A 2-year-old boy died from a brain-eating amoeba infection this week, according to the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) and a Facebook post from the child’s mother.
According to the DPBH release, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that Naegleria fowleri, also known as a brain-eating amoeba, was the cause of the boy’s illness and corresponding death.
State investigators believe the boy might have been exposed to the amoeba at Ash Springs, a natural hot spring on federal land in Lincoln County, the release said.
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“Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic single-celled living ameba that occurs naturally in the environment. This ameba can cause a very serious rare infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) that destroys brain tissue and is almost always fatal,” the DPBH release noted.
I agree with Chas Catania’s Thursday letter about having a lottery to help fund education in our state. I also agree that the gaming industry can definitely withstand an increase in the gaming tax rate.
However, governors from both parties have boosted educational spending over the past decade, yet we are still at the bottom of the education ladder nationally. I think we need systemic changes in how our school system functions. Nevada is seen as a transient state. Therefore, no one really makes an effort to improve the school system because they are not here long enough to care. This is the wrong approach.
We need to change how parents interact with the schools that their children attend, and how our children act when they are in the classroom. Neither of these issues can be solved by throwing money at the school system.
The Sierra Nevada is a long (400 miles) and narrow (50 miles) mountain range that runs almost entirely in California and includes Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks. Known for stunning natural features like Mount Whitney and the “General Sherman” giant sequoia tree, the Sierra Nevada is also home to a wonderful collection of idyllic mountain towns. Most of the seven towns on our list date back to the California Gold Rush of the late 1840s and all of them exude historic charm.
Quincy
The entrance to the Plumas County Courthouse in Quincy, California. Editorial credit: davidrh / Shutterstock.com
Quincy is the offshoot of a Gold Rush community formerly called Elizabethtown and has maintained much of the look and feel of its Old West heritage. The Plumas County Museum recounts the history of the area, while the quaint downtown includes historic buildings such as a classic movie theater and a schoolhouse from 1905. Main Street is also home to several art galleries, which reflects the fact that artists and photographers flock to Quincy for stunning natural vistas, most especially of fall foliage. Autumn also marks the arrival of Quincy’s popular Mountain Harvest Beer Festival.
Nevada City
Nevada City is a California Gold Rush-era town in Northern California. Editorial credit: EWY Media / Shutterstock.com
Located only about 60 miles from Sacramento, Nevada City is a genuine step back into the past as a well-preserved town from the Gold Rush era. The entire downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places and is filled with Old West Victorian homes and historic structures like the 1865 Nevada Theater. For visitors seeking outdoor recreation, Tahoe National Forest and South Yuba River State Park are close by, and the Lake Tahoe ski areas are less than two hours away. Along with several fine dining establishments and wineries, Nevada City is also home to the Nevada City Film Festival each June.
Murphys
Murphys, California. In Wikipedia. By Jakobemerson – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikipedia
Settlers originally came to the Sierra Nevada foothills that surround Murphys looking for gold, but today, those same hills are covered with grape vines. Both gold and wine brought wealth to Murphys, as reflected in the numerous fine 1800s brick buildings along Main Street, several of which now house tasting rooms and restaurants. Murphys is great to visit any time of year but really comes to life in autumn with the wine harvest when the town hosts popular events like the Calaveras Grape Stomp and Gold Rush Street Faire. When winter hits, the nearby Bear Valley Ski Resort takes center stage.
Auburn
Foresthill Bridge in Auburn, California.
The seat of Placer County, Auburn, sits along the west side of the Sierra Nevada and is yet another Gold Rush mining town. Visitors can explore this history in the restored Old Town section of Auburn, as well as at the Placer County Museum in the former county courthouse. Auburn is also gaining a reputation for its surrounding wineries, but the area’s outdoor attractions still serve as the main draw for visitors. The Auburn State Recreation Area offers hiking trails for all skill levels, while extreme athletes come each summer for the Western States Endurance Run, a single-day, 100-mile race that ends in Auburn.
Bishop
Main Street of Bishop, California, looking north. Editorial credit: Michael Kaercher / Shutterstock.com
Downtown Bishop looks like a classic Hollywood western movie set slightly updated for modern times, and more than 400 movies have been filmed in the beautiful Alabama Hills just outside of town. This idyllic setting is perfect for parades and festivals, such as the annual Mule Days celebration. Also downtown, the Laws Museum presents the important history of the railroads in the Sierra Nevada. Meanwhile, lovers of outdoor beauty and natural wonders simply must explore the nearby Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, home to the world’s oldest trees, some more than 5,000 years old. Now, that is some history!
South Lake Tahoe
Sunset in Emerald Bay, South Lake Tahoe.
Unlike the Gold Rush era towns that populate this list, South Lake Tahoe is a true resort town. As its name indicates, the town sits on the southern shore of famous Lake Tahoe, and South Lake Tahoe is directly adjacent to Stateline, Nevada—the border would be indistinguishable if not for all the casinos on the Nevada side! Whether you prefer boating, skiing, hiking, shopping, fine dining, or gambling, South Lake Tahoe offers an essentially endless supply of things to do and see. You can also find some history amidst all the glitz, such as the opulent Vikingsholm Mansion, which is open for tours.
Truckee
The Old Town of Truckee, on Donner Pass Road, is well known for great restaurants, art galleries, and gift shops. Editorial credit: David A Litman / Shutterstock.com
Truckee is only about 20 minutes away from Lake Tahoe but has a different vibe than the resort towns along the lake. Famous in earlier times as the endpoint of the tragic Donner Party and as an important railroad hub, Truckee is best known today as a center for outdoor adventure. Premier ski slopes and hiking trails surround the town, and the lovely Lake Donner holds up well compared to its bigger and more famous neighbor. Downtown Truckee still has several Old West buildings, now housing wineries and eateries, making it perfect for an evening stroll after a day of enjoying the outdoors.
From ancient trees to towering mountains to shimmering lakes, the Sierra Nevada region offers one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world. In addition to tapping into the tourist potential of the surrounding environment, several of the small towns in the Sierra Nevada effectively showcase the region’s Gold Rush and Old West history. These idyllic towns let you step back into the past, step out into nature, and step away from everyday life for a little while. So, make your travel plans today!
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7 Most Idyllic Small Towns in California’s Sierra Nevada
What does it take to be considered rich in Nevada?
Analysis from GoBankingRates determined the average household income of the top 5 percent of earners in each state based on data from the 2022 American Community Survey.
The richest of the rich live not in a state, but in Washington, D.C., where it takes a salary of $719,000 to land in the top 5 percent of earners.
The No. 1 richest state is Connecticut, where residents have to bring in roughly $656,000 to be among the top 5 percent.
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The average income of the top 5 percent of Nevada households was $449,872.
Washington state has seen the most dramatic growth in what it takes to be rich in recent years, according to the report. In 2017, a salary of about $378,000 would land you in the 5 percent club. By 2022, the salary it takes to stay at that level is more than $544,000.
The roughly 44 percent increase can be attributed to growing wealth in Seattle, which has become a tech hub with fast-growing companies like Amazon headquartered in the area, says Andrew Murray, lead data content researcher at GoBankingRates.
Overall, wealthy Americans have gotten a lot richer in since 2017. Back then, only Connecticut and Washington, D.C., had a 5 percent top-earning threshold of $500,000.
Five years later, no less than 11 U.S. states and D.C. top $500,000 per household. They include Washington, California, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Virginia, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Maryland and Connecticut.
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As for Nevada’s neighbors, it took $613,602 to land in the top five percent of earners in California, $435,414 in Arizona, $463,437 in Utah and $402,743 in Idaho.
The state with the lowest threshold to make the top 5 percent was West Virginia at $329,620.
CNBC reporter Jennifer Liu reported the numbers on the network’s website Friday. Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com.
