Keegan Swenson and Sofia Gomez-Villafane dominated the 2024 Downieville Classic Race, winning both cross-country and downhill events.

"Sunday Paper" delivered an exceptional performance in Downieville, benefiting the local Fire Department.

The principal issue discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors was an agreement between an organization representing the state of California and Sierra County Behavioral Health.

To start Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors, the California Statewide Grey Wolf Coordinator, Axel Hunnicutt, introduced himself during a public comment opportunity.

Participants set up chili stations and amenitiesYUBA PASS — The 30th anniversary Great Yuba Pass Chili Cook-off occurred last Saturday after being postponed a week due to weather. Despite the date change, attendance and participation were remarkably high. A total of 16 teams brought homemade chili to be judged by hundreds of visitors, including a large group of snowmobilers there to enjoy the favorable weather and recent snow.Jenny Varn commandeers the 1st place trophyAlthough Jenny Varn, a five-time winner, did not bring chili to the Pass this year, she managed to get her hands on the winner’s trophy and claimed the victory for herself. Instead of acquiescing, however, the many judges picked a different winner.Andy White raises his winning trophyAnother many-time champion, Andy White, reigned supreme this year with his “Lizard Country” chili. White first won over the judges in 1996 with his “Head First” chili and has now claimed victory five times.

Monday, March 409:29 - Illegal dumping in Loyalton.11:23 - Assault alleged at the Sierraville Gas Station.11:39 - Someone texted 911 to request medical services on Highway 89 near Truckee.12:56 - Report of a suicidal subject in Downieville.14:34 - Dogs on the loose in Loyalton.18:57 - Civil dispute in Loyalton.Tuesday, March 506:44 - Reckless driver on Highway 89 near Little Truckee Summit.07:16 - Medical assistance requested in Loyalton.10:31 - Welfare check requested in Downieville.10:54 - Civil service requested in Downieville.11:27 - Relinquishment of firearms due to a restraining order occurred in Loyalton.13:59 - Extra patrol in Loyalton was requested.14:02 - Someone reported that a dog was left chained outside in the snow in Loyalton, but when the owner was contacted, there were no signs of neglect, and the dog was only outside when it needed a bathroom break.18:56 - A dog was found in Downieville and returned home.Wednesday, March 600:58 - Information requested by another agenc

Monday, February 2604:25 - Someone was transported to prison.07:59 - Fort Bragg Police arrested someone on a Sierra County warrant.11:39 - Possible child abuse in Loyalton.Tuesday, February 2714:58 - Mental health issues at Downieville Behavioral Health.15:16 - Traffic hazard on Depot Hill.Wednesday, February 2809:40 - The Forest Service performed a controlled burn near Camptonville.14:23 - Probation search near Loyalton.15:06 - Ambulance requested in Loyalton.15:42 - Someone needed help getting unstuck from snow in Verdi.Thursday, February 2910:39 - Something happened in Downieville.13:09 - Traffic hazard on the highway near Downieville.14:05 - Probation search in Sierraville.17:12 - Public Works handled a tree down on Ridge Road near Alleghany.17:42 - A caller reported a possible stolen vehicle that turned out not to be stolen.18:18 - Civil standby in Loyalton.21:17 - Highway Patrol was informed of street racing on Ridge Road near Alleghany.Friday, March 104:21 - A tree landed on som

Van Maddox discusses salary changes with the BoardDOWNIEVILLE—Discussions continued at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday concerning a potential upward adjustment to the pay of Sierra County’s department heads. The idea was initially brought before the Board at a meeting in Loyalton in December, when Auditor, Treasurer, and Tax Collector Van Maddox expressed dissatisfaction with the current department manager pay structure. Since then, department heads have further coordinated and met with the finance committee, including Supervisor Lee Adams, to hash out some details.In general, the Board has become much more receptive to Maddox’s request than when the idea was introduced. While salary schemes are still being worked out, tier 1 department heads would expect to see an increase of five to ten percent. Tiers 2 and 3 would also receive raises based on a percentage difference from tier 1.The options were considered after Sierra County department head salaries wer

Monday, February 1912:39 - Ambulance requested in Sattley.17:11 - Elder abuse reported in Loyalton.Tuesday, February 2007:20 - Someone from Sierraville was given a ride to the Courthouse.09:24 - 911 was called for a potential medical emergency, but the individual was contacted and did not require services.10:49 - Someone attempting to reach AAA called 911 instead.15:34 - Two people were arrested in Goodyears bar, one for probation violation, DUI, and drug possession, and the other for drug-related offenses.16:04 - Documentation of threats made in Goodyears Bar.Wednesday, February 2113:17 - The Sheriff’s Department assisted another agency in Sattley.15:01 - An accidental 911 call was placed in Verdi.15:34 - Report of reckless driving in the Cal-Ida area.16:46 - Trespassing in Downieville.19:11 - Someone ran out of gas in Downieville and needed help getting some.20:55 - Ambulance requested in Loyalton.Thursday, February 2209:02 - Fire drill at the Downieville School.09:57 - Juvenil

LOYALTON - Over the last two years, California has mandated sweeping and significant increases in the scope of behavioral health programs throughout the state. The changes include, but are not limited to, the requirement of a 24/7 Mobile Crisis Center staffed by a licensed clinician and likely accompanied by a law enforcement officer, increased focus on housing for the homeless and mental health patients (which could be further exacerbated if Proposition 1 passes in March), and providing county-operated managed care.As a result, Sheryll Prinz-McMillan, Director of Behavioral Health, gave a presentation on Tuesday to the Board of Supervisors outlining the possibility of a monumental increase in staff, services, and spending for her department. She estimates that staff will need to increase by about seven full time employees to meet the state’s minimum requirements, and that there may be additional spending on facilities, since the department’s buildings can’t sufficien

Monday, February 1202:06 - A domestic altercation occurred in Downieville.10:02 - Civil standby requested in Downieville.14:15 - Damage to a vehicle was reported on Highway 89 near Truckee.14:58 - Ambulance requested in Loyalton.21:44 - Someone was cited at the Lassen County line for an out-of-county warrant.Tuesday, February 1310:31 - Dead deer in Downieville.11:13 - Probation search near Goodyears Bar.16:33 - Someone was arrested near Calpine for DUI.16:51 - Accidental 911 call from Loyalton.19:02 - Report of threats being made in Goodyears Bar.Wednesday, February 1408:20 - USFS performed a controlled burn of 177 acres near Independence Lake.09:40 - Report of a dog bite near Reno. The dog was sentenced to quarantine.11:00 - A welfare check was requested in Loyalton, resulting in a patient being transported to the hospital.11:04 - Possible dog neglect was reported. A deputy found the dog to be doing fine.16:51 - Accidental burglar alarm activation in Loyalton.20:11 - Child vs. child h

Derailed railroad cars in the Feather River. Photo by OSPR. PLUMAS COUNTY — According to a report made by Union Pacific Railroad to the California Office of Emergency Services, a train fully loaded with coal derailed on Sunday, February 11th, spilling approximately 1,235 tons of coal around and into the Feather River near Blairsden. Each fully loaded railroad car carried 118 tons of coal, a number mistakenly reported by many media outlets as the total for the entire train. Fifteen fully loaded cars were derailed, with thirteen releasing coal.Union Pacific reported that the cause of the derailment was a track defect and that there were no injuries, fatalities, evacuations, or fires. However, at least one railcar toppled into the river, and cleanup costs are expected to exceed $150,000. The California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) made a Facebook post on Sunday notifying the public that it had a crew on-site and released images of the derailed cars. OSPR does not e

Monday, February 507:52 - A citizen was assisted in Loyalton.10:45 - Ambulance requested in Verdi.12:14 - Crash in Sierraville.13:38 - Accidental 911 call from Downieville.15:13 - Crash on Highway 89 near Sierraville.Tuesday, February 611:21 - Extra patrol was requested at the Loyalton trailer park.14:16 - Ambulance requested in Loyalton.16:19 - Cattle on the road in Loyalton.19:53 - A deputy provided transportation to someone in Verdi.Wednesday, February 705:42 - Ambulance requested in Loyalton.08:11 - Burn pile lit in Pike.11:58 - Someone accidentally sent a text message to 911 from Sierra City.15:04 - More cattle on Loyalton’s roads.16:03 - Car crash in Alleghany.16:21 - A probation search was conducted in Loyalton.20:11 - Report of a suspicious person in Loyalton.Thursday, February 807:37 - Civil service requested in Loyalton.09:41 - A 911 call from Sierra City had static on the line. The Sheriff’s Office was informed that the owner of the home from which the call came

DOWNIEVILLE — In addition to the Community Center Remodel Project contract and letter sent by the Board concerning AT&T, items covered in separate articles this week, the supervisors heard several updates on the state of the county and its future.Zoning Code and General Plan Update Moves AheadPlanning Director Brandon Pangman brought a contract to the board that restarts the generation of the long-overdue Sierra County General Plan and Zoning Code updates. Work began years ago with the same contractor, Mintier Harnish, but was terminated before completion. The new contract will cost $143,970 and is one of two parts needed before the plans can be implemented. The first part consists of completing the already drafted general plan and zoning code, whereas the second will include administrative tasks and environmental review. Pangman believes that funds from affordable housing grants can be used towards this project.Broadband Strategic Plan UpdatesShelley Westall, Principal Consu

Monday, January 2907:58 - A burn pile was lit at the Sattley Transfer Station.11:05 - Report of elder abuse in Loyalton.12:02 - Assistance was requested in settling a neighbor dispute in Loyalton.Tuesday, January 3001:28 - A deputy assisted someone in getting a tow on Highway 89.09:09 - Prescribed burn near Camptonville.11:40 - Possible domestic violence in Sierraville.13:34 - Fraud reported in Loyalton.15:30 - The Sheriff’s Office assisted another agency with a vegetation fire.18:40 - Someone needed assistance in Downieville.18:44 - Reckless driving in Loyalton.Wednesday, January 3108:09 - Controlled burn at Independence Lake.17:28 - Workplace harassment in Downieville.Thursday, February 107:56 - Controlled burn near Camptonville.09:35 - A Toyota car key was found in Downieville and given to the Sheriff’s Office.10:20 - A public hearing in the Downieville Board of Supervisors room got too rowdy and may have needed a deputy present to keep the peace.12:15 - Report of drunk