CESA acts as a clearing house for emergency management best practices, and promotes mutual support and cooperation in the public, private and non-profit sectors during emergencies.

Mr. DeBeaux, who was hired as Sutter County Emergency Services Manager in 2004, will serve as president of the CESA board until October of 2009.

This is all according to the American Community Survey project of the U.S. Census Bureau, an ongoing survey that is conducted between the official Census counts every 10 years.

In March of 2010, the Census Bureau will be sending out questionnaires for the 2010 official census of all residents of the United States. Because the county’s population is tied to federal and state funding allocations to the county, Sutter County officials will be assisting the federal government in getting a complete count of all county residents.

Individuals interested in serving on a Sutter County Census Committee are encouraged to contact Chuck Smith, Sutter County Public Information Officer, at 530-822-7100. Those interested in working as a census taker are encouraged to contact the Census Bureau at 866-861-2010.

There are so many ways you or your group can help a Family and the children in our community this Christmas: Hold a canned/non perishable food collection; Purchase Christmas dinner gift certificates; Purchase Wal-Mart/Target or Kmart gift cards; Adopt a Family; Hold a toy collection (new toys only please), or Purchase blankets, gloves, personal care items, towels.

All of the items listed above are needed donations and would be greatly appreciated. If you can help please contact Bev Dal Porto at (530) 713-8514.

A study conducted by Professors Fishbeck and Gerard of Carnegie Mellon University reported in 2007 that after clocks are turned back 1 hour in the fall, pedestrians, from the dusk to dark period, face a three times increased risk of being struck and killed by a vehicle. Apparently, the days immediately following a return to daylight standard time in November show the highest increase in pedestrian fatalities. The risk then declines each month through May. According the the researchers, it's the adjustment to the earlier darkness rather than the darkness itself that is the killer.

Both drivers and pedestrians should be more alert and aware during the dusk to dark transition but especially during the days immediately following the change back to daylight standard time on November 2nd.

When: Tuesday, April 21st.

Where: See flyer

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

If you are a Teacher, Parent or Caregiver of children under age 6 in Sutter County, you won't want to miss any of these awesome Make-it Take-It Workshops.

The kickoff event on Thursday, September 4 will take place from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Museum. A Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting will celebrate the book’s debut. The first copy will be presented to the Centennial Mayor of Yuba City, Rory Ramirez. The authors, Julie Stark, Sharyl Simmons, David Rubiales and Carol Withington, will be available to sign books. All this activity is combined with an old-fashioned ice cream social to make a memorable celebration.

Yuba City, Our Home Town will be available at the Community Memorial Museum of Sutter County beginning at the kickoff event on September 4 and thereafter. The Museum is located at 1333 Butte House Road in Yuba City. Open hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call (530) 822-7141.

Vintage Motorcycles Roar In!

Well, maybe they won’t roar into the Museum, but you can imagine a time when they could. Back by popular demand, and with additions, this collection of early motorcycles from a generous local collector will delight Museum visitors this Summer.

During the months of July and August, this distinguished group of very early 20th century motorcycles will park in the main gallery, so we can get a closer look and learn all about their history.

These progenitors of today’s Harleys won’t be able to stay too long, as another traveling exhibit arrives in September, so be sure to see them while they’re here, July 8 through September 5.

We appreciate the gracious loan of the motorcycles, and for being able to share them with the community.

FEMA utilized both previous and new hydrologic and hydraulic analyses conducted by various agencies in its study. As the result of the California Department of Water Resources decertifying Sutter County's levees, FEMA also conducted analyses of what would happen should levees fail. It is advisable to get flood insurance if you live anywhere in the Sacramento Valley. However, FEMA requires federal flood insurance in Special Flood Hazard Areas. In Sutter County, getting federal flood insurance before Dec. 2, 2008 will save property owners hundreds of dollars per year. Because of "grandfathering" rules, those who wait until after the maps are final on Dec. 2, 2008, may have to pay more for federal flood insurance.

The study also uses new terminology. Instead of referring to 100-year and 500-year flooding risks, the study refers to 1-Percent-Annual-Chance and 0.2-Percent Annual-Chance. The new terminology is a response to complaints that the previous terminology used by the federal government confused property owners into believing that disastrous flooding can occur only once in a 100 or 500 year period.

The new flood maps are expected to be posted on the Sutter County internet site by mid-July. The maps are being converted by County staff to a format that has more detail.

Sutter County is now expanding the recycling program to include all offices. Another 115,000 pounds of paper, plastic and other recyclable materials is expected to be recycled by Sutter County offices in calendar year 2008.

These numbers do not take into account the large amounts of documents that are shredded and recycled through a commercial vendor each year.

Currently, all divisions of the Human Services Department, the Sherrif’s Department/Jail, the Treasurer’s Office, and the Road and General Services divisions of the Public Works Department participate in a recycling program. But Building Services Supervisor F.W. “Frosty” Southard wants to expand Sutter County’s recycling program to all departments and locations in the county.

County Administrator Larry Combs complimented Ms. Bechtel on her outstanding leadership on the Board and dedication to the County, noting the great courage Ms. Bechtel displayed in her tenure with Sutter County and through her passing.

The County will keep all flogs lowered in honor of Ms. Bechtel through the day of her services, next week.

Last summer, this group drew in children and adults alike with demonstrations of firemaking, flintknapping (making arrowheads), and other early day skills. Dressed in authentic costumes, and with the trappings of typical mountain life, the mountain men show us what life was like for the intrepid few who ventured into the wilderness in the early 19th century.

Some of the activities are hands-on experiences for the children, and all of them are fascinating and educational. The program is free, and no reservations are needed. It is suitable for elementary school age students, but the whole family is invited. Refreshments will be served following the program. The Sierra Muzzleloaders volunteer to present this wonderful program to our community, and we appreciate the work they do to promote learning about history.

For more information, call (530) 822-7141.

Sign-ups will begin on June 9th this year and the program will end on August 16th. The goal of the summer reading program is to keep the children in our community reading through out the summer. We offer incentives such as small toys, books and coupons donated by local businesses to encourage continued reading.

County employees Paul Schwall and Nick Oliver were featured in the article, which discusses how the county deals with right-of-way weed abatement in sensitive surroundings of the county’s large agricultural industry.

On May 15, 2008, the Sutter County Department of Human Services participated in the joint emergency exercise known as Operation Lightning Bolt with various emergency response agencies from Yuba and Sutter counties and Beale Air Force Base.

In response to the emergency scenario, the department opened and operated a Point Of Distribution, or POD, in accordance with the county’s Strategic National Stockpile Plan. This document is intended to provide background information about the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Program and the Sutter County plan to implement the SNS in the event of medical necessity.

“It was from a very crowded field that he has been elected,” said Valley Vision Executive Director Bill Mueller. “So often in our region we have issues that can’t be contained by political boundaries, traffic congestion, air quality, flood protection, and it takes people to work across boundaries to reach out to other leaders in the region to effect change. Dan Silva is that type of leader.”

For more than 30 years, an intrepid photographer named Aurelius O. Carpenter, father of artist Grace Hudson, lugged his camera equipment across the Mendocino frontier. He documented the lives of Pomo Indians and white settlers, the coming of the railroad, logging operations, various scattered towns and the natural beauty of Mendocino County.

This is the first comprehensive exhibition of his work, with an accompanying catalog.

The first comprehensive exhibit to introduce the photographic work of Aurelius O. Carpenter, who documented the development of Northern California in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is on display at the Community Memorial Museum of Sutter County.

Carpenter's large panoramic views chronicle the coastal logging, tanbark, and shipping industries, as well as the inland region's bounty of natural attractions and agricultural products.

The exhibit 'Aurelius O. Carpenter: Photographer of the Mendocino Frontier' is open now and will remain at the museum through June 29, 2008.

Tired of sitting in traffic? Wishing you had more time to get fit? High price of gas getting you down? We’ve got the solution – Join thousands of people who will commute by bicycle on Bike to Work Day, Friday May 16th.

Many people who tried bike commuting for the first time last year are STILL RIDING!

Here’s your chance to learn what they already know:

• It’s Healthy! Bicycling to work can keep you in shape without having to set aside additional time to exercise. Bicycle commuters tend to enjoy healthier lifestyles, get sick less often and feel less stress.
• It’s Smart! Bicycle commuting is one of the least expensive ways to get to work. There’s no gas, parking fees or insurance to pay for, and maintenance is minimal.
• It’s Fast! In many areas, trips by bicycle, door to door, are faster than by car, especially where the one-way commute distance is less than five miles.
• It’s Clean! Bicycles don’t pollute the air or require lots of land for roads or parking lots. Eight to twelve bicycles can park in a space required for one car.
• It’s Fun! A bicycle ride at the end of the day is a great way to relieve stress. Discovering routes on back roads through residential neighborhoods can be scenic and fun. It sure beats sitting in stalled traffic on the streets!

Bright Futures is a FREE Health & Developmental Screening program for children under the age of 6 in Sutter County. The screenings are a fun way to check on your child’s health and developmental progress and to access parenting information and local resources.

The event is FREE and there are no income or insurance requirements. Screenings include the following stations—Hearing, Speech, Health, Nutrition, Developmental Assessments-behavioral, cognitive, motor skills, Literacy, Dental and Vision.

• Screening Flyer 

Bright Futures is a program of the Sutter County Children & Families Commission. For more information, call: 822-7505.

Vaccination plays a critical role in safeguarding public health globally. During NIIW 2008, hundreds of communities across the United States will join those in the Western Hemisphere and Europe to celebrate Vaccination Week in the Americas and European Immunization Week. Over sixty countries around the world will participate.

The event will include activities and games with a focus on healthy pregnancies and infants. Presenters include: Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Immunizations, CHDP, Sutter County Families and Childrens Commission, Children’s Home Society, Infant Massage, Breastfeeding and Pumping information. Refreshments and raffles as well.

Contact Tina Lavy, 822-7215 for more information.

This program will allow agricultural producers an opportunity to recycle their properly prepared pesticide containers free of charge. There will be five Recycling Days throughout March, April, June, July, and September. Bring your properly prepared and sized containers to one of the listed destinations on the next Recycling Day.

When:

• March 31, 2008: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Grower's Ag Service
• April 22, 2008: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. - John Taylor Fertilizer (Yuba City)
• June 24, 2008: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Big Valley Ag Services (Gridley)
• July 29, 2008: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Bear River Supply (Rio Oso)
• Sept 9, 2008: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Helena Chemical (Yuba City)

• View the Kill The Bug Recycle The Jug  details.

In the U.S., clocks change at 2:00 a.m. local time. In spring, clocks spring forward from 1:59 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.; in fall, clocks fall back from 1:59 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. The phrase "Spring Forward, Fall Back" is used to help people remember how to reset their clocks.

On August 8, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Beginning in 2007, DST now begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

Every day, Americans make purchase decisions-at the grocery store and the gas pump, to pay a taxi fare, feed a parking meter, or order a delivery of home heating oil. These diverse "daily necessities" have one common ingredient: the trust you can have that everything you weigh, pump or measure is accurate because of a national weights and measures program.

It is the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) and your state and local weights and measures inspectors that ensure a reliable system-providing confidence that you will get what you pay for.

NCWM
Weights and Measures:
Balancing the Marketplace

Weights & Measures Week
March 1-7, 2008
www.ncwm.net

The application process is expected to be completed next month with automatically-adjusted premium discounts effective after October 1, 2008. Staff is expecting to provide enough information during the first round of certification to improve the communities rating from "Class 10" to "Class 8", benefiting residents with a 10% discount on their yearly premiums. Additional effort in the near future may reduce Sutter County's flood insurance premiums as much as 30%.

And of course thank you to all the anonymous "Angels" who are there to help every year!

This free, local celebration includes fun activities for children ages 1-5, photos with the Tooth Fairy, dental screenings (which meet the kindergarten entry requirement) and prizes. The event kicks off Dental Health Month and supports efforts that focus on providing oral health education to all children despite their economic status.

"Give Kids A Smile Day" was designed to provide dental education, preventative and restorative care to low-income children who do not have access to these services and is an annual centerpiece to National Children's Dental Health Month. While dentistry is only 5 percent of the health care dollar, dental care is critical.

Research shows that tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, affecting 50 percent of U.S. first graders. Nationally, more than one-half of children ages 6 to 8 have tooth decay, and one-third of it goes untreated.

For more information contact the Health Education Department Dental Program at (530 822-7215

Before you hire a contractor or sign any documents for repairs, the California Contractors State License Board offers the following basic advice:

• Don't rush into repairs, no matter how badly they are needed
• Get at least three bids. Don't hire the first contractor who comes along
• Watch out for door-to-door offers of repair services and flyers or business cards that are left on your doorstep
• Ask friends, family, and associates for recommendations about contractors they have hired
• Never hand over a cash deposit
• Even for the smallest job, get proof that the person you are dealing with has a contractor'license for the type of work that needs to be done
• Get a written contract that details every aspect of the work to be done

Assessment of damages as a result of the recent wind storms throughout Sutter County reveals many instances of damaged and down fencing that surround private swimming pools. Sutter County encourages those homeowners affected to begin prompt repair or install temporary fencing that would prevent unwanted access to swimming pool areas and prevent a possible tragedy from occurring.

Residents or businesses submitting information will need to provide the following:

• Name
• Phone number and email address
• Address of location at which damage is being reported
• Insurance status
• A brief description of the damage that occurred and estimated cost to repair or replace the damaged property.

For more information or for residents of unincorporated Sutter County please call us at (530) 822-7400 ext. 201 and leave us a voice mail with your name, address, and the damage sustained. If you would prefer to provide this information electronically, please fill out our Storm Damage Report Form.

If there are health concerns due to the power outages, please call (530) 822-7215 for assistance.

For Agricultural damage concerns please submit a Weather Related Agricultural Damage Report, contact the Agricultural Department, visit the Agricultural Department webpage, or call (530) 822-7500.

For road concerns such as potholes, road surface damage, obstructions, and sign damage please submit a Public Works Service Request.

Reporting Forms

• January 2008 Storm Damage Report Form (Reporting period closed)
• Public Works Service Request
• Weather Related Agricultural Damage Report

Donations can be made of non-perishable food, including baby formula and diapers to Christian Assistance Network (CAN) located at 232 Teegarden, Yuba City between 1:00 pm – 2:45 pm, Telephone (530) 671-7455 or Sutter County Welfare & Social Services Administration office located at 539 Garden Hwy. Suite C, Yuba City, between 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Telephone (530) 822-3212.

Residents of the City of Live Oak can find more information about reporting storm damage at the City of Live Oak website

Residents of the Yuba City can find more information about reporting storm damage at the Yuba City website

Information on the National Weather Service's winter storm bulletins can be found on all Sutter County web pages in the upper right hand corner.

All residents are encouraged to listen/watch local weather reports on the radio and television.

Hazardous travel conditions may exist this weekend, take appropriate precautions if travel is necessary.

Additional information for road closures, storm information and preparedness/awareness information can be found at the Severe weather page.

To report a power line down or outages contact Pacific Gas and Electric at 1-800-743-5000

For downed trees, flooded roads, contact:

• Yuba City - 822-4626 during business hours, 822-4661 (after hours)
• Live Oak - 695-2112 during business hours, 695-3522 (after hours)
• Sutter County (unincorporated areas) - 822-7450 during business hours, 822-7307 (after hours)
• Emergencies: 911

Sutter County has a supply of sand and sand bags available for County residents who feel the need to protect their property from localized flooding. Sand bags will be available at the following locations:

• Sutter: Sutter County Public Works, Acacia and Lemenager
• Live Oak: Live Oak Public Works, 9633 N St.
• South of Yuba City: Oswald Tudor Fire Station, 1280 Barry Rd.
• East Nicolaus: East Nicolaus Fire Department 1988 Nicolaus Ave.
• Pleasant Grove: Pleasant Grove Fire Department, 3100 Howsley Road
• Meridian: Meridian Fire Department 1100 3Rd St.

Yuba City residents can find information on getting sand bags at the Yuba City website