Two participants per Yuba County business are invited to attend Perspectives 2012 at no cost on a first come, first served basis. After April 15, non-business attendees will be accepted for a $20 admission fee based on seating availability. To reserve a seat, call 530.749.7560 or e-mail here.

Three years ago Yuba County participated in the "Neighborhood Stabilization Program" in identifying, buying and refurbishing run-down, foreclosed homes that tend to reduce neighborhood property values, then reselling them to new owners. The first phase of the program was so successful the County was invited to apply for a second round of funding. Yuba County was one of only three jurisdictions statewide awarded additional funding to continue the residential improvement program.

With an additional $4.2 million in funds, the County will redouble its efforts to purchase, repair and resell homes that have moved into foreclosure, and most recently have been bank-owned. The Neighborhood Stabilization Program takes an innovative approach of purchasing homes at bargain prices and then hiring local contractors to complete needed work, including structural improvements, new carpeting, redone kitchens and bathrooms, fresh paint and a landscaping makeover.

Houses are often resold by the County at a loss, but that is part of the design of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Benefits to the community are long-term, with overall property values stabilizing and poised to increase in residential neighborhoods adjacent to the new improvements, and occupied homes provide a fresh injection of property taxes to support local services.

The refurbished homes are available to residents who may not qualify for traditional purchases. The upgraded home sale prices are typically between $70,000 and $110,000.

Find out more about the Neighborhood Stabilization Program by calling the Yuba County Housing Authority at 530.749.5460 or visit here. 

The Board of Directors of Fremont-Rideout Health Group broke ground for the construction phase of the $225 million expansion of Rideout Memorial Hospital that will transform six square blocks in Marysville into the Rideout Regional Medical Center March 8, 2012.

The new six-story hospital building, which will be connected to the current structure, will include a two-story maternity center, a rooftop heliport for Life Flight operations and a major expansion of the Emergency Department, which is the only Level III Trauma and STEMI-receiving (Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction)Center between Chico and Sacramento. The construction project is being funded in part by a $110 million bond issue finalized in November 2011.

Fremont-Rideout Health Group services will include:

• 36 Medical/Surgical Telemetry Beds
• 30 Medical/Surgical Beds
• 3 Catheterization Labs
• Endo Two Room Suite
• A Two-Floor Women & Infants Department with 12 Labor & Delivery Recovery Suites and 25 Postpartum/15 Bassinets
• Space designated for Additional Operating Rooms for Future Needs
• Kitchen & Cafeteria
• Imaging Center
• Loading Dock for Materials Management, Environmental Services and Hospital Storage

The expansion of the Emergency Department, including a new entrance, will add another triage room and 13 more multi-use ED/Observation beds for a total of 39. The Fremont-Rideout Cancer Center expansion will add 16,461 square feet of space for 11 additional transfusion bays, six additional exam rooms, a new reception and waiting area and new, state-of-the-art radiation therapy equipment.

For more information about Fremont-Rideout Health Group, click here.  

Oregon House Farms is home to "High Sierra Grass Fed Beef." Ranch owner Jenny Cavaliere has cultivated the land for a variety of agricultural products. Recently, Oregon House Farms, which encompasses 63 acres, was awarded "Organic Certification" through California Certified Organic Farms (CCOF). Part of the ranch is a Certified Family Tree Farm, as well as a riparian restoration of a native creek and five-acre lake at the Meadow Lake property.

Recently Cavaliere's 100-year-old barn was converted into the Oregon House Farm Store, where High Sierra grass fed beef, poultry, lamb, pork, eggs, honey, vegetables, fruits and other locally raised agricultural food products are available for sale.

The Oregon House Farm Store is open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Farm tours are offered with an emphasis on wildflower tours in the spring and an outdoor experience for children year round.

For more information call 530.692.2564 or visit here. Oregon House Farms is located at 14582 Indiana School Road in Oregon House.

Grant Promotes 'Back to Work'

300 Jobless to get Skills Training

Farmers Market Opens in June

Marysville Market Provides Food, Music, and Ambience