Photo of the week

This #PlacerLife photo of ducks swimming at sunset in Tahoe City was taken by @michael_kennedy999 on Instagram.

Featured story

Bosch opens remodeled Roseville semiconductor facility and secures $225 million in funding

Bosch announced this week that its Roseville semiconductor facility is now operational - following an up to $2 billion modernization investment supported by up to $225 million in federal funding secured from the CHIPS and Science Act. Bosch is the leading provider of technology and services and the largest automotive supplier in the world, according to external rankings. Read more

This milestone reinforces Placer County's growing role in advanced manufacturing and innovation, creating high-quality jobs and strengthening our region's leadership in the technologies powering the future.

Beginning in 2026, Bosch has committed to investing more than $100,000 per year in the Roseville community through the Bosch Community Fund. The funding supports students, educators and community members to foster innovation and strengthen workforce development in the region.

Interested in a career with Bosch? View openings at Bosch and other local jobs

Local government

Amendments to the Placer County Charter approved to go before voters

Three proposed changes to the county charter are set to go before voters. Two measures related to board vacancies and CEO contracts will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. Another for board salaries will be on the Nov. 7, 2028, ballot. Read more

Immunizations

Free back-to-school vaccine clinics in Placer

Placer County Public Health is offering free back-to-school immunization clinics for eligible children who are uninsured, have Medi-Cal or may have difficulty accessing the vaccines required for school attendance.
Learn more

Elections

Filing is open for more than 150 local seats – here’s how to get started

Candidate filing opened this week for the more than 150 local seats up for election in November. Want to learn more about becoming a candidate? Attend our workshop at the Placer County Elections Office on July 18. Learn more

Criminal justice

Granite Bay cold case closes with life sentence

This week, James Lawhead was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 1991 kidnapping, rape and murder of a Granite Bay woman after advances in DNA technology helped sheriff’s investigators identify him 34 years later. Learn more

In other news

Watch: See how Placer’s Workforce Housing Preservation Program helped two Kings Beach residents stay in North Lake Tahoe and purchase a home

Our Placer Job Network website can now be translated into more than 250 languages; see local career opportunities
ICYMI: Eastern Placer Wildfire and Evacuation Virtual Town Hall Video

175 years of Placer County history

Solon M. Stevens, pictured center, owned the Stevens’ Drug Store on the corner of Main and Commercial streets in Auburn. In 1885, he purchased the elaborate Tufts’ Arctic Soda Apparatus, which sits on the counter in this image and towers over the proprietor.

The temperance movement during the 19th century led to the rising popularity of carbonated beverages in the United States as an alternative to alcohol. Pharmacists often prescribed carbonated water for indigestion, and with their practical knowledge of chemistry, many explored different recipes for carbonated beverages. 

This led to soda fountains being installed in drug stores, which dispensed drinks that combined carbon dioxide, water and syrup concentrate. Naturally, ice cream soon became a popular added element to these fizzy drinks.

The Arctic Soda Apparatus was patented in 1883, and Stevens did not wait long before installing one in his store. Made of marble with silver accents and gaselier lamps, and topped with a statuette, this soda fountain remained in the old Stevens’ Drug Store and was removed sometime shortly before 1959 when the entire block was demolished. 

The demolition of this block, including the famed Orleans Hotel, led to a preservation movement in Auburn, where great efforts have been made to maintain this historic community.The soda fountain was donated to the Placer County Museum on behalf of Thomas V. Herra and Ronald E. Herra in 2016 and is on display at the historic Auburn courthouse.

On Saturday, July 18, the Heritage Trail will include several stops in Auburn, including the Placer County Museum, Gold Rush Museum, Auburn Joss House and historic Old Town Post Office.Visit this historic soda fountain in person and help plan the time capsule that will be buried at the courthouse this fall in celebration of Placer County’s 175th anniversary. Visit our Heritage Trail Museums Tour webpage to learn more.

Photo: Solon M. Stevens’ Drug Store. Circa 1885-1900. Placer County Museums, Placer County Historical Society collection.

Explore our new interactive timeline — updated every Thursday with photographs, milestones and the stories of people who built this county. Explore timeline

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

• Cemetery Auburn District

• Cemetery Colfax District

• Cemetery Tahoe District

• Economic Development Board

• Fish & Game Commission

• First 5 Placer Children & Families Commission

• Flood Control & Water Conservation District Board

• Gold Run Cemetery Committee

• Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council

• Greater Lincoln Area Fire Safe Council

• In Home Support Services Advisory Committee

• Juvenile Justice / Delinquency Prevention

• Library Advisory Board

• Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council

• Municipal Advisory Council - Granite Bay

• Municipal Advisory Council - Horseshoe Bar Penryn

• Municipal Advisory Council - Olympic Valley

• Municipal Advisory Council - Rural Lincoln

• Municipal Advisory Council - Sheridan

• Municipal Advisory Council - West Placer Citizens

• Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council

• North Auburn/Ophir Fire Safe Council

• Placer County Child Care Advisory Council

• Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission

• Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council

• Solid Waste Local Task Force

• Veterans Advisory Council

• Wastewater Advisory Committee

Fun things to do this week

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

Roseville: Mahany Park Certified Farmers' Market, Maidu Park Farmers' Market, Roseville Fountains Farmers' Market, Kaiser Riverside Farmers' Market, Kaiser Eureka Farmers' Market, Sutter Roseville Farmers Market, Concerts On The Square: Maroon Vibes
Rocklin: 26 Parks in 2026, Living Smart Farmers Market
Lincoln: Farmers’ Market at Fowler Ranch, Kaiser Lincoln Farmers' Market,
Loomis: Summer Concert
Auburn: Auburn Old Town Farmer’s Market – Placer Farmers Market, Farmers Market at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, Auburn Music On The Square, Party In The Park!, Heritage Trail - Auburn's Special Saturdays, Market in the Square
Colfax: Colfax Farmers’ Market, Colfax Art Walks & Lions Cruise Night, Sierra Vista Community Center Flea Market
North Lake Tahoe: Tahoe City Farmer’s Market, Music on the Beach, Kings Beach, Concerts At Commons Beach, Tahoe City, Bluesdays

...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

Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council, July 17, 9 a.m. Information
Rural Lincoln Municipal Advisory Council, July 20, 6 p.m. Information
Foresthill / Iowa Hill Fire Safe Council, July 21, 5:30 p.m. Information
Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council, July 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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