Chris Gilbert

Summer and early fall is also a busy season for Grass Valley public works crews. City Engineer Bjorn Jones says parts of Minnie and Butler Streets are closed through Wednesday for the removal of hazardous trees. That's between 8am and 5pm. And similar work and closures are also scheduled Wednesday through Friday on Idaho Maryland and Brunswick Roads. But Jones says access to businesses and homes are being maintained. And he also indicates that the work shouldn't be overly disruptive for other motorists either…

Once again, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy is awarding grant money to Western Nevada County to help reduce the wildfire risk. This one is for Grass Valley. The city's Community Risk Reduction Manager, Duane Strawser, says it's worth 720-thousand dollars. He says the application outlines two-to-three years of fuels reduction work that's needed in the Wolf Creek Watershed near the McKnight Crossing shopping center…

The cause of at least some of the numerous large power outages in Western Nevada County this month has been determined. PG and E Public Information Officer Paul Moreno says blackouts in the Grass Valley area have been linked to a faulty underground cable…

If you'd like to get a good sampling of what local, aspiring playwrights have on their minds these days, the first-ever “Showcase Festival” begins at the Miners Foundry tomorrow (Thurs.) evening. It's hosted by the Nevada County Playwrights Collective. Founder and Organizer, and also a playwright herself, Kimberly Clouse, says four short plays of seven to 20 minutes each will be presented each night, along with one one-act play. They'll be performed as staged readings, with minimal costumes, props, and sets. And there'll be a variety of themes and styles from people of all ages…

A 20-year-old Penn Valley man was finally tracked down and arrested recently, in response to a lot reckless driving complaints from other motorists throughout Nevada County. CHP Officer Brandon Correia says Ronin Zimmerman is facing a number of charges for a variety of incidents…

As expected, the Penn Valley Fire District disagrees with most of the key findings and recommendations in the Grand Jury report that was released a couple of months ago. The report lays the blame on Penn Valley Fire for the collapse of a long-sought four-district consolidation designed to keep two districts from folding. One finding states that Penn Valley's current and anticipated revenue will not support new hires and promotions that were approved in November of 2024. But Chief Don Wagner contends that they're financially stable and long-term projections indicate sustainable revenue to support the moves…

A local financial planner, business owner, and retired first responder has now decided to take his first shot at public office in Grass Valley. Greg Beesley is seeking election to the City Council in November, where there are two open seats. He says the town is at an important crossroads, with some big decisions in the near future that will set the landscape for a generation ahead. That includes effective fiscal stewardship of the budget…

It looks to be a packed lineup of entries and activities for this year’s Nevada City Film Festival, which is coming up this weekend. Organizers say short f

Plans for building a skatepark in Nevada City are being slowed down further. After hearing a presentation from staff, at its Wednesday night meeting, the City Council gave direction to transfer most of the remaining Proposition 64 cannabis tax grant money back to the School District. There is still 664-thousand dollars left from the original three-million dollars. But City Manager Carrie Wright noted that it not only is not enough to build a skatepark but it needs to be spent by April of 2028….

Just before another big summer recreation weekend, fire restrictions are also now in effect in the Tahoe National Forest, starting today (Fri.) Public Affairs Officer, Lauren Faulkenberry, says that means no fires outside developed campgrounds…