Nevada County News | April 25, 2024

The opening reception for Breathe in Sky: Project Wild Edges at the Eric Rood Administrative Center on April 4. Currently on display through June 28. Photo: Casey Garrotto.

Graphic about three free green waste days in May

Free Green Waste Days at Transfer Station on Three Mondays in May

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved three additional dates for residential green waste disposal at the McCourtney Road Transfer Station (14741 Wolf Mountain Rd, Grass Valley) on Monday, May 6, 13 and 27 (Memorial Day) from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. These dates are in addition to this Monday’s upcoming April 29 event and the recent April 15 event to help residents prepare their properties ahead of fire season.

County and Cities Launch Dark Skies Photo Contest

Nevada County, the City of Nevada City, the City of Grass Valley, and Nevada County Arts Council are launching a “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” photo contest as part of an initiative to encourage residents to limit light pollution and enjoy the natural beauty of the night sky. The announcement coincides with Earth Day and the three jurisdictions’ focus on climate education to build resilient communities.

graphic saying Rough & Ready roundabout survey

Rough & Ready Highway and Ridge Road Roundabout Project Survey Up Through May 8

Nevada County is asking for input on its proposed pedestrian improvement plan to construct a roundabout that will realign the two three-legged intersections of Ridge Road and Rough & Ready Highway intersection. Residents can take the brief survey by May 8 to provide feedback on these proposed improvements at www.nevadacountyca.gov/roundaboutsurvey.

More Nevada County News

Evacuation Study Identifies Priority Projects to Seek Grant Funding

On Tuesday, Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office presented the Nevada County Evacuation Study to the Board of Supervisors. The study identified the five most vulnerable communities if evacuated due to wildfire: Alta Sierra, Lake Wildwood, Lake of the Pines, Cascade Shores/Banner Mountain, and Greenhorn.

“Becoming trapped on a roadway during an evacuation is the biggest and most universal concern we hear about from our residents across the county. This study provides us with a list of needs that we can seek grant funds for,” said OES Director Craig Griesbach.

Public Health and Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Partner to Raise Awareness of the Health Impacts of Recreational Nitrous Oxide Use

Last month, doctors at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital reached out to Nevada County with concerns about an increase in patients being seen at the emergency department and other settings because of complications from recreational nitrous oxide use. These complications are often neurological, ranging from tingling in the extremities, loss of sensation and significant weakness to long-term neurological damage.

Two people holding orange trash bags to clean up the road.

Nevada County’s Adopt-A-Road Program is Great Way to Give Back

Since 1996, Monique Ehrgood, owner of Miner Moe’s Pizza in Nevada City has picked up trash four times a year along a section of road between Nevada City Highway and Banner Lava Cap.

For 28 years, Ehrgood and the Miner Moe’s team have served as volunteers in Nevada County’s Adopt-A-Road program committed to keeping an adopted segment of county roadway free of litter.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Prescription Drug Take Back Day, April 27

Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

North San Juan Fire Protection District Station 1: 10057 Reservoir St.
Penn Valley Shopping Center: 17420 Penn Valley Drive.
Sheriff's Office Substation: 11010 Combie Road, Auburn (Bear River Library next to old Holiday Market).

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office is offering this opportunity for community members to safely turn in unneeded medication for safe disposal.

Learn More

Art in Harmony: Celebrate Sculpture and Poetry With Richard Gill, April 27

Saturday, April 27, 1-2 p.m.

Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City

Celebrate the artistic contributions of Richard Gill, a renowned local poet and sculptor. This event will feature Gill's "Signs of our Times" sculpture series, which has been on display at the library for the past few months. Attendees will enjoy a collaborative performance with local musicians and poets, who will recite poems that complement the themes of Gill's art installation.

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Discover the Magic of Reading: Magician Brian Scott, April 30

Tuesday, April 30, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Grass Valley Library, 207 Mill St., Grass Valley

Magician Brian Scott celebrates El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day)! Affectionately known as Día, this celebration is a commitment to inclusivity and the belief that every child should see themselves in the stories they read.

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Documentary Screening: 'No One Told Me,' May 1

Wednesday, May 1, 7- 8 p.m.

Onyx Theater, 107 Argall Way, Nevada City

Watch this documentary about the immediate postpartum time, followed by a conversation about the immediate postpartum time.

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Assembly Bill 481 Open House, May 2

Thursday, May 2, 4-6 p.m.

Rood Center, 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City

The public is invited to view examples of the Sheriff's Office equipment and ask questions from Sheriff's personnel. Some equipment will be in the Empire Room, while larger equipment will be on view in the parking lot.

Learn More

Celtic Fair Free Fare Days, May 3 & 4

Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4

Nevada County Connects buses

Ride Nevada County Connects to the KVMR’s Celtic Festival at the Nevada County Fairgrounds and enjoy the event and the free bus fares! Enjoy a stress-free ride to the fairgrounds or throughout Western Nevada County and help reduce traffic and carbon emissions.

Learn More

Board of Supervisors News

Supervisor Hall to Lead Working Group on Insurance Crisis

Supervisor Heidi Hall is leading a work group focused on alleviating the insurance crisis for the California State Association of Counties. The workgroup is affiliated with the association’s agriculture, environment and natural resources policy committee, which Hall chairs.

The group’s goal is to develop guiding principles that can inform its legislative platform. “I am also asking us to come up with recommendations of things we want to see at the state level to make the insurance industry work better for us here,” she said.

KVMR Free Youth Arts Program before the Celtic Festival

KVMR is offering a free youth arts program to kids ages 10-18 Friday, May 3, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley. Classes will be offered in fencing, Celtic art, magic, fiddle and Irish step dancing.

Calling All Superheroes!

The Child Abuse Prevention Council of Western Nevada County is inviting community members to attend the Superheroes for Prevention community event on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Litton Baseball Field, 200 Litton Drive, Grass Valley. The event includes bubbles, face painting and balloon twisting.

Eighth Grade Graduation Party at NEO Youth Center

Milestones deserve a celebration, some recognition – and a fun party with food and games with friends.

Bright Futures for Youth’s NEO Youth Center will hold a free party for 8th grade graduates from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, May 18. The recently opened Youth Center is at 200 Litton Drive in Grass Valley.

CAL FIRE Burn Permits Required May 1

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit has announced effective at 8 a.m., Wednesday, May 1, 2024, all hazard reduction burning will require a permit in Nevada, Yuba, Placer and Sierra Counties.

Burn permits must now be obtained online at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov.

Highway 80 Emergency Repairs Update

Caltrans is reminding motorists of various lane closures and delays along Interstate 80 (I-80) as emergency repairs continue in Placer and Nevada counties.

Prescribed Fire Projects to Begin at Tahoe National Forest

Tahoe National Forest plans to begin spring prescribed fire operations as early as April 29, dependent on fuels and weather conditions. Planned burn locations and timeline to complete projects may vary across the forest.

Each prescribed fire operation follows a specialized burn plan, wherein temperature, humidity, wind, vegetation moisture and smoke dispersal conditions are considered daily before a prescribed fire is implemented. All this information is used to decide if and when to burn.

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.

Deputy County Executive Officer/Chief Fiscal Officer

Nevada County is seeking a visionary, community-focused, team-driven, fiscal-minded leader as Deputy County Executive Officer/Chief Fiscal Officer (CFO) to lead the County fiscal and core services mission. The County Executive Office leads, coordinates, and collaborates with the public, Board of Supervisors and County departments to meet County goals. This leader must be team-oriented, collaborative, and experienced in navigating challenging fiscal waters. They will embrace the County's passion for continuous improvement and a culture of fair and equitable treatment of staff and the public. They will find ways to balance complex fiscal messages with the changing needs of departments and the community. The successful candidate will be strategic, emotionally and politically savvy, and advocate for fiscal health and sustainability, leveraging long-standing solutions and innovative funding models.

The CFO will be a strong and collaborative leader who combines public budgeting, finance, and administration knowledge with the ability to collaborate and facilitate diverse teams to advance projects, take action, and meet goals. This leader will have strong communication skills and personal awareness to lead the CEO fiscal team and serve as a beacon for excellence throughout County departments and the public. The position will oversee the County budget process, work closely with the CEO and ACEO on resolving sensitive matters, and may oversee the County Risk Management function or act as interim Department Head if necessary. They will be able to combine strong analytical skills with communications, planning, and leadership skills.

If you are a passionate, fiscally minded public servant seeking a professional challenge that will impact your community in a positive, dynamic, and inclusive workplace, apply today!

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