PLACER COUNTY NEWS

Stay up to date on what's happening in Placer County

Photo of the week

This lovely photo of a happy rock-climbing couple in the Auburn State Recreation Area was taken by @courtland_photography_llc on Instagram.

Featured story

Winter storm continues in Placer County: Key information and safety tips

Here are some things to know to help you stay safe and informed as this week’s strong winter storm continues to impact Placer County:

• A Winter Storm Warning will remain in effect through Friday for the Sierra Nevada, bringing heavy snow and gusty winds
• A backcountry avalanche warning has been issued for the greater Lake Tahoe area
• Gusty winds in the valley and foothills will persist before decreasing through the day on Friday

How to stay informed and be prepared:

Sign up for Placer Alert emergency notifications: PlacerAlert.org 

Winter weather preparedness tips and resources: ReadyPlacer.org

Stay informed:

Weather: National Weather Service Sacramento, Reno

Road conditions: Caltrans QuickMap

This holiday weekend is expected to bring an increased number of visitors to the Tahoe region and that will likely result in significant roadway delays. Placer County officials are urging residents and visitors alike to pack your patience if you plan on traveling. 

Remember, Placer County offers free transit services in the Tahoe area, including Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit and TART Connect micro-transit shuttle service throughout North Lake Tahoe. Find safety and transit info here

With feet of snow forecast in the mountains, we’ll be working around the clock to keep county roads clear for everyone’s safety. How do we manage one of the toughest snow removal jobs in the state? Ride along and see

Public safety

Inside look at unique rescue in abandoned Auburn mine shaft

When an Auburn teen became trapped in an abandoned mine shaft this week, CAL FIRE/Placer County Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Team took on one of its most unique rescue missions ever to save him. See video from inside the mine

Library services

Come on in: Placer County opens temporary library in North Auburn

The Auburn Library has opened its new temporary location at 2950 Richardson Drive in Auburn with modified services and the same helpful, friendly staff to help our patrons navigate materials and lead library programming.
Read more

Public safety

State releases updated mapping of Fire Hazard Severity Zones

Updated mapping has been released by the state fire marshal that identifies high-risk fire zones in areas protected by local fire districts. This comes as the governor is seeking more stringent building codes in high-risk zones. Learn more

Economic development

Key Placer partner Willy Duncan earns international recognition

In recognition of his efforts on the team to bring BOSCH to Placer County and his leadership, Sierra College President Willy Duncan has earned the 2024 International Economic Development Council Community Partner Award.
Read more

In other news

Mark your calendars: On Feb. 15, national news program 48 Hours shares local family’s tragic story of loss and the importance of knowing the signs of teen dating violence

Share your vision for the future of Placer County at an upcoming Placer 2050 workshop

The sooner you file, the sooner you get your refund! Schedule free tax prep 

WATCH: CAL FIRE/Placer County Fire Department Chief Brian Estes’s creativity found unexpected ways to shine throughout his remarkable career

This week in Placer County history

On Feb. 8, 1978, pilot Herman Crabtrey took off from Phoenix Field in Fair Oaks in his 1960 Comanche airplane heading east. After about 30 minutes, terror struck the pilot when his engine sputtered and died. Frantically, he searched below for a place to land and was able to glide his plane over Interstate 80. He was able to touchdown just ahead of a semi-truck near the Applegate exit.

Within minutes, a California Highway Patrol Officer arrived and was able to tow Crabtrey’s plane off the highway. According to the Feb. 10, 1978, Auburn Journal, “The engine was pulled Thursday [Feb. 9] and will be sent to the FAA [Federal Aviation Agency] Lab in Sacramento to determine what happened. Crabtrey then plans to have it repaired by a Lincoln mechanic.”

After the engine failure cause was identified, Crabtrey paid the Lincoln mechanic $2,000 to repair and re-install it in his plane, which remained near the Applegate exit. Crabtrey obtained a one-time permission letter from Caltrans, CHP and Placer County to make the westbound lanes of Interstate 80 his runway and on March 10, 1978, Herman successfully took off amid applause from onlookers. He landed safely at Phoenix Field in Fair Oaks about 10 minutes after takeoff. 

Photo: Detail of the Feb. 10, 1978, Auburn Journal.

Advisory committees and commissions

Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply

Current recruitments include:

• Area 4 Agency on Aging Advisory Council
• Auburn Cemetery District
• Building Board of Appeals
• Colfax Cemetery District
• County Parks Commission
• Economic Development Board 
• First 5 Placer Children & Families Commission
• Fish & Game Commission
• Flood Control & Water Conservation District Board
• Gold Run Cemetery Committee
• Greater Lincoln Area Fire Safe Council
• Historical Advisory Board
• Housing Development Advisory Taskforce
• In Home Support Services Advisory Committee
• Juvenile Justice / Delinquency Prevention 
• Library Advisory Board
• Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council
• Foresthill Forum
• Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council
• Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council 
• Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council
• Sheridan Municipal Advisory Council
• Placer County Behavioral Health Advisory Board
• Placer County Charter Review Committee
• Placer County Child Care Advisory Council
• Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission
• Placer Resource Conservation District
• Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council
• Planning Commission
• Solid Waste Local Task Force
• Tahoe Cemetery District
• Wastewater Advisory Committee

Fun things to do this week

Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in...

Roseville: Friday Flicks: Elemental

Lincoln: Fall in Love with the Placer Wine Trail

Auburn: Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet at General Gomez Arts, Nature Quest: Forest Bathing at Canyon View Preserve, Placer Grown Farmer's Market

North Lake Tahoe: Aprés in the Village at Northstar California

...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events.

Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County!

Placer County Visitors' Bureau
North Tahoe Community Alliance
Tahoe City Downtown Association
The Arts Council of Placer County
Placer Valley Tourism
PlacerGROWN
Placer Wine Trail

Upcoming public meetings and events

CANCELED - North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council, Feb. 13 Information
Placer County offices CLOSED for President’s Day holiday, Feb. 17 Information
Foresthill/Iowa Hill Fire Safe Council, Feb. 18, 5:30 p.m. Information
West Placer Municipal Advisory Council, Feb. 19, 6 p.m. Information
CANCELED - Weimar/Applegate/Colfax Municipal Advisory Council, Feb. 19 Information

To learn about other Placer County committees and commissions and current opportunities to serve your community click here.

List of active projects throughout Placer County

Projects are listed alphabetically and by Board of Supervisors districts. A hard copy of the list is available at the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn. 

Active Projects

Click here to sign up for emergency notifications