The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors convenes at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, according to The (Calaveras County) Pine Tree. Among the items on the agenda is a proposal to adopt a minute order authorizing the chair to sign the inter-local agreement between the Regents of the University of California Cooperative Extension, Amador County, Calaveras County, El Dorado County and Tuolumne County for the provision of the UCCE program to the multi-county partnership.

Also in the news today:

In the weeds of bureaucratic insanity there sprouts a small reprieve
Steve Lopez, The Los Angeles Times

A Los Angeles man who took UC Cooperative Extension classes to learn gardening techniques has been asked to remove the plants he is growing in a city-owned parkway, the area between the curb and the sidewalk. UC Master Gardener Florence Nishida has helped the urban farmer by digging up the city's residential parkway landscaping guideline and advocating on the farmer's behalf.

Bait beats spray in war on ants
Vincent Lazaneo, Sign On San Diego

You may be tempted to grab a can of aerosol bug spray when you enter your kitchen in the morning and see ants on the counter, but UC Cooperative Extension home horticulture advisor Vince Lazaneo says there are a number of safer alternatives. Wipe up ants with soapy water, plug holes to outdoors, and use bait stations to control ant populations.