Due to technical difficulties, we were unable to send out our weekly Nevada County News newsletter at its normal Friday afternoon time. Thank you for your patience as we resolved the issue!

Sheriff Partners with Behavioral Health to Launch our Community's First Mobile Crisis Team

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce the creation of our community’s first Mobile Crisis Team. This team will assist those in need of enhanced services through a collaborative effort with Nevada County Behavioral Health.

The Mobile Crisis Team, staffed by one deputy sheriff and one therapist, will be partnered and respond to calls related to mental health, substance abuse, or homelessness to de-escalate critical incidents and ultimately reduce rates of arrest and incarceration. This team will coordinate referrals to services as appropriate, including the Crisis Stabilization Unit at the hospital, HOME Team, and Nevada County Behavioral Health.

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Library Programming Supports Community Conversation

On October 16th from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Nevada County’s Equity & Inclusion Leadership Alliance (EILA) hosted a County-wide Virtual Half Day Cultural Competency Workshop, The Hidden Biases of Good People: Implicit Bias Awareness.

In order to support this important community-wide conversation, Nevada County Community Library is hosting an online series of events, Living Room Conversations. Living Room Conversations provide an easy structure for engaging in friendly yet meaningful conversation with those whom we may not agree with. These conversations increase understanding, reveal common ground, and sometimes even allow us to discuss possible solutions. Please join us on October 26th at 5:30 p.m. for the Nevada County Community Library Living Room Conversation on Race.

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Accidental Fentanyl-Related Overdose Deaths on the Rise in Nevada County

Nevada County is currently experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of accidental drug-related overdoses and deaths due to fentanyl. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine, but is 50 to 100 times more potent. Fentanyl may be added to drugs and is sometimes present in counterfeit drugs, and, because of its potency, it can lead to an overdose very quickly. In 2019, Nevada County had zero accidental overdose deaths due to fentanyl; so far this year, ten Nevada County residents have died from accidental fentanyl overdose.

These accidental deaths may have been prevented, and the Nevada County Public Health Department (NCPHD) hopes to help the community avoid additional deaths. Various County departments and local organizations offer free resources to help prevent accidental overdose opioid deaths, including deaths due to fentanyl. To have a conversation with the community and prevent additional deaths, the County and community partners are collaborating with YubaNet to host a community Town Hall on the recent increase of both fentanyl and opioid related accidental overdoses in Nevada County on Thursday, October 22nd, at 6:00 p.m.

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Voter Concerns Addressed Regarding Access To Voting At The Rood Center

The Nevada County Registrar of Voters has received concern from voters about personal safety while voting in person at the Eric Rood Center, as well as the drive-up ballot drop box located in the Rood Center parking lot. The Registrar, in partnership with the County Chief Executive Officer and County Counsel are working together on a solution that will protect the rights of all citizens, including preserving the right to vote. The Registrar is responding by placing signs around the drop box reminding all citizens of the prohibition on electioneering. Staff are working with the County on placement of the signs so that citizens who wish to engage in free political expression may do so, while also providing all voters with a nonpartisan zone where ballots can be cast.

All voters, regardless of political affiliation or preferences, have the right to cast a ballot freely at any voting or drop box location of their choice. Any voter who feels unable to safely cast a ballot should call the Registrar’s office at 530-265-1298 so that action can be taken to ameliorate the situation.

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Veterans Day Drive-Thru Luncheon, November 11^th

Nevada County All Veteran Stand Down is pleased to be able to provide a free hot lunch for our Veteran’s on Veterans Day in the parking lot of the Grass Valley Veteran Memorial Hall. This is a drive-thru only event. All volunteers will be wearing a mask and will be bringing your lunch to Veterans in a to-go container. The American Legion Auxiliary will also be present to share their gratitude and homemade cookies. Vouchers will be available for our Veterans to get a free flu shot from Public Health. No transportation? No problem! We’ll be making deliveries for those with no transportation to the local area and to skilled nursing facilities including North San Juan and the little town of Washington.

Please call 530-575-7002 to reserve your meal! You will need to leave a message with your contact information so that we can ensure that we have enough meals for everyone. The menu includes; meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy and fresh green beans. The deadline to reserve your meal is November 4th so call today!

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Nevada County Fish and Wildlife Commission Grant Program Now Open

The Nevada County Fish and Wildlife Commission is soliciting grant proposals for Fiscal Year 2021/2022. The Fish and Wildlife Commission has made a total of $7,500 available to non-profit organizations, schools, or other organizations and individuals. The grant program is supported through the Nevada County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund, which receives fifty percent of base fine revenues from Fish and Game Code citations issued in the County. The funds, as denoted in California Fish and Game Code §13103, may be used for fish and wildlife education programs, temporary care of injured or orphaned wildlife, improvement of fish and wildlife habitat, or scientific fish and wildlife research

The grant period is now open with an application submittal deadline of November 30, 2020. The Nevada County Fish and Wildlife Commission request that applicants also provide an oral presentation at their December 1, 2020 meeting. Tentatively this meeting will be held via Zoom.

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2019 Nevada County Crop and Livestock Report

Nevada County Agriculture Decreases 9.5% in 2019

This week the Nevada County Agricultural Commissioner presented the 2019 Nevada County Annual Crop and Livestock Report to the Board of Supervisors. This annual report helps gauge the economic health and diversity of the agricultural community in Nevada County. In 2019, the total gross value of all agricultural crops produced was $23,394,300. This represents a decrease of approximately $2,214,900, or nearly 9.5%. This decrease is largely contributed to the gross value of timber falling 51% to $2,565,000, due to a decrease in the total milled board feet harvested as well as lower prices. Unfortunately, livestock groups also experienced a down year, losing 2% or $223,900 compared to 2018

On a positive note, most food crop values in Nevada County continue to rise showing that there continues to be a strong local demand for Nevada County produce. The total value of vegetables and other fruits was up nearly 22%, to $2,579,900. An increase of $462,000 over its 2018 value. Eggs and Honey also experienced an increase in value up nearly 18%, to $484,100. An increase of $72,300 over its 2018 value.

Nevada County Crop and Livestock Reports

NACo: Counties step up to provide hubs for childcare, virtual learning

As schools across the country stop in-person classes and switch to hybrid models involving virtual learning, counties are providing alternate options to fulfill the childcare and broadband needs for families with children. Nevada County, Calif. also utilized CARES Act funds to create a distance learning center and youth hub at the Nevada fairgrounds.

“We want to have some place where kids could go that would be COVID-safe so it would have to be a large space and many of our kids in these rural areas are lacking good broadband,” said Nevada County Supervisor Heidi Hall. The county is leasing the state-run fairgrounds which is mutually beneficial for both county residents and fairgrounds staff since events have been cancelled since March. The space is large enough to follow COVID-19 safety protocols, Hall said. With lack of broadband a major challenge in the county, Hall said the county is working to provide hot spots at the center to increase broadband capabilities. The CARES funding will cover the lease through the end of December and the county is providing additional county funds to cover the entire school year.

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Super Turn Out at Nevada County Drive-Through Flu Shot Clinic

On October 6th, Nevada County Public Health held its annual Emergency Preparedness drive-through clinic with great success. The theme was “A Superhero Response” and the event saw many volunteers dress up as their favorite comic book heroes as they helped during the event. As usual, the clinic provides a service to the community and tests the preparedness of Nevada County’s Public Health Department to administer injections in a safe way during situations where community members should maintain distancing from other households.

Lines of cars packed Twin City Church’s parking lots as they snaked their way to one of five stations where recipients of the flu shot were vaccinated. Members of the community were grateful and enthusiastic for this free service. Community turn out exceeded expectations and some cars had to be turned away once the threshold of 600 available vaccines was reached.

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Bridge Work Will Intermittently Close Interstate 80 Floriston Off-Ramps

Caltrans is advising motorists of upcoming alternating closures of the eastbound and westbound Interstate 80 off-ramps at Floriston for ongoing bridge work.

The eastbound and westbound off-ramps at Floriston will be closed intermittently between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. over the next few weeks for bridge joint reconstruction and polyester concrete overlay work. Work is scheduled as follows, although weather or unexpected events may delay or prolong the work.

• Tuesday, October 20th through Friday, October 23rd
• Monday, October 26th through Thursday, October 29th

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Job Openings at Nevada County: Behavioral Health Quality Assurance Manager

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.

Join a fantastic group of dedicated mental health practitioners as a Behavioral Health Quality Assurance Manager. Your experience understanding the complicated web of the Mental Health Services Act, Medicare, Medi-Cal, Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery Systems, and other related systems of care are needed in this vital role. Help ensure compliance with mission-critical quality improvement plans and respond to myriad reporting agencies.

Key competencies include the ability to develop complicated plans and projects and gain cooperation among staff for their fulfillment. Trustful leadership, follow-through, and an ability to keep an eye on what's going on at the state and federal levels which may impact us are all key attributes. Apply today!

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

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