Each taped City Council meeting will then be broadcasted at least two times. The schedule will vary and is tentative depending on length of meetings. Dates and time are subject to change. This webpage will be updated bi-monthly. For a more up to date schedule you can call AT&T Broadband at (916) 874-7685 or check their bulletin board on Channel 14. The Channel 14 bulletin board will preview daily from 6:00 am to 8:00 am.

City Council meetings may be viewed on Channel 14 with the following schedule:

*Time and dates subject to change.

“This name and structure reflect who we are and what we stand for,” said Sr. Judy Carle, vice chair of the Dignity Health Board of Directors and a Sister of Mercy. “The value of dignity is embedded in our culture. Our mission, vision and values were all formed out of the recognition of the inherent dignity of each person. We are confident that our vision for the organization will be achieved.”

Under the new governance structure, Dignity Health is a not-for-profit organization, rooted in the Catholic tradition, but is not an official ministry of the Catholic Church. The new structure and name enable the organization to grow nationally, while preserving the identity and integrity of both its Catholic and non-Catholic hospitals. The organization’s Catholic hospitals will continue to be Catholic, directly sponsored by their founding congregations, and adhering to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. Dignity Health’s non-Catholic hospitals will continue to be non-Catholic, adhering to the Statement of Common Values.

The changes follow several years of discussions between the organization’s sponsoring congregations, board of directors, and management team about the future of health care and how to best extend its healing mission. Dignity Health’s long term strategic plan is focused on integrated care and enhanced quality that reduces costs. Growth plans anticipate expanded partnerships, which will include both Catholic and non-Catholic care centers. The system currently owns or operates 25 Catholic hospitals and 15 non-Catholic hospitals.

Lloyd H. Dean, the organization’s president/chief executive officer said that the changes would enhance the organization’s ability to work across the spectrum of health care and expand partnerships to deliver high-quality care more efficiently.

“Changing our name to Dignity Health reflects our commitment to excellent care for all in need and to being a national leader in quality care,” Dean said. “The new structure supports our long-term plan to grow and coordinate care, while reinforcing our mission of service to the communities we are so privileged to serve.”

While the name of the organization has changed, Dignity Health will continue to deliver excellent care to all in need and maintain its commitment to being a national leader in quality care. It is investing approximately $1.8 billion in electronic medical records, which are being deployed over the next five years. Dignity Health has also been designated as one of the nation’s first Hospital Engagement Centers by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The organization is also among those leading the nation in implementing innovative care models that improve care and reduce costs.

Dignity Health has also adopted a new logo, which represents the coming together of many caregivers, services and care centers to create a continuum of care. The three curved sections represent the three parts of the organization’s mission – quality care, advocacy, and partnering. The logo surrounds and embraces a central space, symbolic of how an integrated health system embraces and serves the individual.

Hospitals in our area include:

Members of the Board of Directors for Dignity Health are as follows:

Andrew C. Agwunobi, MD, MBA
Director, Berkeley Research Group
Hospital Performance Improvement Practice
Washington, DC

Judy Carle, RSM (Vice Chairperson)
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – West Midwest
Community
Burlingame, CA

Caretha Coleman (Chairperson)
Principal, Coleman Consulting
Los Altos Hills, CA

Lloyd H. Dean
President/CEO, Dignity Health
San Francisco, CA

Mark DeMichele
Owner, Urban Realty Partners
Coronado, CA

Tessie Guillermo (Secretary)
President/CEO, Zero Divide
San Francisco, CA

Peter G. Hanelt
President, PGH Consulting, Inc.
Lafayette, CA

Rodney F. Hochman, MD
Chief Executive Officer, Swedish Medical Center
Seattle, WA

Julie Hyer, OP
General Councilor/Administrator,
Adrian Dominican Sisters
Adrian, MI

-from press release

The “Coffee with a Cop” program is a unique way to strengthen the partnership between the police department and the community it serves. “It’s very important that our police officers develop strong relationships within the community,” said Elk Grove Police Chief Robert Lehner. “We believe that this type of open dialogue plays a critical role in establishing a true partnership between the community and the police department.”

Members of the community will be able to ask specific or general questions related to the neighborhoods they live in.

For additional information, please contact Crime Prevention Specialist Denise Costello at (916) 478-8117 or Sergeant James Fuller of the Problem Oriented Policing at (916) 627-3727. Additional dates and locations will be posted on the Elk Grove Police Department’s web site (www.elkgrovepd.org) as they become available.

Many cities— including Sacramento and Folsom—have wayfinding and directional signs, which promote a visitor and business-friendly environment and a unique, unified civic identity.  Two public workshops have been scheduled to gather input from Elk Grove residential and business communities about the proposed wayfinding sign program.

Wayfinding Signage Program Public Workshops

Thursday, January 12 at Noon

Thursday, January 12 6: 30 p.m.

City of Elk Grove Council Chambers

8400 Laguna Palms Way

Elk Grove, CA 95758

The meetings will allow community members to weigh in on components of a wayfinding program including directional sign locations, signage designs, and points of interest to be featured on signs, including freeways, historic sites, shopping areas and recreation amenities.

The City of Elk Grove recognizes that a successful wayfinding signage program requires collaboration with residents, local agencies and key stakeholders in the business community.

A scope and budget for the wayfinding signage program has not yet been identified. After City staff has gathered input from the community, staff will provide a report and recommendation to the Elk Grove City Council at a future meeting.

For more information, contact Christine Brainerd at 478-3632 or cbrainerd@elkgrovecity.org.

“Our hope is by educating the public of these new traffic safety laws in advance, more lives will be saved in the new year,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.  The following are highlights of a few of the significant changes for the upcoming year:

• A change to California’s Child Passenger Safety Seat law will now require children to ride in either a car seat or booster seat until the age of eight, or until they reach a height of 4 feet 9 inches. This law also requires children who do not meet the age or height requirement to ride in the rear seat of a vehicle unless the vehicle has no back seats, the restraint system cannot be properly installed or the rear seats are already occupied by  children under age eight.   However, the law still maintains that a child may not ride in the front seat of a vehicle with an active passenger airbag if they are under one year of age, less than 20 pounds, or riding in a rear-facing child safety seat. (SB 929, Evans)

• Drivers are required to stop and submit to a sobriety checkpoint. However, peace officers will be prohibited from impounding a vehicle for 30 days out of a sobriety checkpoint if the only offense by the driver is failing to hold a valid driver license. The new law requires that the officer make a reasonable attempt to identify the registered owner in order to release the vehicle. (AB 353, Cedillo)

• Anyone who is convicted of reckless driving under Section 23103.5 of the Vehicle Code can apply for a restricted driver license prior to the completion of their one-year suspension, provided they meet specified conditions, including the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device in their vehicle. (AB 520, Ammiano)

• Vehicles will be prohibited from crossing double parallel solid white lines except where permitted. (AB 1105, Gordon)

• A segment of Vasco Road between I-580 in Alameda County and Walnut Boulevard in Contra Costa County has been re-designated as a double fine zone until January 1, 2017. (AB 348, Buchanan)

• Electric Vehicles (EV) must now be plugged in for refueling when occupying an EVdesignated parking space, otherwise they may be towed. In addition, the law prohibits a person from obstructing, blocking, or otherwise barring access to an EV-designated parking space. (AB 475, Butler)

• The County of Riverside, or any city within the county, has been permitted to develop a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle transportation plan. (AB 61, Jeffries & SB 290, Correa)

• Inyo County, using a pilot program, has been granted authority to explore options for developing a greater network of linked Off-Highway Vehicle trails; they will be allowed to designate combined use highways on unincorporated county roads for up to 10 miles, subject to CHP approval. This program will remain in effect until January 1, 2017. (AB 628, Conway)

• The City of Santa Monica can now operate 25 city-owned buses with illuminated signs displaying advertising messages. This pilot program is authorized through January 1, 2017. (AB 607, Brownley)

• Local governments can now regulate advertising signs on any motor vehicle parked or left standing upon a public street, except for signs painted directly upon or permanently affixed to the vehicle for permanent decoration, identification, or display that do not extend beyond the overall length, width, or height of the vehicle. (AB 1298, Blumenfield)

• Licensed livestock carriers can continue to travel on Highway 101 within the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino from its junction with Highway 1 near Leggett, north to the Oregon border until January 1, 2015. (AB 349, Chesbro)

A law dealing with repeat driving under the influence (DUI) offenders that was passed in 2010 also goes into effect on January 1:

• Section 23579 was added to the Vehicle Code, which authorizes courts to revoke a driver’s license for 10 years if a person is convicted of three or more DUIs. Under this law enacted in 2010, a motorist may be allowed to apply for reinstatement of his or her driver’s license with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) after five years, if the person installs an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in their vehicle. The law allows the DMV to terminate this restricted license if the IID requirements are not met. (AB 1601,Hill)

The points above are only a synopsis of the new laws listed here and only a partial list of California’s new laws adopted for 2012. For complete information on chaptered bills enacted in 2011, please refer to the Legislative Counsel website at www.LegInfo.ca.gov.

# # # #

"We packed up from the hotel. We had to leave without staying that night and raced down Interstate 5 to Elk Grove and the Wilton area," said Spears.

According to Spears, a handler was walking Gusty and her other dog, Breezy, at the property on the 9000 block of Grant Line Road on Christmas Day when Gusty was spooked by a passing vehicle. The handler lost control of Gusty who ran across Grant Line Road and disappeared into a field.

"I think what happened is something startled him. Shetland sheep dogs are known to be timid and high strung," Spears said.

Gusty, who is black and white, was last seen wearing a blue and brown Lupine collar with a red, white, and blue dog tag.  He also had a microchip tag and rabies tag.

Spears, her husband, and Breezy, spent Thursday afternoon looking for Gusty near Pleasant Grove Elementary School, the area where Gusty was last spotted.

"He's been a member of the family for two years and he's a best buddy of our little dog, Breezy. They are inseparable and bonded," Spears said.

Spears said the dogs arrived at the veterinarian's office about three days before Gusty went missing. She said she chose to board her dogs with Grantline Veterinary Hospital because it provided good services. She had used the vet hospital for boarding her dogs once before.

Spears said she has no desire to hurt the veterinarian's reputation, but says the incident could have been prevented with better protocols in place.

"You could make sure that you only take one dog out at a time when something like this happens - you make sure that the area you're walking is secure," Spears said.

"(I'm) just hoping that something good will come out of this. If we don't find Gusty maybe something good will happen," Spears said.

Gusty will also answer to "Cookie" and may be dragging a leash.   He may be wearing a bow with a Christmas design on his collar.

A reward is being offered for Gusty's safe return, but Spears did not provide any monetary amount.  If you have any information, call (916) 708-5454, (916) 708-5485 or (916) 687-6913.

News10/KXTV

Prevent the spread of this virus by following the tips from CDC BELOW:

Norovirus—the stomach bug

Norovirus is a highly contagious illness caused by infection with a virus called norovirus. It is often called by other names, such as viral gastroenteritis, stomach flu, and food poisoning.

Norovirus infection causes acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines); the most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

Anyone can get norovirus, and they can have the illness multiple times during their lifetime.

Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States.

Norovirus illness can be serious

Norovirus can make people feel extremely ill and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day.

Most people get better within 1 to 2 days.

Dehydration can be a problem among some people with norovirus infection, especially the very young, the elderly, and people with other illnesses.

Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads rapidly

Noroviruses are highly contagious, and outbreaks are common due to the ease of transmission.

People with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days and perhaps for as long as 2 weeks after recovery, making control of this disease even more difficult.

Norovirus can spread rapidly in closed environments like daycare centers and nursing homes

Many sources for norovirus infection

Noroviruses are found in the stool and vomit of infected people. People can become infected by Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.

Touching surfaces or objects that are contaminated with norovirus, and then placing their hand in their mouth.

Having direct contact with an infected person; for example, by exposure to the virus when caring for or when sharing food, drinks, or eating utensils with an infected person.

Tips to prevent the spread of norovirus

Practice proper hand hygiene: Wash your hands carefully with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers and always before eating or preparing food. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (containing at least 62% ethanol) may be a helpful addition to hand washing, but they are not a substitute for washing with soap and water. See “Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives.”

Take care in the kitchen: Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them.

Do not prepare food while infected: People who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food for others while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness.

Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces: After an episode of illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label or a solution made by adding 5–25 tablespoons of household bleach to 1 gallon of water.

Wash laundry thoroughly: Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with vomit or fecal matter. Handle soiled items carefully—without agitating them—to avoid spreading virus. They should be laundered with detergent at the maximum available cycle length and then machine dried.

No specific treatment or vaccine for norovirus infection 

There is no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection, although this is an area of active research.

There is no specific drug to treat people with norovirus illness.

Rehydration is important for infected people—they must drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost through vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, fluid may need to be given intravenously.

The City of Elk Grove is asking you NOT to put  broken or old lights in the trash bins. This service is free!  For more information please call 691-2489 or visit our website at www.elkgrovecity.org or 8401 Laguna Palms Way Elk Grove, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.