Jump to content

New forensics lab coming to Placer, plus Mary George recognized for 34 years leading our libraries in this Placer County newsletter

Featured Replies

Placer County Newsletter.png

This #PlacerLife photo of a sunstar shining over the mountains beyond Lake Tahoe was taken by @abeblair on Instagram.

Photo of the week

☀️ This #PlacerLife photo of a sunstar shining over the mountains beyond Lake Tahoe was taken by @abeblair on Instagram.

Bookmark and Share


12 day advent calendar, each day has a colorful present. Title reads, The 12 Days of Placer County.

Featured story

Celebrate the 12 Days of Placer County and our biggest stories of 2025

We’re excited to share the 12 Days of Placer County, a festive countdown celebrating the stories and accomplishments that shaped our year. Each day, we’ll unwrap a new highlight that showcases how county programs, services and people make a real difference in daily life.

Follow along on FacebookInstagram and our website to revisit the moments that mattered most in 2025. Join us for a little year-end reflection, discovery and community pride as we celebrate all things Placer County.


Public safety

County partners with California State University for new forensics lab

DA Morgan Gire speaking before the Board of  Supervisors, while California State University representatives watch from the audience

The District Attorney’s Office is one step closer to bringing a regional forensics lab to the county. Supervisors approved an agreement with California State University that provides $2.5 million for the design-build process. Read more


Housing

Hope Way Apartments appeals to be heard by Board of Supervisors

A rendering of the proposed Hope Way Apartment projects clusters of three-story apartment buildings.

Our Board of Supervisors will consider three appeals related to the proposed Hope Way Apartments project during its regular meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, at the Placer County Health and Human Services building in North Auburn.
Learn more


 

Regional transit

Board approves 16 new buses as Placer moves closer to electrification

A blue Truckee Tahoe Area Regional Transit bus on a sunny day in Kings Beach picking up a passenger.

We took a significant step towards our long-term transit fleet modernization goals this week following approval for 16 new public transit buses, including four new electric buses for a pilot program in North Lake Tahoe. Read more


Aging and wellness

Newsletter for older adults: Healthy minds for the holiday season

Older adults at table with superimposed phone showing the Healthy Aging Newsletter.

This month’s Healthy Aging newsletter highlights simple ways to support cognitive health during the busy holiday season, including brain games. You’ll also find upcoming classes, tips to avoid online shopping scams and more.
Learn more



An image of a commendation certificate and a photo of Mary George with the board of supervisors and white text recognizing her 34 years of service.


This week in Placer County history

Gaffett home decorated for Christmas in Clipper Gap. 1911; Placer County Museums collection

Bringing fresh-cut evergreen trees into the home for Christmas became popular in America after Queen Victoria and her family were pictured in the Illustrated London News in 1846 beside their decorated tree. Before that, German families decorated winter evergreens, but the tradition had not yet caught on in most American homes. Like much of what Queen Victoria did, it became an instant sensation. 

Trees were adorned with homemade ornaments, apples, stringed popcorn and berries, and lit candles. Starting in Germany, wealthy families even hung strings of silver that would flicker in the candlelight. By the early 1900s, tinsel became a popular, reusable and much more affordable Christmas tree decoration made of aluminum and copper. Demand for copper during World War I stopped tinsel production, but the invention of aluminized paper tinsel brought the decoration back into vogue in the 1950s. Lead tinsel replaced the highly flammable paper tinsel, but in 1972, the dangers of lead exposure brought an end to its production.

To see a Victorian home lavishly decorated for Christmas, stop by the Bernhard Museum in Auburn during the holiday season or visit the museum’s free annual “S’mores & Stories” event on Dec. 12, from 5-8 p.m.!

Photo: Gaffett home decorated for Christmas in Clipper Gap. 1911; Placer County Museums collection


Gingerbread man stands by campfire, free s’mores and stories, bernhard museum, second slide of a historic courthouse in a snowglobe.


Advisory committees and commissions

Graphic with forested mountains in the background with text reading Placer County is inviting you to get involved

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

An image of wine barrels at High Hand Nursery in Loomis

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

Roseville: GrinchmasDowntown Roseville Ice RinkGingerbread House ContestArtist 2 Artist December Drawing3rd Annual Winter Night MarketRoseville Historical Society Holiday Open HousePetty Theft bandHoliday Gingerbread House Factory
Rocklin: Breakfast with Santa
Lincoln: Breakfast with Santa
Auburn: Placer Theater Ballet presents “The Nutcracker,” Colla Voce Chamber Singers – Holiday PerformanceA Christmas Carol; Or, The Miser’s Warning!S’mores and stories at the Bernhard Museum“It’s A Wonderful Life” Presented by State Theater Acting Company and Auburn State TheaterAuburn Country ChristmasOld Town Christmas at the Auburn Historic CourthouseHoliday Bazaar & Ugly Sweater Party At Ponderosa Cider

Colfax: Colfax Winterfest 2025Soroptimist Old Fashioned Soup Kitchen FundraiserAll You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast
North Lake Tahoe: Holly Jolly Strolls and a Visit with SantaMerry & Bright Holiday StrollSanta Ski DayTahoe City Holiday MarketsCocoa @ the CabinCommunity Garden Workshop Holiday Wreath MakingNorth Tahoe Chamber Power LunchTahoe City Farmer’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

An image of the Placer County Board of Supervisors during a meeting in Auburn.

Board of Supervisors, Dec. 16, 9 a.m. Information
CANCELED - West Placer Municipal Advisory Council, Dec.17 Information
Planning Commission, Dec. 18 , 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

Stay connected with us online!

Facebook  Instagram  X  LinkedIn  YouTube  Nextdoor  Soundcloud

 Flashvote

Copyright © Placer County. All Rights Reserved.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.