Nevada County News | February 1, 2024

Kait and Asher enjoying the new Bear River Library on opening day. Photo: Taylor Wolfe, Public Information Officer.

Funding Approved for Highway 49 Evacuation Route Project

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has approved a project to widen Highway 49 between Ponderosa Pines Way just north of Alta Sierra to Wolf Road in Grass Valley.

The $101.5 million project includes the addition of shoulders and a center two-way left turn, which will allow safer operations for vehicles entering and exiting the highway. The improvements will also reduce wildfire evacuation times if the need arises.

Housing Challenges? Take Nevada County's Housing Survey

Have you experienced housing challenges in Nevada County? Residents, employees, and employers are encouraged to complete an online housing needs survey. Results will assist Nevada County in developing strategies to address housing needs in our community.

“Housing is a top concern, and we want to do everything we can to help solve this issue,” said Supervisor Hardy Bullock, Board chair. “The community’s participation in this survey will help us decide where best to spend our energy to develop solutions.”

Nevada County Opens New Bear River Library with Expanded Services

During a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday morning, Nevada County Library officials welcomed the community and opened the doors to the Bear River Library at its new location at 11010 Combie Road.

The new 2,500-square-foot space is a short walk from Bear River High School, where the library has shared a building with the high school library for the past two decades. Funding for the new location comes from Nevada County taxpayers and the 2016 passage of Measure A.

Cannabis Cultivators Invited to Apply for Good to Grow Grants

Current legal cannabis applicants and those interested in entering the regulated market in Nevada County can apply for financial assistance from the County’s new Good to Grow Grants Program, beginning today through Feb. 28.

“Cannabis is a budding industry in Nevada County, but it can be cost-prohibitive for some to be able to enter the legal market. The grants can help lower cost barriers such as state, county, or fire district permitting fees, or hiring engineers and architects for site planning,” said Matt Kelley, Nevada County director of code and compliance. “Our goal is to support the new legal industry in a way that protects the environment and safety of our community."

Congressman Kiley Tours Western Nevada County Jan. 26

Congressman Kevin Kiley spent the day in western Nevada County on Jan. 26, meeting with supervisors, the Nevada County Youth Commission, representatives from the CAL Fire, and others.

Kiley met with Supervisor Heidi Hall and expressed support for the Board’s preferred option for replacing the 1905 Edwards Crossing Bridge to expand ingress/egress options for emergencies. Alternative 2 would build a new 500-foot-span bridge about 1,000 feet upstream of the existing bridge while leaving the existing bridge up for pedestrians. He plans to submit a letter to Caltrans in favor of the option.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Tahoe National Forest Area Community Wildfire Protection Plan Workshop

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6-7:30 p.m.

Zoom (register here)

Tahoe Forest area residents and businesses are invited to attend to help identify opportunities for wildfire risk reduction.

Learn More

Truckee/Donner Community Wildfire Protection Plan Workshop

Thursday, Feb. 8, 6-7:30 p.m.

Zoom (register here)

Truckee/Donner residents and businesses are invited to attend to help identify opportunities for wildfire risk reduction.

Learn More

Grass Valley/Nevada City Community Wildfire Protection Plan Workshop

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 6-7:30 p.m.

Zoom (register here)

Grass Valley/Nevada City residents and businesses are invited to attend to help identify opportunities for wildfire risk reduction.

Learn More

Free Play Café

First Wednesday of the month, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Penn Valley Library

Join us for a delightful monthly rendezvous – the Free Play Café for children ages 0-5. Enjoy carefully curated activities to enhance your child's growth and development.

Learn More

Fall In Love With February – Things To Do In Nevada County

As winter begins to wind down, Nevada County’s events begin to reawaken. This time of year is the perfect time to plan a mid-week getaway. Frolic in the snow in the high country around Truckee or set off on one of the many winter hiking and biking trails in the foothills of the Sierra. Need a little nudge here’s some fun things to do in February in Nevada County.

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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 Districts and is known for its abundance of outdoor recreational activities.

Attorney III

The Nevada County District Attorney’s Office is seeking Criminal Attorneys II / III to prosecute misdemeanor and felony cases received from State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies in Nevada County.

The Attorney II / III position will be primarily focused on a felony caseload that may include homicides, sexual assault, and other major crimes. Attorney II / III handles the more complex and critical cases that require sophisticated legal knowledge and experience.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable and proficient in the use of technology for the management of case information, report documentation, evidence, and information exchange. In addition, candidates must understand the various state, federal, and local laws as well as standard court procedures.

Sound communication, report writing, collaboration, and presentation skills are strongly desired. Applicants must have the ability to interact with individuals from diverse social, economic, cultural, behavioral, and environmental settings.

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