On Sunday in Orland‚ Team Dahle had the privilege of attending the closing ceremony of The Wall That Heals‚ which coincided with National Vietnam Veterans Day. The program included a moving performance of “There Are No Words” by Sadie Metcalf of Beale Air Force Base‚ a personal account from a Vietnam War nurse‚ and a performance by the Glenn County Scottish Drummers. Remarks were also provided by Glenn County Supervisor Grant Carmon and Allen Sheley‚ the Glenn County veterans service officer.
A traveling replica of the 375-foot Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington‚ D.C.‚ The Wall That Heals arrived in the Glenn County community on March 24.
For those unable to travel to Washington‚ this exhibit provides a meaningful opportunity for reflection‚ education‚ and healing. Children were particularly moved by the extensive list of names and the information booth‚ which included artifacts such as military attire and even a signed prosthetic.
The Wall That Heals honors the more than 58‚000 Americans who lost their lives or remain missing from the Vietnam War‚ offering visitors a space to remember and pay tribute to their sacrifice. Many visitors left pictures‚ flags‚ and written notes at the base of the wall‚ adding a deeply personal element to the experience.
This visit marked the only Northern California appearance of The Wall That Heals in 2026. The event offered a powerful opportunity for the community to come together in remembrance‚ honor‚ and gratitude for those who served.
Funding Lags to Fully Staff Courts
Thank you to Presiding Judges Tamara Wood from the Shasta County Superior Court and Charles Ervin from Sierra County‚ along with other court administrators and Bar Association leaders‚ for their recent visit to the Capitol to discuss how the Legislature can support the justice system and the people who rely on it.
In addition to pending bills related to privacy and interpreter services for court hearings‚ a major issue for courts around the state – including Shasta‚ Tehama and Placer counties – is a chronic shortage of judges to hear local cases. While new judges have been authorized in these counties‚ the Legislature has not yet funded the positions – which add up to a major new expense when state budgets are tight.
While progress has been slow‚ the courts are one of the basic functions of government and we need to keep working toward getting them the people they need to serve their communities’ needs.
Nevada County Invests in Psychiatric Care
This week Team Dahle attended the groundbreaking of the Deer Creek Behavioral Health Center‚ marking a major milestone in expanding access to mental health care in Nevada County. The new facility is expected to open in late fall 2027 and will provide critical psychiatric services that are currently unavailable within the county.
The center will include 16 beds to support individuals experiencing acute mental health needs‚ offering both short-term and longer-term treatment options. This project helps address a long-standing gap in care‚ as individuals in crisis have historically been transferred hours away from their community for treatment – creating additional strain on patients and their families.
Funded through a $23.7 million Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program award under Proposition 1‚ the facility represents a significant investment in local‚ accessible care.
This project reflects a shared commitment among state and local partners to strengthen the continuum of care‚ ensure individuals can access services closer to home‚ and support the health and well-being of the community for years to come.
Common Threads Honors Women in Agriculture
Team Dahle was honored this week to help celebrate amazing women who’ve made important contributions to Northern California agriculture at the Common Threads North dinner and awards ceremony in Chico. Of the half dozen award recipients‚ three women from the 1st Senate District were honored:
Jackie Park-Burris‚ of Palo Cedro‚ has been a leader for many years in the California honeybee and queen-breeding industries‚ which her family has been involved in for nearly a century. She has served for more than 30 years on the board of the California State Beekeepers Association‚ has served as chair of the California State Apiary Board‚ and has been deeply involved in work to protect pollinator health.
Toni Scott‚ of Chico‚ is an energetic leader in the Butte County agriculture community‚ serving on the Butte County Farm Bureau board of directors as well as the Butte Agriculture Foundation. She also founded the Carnivore Crew‚ which raises money in the community to support junior livestock exhibitors at local fair auctions while donating the meat to the Jesus Center. She is also deeply involved in civic life in Chico‚ serving on the Planning Commission‚ the Sustainability Task Force and more.
Anjanette Shadley‚ of Chico‚ is a longtime Sacramento Valley water leader‚ until recently with the Western Canal Water District‚ as well as the Northern California Water Association and the Association of California Water Agencies. She has devoted a career to enhancing the water infrastructure of the North State‚ protecting and responsibly using groundwater‚ and mentoring young water professionals.
I am grateful for their strong leadership and congratulate them on earning this award.
Exploring the Challenges of Rural Health Care
Nobody living in the North State will be surprised by the news that the region struggles to attract and retain enough doctors to meet our needs‚ and that in many cases our health suffers for it.
A recent study by the California Health Care Foundation‚ however‚ put hard numbers to that intuition‚ at least for Shasta and Lassen counties.
For the population size‚ those counties have less than two-thirds the number of physicians – both primary care doctors and specialists – as the California average‚ even as the state itself has what many experts call a major shortage. And residents are more likely to suffer from a variety of chronic diseases.
The lead author of the study presented the findings at an event Thursday in Redding‚ followed by a panel of regional healthcare leaders discussing the details of how they are addressing those challenges at their hospitals and clinics.
Sustaining and enhancing healthcare in rural communities is one of the foundational needs of the North State‚ and a key goal in my work in the Legislature.
Stay Connected on Social Media
In addition to this weekly newsletter‚ my team and I share important updates‚ district highlights‚ and legislative news on social media‚ especially Facebook and Instagram. These platforms are a great way to stay informed and engaged with the work I’m doing on your behalf in the Senate.
If you’re not already following‚ I invite you to connect with me on social media:
Whether online or in person‚ my team and I are committed to keeping you informed and connected. If you need assistance‚ please don’t hesitate to reach out.