Penn Valley



Rodeo kicks off today;

gates open at 5 p.m.



The Penn Valley Rodeo starts today, with gates opening at 5 p.m., music and barbecue at 6 p.m., the Keith Wilson Memorial Bull Ride at 6:30 and a dance at 9 p.m. Watch for acclaimed rodeo announcer Doug Mathis, rodeo clown and barrel man Donnie Landis and born-to-buck rodeo stock provided by 4 Star Livestock Co. Tickets at the gate are $15; advance tickets for $10 are available at area businesses, see http://www.pvrodeo for locations.



Union Hill superintendent

to step down in June



Rod Fivelstad, superintendent of Union Hill School District and principal of Union Hill School, has moved up his retirement by a year due to his wife's sudden illness. Fivelstad will step down at the end of June. The district board appointed Eric Fredrickson as the next superintendent. Eileen Barker will remain as vice principal at Union Hill School and administrator for special education and categoricals. District leaders also will start their search for a new principal for the school, known locally for its high achievement.



Nevada County

Yuba Watershed hosts water walk Saturday



The Yuba Watershed Institute will host a walk down a steep slope to Spring Creek with hydrologist Sol Henson, Gary Parsons and Bob Erickson at 10 a.m. Saturday. Meet at the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center; bring water, lunch and good shoes. Call Tania Carlone at 265-4459.