DOWNIEVILLE - Downieville is privileged to be one of the places Dr. Scott Kellermann calls home. Known to many locals as Dr. K, the doctor seen running up Lavezzola Road with a backpack to treat a mountain biker who was the victim to multiple rattlesnake bites, making a house call to deal with an infected spider bite, or sitting at the bedside of a dying relative to offer words of comfort, peace, and hope, he earned great respect for his service to the community.Running into Dr. K and local resident Paul Douville on their bikes on Nov. 17, I asked Dr. K about his latest adventures. His excitement over he and &quot;Daredevil Douville&quot; navigating the current icy and steep conditions of the North Yuba trail while cycling was almost equal to the recent completion of his soon to be published book, An African Gift.Yes, as it happens, Kellermann is also revered at his second home in the African nation of Uganda. In 2000, soon after arriving to visit the Batwan Pygmies of Uganda, Kellermann&#x2019;s wife,...

Dr. K's Latest Endeavors

While all major leaks in the City of Loyalton&apos;s &quot;ancient&quot; water infrastructure are currently under containment, the band-aids in place are an inadequate substitute for rebuilding the patchwork of water delivery systems built over the course of the past centry.To address the poor state of the pipes carrying water to residents and businesses in Sierra County&apos;s largest town, an Ad-hoc committee, comprised of two City Council members and concerned citizens, has been formed to address the situation and anyone who has experience with grant writing or knowledge about plumbing/pipe installation are encouraged to committee.Possible solutions to the problem include acquiring a USDA grant for rural water infrastructure, with the possibility of matching funds being required; securing a long-term, low interest loan from the USDA, wherein water rate increases would result; or, the levying of a special property tax assessment.No matter what solution to the infrastructure issue is found, an increase t...

Ad-hoc Committe Formed to Address Loyalton's Water Emergency

Caltrans Press Release on Tuesday, November 29MARYSVILLE &#x2013; Caltrans is alerting motorists of successive winter storms expected by the National Weather Service that will impact travel in the Sacramento Valley and the Sierra Nevada starting Wednesday night.Rain and strong winds will move into the Sacramento Valley beginning Wednesday night into Thursday, making travel challenging. A total of 3 to 4 inches of rain is expected for the Sacramento Valley between Wednesday night and Sunday night. Winds will be gusting up to 30 mph.Snow in the Sierra will begin Wednesday overnight into Thursday, heavy at times. By Sunday evening, a total of 2 to 3 feet of snow is expected over Echo Summit on U.S. Highway 50 and 4 to 5 feet of snow is possible over Donner Summit on Interstate 80. A brief break in the weather will arrive Friday into Saturday, with the next storm system moving into Northern California Saturday night and lasting into Sunday night.Chain controls and additional travel time should be...

Significant Winter Storms Will Impact Travel

DOWNIEVILLE - For over 15 years, Sally Easley has worked as a nurse in critical care in a level-one trauma center. In March of 2022, Easley became employed with Sierra County. During the week, she performs various duties as a Senior Public Health Nurse for Sierra County Human Services. Easley continues to put in hours at a hospital during the weekends to keep specific skills up to date and stay connected and &quot;in the know&quot; of the fast and ever-changing world of medicine.This past Friday, Nov. 18, Sierra City&apos;s John Smail was one of several Sierra County residents to receive a vaccination from Easley at the Sierra County Human Services building in Downieville. Administering flu shots and covid boosting vaccines are Easley&#x2019;s top priorities, as they are for many community members who fear illnesses typical for this time of year.Though the flu shot campaign ramped up near the end of September, folks wondering if they are too late to come to the poking party need not fear. Concerned citizens...

Public Health Vaccination Campaign Continues

AT&amp;T is sending a representative to attend the Sierra County Board of Supervisors Dec. 20 meeting about ongoing service breakdowns by the telecommunications giant that affect public safety in the county.At the top of the list of county concerns: Sierra County Sheriff&#x2019;s Office radio communications being offline for a week earlier this month following an early season snowstorm, requiring use of a backup system.&#x201C;AT&amp;T needs to be held accountable for their maintenance program,&#x201D; said Tim Beals, Sierra County Director of Public Works, Roads and Transportation&#x2014;citing threats to 911 calling and the county&#x2019;s &#x201C;fragile emergency communications system. We&#x2019;re pretty isolated and don&#x2019;t have other options.&#x201D;Inadequate maintenance by AT&amp;T of lines and infrastructure in Sierra County is a recurring problem. Complaints reached a crescendo last year when extended telephone and cable/Internet outages over the Memorial Day weekend in Sierra City wreaked havoc for businesses and residents, and made making a ...