge’s iconic look. The bridge now features sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes on both sides. Originally built more than a century ago, Fanny Bridge has long served as a gateway to Tahoe City and a focal point of the community. Although it’s officially known as the Truckee River Bridge, it has had many nicknames, including “Rump Row” and more commonly Fanny Bridge, thanks to generations of sightseers leaning over the railing to peer into the crystal-blue water below. Placer County is working with the project’s partners and regional organizations to plan an official celebration and block party for the bridge May 17. The event is a chance for Tahoe City residents to celebrate both the bridge’s history and its future. The first cars to pass over the bridge are shown above and a timelapse of the demolition and reconstruction can be seen here: View video Winter storm preparedness Coldest storm of the season to bring rain, wind and snow The coldest storm of the season arrives Sunday with rain, gusty winds and significant mountain snow. Snow levels will drop, creating difficult travel through the holiday weekend. Get winter preparedness tips at ReadyPlacer. Learn more Veterans After new law, reminder that free help for veterans available locally A newly-passed law stops unaccredited companies from charging vets for claims help. Our Veterans Services Office offers free, accredited assistance. Watch a video sharing one veteran’s story of how the VSO made a difference. Learn more Roads and bridges Yankee Jims Bridge replacement work ramps up, roads remain closed Progress on the project includes controlled blasting, performed by contractor FlatironDragados, to break up rocks and earth to make room for a bridge foundation, abutments and roadway approaches. Read more and watch video Elections Elections Office to hold candidate workshop for June 2026 primary Considering candidacy in June 2026? Don’t miss the candidate workshop at the Elections Office (3715 Atherton Road, Rocklin) on Saturday, Feb. 14, to learn the basics of running for office and managing a political campaign. Learn more In other newsNorth Tahoe Regional Advisory Council meeting tonight at 6 p.m. to discuss proposed 39 North mixed-use project in Kings Beach Save the Date: Youth Commission’s annual 5k coming up in March PG&E urges caution with metallic balloons ahead of Valentines Day This week in Placer County history In 1928, Placer County was lobbying for consideration to host the 1932 Winter Olympics. As part of the publicity for this effort, the Sierra Dog Sled Association was formed and recruited world-famous musher Scotty Allen to direct a dog sled race in hopes of putting California’s Sierra winter wonderland on the map. Allen was the inspiration for Jack London’s novel “Call of the Wild” and a business partner of Auburn-native Esther Birdsall Darling. A purse totaling $6,000 was raised and the Sierra Dog Derby was planned to take place over three days, from Feb. 10-12, 1929. The race ran from Truckee to the Tahoe Tavern, a distance of 16 miles along the Truckee River and upon the old Overland Emigrant Trail. The race was three laps, totalling 96 miles. Approximately 11 racers, both men and women, entered the competition, including celebrity out-of-state racers who made the derby circuit, as well as local competitors. In the end, Fred Printz, a mail carrier and musher from Cascade, Idaho, won the $3,000 grand prize with his team of Irish setters and a total time of 8 hours 39 minutes and 17 seconds. Trailing by just over 30 minutes was Scotty Allen, who received second place and $2,000, while just 1 minute 24 seconds later, Roy Stover of McCall, Idaho, came in third with a $1,000 prize. Although the race attracted thousands of spectators, it did not result in securing the upcoming Olympic Games. However, the race was such a success that it continued to be an annual winter tradition for several more years. Credits: This description is condensed from a prior project by the Placer County Museums. Photo: Sierra Dog Derby in Truckee. February 1929. 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:Agricultural Commission 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 - SheridanNewcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory CouncilNorth 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, Sweet Surprises Gift Card Hunt Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market Colfax: 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 North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council, Feb. 12, 6 p.m. Information Board of Supervisors Meeting, Feb 17, 9 a.m. Information Foresthill / Iowa Hill Fire Safe Council Meeting, Feb. 17, 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, 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.