Every year the Nevada County Health and Human Services Agency runs a VITA site (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) to offer free tax preparation assistance and simple return filing to qualified NevCo residents. Kelley Rees spoke with Social Service Supervisor Patricia Martin to learn about this decades-old program. 

• Dozens of people spoke on Tuesday asking the Nevada County Board of Supervisors to take action relating to ongoing ICE operations. More than one speaker told the board about a petition being circulated throughout the community. The petition can be found on the Peace and Justice Center of Nevada County's website.

• On February 26th, parcel owners and registered voters from both Fire Protection Districts will have a chance to formally protest the consolidation. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. at the Rough & Ready Fire Station at 14506 Rough and Ready Highway in Rough and Ready.

• Jonathan Maurer of Coalinga was charged with multiple crimes including assault with a deadly weapon likely to produce great bodily injury and felony vandalism after he deliberately drove his truck into a group of children and adults in front of a store in Truckee.
• Standing Together Against ICE: Tools to Protect Our Community drew hundreds to the Miners Foundry last week. Speakers shared tools and tactics that locals could use to keep their neighbors safe if ICE agents visit Nevada County.

The Nevada County Elections Office sent voter residency confirmation postcards this week to both active and inactive registered voters. The intent is to ensure voter registration records are accurate and up to date ahead of this summer's Statewide Direct Primary Election. 

• NID's recent snow survey measured about 9 1/2 inches of water—much lower than the typical 20 inches for this time of year—though NID Water Resources Superintendent Thor Larsen says all District reservoirs are close to full or spilling.
• The Hew Renew Process wants the public to help decide the fate of the historic building. 

• Organizers say "Standing Together Against ICE" will focus on real-world tools and coordinated actions that can be used to to protect neighbors if ICE shows up in Nevada County and will double as a food drive for those in need.

Artificial intelligence is something most professions are now navigating. In this 30-minute KVMR News Special, we’ll zoom in on AI as it pertains to the legal field. Why law? Well, that decision springs from the Nevada County District Attorney’s office and its coverage in the Sacramento Bee and New York Times for their misuse of generative AI in creating legal briefs.

We then take a broader look at how AI is being introduced to law students and what kind of proficiency law firms are expecting employees to posses when it comes to the rapidly developing technology. 

We speak with UC Davis School of Law Professor Peter Lee. Professor Lee is also the director of the law school’s Center for Innovation, Law and Society and sits on the school’s AI work group. In addition, we hear from Executive Director of the California Public Defenders Association Kate Chatfield.

Music by Ashot Danielyan and Viosteffa from Pixabay

• The Tibetan Monks of Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery will visit the former County Health, Education and Welfare site in Nevada City for a public ceremony of healing and blessing on Monday, February 2nd at 10:00 a.m. The site is located at 10433 Willow Valley Rd. 
• Bike riders from all over the country are organizing rides to honor murdered ICU nurse and cyclist Alex J. Pretti. Locally, community members will meet in front of You Bet! Bicycle Sales & Service -- 556 Searls Ave, Nevada City -- on Saturday, January 31st at 12:30 p.m.

• Nevada County's Board of Supervisors Workshop begins today at the Gold Miners Inn in Grass Valley. The meetings will take place today and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m about noon on Friday.
• Lockheed Martin, PG&E, Salesforce, and Wells Fargo have announced the launch of "a purpose-built venture that will integrate next-generation wildfire solutions to help first responders detect, prevent and fight catastrophic wildfires."
• Nevada City residents gathered in Calanan Park on Tuesday in memory of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.