An amateur gold panner’s dream of finding treasure during an expedition in California didn’t go as planned after he went missing for two days and was successfully rescued over the weekend.

The panner and his companion had started trailing through northern California’s Plumas national forest on Thursday to search for gold. The companion became tired, so the missing hiker went to get water. That was the last time the two saw each other that day, according to the Butte county sheriff’s office.

The companion waited all day Friday at the same spot, spending another night outside. On Saturday morning, the panner’s partner decided to hike back to their truck, hoping the missing hiker would be there. When he wasn’t, the companion called the police.

A helicopter search crew eventually spotted the missing hiker’s campfire on a steep cliff, about 1,000ft below Milsap Bar Road and above the Feather River, about a 105-mile drive north-east from Sacramento.

“Due to the steep terrain, a hoist operation was ruled out and a joint rescue team from Butte County Search and Rescue and Cal Fire was deployed,” the Facebook post from the sheriff’s office said.

A rescue team hiked through “VERY THICK vegetation” to reach him, and they found him in good health before helping him out of the canyon.

Butte county sheriff’s office highlighted the hikers’ readiness to go gold panning, posting several pictures of the hikers and saying that they “were prepared to spend the night in the elements”.

Describing the missing hiker’s emergency shelter, the sheriff’s office said: “He had tarps and the ability to make a fire. In the current conditions, dehydration and starvation will kill you within days, but Hypothermia can kill you within hours.”

This type of 1800s-style expedition isn’t rare. Plumas county is known for its rich gold deposits. Some popular spots for panning are located along the Feather River and the North Fork, according to the county’s website. Some locations, such as Rich Bar and Seneca, have historical ties to the gold rush.

“While many prospectors came to Plumas County with dreams of instant wealth, the reality of gold mining was often harsh and grueling,” reads the Plumas County website. “The work was physically demanding, and the chances of striking it rich were slim.”

Beginners can start with basic equipment such as pans and shovels, while experienced panners might use advanced tools such as sluice boxes. Success in gold panning requires knowledge of local spots, proper equipment use, and patience, according to the county.

In Plumas county, the 19th-century gold rush spurred local business growth and created employment. Now, recreationally, gold panning still attracts tourists, with the county celebrating this history with festivals and re-enactments.

“The influx of miners created a demand for goods and services, leading to establishing of businesses and the growth of local economies,” reads the website. “Merchants, blacksmiths, saloon owners, and other entrepreneurs thrived, catering to the needs of the gold-seeking population.”

Although most recreational gold panners nowadays don’t expect to get rich out of their hobby, and might spend more money on equipment than they make in profit, an ounce of the mineral can sell for more than $2,000.

Still, all that glitters is not gold. The Gold Rush in California led to violent conflicts against Indigenous people, resulting in tens of thousands of killings by settlers.

Chinese immigrants working in gold mines faced intense discrimination after an influx of thousands of young Chinese men to California. Some Americans, believing these immigrants were taking jobs and income from others, pushed for restrictions on Chinese immigration and imposed a tax on all foreign miners in California.

If someone is being denied an abortion they need, what can they do?

While being denied abortion care you know you’re entitled to will be an intensely fraught experience, Wonnacott said it’s nonetheless important for patients to “seek the care they need” — even if that means getting to another health center or hospital as an alternative to the provider denying care.

While advocating for yourself in medical situations is ideal, Wonnacott also acknowledged that “a patient’s experience with the medical system can vary greatly,” and “that may not be a comfortable space for patients and their historical experience” — for example, in the context of medical racism. Therefore, “trying to find a provider that is responsive to listening to their concerns is important in these situations,” she said — and that may mean moving on as swiftly as possible to another provider to get yourself the care you need.

What about religious objections to providing abortions?

For years, activists have sounded the alarm over Catholic hospitals denying procedures during emergencies across the country.

The Attorney General’s Office said that “healthcare providers are allowed to refuse to perform abortions for moral, ethical or religious reasons.” But California law does not allow religious objections to take precedence in an emergency situation, such as an emergency abortion, Bonta said.

In his Sept. 30 announcement of the state’s suit against Providence St. Joseph Hospital, Bonta confirmed that religious objections don’t apply when it comes to California’s Emergency Services Law, which mandates that hospitals provide care “necessary to relieve or eliminate the emergency medical condition.”

California’s lawsuit alleges that Providence St. Joseph Hospital denied the patient an emergency abortion her doctors recommended because “fetal heart tones” could be detected. But state law, Bonta said, “applies generally to all emergency care providers.”

“It is not a suggestion or a recommendation; it is the law, and you are duty-bound to follow it,” Bonta said. “You can’t make up your own standard.” Ultimately, however, the patient in the Providence St. Joseph case said she was forced to seek the life-saving treatment at another nearby medical facility.

How can someone report being denied abortion care in California?

After securing the abortion care they need, a patient can then judge whether or not they want to report the experience to any officials.

Attorney General Rob Bonta — California’s top lawyer and law enforcement official — has emphasized his commitment to monitoring cases of denied abortions, especially as his office gears up to fight the incoming Trump presidency. Bonta’s office also encouraged people to reach out to them about abortions they may have been denied by emailing abortion.access@doj.ca.gov.

If “a patient feels comfortable, our office would like to hear their story,” a California Department of Justice (DoJ) spokesperson told KQED by email.

The DoJ is specifically interested in hearing about cases where “you were denied an abortion you needed in a medical emergency, or if you were denied any other emergency or reproductive medical care,” the spokesperson said.

“Please note that you may or may not be contacted after writing to this email address, depending on the needs of the investigation,” the spokesperson said.

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — The California Highway Patrol says there is an increase in accidents this time of year because people get complacent after a summer without fog.

A wall of dust rolled over Madera County Monday leading to a massive pile-up on Highway 152.

“We slowed down to a stop, and then all the cars just kept coming and hit us,” said Delissa Fulce, an Oakhurst local.

“We got hit three times by the cars behind us, and I think they got hit behind us. So it was probably a 20-car pileup.”

“Our friend, which is now in the hospital, is like, we’re going to get hit again,” said Julia Parra Pintado, Crash victim. “Like, be prepared. And we get and we got hit up by the back.”

California Highway Patrol said the massive crash likely would’ve been hard to avoid with how quickly the dust moved in.

While we might not see dust storms daily, we have entered fog season and many drivers will face the Tule Fog as they head out most mornings.

Dust and fog can lead to similar conditions on the roadway and California Highway Patrol says you should take similar precautions if you run into either.

“Reduce your speed,” said Mike Salas, California Highway Patrol. “If you cannot see, don’t try and risk it. Pull over off where it’s safe, turn those emergency flashers on, remain in your car, seat belted, and hopefully you can wait until that issue subsides.”

CHP spokesman Mike Salas said you can even turn on your emergency flashers while you’re driving to make yourself more visible.

When it comes to your headlights choose the low beams over high beams.

“The high beams, all it does is it’s a mirror effect, so it kind of blinds the driver, especially in the evening hours,” said Salas.

If your car has automatic headlights Salas said don’t depend on the car to pick the right setting, especially during the day and know the forecast before you hit the road.

“Delay your trip at all possible, if not,” said Salas.

“If you’re stuck in a situation where you feel that it’s going to be a danger to you or someone else on the road, pull over off of the road well enough where you won’t become a hazard if someone comes up from behind you.”

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