Photo of the week

This mini #PlacerLife photoshoot in Colfax of fearless fawns and their mom was shared by @rodolfotografo on Instagram. 

Featured story

Traffic relief incoming: PCTPA receives major funding for SR-65 widening project

The Placer County Transportation Planning Agency is celebrating a major infrastructure win as U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley has helped secure nearly $22.5 million in federal funding to widen a key stretch of state Route 65 near Interstate 80. 

The project will add a third southbound lane from Blue Oaks Boulevard to Galleria Boulevard, and an auxiliary lane from Pleasant Grove Boulevard to Galleria, addressing one of the region’s worst traffic bottlenecks. The grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s BUILD Grant program.

Read more

Criminal justice

Placer jury finds former baseball pro Dan Serafini guilty of murder

After a six-week trial, Daniel Serafini was found guilty of first-degree murder and attempted murder of his in-laws. This verdict resulted from an investigation by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office. Read more

Film office

New California film and TV tax credit to help local Placer productions

A historic expansion of the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program is expected to benefit Placer County. The program doubled its funding from $330 to $750 million to attract film crews back to the state, enhancing Placer's profile in the process. Learn more

Youth and health

New program helps kids build power wheelchair skills and friendships

At Public Health's Medical Therapy Unit, kids like Aubrey and Landon are learning to safely operate power chairs through playful group sessions this summer. The goal? More independence, more fun and new friends along the way. Watch video

Outdoor recreation

Explore Placer County’s stunning public beaches at Lake Tahoe

From the lively shores of Commons Beach to the hidden gem of Speedboat Beach, Placer County’s public beaches along North Lake Tahoe offer swimming, kayaking and unforgettable alpine views. Discover your perfect lakeside escape. Read more

In other news

Community invited to participate in the next North Lake Tahoe parking management meeting, July 22

Roseville Transit launches second phase of commuter improvements including four new routes July 21

Reminder: Kings Beach Library closed for interior painting project

Survey: Lend your voice to the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan

This week in Placer County history

On July 12, 1876, Placer County Undersheriff Asahel Huntley discovered a breakout attempt by a group of men incarcerated in the Placer County jail. The men had removed some of the floorboards in one of their cells and, over several days, dug a tunnel.  While working on the tunnel, they filled pants and shirts with dirt and put them in the jail. When their work was finished for the night, they put the dirt-filled clothes in their tunnel. By the time Huntley caught them, their tunnel stretched about 10 feet, just beneath the outer wall of the jail. They were probably one night away from escaping, but Huntley believed there was an escape attempt underway and did his utmost to uncover it. The jail was a brick building that sat next to what was Placer County’s second courthouse, which stood where the current courthouse is today. The jail was about where the current front parking lot is. Asahel Huntley was elected sheriff in 1882 and served through 1886. He also built a large home in 1888 that is now known as the Power’s mansion. Photo: Asahel Huntley, c. 1880

Did you know?

Placer’s first responders are training throughout the year to make sure they’re ready when disaster strikes.

This week, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office and CAL FIRE NEU/Placer Fire Department led a unified command training exercise at Northstar Ski Resort in Truckee—bringing together approximately 75 emergency personnel from across east Placer County.

Agencies participating included local special districts, the California Highway Patrol and the U.S. Forest Service, working together to prepare for real-world emergencies that could impact our mountain communities.

This year’s training featured in-depth tabletop exercises simulating large-scale incidents, community-wide evacuations, sheltering displaced residents and strategies for safe and efficient repopulation.

Placer County remains deeply committed to keeping residents and visitors safe through proactive coordination, hands-on training and strong interagency collaboration.

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
• Civil Service Commission
• Colfax Cemetery District
• County Parks Commission
• Deferred Compensation Committee
• Economic Development Board
• 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
• Granite Bay Municipal Advisory CouncilHistorical Advisory Board
• Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council
• Municipal Advisory Council - Donner Summit
• Municipal Advisory Council - Weimar-Applegate-Colfax
• Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council
• Placer County Behavioral Health Advisory Board
• Placer County Child Care Advisory Council
• Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission
• Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council
• 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: Food Truck Mania, New Moon on Monday concert, Concerts On The Square: Matchbox Twenty Too, Downtown Roseville Tuesday Nights

Rocklin: Toad the Wet Sprocket & Sixpence None the Richer concert
Auburn: Old Town Auburn Co-Op
North Lake Tahoe: The Sam Chase & The Untraditional - Music on the Beach, Skate the Lake 2025, Celebrate Tahoe Summer Artist Reception, Cool Cool Cool concert at Commons Beach, Commons Beach Concerts Afterparty

...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

Newcastle/Ophir Supervisor Forum, July 21, 6 p.m. Information
Rural Lincoln Supervisor Forum, July 21, 6 p.m. Information
Board of Supervisors, July 22, 9 a.m. Information
Horseshoe Bar/Penryn Municipal Advisory Council, July 22, 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

Click here to sign up for emergency notifications