AT&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’s Office radio communications being offline for a week earlier this month following an early season snowstorm, requiring use of a backup system.“AT&T needs to be held accountable for their maintenance program,” said Tim Beals, Sierra County Director of Public Works, Roads and Transportation—citing threats to 911 calling and the county’s “fragile emergency communications system. We’re pretty isolated and don’t have other options.”Inadequate maintenance by AT&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 C

A surprisingly potent early season storm this week brought welcome relief to parched Sierra County and the Sierra foothills and mountains—at the same time causing road delays and closures and a dramatic downed power-line “light show” in Downieville.With leaves still on the trees, the heavy wet snow brought down branches onto power lines Tuesday evening on Downieville’s Main Street just before Hansen Bridge near Pearl Street.“It was a pretty spectacular light show that lit up the canyon for 30 seconds until the power tripped off,” Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher told The Mountain Messenger. Sheriff Fisher said his deputies blocked off the road until PG&E crews arrived a little before midnight, assured the power lines were deactivated, and cut them out of the road.The parking lot in Downieville adjacent to the post office was also cordoned off due to branches snapping from heavy snow creating a hazard for people and vehicles alike.During the stor

With tactical support from a CHP helicopter and a Yuba County SWAT team, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 29 arrested without incident two individuals on felony arrest warrants and two others on lesser charges in Goodyears Bar.Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher said that his office obtained arrest warrants related to previous charges for two individuals residing at 20 Coca Cola Avenue—Arin Wharff and Leana Conrady—and a search warrant for the property itself following reports of heavy drug use there. Both individuals were taken into custody as were two others on lesser charges—Robert Wharff and Steiner Knoefler. The search of the property found opioid-based drugs, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia, said Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher.“There were lots of moving parts to this investigation,” Fisher told The Mountain Messenger.Fisher noted that Arin Wharff was initially involved in a January 2020 criminal identity theft case, in which

The annual flu season is upon us, with health officials concerned that influenza this winter could be worse than in recent years.Widespread masking and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic had the beneficial effect of lowering the transmission of flu—and cold—viruses. But with stricter pandemic public health policies now lifted, there is an increased likelihood of a serious flu season.Health officials reported an unusual number of flu cases this summer. Moreover, Australia, where seasons are opposite to ours, just saw a high incidence of winter influenza, often a precursor of what we will experience here.During October, children and adults can receive free flu vaccine shots through Sierra County Public Health (SCPH) at various sites throughout the county (see accompanying article.)The flu is more dangerous for seniors, and health officials are recommending that those 65 and older consider receiving the higher vaccine dose. SCPH, however, is distributing only the s

The Sierra County Health Department is offering newly released booster vaccines to county residents for protection against an expected fall and winter uptick in COVID-19 cases.The latest boosters are called “bivalent” vaccines because they contain a combination of the original formulation and an added dose to combat the coronavirus subvariants (Omicron BA.4 and in particular BA.5) now spreading most rapidly among the populace.Residents 18 and over can receive the Moderna COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine on two upcoming dates in west and east county:This Friday, Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Downieville at the Sierra County Health Services Building at 22 Maiden Lane.Next Friday, Sept. 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. in Loyalton at the Sierra County Health and Human Services Building, 202 Front Street.Additional dates to receive the vaccine in October will soon be announced by the Sierra County Public Health Department. For further information, call 530-993-6700. If you want to sign up to

With a punishing statewide heat wave looming over the Labor Day holiday, firefighters are on high alert to extinguish wildfires via ground and air assault—as they did with an Aug. 22 Sierra County fire in which a suspect is facing arson charges.The extreme heat this weekend is projected to be the highest of the year, peaking Sunday and Monday with temperatures of 110 or more in the valley and even reaching the century mark in higher elevations. “Our staffing levels will be high,” Tahoe National Forest Public (TNF) Information Office Adam Collins-Torruella told The Mountain Messenger, noting that a helicopter crew from Idaho is providing “invaluable“ assistance. “We are remaining vigilant.”Vigilance and follow-up investigatory work were key in the quick suppression of the Aug. 22 Berry Fire near Berry Creek southwest of Sattley, and the Aug. 23 arrest of a Placer County man on arson charges in connection with the fire.The Berry fire was comprise

SIERRA CITY - A fire that broke out on the afternoon of Aug.11 near Moores Flat, three miles south of the historic Sierra County mining town of Alleghany, was held to 12 acres through aerial and ground firefighting resources and was fully contained on Aug. 15.The Plum Fire began on private land and was human-caused, spreading to the adjacent Yuba Ranger District of the Tahoe National Forest, TNF Public Information Officer Adam Collins-Torruella told The Mountain Messenger.“The terrain there is steep and challenging and has not seen fire in 50 years,” said Collins-Torruella. The great concern, he added, were the “ladder fuels”—grasses and small trees and shrubs on the forest bed—sending flames up into the forest canopy. “When the fire gets up in the trees it gets very difficult [to contain].”Collins-Torruella said a report of visible smoke was called in at 3:20 p.m. At 3:40 p.m. an airplane flyover confirmed the fire.The air attack on the

USFS "hotshots" in action against the Boca Fire on Sunday, August 1.Photo courtesy of the TNF Quick action by firefighters helped keep two recent small fires-the Austin Fire and Boca Fire- from spreading further in the Tahoe National Forest (TNF) near Jackson Meadows and Boca Reservoir. Sparked by lightning on July 30, the Austin Fire burned in "heavy dead and down slash with some single tree torching" one mile southwest of Jackson Meadows in USFS' Sierraville Ranger District, just south of the Sierra County line in Nevada County. According to a TNF Facebook posting, the Austin Fire was held to three-quarters of an acre by USFS firefighters on the ground, including those with TNF Sierraville Engine 361 and TNF Truckee Engine 371, supported by helicopter-bucket aerial resources. In the posting, TNF thanked the caller on Grouse Ridge who called 911 to report the fire and thanked the public for maintaining their distance from fire suppression equipment-also expressing g

July 16 Fundraising Dinner Set For Sierra Pines Tributes continue to pour in for beloved Downieville resident Shaun Price, an emergency medical technician (EMT) and volunteer firefighter who is being remembered as someone who "showed up everywhere" he was needed. "There's probably not an organization here that he didn't donate his time to," Autumn Long-McGie, executive assistant to the Sierra County Sheriff's Office told The Mountain Messenger. "It didn't matter the time of day or night. Shaun had a servant's heart and was always willing to help." Price, 59, was killed in the early morning hours of June 22 when the ATV he was driving flipped on Belle Street in Downieville near Highway 49. Seriously injured in the accident was passenger and Downieville resident Miles Ryan, who is recovering. Miles was treated and released from the trauma unit at Chico's Enloe Medical Center for broken ribs and facial lacerations, and other injuries- said spouse Max K. Ryan on Fac

Reflecting growing efforts to foster increased fire safety, Firewise Sierra City will hold "Wildfire Prep 2022 Day" on Saturday, May 14, featuring morning yard cleanups and an afternoon fire department open house. Firewise Sierra City was one of only 100 Firewise communities in the U.S. to be awarded a $500 grant to support outreach for this year's Wildfire Preparation Day events. The Sierra City event is one of many being held in May across the U.S. and Canada encouraging people and organizations everywhere to come together to take action to raise awareness and reduce wildfire risks. "We've had a couple tough fire years which can be mentally and physically exhausting," said Sarah Kubly, who leads Firewise Sierra City. "But now is not the time to let down our guard. We can make ourselves and our communities stronger and more resilient to wildfire." The officially designated date for community events across the country and Canada is the first Saturday of the month,

Snow and rain. Overnight temperatures below freezing. Chain controls on major highways. Spring-blooming tulips and daffodils may be wilting and drivers grumbling. But a surprising return to winter this week is good news for the thirsty Northern Sierra. The beginning of the work week on Monday saw snow-covered decks and outdoor furniture at higher elevations of the county (see photo). And as The Mountain Messenger went to press, a bigger storm was descending on the region: snow is expected from Wednesday evening through late Thursday, with 6-12 inches projected above 4,500' and even more possible over mountain peaks, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento. And, unsettled weather is expected to continue. "At least for the next week, we could be in a fairly good position for storms," said Andrew Schwartz, station manager at UC Berkeley's Central Sierra Snow Laboratory. Schwartz also told The Messenger the April snow is a "nice little surprise at this

Having risen from its winter's den, this American black bear (Ursus americanus), above, struck a dignified pose for its portrait. Just recently, I emerged from the witness-I mean journalist-protection program after my April Fools' article was published in The Messenger last week ("'What a Dump!' Named Official Sierra County Slogan"). Safe to show my face again, esteemed readers? Leaving behind the shielding shadows for the warm Sierra sun, I was gladdened to find spring has sprung across the county-at least at the lower elevations. All the signs of the changing season are here. Kayakers have returned to the North Fork to navigate the fast flows. Motorcyclists are again navigating Highway 49 and mountain bikers, off-road trails. Campers with their tents and trailers are staking out spots in Indian Valley and other locales. Out in the forest, bears are already foraging; leaving Sierra Valley, I saw a beautiful chestnut-colored bruin just off Highway 49 last week lea

SIERRA CITY - A line uttered in the biggest Hollywood film shot on location here in Sierra County is now the county's official slogan. Legendary film actress Bette Davis famously declared "What a dump!" as her dissatisfied character assessed her home's squalid surroundings in the locally filmed Beyond the Forest. The 1949 film inspired a trifecta of woe-derided by critics, ignored by audiences, and skewered by Davis herself. Nonetheless, Sierra County officials quickly latched on to the film given its ties to the county and a message that resonates with locals. "Making 'What a Dump!' our official county slogan is long overdue," said the Sierra County Board of Supervisors (BOS) in an April 1-dated press release following the board's unanimous vote. "Most of us can't count the number of times we've heard our fellow citizens spontaneously say those very words while experiencing the sights and sounds of the county. And we firmly believe these immortal words from Beyond