California COVID-19 Updates

California has a new blueprint for reducing COVID-19 in the state with revised criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities. Find out how businesses and activities can open in counties statewide beginning on August 31.

The framework for this guidance is informed by increased knowledge of disease transmission vulnerabilities and risk factors and is driven by the following goals:

1)   To progress in phases based on risk levels with appropriate time between each phase in each county so impacts of any given change can be fully evaluated.
2)   To aggressively reduce case transmission to as low a rate as possible across the state so the potential burden of flu and COVID-19 in the late fall and winter does not challenge our healthcare delivery system's ability to surge with space, supplies and staff. Also, with winter weather pushing more activities indoors, low levels of transmission in the community will make large outbreaks in these riskier settings less likely.
3)   To simplify the framework and lay out clear disease transmission goals for counties to work towards."

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Get Tested for COVID-19

Getting tested is an important way to help us better understand the disease burden in our community and helps prevent disease transmission. Our testing sites have the capacity to perform more tests. Please remember to get tested and if you are diagnosed with or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 it is important to self-isolate/quarantine.

Two OptumServe testing sites are available in Grass Valley and the Town of Truckee. Symptomatic or asymptomatic can be tested. Insured, underinsured, and uninsured are welcome. You must pre-register and schedule an appointment at https://www.lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123. Please have your appointment authorization number when you arrive at the testing site. Appointments are available Monday-Friday, 7:00am to 7:00pm in the Town of Truckee and in Grass Valley.

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How To Guide on the Ready Nevada County Dashboard

Being Ready Nevada County means being ready for anything and using all the tools available to both prepare for and respond to emergencies in real time. With that goal in mind, Nevada County’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) has created the Ready Nevada County Dashboard to help residents access technology and information for better emergency outcomes.

Residents are urged to become familiar with the interface and bookmark this tool in a web browser for easy access. This technology is best used in Firefox or Chrome and is intended to build upon the Ready Nevada County best practices advocated by OES in the Ready, Set, Go! Handbook sent to every household earlier this year.

Mobile Device: ReadyNevadaCounty.org/MobileDashboard
Desktop: ReadyNevadaCounty.org/Dashboard

Local Agencies and Organizations Partner on Rehabilitation of Independence Trail on the South Yuba River

Staff from Nevada County and the Sheriff's Office, Bear Yuba Land Trust, South Yuba River Citizens League and the Sierra Gold Parks Foundation accompanied California State Parks and CAL FIRE on Wednesday, Aug. 26 to view the Jones Fire damage to the Independence Trail, the first wheelchair accessible wilderness trail in the United States. The portion of the trail west of Highway 49, owned by State Parks and Bear Yuba Land Trust, was severely impacted by the Jones Fire, resulting in the loss of several wooden flumes, the overlook platform, benches, handrails and the Rush Creek Ramp.

Due to the assessed trail damage and the loss of many wooden flumes and bridges on the west trail plus the instability of the flumes on the east trail, the entirety of the Independence Trail on both sides of Highway 49, as well as neighboring state park lands, will be closed to public access until further notice.

Nevada County Relief Fund Seeks Donations for Jones Fire Survivors

With the Jones Fire 100% contained and evacuated residents now returning to their homes, the Nevada County Relief Fund is requesting donations to provide emergency relief to wildfire survivors. According to CAL FIRE, at least 14 residences were lost in the fire, while several residential structures on the Woolman at Sierra Friends Center are currently uninhabitable. Damage assessments are ongoing.

"When we helped set up the Nevada County Relief Fund in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we anticipated that it might someday serve as a clearinghouse for other critical services in the event of a wildfire or other disaster. I applaud the continued generosity of our community to care for those in their moment of need," said County CEO Alison Lehman.

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BriarPatch and Nevada County OES Team Up on Powerless Pantry Video

A new educational video by BriarPatch Food Co-op and Nevada County's Office of Emergency Services is designed to empower community members during wildfire season and help people prepare their kitchens in the event of public safety power shutoffs.

"Many of us have experienced first-hand that when the power goes out, a lot of food can go to waste. Here are a few tips to help you keep your pantry prepared and reduce food waste during a power outage," said BriarPatch Sustainability Coordinator Lauren Scott.

The project produced by Nevada County Media is part of the Co-op's year-long journey called "Food Too Good to Waste" and the County of Nevada's commitment to keeping the community safe during an Emergency. In light of the devastating Jones Fire, the information is timelier than ever.

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Rewatch Today's Jones Fire Town Hall

On August 28th a Town Hall was held to debrief on the Jones Fire. The Jones Fire sparked early in the morning on August 17th from lightning causing a wildfire that had potential to move quickly in the South Yuba River Canyon off Jones Bar Road. Board of Supervisors Chair Heidi Hall and District 4 Supervisor Sue Hoek introduced the Town Hall panelists.

Panelists include: CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit Chief Brian Estes, Nevada County Consolidated Fire District Deputy Chief Jerry Funk, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon, Nevada County Sheriff Captain Mike Walsh, Nevada County Emergency Operations Center Lieutenant Bob Jakobs, Nevada County Office of Emergency Services Manager Paul Cummings, California State Parks Sierra District Chief Ranger Matt Green, Nevada County Fairgrounds Public Information Officer Wendy Oaks, Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team (Animal Evac) Pat Ehlers.

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Mt. St. Marys Students Present Thank You Cards to First Responders

As the County's Office of Emergency Services begins to shift focus from supporting first responders during the Jones Fire to recovery for those who lost or had damage to their homes, the students at Mount Saint Marys stopped by to share thank you cards with CAL FIRE NEU, Nevada County Sheriff's Office and the County OES team.

Sheriff Shannan Moon offered stickers and appreciation for the heart the kids brought to every card. CAL FIRE Chief Estes recognized future fire fighters and artists, sharing a signed print of his artwork with CEO Alison Lehman and Mount Saint Marys School. The art will become a part of the Rood Center’s permanent collection and be featured on a new series of Find Your Five postcards presented by Office of Emergency Services and Nevada County Arts Council.

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Where's My Ballot Tracking Tool

Tuesday, August 25th, the Office of the Secretary of State launched, "Where's My Ballot," a tracking tool that provides voters with notifications on the status of their vote-by-mail ballot. Nevada County is a participant. Voters can sign up at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov. Ballots will be mailed out to all active registered voters on October 5th, 2020.

Nevada County Elections strongly encourages voters to register or check the status of their registration well before the first set of ballots are mailed out. Voters may go to sos.ca.gov/election/voter-registration for more information, or can call our office between 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday at 530-265-1298.

Sign-Up

September 1^st Board Meeting Preview

Pursuant to Governor Gavin Newsom's Executive Order pertaining to the convening of public meetings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the County of Nevada will hold its regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors remotely. The Board of Supervisors will attend the meeting and participate to the same extent as if they were present. Tuesday's September 1st meeting starts at 9:00 a.m.

Public Comment may be submitted by writing a letter to the Board of Supervisors (letter must be received before 8:00 a.m. the day of the meeting), calling (530) 264-0554 and leaving a voice mail message, emailing BOS.PublicComment@co.nevada.ca.us, leaving an eComment at www.mynevadacounty.com/BoardMeetings, calling (530) 270-3474 to provide live comments, attending the meeting by remote at a kiosk located at the Eric Rood Administrative Center in Western County, or at the District 5 Board of Supervisors office in Eastern County. Masks are required to enter a County building. For individuals unable to wear a mask there will be an outside kiosk located at the Eric Rood Administrative Center.

Following public comment, Social Services will introduce the Alliance for Workforce Development who will present the Alliance's Program Year 2019/20 Performance Report.

Next the Board will consider a resolution accepting the Ground Lease Agreement by Grass Valley PSH Associates, LP pertaining to County-owned property located at 936 Old Tunnel Road, Grass Valley, CA, designated as the location of the proposed Brunswick Commons Affordable Housing Project approving the development of the Brunswick Commons Affordable Housing Project.

Lastly, a resolution ratifying a Local Health Emergency Proclamation by the Nevada County Public Health Officer due to the immediate public health threat caused by hazardous waste and debris from the Jones Fire was added to the agenda.

There are many ways the public is encouraged to participate during this meeting which are described in the Public Meeting Protocol.

Meeting Agenda

Job Openings at Nevada County: Public Health Officer

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.

Nevada County is currently recruiting a Public Health Officer. This is an outstanding opportunity for individuals with experience in public health and a desire to focus on promoting community-wide health! The successful candidate will directly impact the health and safety of a community that is very supportive and actively engaged in public health. The Public Health Officer will have the advantage of working with a dedicated staff and fantastic community partners, in a backdrop of one of the most picturesque areas of California.

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

New jobs this week:

View Current Job Openings

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