Remote Surveillance Trailer in Auburn, CA

Placer County has been awarded a nearly $14.9 million grant from the state’s Homekey+ program to expand permanent supportive housing in unincorporated Auburn by converting a former motel.

The $14,891,283 grant will fund the purchase and renovation of a motel on Hillcrest Dr. to create up to 55 units (including one managers’ unit) of permanent supportive housing. The site, dubbed “Carriage Court Studios,” will prioritize housing for veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness with behavioral health needs. Tenants will have case management as well as support from 24/7 onsite staff.

Placer County’s Board of Supervisors previously approved both the property acquisition and grant application in public meetings earlier this year. Homekey+, funded through Proposition 1, builds on the state’s Homekey program, which funded previous developments in Roseville and Kings Beach.

“We’ve seen firsthand in Kings Beach how well this model can work. It’s not just about housing — it’s about ongoing support and accountability, staying connected with neighbors, and making sure the site adds value to the area,” said District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson.

Carriage Court Studios will offer more intensive behavioral health support onsite than typical housing projects, in partnership between AMI Housing and the county’s behavioral health team, allowing it to serve residents with greater needs.

“We will now have Homekey projects in all three regions of the county, representing close to 150 units,” said Health and Human Services Director Dr. Rob Oldham. “We appreciate the investment from the state and the support of our local partners in bringing these projects to life and helping maintain the county’s low rate of homelessness.”

AMI Housing, a longtime nonprofit housing provider in the region, will serve as the project’s development and service partner. The organization applies a “good neighbor” policy at all its locations, developed in collaboration with local law enforcement and municipal leaders. The location meets other siting criteria developed through a collaborative regional process, including proximity to amenities.

“We're proud to continue our work with Placer County on supportive housing that truly meets people where they are,” said AMI Housing CEO Jennifer Price. “These projects change lives, and when they’re done right, they strengthen communities too.”

The Auburn project will be bound by a 55-year deed restriction to ensure it continues to serve those in need for decades. Residents of permanent supportive housing typically pay 30% of their income toward rent and agree to abide by rental terms.

More details and an informational FAQ are available on the county website.

AUBURN, Calif. — Fireworks are a staple of Fourth of July celebrations across the country, and parts of California will be celebrating in grand style.

All fireworks are illegal in Auburn, but residents can still enjoy them at a fireworks show at the Gold Country Fairgrounds that'll start between 8:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Other events throughout the day include a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., a parade at 10 a.m. and a family festival at 10:30 a.m.

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Stay Safe This Fourth of July: What to Know

Celebrating Independence Day at home can be festive and fun — but safety should come first. Before buying or lighting any fireworks, check your city or county’s local laws. Fireworks are banned in many areas of California due to the high risk of injuries and millions in property. loss from fireworks-spared wildfires.

According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, an average of 18,000 fires are started every year by fireworks, both illegal ones and “safe and sane” fireworks” used improperly.

To stay safe this holiday, the State Fire Marshal recommends:

In California, it’s illegal to use any fireworks that explode, shoot into the air or move erratically on the ground. That includes items like bottle rockets, Roman candles and firecrackers. Possession or use of illegal fireworks can lead to fines or arrest.

Legal fireworks sold in California will always have the “Safe and Sane” seal from the State Fire Marshal. If you’re unsure whether a firework is legal, check with your local fire department or Cal Fire station before using it.

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As required by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to help prevent the spread of the highly invasive golden mussel (limnoperna fortunei), effective April 14, 2025, all trailered or motorized vessel owners wishing to launch at Folsom Lake or Lake Clementine will be subject to an inspection and a quarantine for Aquatic Invasive Species.

Golden mussels were recently discovered in the Port of Stockton in October 2024, the first known occurrence in North America. This highly invasive non-native species poses a significant immediate threat to the ecological health of the waters of the state, water intake and conveyance systems and water quality. Golden mussels can survive in a wider range of conditions than quagga or zebra mussels. Golden mussels can dramatically reduce the abundance of both zooplankton and phytoplankton, leading to widespread food web impacts, including to fisheries. Mussel invasions elsewhere have been associated with an increased frequency of potentially-toxic blooms of Microcystis. Their propensity to rapidly colonize any available hard surface jeopardizes built infrastructure in any infested water bodies. They can cause significant damage to boats by attaching to hulls and clogging engines, which will lead to increased costs for boat owners.

Rather than close Folsom Lake to recreation boating, Reclamation and State Parks are opting for a prevention program. This action is necessary as a golden mussel infestation at Folsom Lake could cause substantial damage not only to the ecosystem but could also impact the power generation and water delivery systems at Folsom Dam and Reservoir.

Caption: Golden mussels colonizing a water pipe at a hydroelectric plant in Brazin (Mountinho, 2021).

After May 14, 2025, there will be staff inspecting boats at all OPEN boat launch facilities at Folsom Lake and Lake Clementine.

As per standard operating procedure, in the event that parking areas meet maximum capacity all vehicles will be denied entry.

Boat Launch Cable Seal Protocol

Effective April 14, 2025, Folsom Lake SRA and Auburn SRA will be implementing new protocols for boat launching at Folsom Lake and Lake Clementine. All boats meeting the requirements for the inspection procedures will be quarantined and an inspection seal will be applied. Vessels in compliance will be verified on site and permitted to launch. Every time a seal is applied or removed, information regarding the waterbody, date, CF number and other pertinent data will be entered into the Watercraft Inspection Database (WID).

Trained State Parks staff will inspect each vessel for the presence of mussels and onboard water. Once a vessel passes inspection a red quarantine seal will be applied for 30 days during which the vessel will not be permitted to launch. The seal will include a cable through the bow eye of the vessel and around the frame of the trailer to insure it is not launched. The seals are tamper evident and serialized. Each seal application will be entered into a database to confirm the date, vessel/seal numbers and the location. The day of the inspection is day 1 of quaratine. Vessels that have finished the 30-day quarantine may launch on day 31 or there after. Authorized staff will remove the seal prior to launching.

Upon exit from the Lake, all vessels must have a green seal attached by authorized staff to be allowed to freely launch at Folsom Lake and Lake Clementine. Staff will ensure there is no debris on the vessel, no standing water in the vessel, and that the ballasts and live wells are emptied before applying the outbound green seal. If a seal is not applied for any reason, the vessel will need to undergo another 30-day quarantine or decontamination.

Quagga and Zebra (Dreissenid) mussels and the recently identified Golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) pose a serious threat to California's waters and fisheries. The spread of these freshwater mussels threatens recreational boating and fishing, aquatic ecosystems and fisheries, water delivery systems, hydroelectric facilities, agriculture and the environment in general. As a means to stop the spread of these harmful invasive mussels, California is asking boaters to clean, drain and dry their boats!

Boaters should be prepared for inspections throughout the state designed to help ensure California's waterbodies remain mussel-free. Properly cleaning and drying can help protect boats and help boaters avoid quarantines or being turned away from a water destination. In addition to being sure to clean, drain and dry watercraft, the Division of Boating and Waterways urges boaters to plan for possible launch restrictions and inspections by calling waterbodies before leaving home. Programs and requirements vary and can change rapidly.

Golden mussels have been discovered at Rough and Ready Island, just west of the Port of Stockton and further downstream at a location known as Turner Cut in October 2024. This is a rapidly developing situation, and reports continue to come in and are being followed up on. These mussels were likely introduced to California by a ship traveling from an international port. This discovery of golden mussels in the Delta is the first known occurrence in North America. Visit California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s webpage for more information and for a map of verified sightings.

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