“The County’s pension funding has plummeted from 76% in 2019 to just 62.8% today, with unfunded liabilities soaring to more than $223 million. This catastrophic failure is the direct result of repeated inaction and neglect.”

Heidi decided the public comment period about our small-town budget was the perfect time to fire off X posts about the Supreme Court abortion decision.

Supervisor Robb Tucker cast the only dissenting vote on a $415.5 million county budget—a budget that exceeds projected revenues by approximately $24 million.

The responsibility to carry out the board’s wishes to solve the issues of bullying and harassment lies with the operational administration - superintendent Dan Frisella and NU principal Kelly Rhoden. 

Heidi has lost all focus.

As the Nevada County Board of Supervisors considers a proposed $415.5 million budget for FY 2025–26, it is our civic duty to confront a troubling truth: this budget is not balanced, and pretending otherwise puts our county’s financial credibility at serious risk.

Nevada County Supervisors will decide next week whether to ask the Legislature to be able to add Nevada County to the list of counties authorized to appoint—rather than elect—a Registrar of Voters.

A proclamation designating June as Nevada County Pride Month sparked debate at Board of Supervisors meeting, exposing divisions over the role of symbolic gestures in local governance. The controversy is unlikely to fade quickly, as supervisors face ongoing pressure to define their priorities.

As smoke from a controlled burn moved from Nevada City to a wider area of Western Nevada County, members of local Facebook Groups started to ask the other members about the location of a potential fire. “Anyone know about the fire we are smelling and seeing,” asked someone named Terra. Locals were showing an increasing amount of concern after receiving no warning.

Nevada County stands at a critical fiscal crossroads. As labor costs continue to rise, state and federal funding declines, and essential services come under increasing pressure, it is time to face the uncomfortable truth: Nevada County residents are paying twice for leadership—and getting half the results.

Local Officials Take Bold Step into International Diplomacy (a satire)

Nevada County Board of Supervisors must correct past mistakes by burdening taxpayers with excessive compensation packages and delayed fiscal reforms. We have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to rebuild our county government that is leaner, more responsive, and focused squarely on delivering essential services with transparency and fiscally conservative prudence.

Two terms—eight years—is more than enough time for a supervisor to make a meaningful impact. If someone can’t accomplish their goals in that time, it may be time to let someone else try.

Nevada County governance thrives only when it operates on trust — trust that staff are forthright, that transparency is not feared but embraced, and that accountability is a tool for improvement, not a weapon to be avoided. Senior county officials must resist the easy temptation to rationalize dishonesty for the sake of short-term gains.

Likely after realizing she had done nothing for students for the first two years of her term, Willoughby rushed a vague resolution onto the school board agenda.

After reading the April 2024 State Auditor’s Report: “Homelessness in California, San Jose and San Diego Must do More to Plan and Evaluate Their Efforts to Reduce Homelessness”, it is apparent Nevada County needs to apply the recommendations outlined in the report.

Nevada Union High School in Nevada County, California, students “walked out,” refusing to go to classes.

Dr. George and Jo Ann Rebane recently found an action they could take that will significantly improve cultural and civic life in their Western Nevada County community.

Nevada County Supervisor Heidi Hall formally announced her candidacy for Congress in California’s 3rd Congressional District, challenging incumbent Republican Representative Kevin Kiley in the 2026 election. Hall, a Democrat, filed her candidacy this week, aiming to represent a district that spans rural and suburban communities from the Sierra Nevada to Death Valley.

Grab your hemp-infused kombucha, Nevada County, and spark your organic cackles, because Heidi Hall, our wokest warrior queen, is preaching her way to Congress in a campaign against Kevin Kiley that’s less “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” and more “Dazed and Confused.” Your ol’ pal Rusty Dankbud, the ganja-guru of local lunacy, was toking on some primo “Sierra Skunk” when I sniffed out this fiasco weeks ago.