Photo of the week

This #PlacerLife photo of the evening sky in Placer County was taken by @laurakay.gardner on Instagram.

Featured story

Drive collects more than 2,600 comfort stuffed animals for first responders

Emergency situations can be frightening, especially for children. Placer County’s first responders have a way to help ease those moments and provide comfort - stuffed animals!

The Older Adults Advisory Commission recently conducted a stuffed animal drive to collect and equip the first responders with these comfort stuffies to have on hand in times of need.

The drive collected more than 2,600 stuffed animals for firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency personnel — more than doubling the original goal. OAAC commissioners gathered with first responders to hand off the stuffed animals, which will be kept in patrol cars, fire engines and ambulances in order to distribute during calls when someone could use a bit of comfort or calm.

View the full photo album

A huge thank you is extended to the many volunteers that coordinated collection sites, sorted and helped prepare the stuffed animals for distribution to the first responders this week.

Still looking for ways to give back this holiday season yourself? Find a few ideas here.

Environment

American River Bridge Debris Removal project nearing completion

The American River Bridge Debris Removal project in Auburn is nearly complete. All steel has been removed and a final sweep is underway. Our contractor will soon begin site restoration, including removal of the access trail.
Learn more

Community

🎄Show love for local this holiday season and Shop Placer

When you shop locally, your tax dollars strengthen the local economy. In fact, for every $100 spent, $68 stays in the community as compared to just $7 when you shop online. Find local businesses on Engage Placer or add yours today.
Learn more

Museums

Free holiday fun with Placer County Museums events in Auburn

Kick off the holidays with free family-friendly events from Placer County Museums! Stop by S’mores & Stories at the Bernhard Museum on Dec. 12, then visit the Placer County Museum for Old Town Christmas on Dec. 13 and 20. Learn more

Mental health and substance use

Give your input on mental health, substance use treatment services

Placer County is inviting residents to take part in two online surveys to help guide behavioral health services under new state law. One survey is for clients and their direct family members, and one is for the broader community.
Learn more

In other news

Find your perfect Christmas tree in Placer County - find a PlacerGROWN fresh-cut tree farm
Cut down your own Christmas tree with a Tahoe National Forest permit

Learn more about the amended Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan at the Dec. 8 Olympic Valley Municipal Advisory Council meeting

Placer County Elections Office certifies November 4, 2025 Statewide Special Election results

This week in Placer County history

Moses Andrews of Auburn claimed to have planted the first orange tree in Placer County in 1860. In 1866, the Survey or General Report listed 35 orange trees planted throughout the county.  Although they were ornamental and for personal consumption, these thriving early trees proved the region had an ideal climate for growing citrus, where it has since become a famous local crop. That journey began as a water company advertisement.

In 1878, the Bear River Ditch Company saw an opportunity to attract new customers and advertised that it would supply free water for five years to plant oranges and lemons.Before long, a variety of citrus was planted throughout western Placer County, but was only locally known. In December 1889, a group of determined citizens on the Placer County Board of Trade wanted to advertise the bounty of the region and prove that the California Citrus Belt extended further north than was thought possible.

An exhibit committee was formed with the intention of advertising Placer County citrus. The committee reserved Platt Hall in San Francisco and transported 30,000 oranges along with crates of lemons, apples, persimmons, figs, raisins and a variety of dried fruits. Many were displayed overflowing from granite urns quarried from the area. There were also bushels of walnuts and chestnuts, and jars of olive oil, while hanging from an arch at the center of the exhibit was a branch holding 36 oranges.

The exhibit lasted for eight days and included band concerts every evening. Over 25,000 visitors explored the exhibit and at the end, most of the fruit was donated to kindergartens, hospitals and charitable organizations throughout the city. Today, Placer County is known for its extensive citrus and mandarin industry.

Photo: Placer County Museums collection; 1889.

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: Downtown Holiday Celebration, Breakfast with Santa, Milk & Cookies with Santa
Rocklin: Rocklin Tree Lighting
Lincoln: Tree Lighting, 8th Annual Holiday Boutique, Holiday Parade
Auburn: Festival of Lights Parade, Gold Country Toy Run 
North Lake Tahoe: Tahoe Film Fest, Northern Lights Festival, S’more O’Clock, Holiday Tree Lighting, Holiday Marker’s 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

Olympic Valley Municipal Advisory Council, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. Information
Board of Supervisors, Dec. 9, 9 a.m. Information
Planning Commission, Dec. 11, 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 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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