Photo of the week

Thank you to the brave firefighters assisting the state in containing the wildfires in Los Angeles. This #PlacerLife photo of local CAL FIRE firefighters assigned to the Palisades Fire was posted on Instagram.

Featured story

Human trafficking is closer than you think. Let’s make sure no one falls through the cracks.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and Placer County kicked it off by participating in the Red Sand Project at the Downtown Roseville pedestrian bridge last week. Community members came together to pour red sand into sidewalk cracks, symbolizing victims of human trafficking who often “fall through the cracks.” Check out video from the event, and for those unable to attend, red sand is available for pickup throughout January at the Children’s System of Care offices in Rocklin and Auburn.

Victims of human trafficking are in our communities and often overlooked. Vulnerable individuals, including children, are often targeted by traffickers. By raising awareness, we can better protect our neighbors. Visit our District Attorney’s Office human trafficking resource portal here.

There are more opportunities to get involved throughout January, including trainings, webinars and a panel discussion with experts Jan. 29 hosted by the Placer County Office of Education. Let’s ensure no one falls through the cracks. Visit the calendar of events and join us throughout Human Trafficking Prevention Month. 

Tune in Jan. 21 as our Board of Supervisors considers a series of grant awards to local nonprofits working to combat human trafficking and domestic violence. Read the report

Wildfire prevention 

Reduce wildfire risk with our Chipper Program - low wait times

Our Chipper Program currently has low wait times and offers affordable pricing and fee waivers for residents who are elderly or have a disability. We’re here to help make your life easy. Request an appointment today. Learn more

Firefighters

WATCH: Local fire crews on front lines of Los Angeles wildfires

Take a look as CAL FIRE NEU Deputy Chief Jim Hudson joins FOX40 News to explain how resources from Placer County are fighting the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County. Be sure to follow CAL FIRE NEU on Facebook. Watch video

Human resources

Placer County hires new Director of Human Resources Joe Ambrosini

Following four years as HR director at the City of Long Beach, Ambrosini has been appointed to serve as our new director of Human Resources and will oversee 57 employees and an approximate budget of $7.7 million. Read more

Truckee library

Schematic design revealed for new Truckee Regional Library

The Friends of the Truckee Library, in partnership with Nevada and Placer counties and the Town of Truckee, are thrilled to reveal the new schematic design for the Truckee Regional Library - shaped by extensive community input. Read more

In other news

Help inform the Regional Commuter Transportation Plan for the North Tahoe and Truckee Region with a short survey

Learn about new laws, criminal justice and more at the District Attorney's Citizens Academy. Apply today!

This week in Placer County history

On Jan. 11, 1862, the Middle Fork of the American River reached flood stage after a series of storms ravaged the region. The swollen river cut a trench behind 10 people who lived and worked on Boston Bar, effectively turning it into an island that was shrinking by the hour. 

Determined to save the stranded men, women and children , the citizens of nearby Michigan Bluff sprang into action. A boat was quickly constructed under the supervision of Capt. Giles A. Buel, a former sea captain. Once the makeshift boat was ready, Morris Flood and Samuel Jones joined Buel and maneuvered the boat into the torrent of the American River. But tragedy struck when their boat was swamped, and all three men were swept away by the raging waters. Their bodies were never recovered. In their grief, the people of Michigan Bluff mustered the courage for a second attempt.

According to the Jan. 18 Placer Herald: “The People on Boston Bar were rescued on Sunday [Jan. 12], by Geo. Langdon and several other fearless, brave men who succeeded in taking a boat to them from the El Dorado side.”

Men harnessed the power of water to mine placer gold, but that power could, at times, become ungovernable and deadly. 

Photo: Sardine Claim on the Middle Fork of the American River (near Boston Bar), c. 1858

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
• Historical Advisory Board
• Housing Development Advisory Taskforce
• In Home Support Services Advisory Committee
• Juvenile Justice / Delinquency Prevention
• Library Advisory Board
• Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council
• Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council
• Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council
• Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council
• Sheridan Municipal Advisory Council
• Placer County Behavioral Health Advisory Board
• 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...
Auburn: Nature Quest Launch Party, Winter Morning Hike in the New Year at Big Hill Preserves, Aviation Career Day, Farmers’ 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

Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council, Jan. 16, 6 p.m. Information
North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council, Jan. 16, 6 p.m. Information
Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council, Jan. 17, 9 a.m. Information
Free household hazardous waste drop-off, Jan. 18, all day Information
Rx Fire 101 Workshop, Jan. 18, 8:30 p.m. Information
Placer County offices CLOSED for Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, Jan. 20 Information
Board of Supervisors meeting, Jan. 21, 9 a.m. Information
Foresthill/Iowa Hill Fire Safe Council, Jan. 21, 5:30 p.m. Information
West Placer Municipal Advisory Council, Jan. 22, 6:30 p.m. Information
Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council, Jan. 23, 6 p.m. Information
Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council, Jan. 23, 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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