Latest news with #PlacerCounty
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Placer County farmer fed up after repeated fruit thefts take toll on business
A longtime Placer County farmer is sounding the alarm after ongoing thefts at his orchard are beginning to take a serious toll on his business. Justin Miller, who runs Twin Peaks Orchards in Newcastle, says over the last few years, thousands of dollars worth of fruit have been stolen from his 100-acre property. In recent weeks, he says the problem has gotten worse. "In the past, we've never had to have cameras. Now we have cameras everywhere," Miller said. Twin Peaks has been in operation since 1912 and is one of the largest farms in the region. It grows a variety of produce, including stone fruits, melons, and vegetables. The farm has remained family-owned for four generations. But with the recent uptick in trespassers, Miller says enough is enough. "If you're hungry and you need something, we'll gladly feed you," he said. "But otherwise, you're just taking food off the table for team members who work really hard." In one recent incident, Miller said a person pulled into an access road, filled several large bags with fruit, then tossed $20 at a staff member before driving away in an SUV. "Even if it's $50 or $100, that's a day's pay for one of our workers," he said. The Placer County Sheriff's Office said thefts like this are difficult to track and prosecute, especially when they happen on large rural properties. But under California law, these crimes can carry significant penalties. According to California Penal Code 487(b)(3), stealing more than $250 worth of agricultural products, including fruits, vegetables, or nuts can be charged as grand theft. Miller is now working with other local farmers to raise awareness and help prevent future incidents. He's also expanded his use of surveillance cameras around the orchard. "We love our community and the people here," Miller said. "But we just want people to respect the work that goes into what we grow."
CBS News
5 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Cooler Northern California summer doesn't mean mosquito risk is gone, officials warn
A cooler summer in Northern California may have kept mosquitoes out of sight and out of mind, but Placer County officials are warning: don't let your guard down. Crews at the Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District are ramping up efforts as they prepare for the busiest part of mosquito season, which peaks in late summer. They're closely monitoring mosquito activity and tracking the spread of West Nile virus, which is already showing up in the region. "This about four period of the summer is the time when people should take every precaution from getting mosquito bites," said Joel Buettner, General Manager of the Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 49 human cases of West Nile virus have been reported across the country so far this year, two of them in California. In Placer County alone, 18 mosquito samples tested positive just last week. Inside the lab in Roseville, crews are trapping and testing mosquitoes from across the county. "When our mosquitos come back we put them in our negative eighty freezer," said Lab Supervisor Casey Hubble. "We do not want them alive during identification and we don't want them alive when we're testing them because they have the potential to carry West Nile virus." What makes this year different is the weather. Fewer scorching-hot days have slightly slowed mosquito activity for now. "The cooler weather that we've had this week is slowing down the behavior of the mosquitos in terms of finding blood meals," Buettner said. "But we expect that it will return back to normal by next week." Officials say public prevention is just as important as lab testing and fieldwork. "You need to know when they're out," Buettner added. "The ones that carry West Nile virus are common in the morning around dawn and dusk. Wearing a repellent that has an EPA-registered ingredient like oil of lemon eucalyptus can help." Residents are also urged to dump and drain standing water around their homes, which are common mosquito breeding grounds. Health experts stress that just one bite is enough to spread infection and say with cases already confirmed in California, personal protection should be a top priority.
CBS News
7 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Youth softball tournament generates big economic boost in Roseville
The fields at Maidu Regional Park are alive with energy this week as nearly 40 elite 10U softball teams from across California compete in the USA Softball Western "B" National Championship. But the excitement stretches far beyond the dugout. It's also being felt in local hotels, restaurants, and shops across Placer County. The tournament is expected to generate more than $1 million in economic impact, according to Placer Valley Tourism, with an estimated 2,500 athletes, coaches, and family members spending the week in the area. "Unfortunately, we don't have Tahoe, we don't have the snow or the lake... we're not San Francisco," said Kim Summers, CEO of Placer Valley Tourism. "So we've had to find a different way to do tourism, and we've really found our niche in sports tourism and youth sports tourism." City partnerships and strong community support are a big part of what makes this event successful, according to organizers. "The partnerships with the city are really what brings it here," said Karla Burket, Junior Olympic Commissioner for USA Softball of Sacramento. "The city staff, the park workers... then the amenities around us, from Top Golf and Sun Splash to the mall and movie theaters, anything they want to do is covered." Among the standout teams competing is the Poway All Stars, based near San Diego. After capturing the USA Softball Southern California State Championship, they arrived in Roseville with an impressive 36-6 record. Players say the experience has been unforgettable. "It feels amazing because we're one of the teams that get to come here and most teams don't," said Danica Avila, who plays third base and shortstop for the Poway All Stars. "I'm just happy to be here with my team," added Kassidee Wallace, the team's catcher. "This is our last week together, and it's just a great feeling being here." That excitement is shared by families and coaches alike. "The best experience so far," said Head Coach Kaylie Wallace. "We got on the field and were ready to go — we didn't have that at State. Everything's really nice around here, so it's been a great experience." As the games continue, local leaders say tournaments like this are becoming a cornerstone of Roseville's tourism strategy, proving youth sports can be a grand slam for the economy. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. at Maidu Regional Park.
CBS News
22-07-2025
- CBS News
Human remains found along rural Nevada County road, sparking investigation
An investigation is underway after a father and son located human remains in rural Nevada County Monday afternoon, authorities said. Deputies said the two were recreating in the area of Banner Quaker Hill Road, which is a lengthy paved road that turns into a dirt, fire access road. When the father and son duo found the human remains, they called 911. Deputies and detectives responded and confirmed the remains were human. Deputies said due to the level of decomposition, the remains have not been identified, nor has a cause of death been determined. The remains were taken to Placer County Morgue, where a formal autopsy is scheduled for July 29.
CBS News
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Major Highway 65 expansion project aims to ease Rocklin traffic
If you've driven along Highway 65 in Rocklin, you know the struggle of bumper-to-bumper traffic, long delays, and daily frustration for commuters. But change is on the way, as local and federal officials push forward with a major highway expansion aimed at relieving congestion and improving safety. The project focuses on a 1.4-mile stretch of southbound Highway 65 between Blue Oaks and Galleria Boulevard, an area that often sees some of the worst backups. Plans call for an additional southbound lane and a new auxiliary lane to help with merging traffic and reduce bottlenecks. "It's a daily headache," said one driver. "The traffic on it is crazy." Another added, "I always see cars backed up trying to get on there." Placer County is one of the fastest-growing regions in California and the traffic has grown with it. "Congestion affects people in a number of ways," said Rick Carter with the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency. "We see increased population every year." The $22.5 million project is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation through its BUILD grant program. Lawmakers say the return on investment could be massive. "Just when it comes to the time savings for trucks, it's estimated to be $70 million," said Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley. "So it pays for the grant many times over." In addition to cutting travel times, the expansion is expected to improve safety. Between 2013 and 2022, the corridor saw 227 accidents and eight traffic fatalities. Officials say the crashes are often caused by stop-and-go congestion and sudden drops in speed. The improvements may also benefit emergency response times. Carter said ambulance crews often avoid the highway altogether due to traffic. "We spoke with the ambulance provider in the area," Carter said. "They talked about how they often don't take 65 when transporting patients to the hospital because it's so congested. They're taking surface streets. With the improvements here, it's going to make a significant difference." Once complete, officials estimate the upgrades could cut travel times by up to 50%. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027 and is expected to be completed by late 2028.
