Video Archive 2026 Q1

March 24, 2026 – Board Update

  • Public Safety will now be formally adopted into our County Budget Policy.
  • Office of Emergency Services (OES) is now officially defined under Public Safety and will be moved under the Sheriff’s Department.
  • Participated in Sierra Nevada Regional Meeting.
    • Thank you to YSS for being the genesis of this work — your collaboration has led to real action across our region.
  • Public Health Alert: Kratom (K-R-A-T-O-M) is being flagged as a dangerous substance — our public health teams are actively raising awareness.

March 20, 2026

  • Highway 108 discussions are currently underway regarding seasonal opening.
  • We are actively working with our state partners to assess conditions and determine reopening. This is an important corridor for our residents, local businesses, and visitors, and we understand how critical access is.
  • I’ll continue to share updates as more information becomes available. Check out cal trans for updates as well.

March 18, 2026

  • Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors Retreat Recap
  • For two days we held our Board of Supervisors retreat, where we spent focused time aligning on key priorities for the year ahead. The priority session centered around the following areas:
    • Public Safety
    • Community Health & Prosperity
    • Roads & Infrastructure
    • Employee Excellence & Resilience
    • Revenue Generation
  • Each of these priorities will guide our decision-making as we work to strengthen services, support our workforce, and continue moving Tuolumne County forward.
  • Please watch the video and review the attached Word document for a deeper dive into today’s discussions and direction.
Screenshot

March 14, 2026

  • Tonight I had the opportunity to attend the TuCare dinner here in Tuolumne County, and it was a great evening focused on raising awareness about our natural resources and the role they play in the future of our community.
  • Tuolumne County continues to lead the nation in collaborative forest management, and organizations like TuCare are a huge part of that success. Through partnerships with the County, the United States Forest Service, and the collaborative group Yosemite Stanislaus Solutions, our region is implementing one of the most ambitious forest restoration efforts in the country.
  • Under our Master Stewardship Agreement, the SERAL Project (Stanislaus Environmental Restoration and Landscape Project) has completed over 260,000 acres of healthy forest restoration. To support this effort, $94.6 million in state and federal funding has been secured, with $37 million already invested locally since 2022—and more to come.
  • What makes Tuolumne County even more unique is that we’re not just restoring forests—we’re building the workforce to sustain this work for generations. TuCare is leading the state by partnering with groups to develop workforce training programs that prepare the next generation to work in our forests.
  • With the launch of Sierra Forest Works today, that effort takes another big step forward. Check out the video below to learn more about how this program will connect people with careers in forest management and restoration.
  • We were also honored to have David Tangipa as our keynote speaker. I had the chance to speak about him and say a few words… although I managed to pronounce his name incorrectly yet again. Thankfully he was a great sport about it.
  • In all seriousness, we appreciate Assemblyman Tangipa and his commitment to representing and advocating for rural counties like Tuolumne County.
  • Between the restoration work happening on the ground and the workforce development being built for the future, Tuolumne County is continuing to lead the nation on all fronts of forest management.
  • https://sierraforestworks.org
Screenshot

March 14, 2026

  • Hey everyone, quick thought from the campaign trail today.
  • I’ve been out knocking on doors and meeting a lot of really kind, thoughtful people in our community. Something interesting keeps coming up. A lot of folks tell me they support what we’re doing, but they’d rather not put up a yard sign… neighbor concerns.
  • And honestly, that’s perfectly okay. In local elections, yard signs don’t decide the outcome, voters do.
  • So if you’re one of those people quietly supporting the campaign, just remember the most important thing you can do is simply show up and vote on June 2nd.
  • Most people don’t put up signs, they just vote.
  • Whether your support is loud or quiet, it truly means a lot to me. I’m grateful for all of you, and I look forward to continuing the work for our community.

March 10, 2026

March 7, 2026

  • Today I drove around my district. Although there’s still a lot of carnage from the storm, I want to say thank you to Tuolumne County Public Works Department for continuing to clean up brush and debris.
  • It’s a heavy lift, and there is still more work ahead, but I truly appreciate the effort.
  • Community, please be patient as crews continue filling potholes and removing brush along the roads.

March 6, 2026

  • Over eight years ago, I was busy working and raising a family when I heard about a terrible proposal to allow large commercial marijuana cultivation in our community. It would have been devastating to our way of life and public safety. At the same time, our Sheriff’s Department had been gutted and staffing was at record lows.
  • I tried to get someone else to run for office, but no one stepped forward—so I did. I ran on very short notice, so quickly that my son was the only one able to be there when I took the oath to uphold the constitution when submitting my paperwork.
  • Eight years later, with the support of my family and this community, I’m proud to announce that my papers are officially in, I am running to be re-elected as your district 3 supervisor.
  • You told me your priorities were clear:
    • Fire protection
    • A fully staffed Sheriff’s Department
    • Better roads
  • Together, we’ve made tremendous progress.
  • Please take a moment to check out my website. I would be honored to continue serving and working on the priorities that matter most to our community.
  • This election will be decided on June 2nd, and your support means everything.
  • https://anaiahkirk.com
Screenshot
Screenshot

March 4, 2026

  • Emergency Water Infrastructure Update: Following a meeting today with Assemblyman Tangipa’s office, Congressman Tom McClintock’s office and Senator Alvarado-Gil’s office, the County is moving forward in wake or our emergency declaration related to the TUD water supply and the flume. A special Board of Supervisors meeting will be held next Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. to consider requesting $6.3 million in state funding to construct the Sierra Pines Reservoir to protect the county’s water supply which is a health and safety emergency and public safety emergency as that water also fights fires.
  • https://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/article_7bb3be4b-b6f0-47e3-9f99-dee3b81d1ae2.html

March 3, 2026

  • March 3, 2026 — Board of Supervisors Recap
  • Working to secure a grant to build the Sierra Pines Reservoir so we do not face states of emergency when the TUD flume goes down.
  • Three EMS bids were received. The Board should see a contract recommendation soon, with a new provider expected by July 1.
  • Disaster debris cleared at Chinese Camp.
  • Home hardening grant in Ponderosa Hills — homeowners please be aware and watch for more information coming via mail.
  • Public Works crews are actively clearing ditches and filling potholes following the recent storm.
  • Increased salary for a critical County Counsel position to attract more candidates, as the top reason applicants declined the role was pay.

February 26, 2026

February 26, 2026

  • 2/26/2026 BOS update
  • State of Emergency – PG&E Flume Update
  • If your communication lines are down:
    • Please call 209-533-6395 and leave:
      • Your name
      • Your service address
      • Your communication provider (AT&T, Xfinity, etc.)
      • callback phone number
    • We are tracking these outages and asking communications providers to respond.
  • Block Grant Decisions (Locked in through 2035 if used)
    • Standard Park – Moving Forward ($900,000)
    • HHSA Leased Building – Not Moving Forward ($475,000)
      • Instead, we’re putting that money toward roads.
    • Station 56 Housing – New Direction ($250,000)
      • Not using block grant funds to avoid state restrictions.
      • Directed staff to bring back capital improvement funding instead.
      • County ownership. Local control
  • New 911 Dispatch Center – Stryker Court
    • Officially up and running as of today.
    • Major public safety win for Tuolumne County.

February 24, 2026

  • Storm & Emergency Declaration Update – February 24, 2026
  • PG&E Crews on the Flume:
    • We have a lot of local PG&E crews out there working hard to restore the flume. They are going for the gold. If you see them, please take a moment to thank them — they are working their tails off to get things back up and running.
  • Road Plowing Update:
    • During the original snowstorm, crews only had time to cut in single lanes to keep roads passable. Now, we are being very careful not to immediately widen into double lanes in areas with driveways, which can create five-foot ice berms that residents have to dig out of.
    • Where there are no driveways, we are widening roads where possible to improve access and safety.
  • Communication Lines:
    • If your communication lines are down, please call 209-533-6395 and leave a message with:
      • Your name
      • Service address
      • Your provider (AT&T, Xfinity, etc.)
      • A contact number
    • We will relay this information directly to providers to help get you reconnected as quickly as possible.
  • Thank you for your patience and for supporting the crews working around the clock to serve our community.

February 23, 2026

  • Today, a State of Emergency is being declared due to the damage to the flume system.
  • Crews are actively working to restore power and communication lines as quickly and safely as possible.
  • Legislation to have highway 108 Sonora pass open a little earlier and be reliable for buisness and travel planning. HWY 108, which is a major driver for our local businesses and tourism economy.
  • More updates to come
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot

February 22, 2026

  • Storm Update – Sunday, February 22, 2026
  • The PG&E water flume is down. A joint press release with full details will be coming soon.
  • Tuolumne CRC remains open if you need a place to sleep and stay warm. We had 11 people stay last night.
  • Power in Mi-Wuk Village is expected to be restored by 3:00 PM today.
  • Power in Twain Harte is expected to be restored by 4:00 PM tomorrow.
  • If you need a grab-and-go kit (blankets, snacks, water, and a phone battery charger), you can pick one up at Twain Harte Fire or Mi-Wuk Sugar Pine Fire.

February 21, 2026

  • Storm Update – February 21, 2026
  • This storm — and the amount of roadside brushing and cleanup it’s requiring — is another clear reminder why we need to move forward with a year-over-year Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) allocation that directs more funding toward preventative maintenance projects. Proactive work on vegetation and infrastructure helps reduce risk, improve response times, and keep our communities safer during severe weather.
  • Twain Harte Chili Cook-Off is tomorrow night has been cancelled! Sorry, missed that while makeing the video
  • Donkey Basketball is tomorrow at Tuolumne Memorial Hall — always a fun time and a great way to bring folks together.
  • Stay safe, check on your neighbors, and I hope to see you out in the community this weekend.

February 19, 2026

  • Storm Update – February 19, 2026
  • Lots of downed trees and power lines are causing major issues and creating almost war-zone conditions for our road crew operators and PG&E.
  • Extreme weather events like this — where heavy snow comes down fast — are prompting an internal conversation about how we pivot and provide services differently in the future. More to come on that.

February 18, 2026

  • 2-18-26 winter storm update D3

February 18, 2026

  • No board meeting today due to weather.
  • Storm Update:
    I spoke with a representative from PG&E this morning. All available resources from the Valley are up here, and additional crews are headed our way to address the ongoing power outages.
    Due to the lower snow levels, our road crews are doing twice the amount of plowed miles.
    Thank you for your patience as everyone works through this storm response.

February 17, 2026

  • No board meeting today due to weather.
  • 🔥 Firewise 2025 Accomplishments – Thank You Tuolumne County 🔥
    • As a County Supervisor, I want to publicly thank Karen Caldwell, Tuolumne Fire Safe Council Firewise Program Coordinator, and the many volunteers across our county who continue to step up year after year to reduce wildfire risk in their neighborhoods.
    • This work doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because committed citizens choose to act before disaster strikes.
    • Because of Karen’s leadership and your volunteer efforts, Tuolumne County now has:
    • 22 Active Firewise Communities
      • Including 4 new communities added in 2025:
      • Scenic Brook (west side Phoenix Lake Rd)
      • Old Mono Road (Cold Springs)
      • Pinewood / Upper Sullivan (Twain Harte)
      • Cedar Ridge (Kewin Mill Rd. North)
    • And we already have 3 more communities pending for 2026:
      • Strawberry Meadow View (Strawberry)
      • Curtis Creek Ranch (Sonora)
      • River Drive (Strawberry)
  • 2025 Community Risk Reduction Investment
    • Through volunteer labor, homeowner improvements, equipment purchases, vegetation removal, and contractor work, our Firewise communities invested:
      $2,662,869 in total wildfire risk reduction in 2025 alone.
    • Breakdown highlights:
      • Nearly $950,000 in home improvements
      • $347,000 in contractor mitigation work
      • $398,000 in equipment investments
      • Over 11,660 cubic yards of vegetation removed
  • The Power of Volunteers
    • In 2025, Firewise volunteers logged: 34,212 total hours
    • Using national and California volunteer value standards, that equals:
      • $1,190,235 (National value)
      • $1,373,269 (California value)
    • That is over $1.3 million in donated labor — neighbors protecting neighbors.
      Wildfire resilience is not just a government function. It is a community effort.
      Karen and our Firewise leaders continue to show what proactive local leadership looks like. On behalf of Tuolumne County, thank you to everyone who picked up a rake, ran a chipper, organized a meeting, or invested in hardening your home.
  • For more information how to prepare for the next fire season please join this upcoming event:
  • Living With Fire Series – Tuolumne Fire Safe Council

February 10, 2026

  • Board of Supervisors Recap – February 10, 2026
  • Restructuring Tuolumne County Parks & Recreation and Library Services
    • We began important discussions on improving how these services are managed to ensure long-term sustainability and better service to our community.
  • Pinecrest Day-Use Fee Conversation
    • Continued discussion on enhancing services in the Pinecrest Basin, addressing overcrowding, and ensuring any potential fee structure directly benefits the area it serves.
  • Station 56 & 76 – Firefighter Housing Secured
    • Today we secured funding for firefighter housing structures at Stations 56 and 76.
    • To be clear — this funds the housing facilities themselves, not additional personnel positions. This is a major step toward improving emergency response readiness in our region.
  • As always, I appreciate your engagement and feedback. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

February 9, 2026

  • 🔥 Station 56 Funding
    • Rumors are flying. Yes, I am working through the details to secure stable funding for Station 56. This station plays a critical role in protecting our community, and I’m committed to making sure we find a responsible, long-term solution.
  • 🚗 Pinecrest Parking / Day-Use Fee
    • Tomorrow our board will be reviewing a potential parking/day-use fee program at Pinecrest to address overcrowding, improve safety, enhance enforcement, and support emergency response in the basin. The goal is better management, not just revenue — making sure Pinecrest remains safe and enjoyable for everyone.
    • As always, I appreciate your feedback and engagement.
  • For reference about station 56, click here to review the video from 1/9/2026

February 9, 2026

  • Good day, Tuolumne County residents!
  • I’m looking for photos of Pinecrest — in the summer or winter — that clearly show how crowded it can become. If you have any photos that capture heavy parking congestion, overcrowded beaches, trash accumulation, restroom conditions, unleashed dogs on the beach, or other impacts, please share them in the comments below.
  • The goal is to accurately document the challenges we’re seeing.
  • Thank you — I truly appreciate your help.

January 27, 2026

  • Board of Supervisors Update
  • CDBG Grants: Today we approved Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) items to move forward in the process. District 3 is receiving a lot of attention — and rightfully so — due to the significant impacts from the 2023 storm and flooding events. As part of this discussion, I’m also looking for opportunities to potentially expand Station 56 in the future, including living quarters, once we have a long-term and sustainable funding mechanism in place.
  • Camp Justice: Camp Justice was granted a 60-day extension to finalize the removal of trailers that are currently parked there illegally, while continuing to provide services aimed at helping people transition off the street in a responsible and lawful way into services and programs.
  • More to come — appreciate everyone who continues to stay engaged.

January 20, 2026

January 13, 2026

  • 1-13-2026 Board of Supervisors – Meeting Recap
  • Fire Station Update (behind the Outpost): The changes do NOT impact local insurance rates, despite Supervisor Campbells claims circulating — your insurance is not going up because of this change.
  • PG&E Donation to TCFD: Thank you to PG&E for contributing to local fire protection efforts.
  • ATCAA update: The Board received an update on ongoing matters related to the food bank.
  • Board of Supervisors Retreat: A Board retreat is scheduled for February to set clear priorities and hear directly from department heads on direction, expectations, and next steps moving forward. Below was my recommendation for the meeting agenda although the chair will make the final decision:
  • Board of Supervisors Workshop Agenda Purpose: Set clear priorities, align them to fiscal reality, confirm departmental commitments, and provide direct staff direction:
    • Location: Off-site, small and functional (conference room or similar — not a retreat)
    • Duration: One full day (hard stop)
    • 8:30 – 9:00 | Arrival & Coffee Informal arrival Materials distributed
    • 9:00 – 9:15 | Opening Frame (Chair)
      • This is a working session, not a retreat The County is in a new fiscal era — priorities must reflect budget reality
      • The goal is decisions and direction, not discussion for discussion’s sake Agreement that budget realities will drive prioritization
    • 9:15 – 10:15 | Fiscal Reality Check Staff Presentation (Plain English)
      • Current budget status and constraints
      • Structural vs. one-time funding
      • Known fiscal pressures (top five)
      • Rented space and facilities-related projects
      • Revenue opportunities
      • Outcome: Shared understanding of fiscal constraints before priorities are discussed
    • 10:15 – 10:30 | Break
    • 10:30 – 11:45 | Existing Priorities Review (ClearPoint)
      • Mark presents the existing ClearPoint priority list Brief context only — no extended historical review
      • Board discussion focused on:
        • What still matters
        • What no longer aligns with fiscal reality
        • What must be removed or deprioritized
      • Outcome: Shortened, realistic baseline priority list
    • 11:45 – 12:45 | Working Lunch: Department Head Commitments Check-In
      • Purpose: Accountability on commitments made during performance evaluations
      • Format: Rapid Accountability Round Each department head limited to five minutes No presentations unless requested Each department head addresses: Commitments made during performance evaluations
      • Status: completed, in progress, or not started Barriers impacting delivery (budget, staffing, or direction) Rules
      • No new initiatives introduced
      • No re-litigation of past decisions Board questions limited to clarification only
      • Outcome: Clear understanding of departmental follow-through and areas requiring Board action or reprioritization
    • 12:45 – 2:30 | Priority & Budget Alignment Session
      • Introduce the Priority–Budget Matrix Each priority categorized as:
        • Fund Now
        • Fund Later
        • Do Not Fund
      • Discussion framed around: Cost Capacity Community return Fiscal sustainability
      • Outcome: Alignment between Board priorities and budget reality
    • 2:30 – 2:45 | Break
    • 2:45 – 3:45 | New & Emerging Priorities
      • Board members may introduce new priorities
        • Any new priority must:
        • Replace an existing priority or Identify what it displaces financially
        • No add-ons without tradeoffs
      • Outcome: Final priority list reflecting current fiscal conditions
    • 3:45 – 5:00 | Staff Direction & Next Steps
      • Confirm: Final Board-approved priority list Items paused or removed
      • Work staff should discontinue
      • Define: Items to return to the Board
      • Timelines for follow-up Budget assumptions to be used going forward
      • Outcome: Clear, written staff direction
    • 5:00 | Adjourn If it’s not decided by now, it’s not ready.

January 9, 2026

  • Clips from The Board meeting regarding fire funding.
  • I’ve posted specific clips tied directly to the motions that were made regarding funding—or not funding—the fire station.
  • Conversations matter, but motions are what actually drive policy. If you want to understand what truly happened, follow the motions. Further explanation in my blog.
  • https://mymotherlode.com/community/blogs/cal-fire-and-budget

January 6, 2026

  • First Board Meeting
  • Today’s meeting covered several important items, including the CAL FIRE contract and appointing the next Board Chair.
  • I’ll be adding more of my thoughts in the comments tomorrow regarding the CAL FIRE contract, as well as the impacts of the SAFER grant running out and what that means for fire station staffing and operations.
More Videos