Photo of the week

It’s a beautiful time to get on the trail! This #PlacerLife video of runners on an Auburn trail was taken by @runhikenplay on Instagram.

Featured story

Board members kick off 2025 with oath of office

It’s official! Three members of our Board of Supervisors were ceremonially sworn in to office this week by Placer County Superior Court Presiding Judge Alan Pineschi during the first meeting of the new year. District 3 Supervisor Anthony DeMattei (left) was newly elected in November. District 4 Supervisor Suzanne Jones (center) and District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson (right) were both re-elected to serve another four-year term in office. We spoke with Supervisor DeMattei on camera to learn more about his goals as a new supervisor.

The board’s first action of the year was to approve the selection of District 1 Supervisor Bonnie Gore as the new chair, who then presented District 4 Supervisor Suzanne Jones with a plaque for her service as chair in 2024. We spoke with Supervisor Gore, who shared her goals as chair for 2025.

Public safety

Placer County firefighters battle SoCal blazes

A total of 110 fire personnel from our local CAL FIRE unit are on the fire lines in Southern California. The unit sent nine engines, three hand crews, two dozers and 16 command officers. Alerts are critical during times of crisis. Sign up

Broadband access

Broadband access coming to more foothill communities

Broadband expansion continues in Placer County! Our Board of Supervisors this week approved a $23 million contract to expand broadband access to 3,825 homes and businesses in Applegate, Cape Horn, Magra, Dutch Flat and Alta. Read more

Pets & animals

Discounted pet adoptions: New year, new home

Start 2025 off right by giving a loving pet their forever home!  From now through Jan. 31, all animals who have been with Placer County Animal Services for 25 or more days are just $25 to adopt. Learn more and browse adoptable pets.

Land use

Placer 2050 background reports now available for public review

Our Placer 2050 background reports and “Assets, Issues and Opportunities” booklet cover all aspects of the General Plan Update. Find them at Placer2050.com to learn more about our planning and provide your input to staff. Read more

This week in Placer County history

On Jan. 7, 1980, Auburn was visited by a famous four-legged actor: Benjean, also known as Benji. According to the Jan. 8, 1980, Auburn Journal, “…although the celebrity didn’t have much to say, his trainer, Frank Inn, discussed Benji’s world travels. Besides starring in two movies and a television series, Benji has visited countries throughout the world and has two television specials coming up this spring.” Benjean replaced her father, Higgins, who portrayed Benji in the 1974 film “Benji.” When he got too old to perform in the mid-1970s. Benjean starred in three movies: “For the Love of Benji,” “Oh! Heavenly Dog,” and “Benji the Hunted.” Benjean also starred in four television specials and a short-lived Hanna-Barbera series, “Benji, Zax and the Alien Prince.”  The family-friendly film series was popular in the 1970s and 80s. There were two attempts to revive the franchise in 2004 and 2018, but each bombed at the box office. Both Benjean and Higgins were mixed-breed dogs. Photo: Benjean, c. 1979

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 Appeals Board
• Colfax Cemetery District
• County Parks Commission
• Economic Development Board 
• First 5 Placer Children & Families Commission 
• Fish & Game Commission 
• Gold Run Cemetery Committee 
• Greater Lincoln Area Fire Safe Council 
• Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Hearing Body 
• Historical Advisory Board 
• Housing Development Advisory Taskforce 
• In Home Support Services Advisory Committee 
• Juvenile Justice / Delinquency Prevention
• Library Advisory Board 
• Mental Health Alcohol & Drug Advisory Board
• Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council 
• Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council 
• Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council 
• Sheridan Municipal Advisory Council 
• Placer County Charter Review Committee 
• Placer County Child Care Advisory Council 
• Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission
• Placer Resource Conservation District
• Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council
• Planning Commission 
• Solid Waste Local Task Force 
• Tahoe Cemetery District 
• Wastewater Advisory Committee

Fun things to do this week

Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in...

Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch

Auburn: Farmers’ Market

North Lake Tahoe: Sierra Community House Food Distribution Kings Beach

...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, Jan. 9, 6 p.m. Information
CANCELED - North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council, Jan. 9 Information
Newcastle/Ophir Municipal Advisory Council, Jan. 13, 6 p.m. Information
Rural Lincoln Municipal Advisory Council, Jan. 13, 6 p.m. Information
Planning Commission, Jan. 16, 9 a.m. Information
North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council, Jan. 16, 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 County

Projects 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

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