Nevada County News | September 28, 2023

The Independence Trail off Highway 49, north of Nevada City, as seen this week. The trail is considered the first wheelchair accessible wilderness trail in the country. Photo credit: Interim Public Information Officer Lisa Renner.

Rise Grass Valley Petition for Vested Rights Hearing Rescheduled to December 13

The Board of Supervisors has rescheduled a hearing to December 13 on Rise Grass Valley’s petition for vested rights to conduct mining operations at the Idaho Maryland Mine. The hearing was originally scheduled for October 27. Due to the unprecedented volume of material provided to the County in the petition, and the responses that are expected to be submitted by the public, the Board rescheduled the hearing to provide County staff additional time to review and respond to Rise Grass Valley’s petition.

Supervisor Hall Advocates for Wildfire Insurance Solutions in Washington, D.C.

Many Nevada County homeowners have been dropped by insurance providers and have had to get costly fire insurance through the California FAIR plan because no private company will insure them. Even more alarming, insurance for fire department buildings has doubled or even tripled. "We’re looking for help from anybody and everybody,” Hall said. “There’s no one magic bullet on this.”

Graphic of a house, saying "Supervisors approved 2023 housing ordinance amendments"

Housing Amendments Remove Barriers to Housing Production in Unincorporated County

The changes, approved by the Board of Supervisors September 12, include allowing every residential property to build both an Accessory Dwelling Unit and a Junior Accessory Dwelling unit as long as septic capacity allows. An ADU, also known as a granny unit, is usually smaller than the main home and legally part of the same property. A JADU is a smaller type of ADU, up to 500-square-feet within a home with its own entrance. The changes go into effect October 13.

United Way Book Sale Runs Through Oct. 27

Hundreds of books are now for sale in the lobby of the Eric Rood Administration Center in Nevada City. The sale is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Genres for sale include young adult, romance, Western, classics, mystery, religion, healing, spirituality, history/politics, do-it-yourself, gardening, photography and cooking. Proceeds benefit the United Way of Nevada County.

Clerk of the Board Julie Patterson-Hunter

Clerk of the Board to Retire in December

Julie Patterson-Hunter is retiring December 29 as Clerk of the Board after over 19 years of service in the Board of Supervisors' office.

Patterson-Hunter was appointed in her current position in May 2015. She began her career in the County as a Board Clerk in the Board of Supervisors' office in October 2004, and in March 2012 was promoted to the position of Deputy Clerk to the Board.

Poster for Heart of Gold Festival Oct. 7

Heart of Gold Race & Festival Support Youth Mental Health

The Heart of Gold Gravel Race and Festival October 7 is a major fundraiser for four local organizations that support youth mental health. Last year, the fundraiser raised $70,000 for Bright Futures for Youth, Child Advocates of Nevada County, Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation, and Youth Bicyclists of Nevada County.

Help these important groups again this year by registering to ride your bike in the race or volunteering at the race or festival.

Highway 20 Remains Closed; Take 174

Highway 20 is closed east of Nevada City leading up to the high country through noon October 6.

The highway is closed between the Omega Overlook and Bear Valley until 7 p.m. Sunday. Once work on that section is finished, the closure moves six miles west to a section between White Cloud Campground and Washington Road.

Most motorists are urged to take Highway 174 as an alternate route. Large trucks are directed to only use Highway 49.

Sheriff Moon releases four-year term report on Sheriff's Office accomplishments.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Clean Air Day, October 4

Wednesday, October 4

Statewide

Challenge yourself to take actions to help keep the air clean by carpooling, walking to appointments and driving less, if possible, for Clean Air Day on Wednesday, October 4.

The Board of Supervisors approved a resolution last month supporting the statewide effort for the second year in a row. The event, which is organized by the Coalition for Clean Air, is supported by 56 of the state’s 58 counties.

Learn More

Nevada County Connects Free Bus Fares, September, 29-30

Friday, September 29-Saturday, September 30

All bus routes

Enjoy the KVMR Celtic Festival at the Nevada County Fairgrounds with free bus fares! Hop on any Nevada County Connects bus on Friday and Saturday. Enjoy a stress-free ride to the fairgrounds or throughout Western Nevada County and help reduce traffic and carbon emissions. Nevada County Connects will be operating normal schedules and times on all routes with free fares for all. Nevada County Connects Route 3 - Grass Valley Loop will drop off at Gate 8 at the Fairgrounds.

Learn More

Halloween Costume Drop-Off, through September 30

Today and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Truckee Library, 10031 Levon Ave.

Drop off your old costumes to share with others, then pick up a new costume at Costume Swap Day Saturday, October 7 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Truckee Community Recreation Center, 10981 Truckee Way.

Learn More

Latino Cookbook Project, through October 14

Through Saturday, October 14.

Truckee Library, 10031 Levon Ave.

The Truckee Library is publishing the second edition of the Latino Cookbook Project. The library is requesting contributions of your beloved recipe during Hispanic Heritage Month. Stop by the library and pick up a form to participate.

Learn More

Board of Supervisors News

UPS driver Roy Lewis holds certificate of recognition for helping prevent spread of fire south of North San Juan Aug. 17.

Hero Drivers Honored by Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday honored two men who helped prevent the spread of wildfire on Highway 49 south of North San Juan on August 17. UPS driver Roy Lewis (pictured here) and Nevada County Connects bus driver Ahmer Al-Kayyali used fire extinguishers to help put out small brush fires along the highway. Lewis was in the middle of his normal delivery route and Al-Kayyali was driving with an empty bus to pick up passengers in North San Juan when they spotted the flames. Both men received certificates of recognition and challenge coins for their service to the County.

Come Work with Us!

Nevada County employs approximately 800 employees covering a full range of services and positions, from accountants to wastewater treatment system operators. In Nevada County, quality of life comes first. It is the only rural California county with two designated Cultural Arts Districts and is known for its abundance of outdoor recreational activities.

Fleet Mechanic II

Join the Fleet Maintenance Division of Nevada County and help keep our county team members up and running and assisting our community! We are looking for a dedicated professional to help us maintain, inspect, service and repair a wide variety of vehicles and equipment. Interviews will be scheduled October 11-12.

Learn more about this position online. Have a question? Contact Human Resources by calling (530) 265-7010 and selecting option 2.