Shortly before 3:00 am on December 25th,  Metro Fire crews were dispatched to the 5000 block of Walnut Avenue in North Highlands for a report of flames coming from the roof and rear window of a vacant house. First arriving crews reported a working fire and immediately initiated fire attack.

The fire, which had started on the outside of the boarded-up house, had quickly spread inside. Firefighters forced entry and extinguished the fire, deploying multiple hoselines to different areas of the house to quickly contain the fire. The roof and attic sustained significant fire damage, with total damage estimated at $75,000. No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Firefighters were on scene less than five minutes after being dispatched, and the fire was already well-involved and had spread from the exterior to the attic and living quarters. Fire doubles in size every minute… if you see smoke, call 9-1-1 early!

With seasonal rains promoting the growth of wild mushrooms, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith is reminding people that collecting and eating hazardous wild mushrooms can lead to serious illness and even death.

“It is difficult to distinguish between wild mushrooms that are poisonous and those which are safe to eat,” said Dr. Smith. “Wild mushrooms should not be eaten unless they have been carefully examined and determined to be edible by a mushroom expert.”

Wild mushroom poisoning continues to make people ill and send them to the hospital. According to the California Poison Control System (CPCS), 679 cases of ingestion were reported statewide from November 2015 to October 2016. Among those cases:

• Three suffered a major health outcome, such as liver failure leading to coma and/or a liver transplant, or kidney failure requiring dialysis.
• 50 suffered a moderate health outcome, such as dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, or injury to the liver or kidney.
• 348 were children under six years of age. Usually the children ate a small amount of a mushrooms growing in yards or neighborhood parks.
• 415 were treated at a health care facility.
• Eight were admitted to an intensive care unit.

The most serious illnesses and deaths have been linked primarily to wild mushrooms known to cause liver damage, including Amanita phalloides, also known as the “death cap” and Amanita ocreata, or “destroying angel.” These and other poisonous mushrooms grow in some parts of California year-round, but are most commonly found during fall, late winter or spring.

Eating poisonous mushrooms can cause abdominal pain, cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage or death. Anyone who develops symptoms after eating wild mushrooms should seek immediate medical attention. People who develop these symptoms, or their treating health care providers, should immediately contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Local mycological societies offer educational resources about mushroom identification, and may be able to help people identify mushrooms they have picked.

Start off 2017 right by attending the Herbs for the New Year at Soil Born Farms American River Ranch Farm site on January 4, from 6-7:30 pm. Plants and herbs have been known for millennia to aid in a variety of illnesses and disease. This free class, per Soil Born, “Will introduce a philosophy of herbal medicine, how herbs work, and basic remedies for maintaining and increasing health and happiness. Come with curiosity; leave with recipes and inspiration!”

Soil Born has a host of programs to promote health and provide opportunities for all ages to learn about producing and improving access to healthy food, as well as providing a successful working model for environmental stewardship. “Beyond producing healthy, certified organic produce for our 80 CSA members and local stores, restaurants, and farm stands, Soil Born Farms has also developed several innovative education and food access programs in partnership with area schools and agencies,” according to the Soil Born website.

According to Soil Born there are a number of fantastic reasons to utilize herbs in every household: medicinal, culinary, as anti-oxidants, as anti-inflammatories, to lower cholesterol, rev up immune systems, improve digestion and circulation. Some herbs are even anti-bacterial and antiseptic.

Growing your own saves money from buying in the supermarket, as well. Many herbs can be brewed to drink or made into topical creams. Either can help alleviate a variety health concerns when used properly.

The American River Ranch, a 55-acre historic ranch located within the American River Parkway and Rancho Cordova, is now the permanent home of Soil Born Farms.

The deadline is fast approaching for people to vote for the Best of Fair Oaks.

You can vote for your favorite local businesses in many categories and help them to be recognized for their hard work, customer service, their quality of care, taste of their foods, workmanship and more. This is your chance to tell others how much you appreciate the local businesses you patronize with your vote.

Businesses must be located in Fair Oaks to win the contest. All votes must be cast through the web site at BestofFairOaks.com. You can vote for one business in each category or you can cast your vote for only one business. When casting your vote you must complete all the information or your vote will not be counted.

This year’s event will be held on Thursday, January 19th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at North Ridge Country Club, 7600 Madison Avenue in Fair Oaks. To purchase tickets to the event contact the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce at 916-967-2903. The event is open to the public provided a ticket is purchased. You do not need to be a Chamber member to attend. If you are a local business owner and want to see how much fun the chamber events are before you join, plan to attend this event!

All votes must be cast by 3:00 pm on December 31st.

At their regular meeting on December 8, 2016, the Citrus Heights City Council appointed Jeff Slowey as the Mayor and Steve Miller as the Vice Mayor for the next 12 months. Each year, the City Council selects one of its members to serve a one-year term as mayor and vice mayor. Jeff Slowey was appointed December 19, 2003 to complete the remaining term of late Mayor William "Bill" Hughes. He was elected to the City Council in November 2004, and re-elected November 2008, 2012 and 2016. Steve Miller was appointed December 13, 2005, to fill a vacancy on the City Council. He was elected to the City Council in November 2006 and re-elected November 2010 and 2014.