[JESSE BYRNES AND JONATHAN EASLEY]

President Trump has pardoned Joe Arpaio, the controversial former sheriff of Maricopa County, Ariz., the White House announced Friday night.

“Throughout his time as Sheriff, Arpaio continued his life’s work of protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration,” the White House said in a statement stressing Arpaio's public service.

“Sheriff Joe Arpaio is now eighty-five years old, and after more than fifty years of admirable service to our Nation, he is a worthy candidate for a Presidential pardon," the statement added.

Trump later shared the news on Twitter, writing of Arpaio, "He kept Arizona safe!"

"We're very excited. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work," Jack Wilenchik, an attorney for Arpaio, told CNN by phone. "We're very proud to see the president has done the right thing."

Wilenchik said he was contacted by White House counsel on Friday afternoon saying that Trump had signed the pardon paperwork. The attorney indicated that Arpaio's legal team would now move to ask for the case against Arpaio to be dismissed.

"Frankly, this saves everybody a lot of trouble," he said.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders had said earlier this week that Trump would make an announcement on Arpaio at an "appropriate time."

The announcement was released Friday evening as most media attention focused on a Category 4 hurricane barreling toward the Gulf Coast, impacting Texas and Louisiana.

Trump had hinted at a rally in Phoenix on Tuesday that he was preparing to pardon the controversial former sheriff, an early supporter of the president's.

Arpaio had been found guilty in a Justice Department investigation of racially profiling Latinos. He was convicted July 31 of criminal contempt for disobeying a federal judge's order on detaining individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.

Democrats and civil rights groups blasted Trump's decision to pardon Arpaio on Friday, arguing that while Trump was within his rights to pardon the former sheriff the move was unjustified.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) ripped Trump's pardon of a "fellow birther," tweeting that the move "makes a mockery of rule of law, & says communities of color can be targeted & abused w/ total impunity."

The NAACP called Arpaio "a remorseless criminal who took the law into his own hands and enacted racist policing policies," while the American Civil Liberties Union called Trump's pardon a "presidential endorsement of racism."

“On the same night that President Trump has directed the military to implement his ban on transgender people, his decision to pardon Arpaio is yet another insult to marginalized voices across our nation," interim NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement. 

"In the wake of the riot in Charlottesville started by domestic terrorists, neo-Nazis and white supremacists, Trump has once again shown us his true colors and his support for racism and violence. By pardoning Arpaio, Trump has endorsed Arpaio’s abhorrent behavior and has opened the gates for other bigots to follow in his footsteps."

Tom Perez, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, noted that Trump announced the pardon "during a natural disaster that could hurt millions."

"That's not presidential, that's a coward," said Perez, who sued Arpaio while serving in the Obama Justice Department's Civil Rights Division

Democrats had warned Trump not to pardon Arpaio at the campaign rally Tuesday, saying it would inflame racial tension at a time when the nation was on edge from the unrest in Charlottesville, Va.

But many Republicans in Arizona, including Reps. Trent Franks and Andy Biggs, had been pushing Trump to make the pardon, arguing that he had been railroaded by the Justice Department under former President Obama.

Biggs had called Arpaio’s conviction “the culmination of a political witch hunt by the Obama administration to sideline and destroy a formidable opponent.”

Updated: 10:21 p.m.

See VIDEO HERE 

[PRpond]

The following people are on the arrest log of August 25, 2017, as reported by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department:

TRYSTON ALVAREZ-ROSS
JN1704263    TRYSTON    STEPHEN    ALVAREZ-ROSS    M
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    21    EDSO
1203.2(A)    F    VIOL OF PROBATION   
11364(A)    M    POSS UNLAW PARAPHERNALIA    $2,000.00
11350(A)    M    POSSESS NARCOTIC CNTL SUB    $2,500.00

ALEXANDER ASCENCIO
JN1704271    ALEXANDER    IAN    ASCENCIO    M
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    19    EDSO
496(A)    M    REC KNWN STOLN PROP    $7,500.00

KATY BLOOM
JN1704259    KATY    LYNN    BLOOM    F
PV    20170825    RELEASED    39    PPD
243(E)(1)    M    BAT:SPOUSE/EX SP/DATE/ETC    $7,500.00

BRODY BRANZ
JN1704283    BRODY    STEVEN    BRANZ    M
LT    20170825    RELEASED    23    SLPD
647(F)    M    DISORD CONDUCT:UI/DRUG    $500.00

ARTHUR BRAZIL
JN1704275    ARTHUR    LEE    BRAZIL    M
LT    20170825    RELEASED    45    EDSO
20002(A)    M    HIT AND RUN:PROP DAMAGE    
14601.1(A)    M    DRIVE:LIC SUSPENDED/ETC    

KEVIN BURROUGHS
JN1704276    KEVIN    JAMES    BURROUGHS    M
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    33    EDSO
290.013(A)    F    SEX REG FAIL RPT ADD CHG    $30,000.00

CHRISTOPHER CATTERSON
JN1704262    CHRISTOPHER    HENRY    CATTERSON    M
LT    20170825    RELEASED    32    SLPD
23152(A)    M    DUI ALCOHOL    $15,000.00
23247(E)    M    DRIVE W/O INTERLOCK DEV    $3,000.00
ENHANCEMENT    M    ENHANCEMENT    $2,500.00
ENHANCEMENT    M    ENHANCEMENT    $5,000.00

BOBBI COGLIZER
JN1704272    BOBBI    LYNN    COGLIZER    F
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    47    EDSO
1203.2(A)    F    VIOL OF PROBATION    

ESTEBAN CORTEZ
JN1704282    ESTEBAN        CORTEZ    M
PV    20170825    RELEASED    61    EDSO
1203.2(A)    M    VIOL OF PROBATION    

THOMAS FINDLETON
JN1704266    THOMAS    JEROMY    FINDLETON    M
PV    20170825    RELEASED    43    EDSO
273.5(A)    F    CRPL INJ:SPOUS/COHAB/DATE    $50,000.00

ERARDO GUTIERREZ
JN1704280    GERARDO    ANTONIO    GUTIERREZ    M
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    22    EDSO
14601.5(A)    M    DRIV:LIC SUS/ETC:UI/RFUSL    

DANNY HIDALGO
JN1704284    DANNY    DIOISIO    HIDALGO    M
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    33    EDSO
23152(A)/23152(B)    M    DUI:ALCOHOL/DRUGS    
273A(B)    M    WILLFUL CRUELTY TO CHILD    

JOSHUA HINES
JN1704285    JOSHUA    DAVID    HINES    M
PV    20170826    INCUSTODY    26    PPD
488    M    PETTY THEFT    $5,000.00

JOHNATHAN JOHNSON
JN1704265    JOHNATHAN    PAUL    JOHNSON    M
PV    20170825    RELEASED    31    EDSO
23152(A)/23152(B)    M    DUI:ALCOHOL/DRUGS    

LEANN KAZAN
JN1704273    LEANN    MARIE    KAZAN    F
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    41    EDSO
647(F)    M    DISORD CONDUCT:ALCOHOL    $500.00

JOSE MARTINEZ
JN1704279    JOSE    ALEJANDRO    MARTINEZ    M
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    23    EDSO
273.5    F    INFLICT CRPL INJ SP/COHAB    $50,000.00

JASON MENDOZA
JN1704264    JASON    JOHN    MENDOZA    M
LT    20170825    RELEASED    39    SLPD
1203.2(A)    M    VIOL OF PROBATION    
2800.1(A)    M    EVADING PEACE OFFICER    $2,000.00
14601.1(A)    M    DRIVE:LIC SUSPENDED/ETC    $2,000.00

BRIAN MORGAN
JN1704274    BRIAN    RAYMOND    MORGAN    M
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    31    PPD
11377(A)    M    POSSESS CNTL SUB    $2,500.00
11364(A)    M    POSS UNLAW PARAPHERNALIA    $2,000.00

ABDERRAHIM MOUHSINE
JN1704261    ABDERRAHIM        MOUHSINE    M
PV    20170825    RELEASED    47    EDSO
11350(A)    M    POSSESS NARCOTIC CNTL SUB    
537(A)(1)    M    DEFRAUD INNKEEPER -$950    

JAMES NICHOLS
JN1704278    JAMES    ALLEN    NICHOLS    M
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    36    EDSO
11377(A)    M    POSSESS CNTL SUB   

JACOB PELLEY
JN1704268    JACOB    PATRICK    PELLEY    M
LT    20170825    RELEASED    26    EDSO
23152(B)    M    DUI ALCOHOL/0.08 PERCENT    

KIMBERLY SAYRE
JN1704277    KIMBERLY    SUE    SAYRE    F
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    53    EDSO
368(E)    F    ELD/ETC THEFT BY CARETAKR    

KIMBERLY STALLINGS
JN1704281    KIMBERLY    TROY    STALLINGS    F
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    22    EDSO
273.5    F    INFLICT CRPL INJ SP/COHAB    $50,000.00

LYNWOOD TOWLE
JN1704260    LYNWOOD    MCMURRY JR    TOWLE    M
LT    20170825    INCUSTODY    55    EDSO
11377(A)    M    POSSESS CNTL SUB    $2,500.00
11378    F    POSS CNTL SUB FOR SALE    $75,000.00
11350(A)    M    POSSESS NARCOTIC CNTL SUB    $2,500.00
11351    F    POS/PUR F/SALE NARC/C/SUB   $20,000.00
305(A)(1)    F    PROHIB OWN/ETC AMMO/ETC    $20,000.00

LYLE URECH
JN1704269    LYLE    RANDALL    URECH    M
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    63    EDSO
10851(A)    F    VEHICLE THEFT   

CHRISTOPHER WAGNER
JN1704267    CHRISTOPHER    RYAN    WAGNER    M
PV    20170825    INCUSTODY    28    PCHP
2800.2(A)    F    EVADE PO:DISREGARD SAFETY    $50,000.00
10851(A)    F    VEHICLE THEFT    $25,000.00
69    F    OBSTRUCT/RESIST EXEC OFF    $25,000.00
23152(E)    M    DUI DRUG    $10,000.00
6(A)    F    REC KNWN STOLN PROP    $7,500.00

EDSO Actvity Log for 8/25/2017

@ 0147 11364(A) HS POSS UNLAW PARAPHERN \ FRENCH CREEK RD, SHINGLE SPRINGS EG1707550
AN ADULT MALE WAS CITED FOR POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PARAPHERNALIA.
S01 ARRESTED PIERCE, JACK SEX=M AGE=33

@ 0214 INFO IN VHR VIOLATION \ NEZ PERCE DR, TAHOE PARADISE EG1707551
A MALE SUBJECT REPORTED A VACATION RENTAL VIOLATION.
S01 SEX=M SUSPECT AGE=22

@ 0651 10851(A) VC VEHICLE THEFT \ SLY PARK RD, POLLOCK PINES EG1707555
S01 ARRESTED WAGNER, CHRISTOPHER SEX=M AGE=28

@ 0749 484(A) PC THEFT OF PERSONAL PR \ SERVICE CT, DIAMOND SPRINGS EG1707559
VICTIM HAD THREE DISTINCTIVE BICYCLES STOLEN FROM IN FRONT OF HIS APARTMENT.
V01 SEX=M VICTIM AGE =32

@ 0810 602 PC TRESPASSING \ HIGHWAY 49 HY, DIAMOND SPRINGS EG1707556
A DIAMOND SPRINGS TRANSIENT TRESPASSED INTO THE VICTIM'S BACKYARD BEFORE AGGRESSIVELY POUNDING ON HER FRONT DOOR.
V01 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 24
S01 SEX=M SUSPECT AGE=52

@ 0934 415 PC DOMESTIC DISPUTE \ HEADY CT, DIAMOND SPRINGS EG1707558
MALE AND FEMALE COHABITATING COUPLE GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT. NO ALLEGATIONS OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE WERE MADE. INFO ONLY.

@ 1116 488 PC PETTY THEFT \ FRENCH CREEK RD, SHINGLE SPRINGS EG1707560
A MATTRESS WAS STOLEN FROM THE FRONT DRIVEWAY OF A PRIVATE RESIDENCE.
V01 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 33

# REDACTED

@ 1251 488 PC PETTY THEFT \ PERKS CT, DIAMOND SPRINGS EG1707563
VIA EDSO ON LINE REPORTING SYSTEM- VICTIM REPORTED PETTY THEFT. DOCUMENTATION REPORT ONLY.

@ 1432 14205 HS MISSING PERSON \ CAMERON PARK DR, CAMERON PARK EG1707573
DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO THE REPORT OF A MISSING FAMILY FROM THE LAS VEGAS AREA.
V01 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 55
V02 SEX=M VICTIM AGE =60
V03 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 0
V04 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 0

@ 1440 23103(A) VC RECKLESS DRIVING:HIG \ HIGHWAY 50 HY, DIAMOND SPRINGS EG1707567
TRAFFIC CITATION (RECKLESS DRIVING)
V01 SEX=M VICTIM AGE =62
S01 ARRESTED NAVARRO, JOHN SEX=M AGE=32

@ 1451 CASE UNFOUNDED EG1707569
DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED TO A REPORT OF A MALE BRANDISHING A FIREARM. DEPUTIES ARRIVED ON SCENE AND DETERMINED THE INCIDENT WAS UNFOUNDED

@ 1730 647(F) PC DISORD CONDUCT:ALCOH \ HEAVENLY RIDGE RD, MOUNT AUKUM EG1707571
ADULT FEMALE ARRESTED FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION.
S01 ARRESTED KAZAN, LEANN SEX=F AGE=41

@ 1743 INFO IN INFORMATION \ MILBRAE DR, CAMERON PARK EG1707570
AN ADULT FEMALE REPORTED AN UNKNOWN MALE SUBJECT KNOCKED ON HER FRONT DOOR AND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN HER DOOR. 

@ 1956 273.5 PC INFLICT CRPL INJ SP/ POLLOCK PINES EG1707577
ADULT MALE ARRESTED TO FELONY DOMESTIC BATTERY
V01 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 27
V02 SEX=M VICTIM AGE =8
S01 ARRESTED MARTINEZ, JOSE SEX=M AGE=23

@ 2043 647(H) PC LOITER/ETC PRIVATE P \ CAPETANIOS DR, EL DORADO HILLS EG1707580
FOUR SUBJECTS WERE CONTACTED AT A RESIDENCE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
S01 SEX=M SUSPECT AGE=20
S02 SEX=M SUSPECT AGE=20
S03 SEX=M SUSPECT AGE=23
S04 SEX=M SUSPECT AGE=22

@ 2130 488 PC PETTY THEFT \ SPORTS CLUB DR, SHINGLE SPRINGS EG1707581
AN ADULT FEMALE REPORTED HER VEHICLE AND HOUSE KEYS WERE STOLEN FROM A LOCKER WHILE SHE WAS AT THE GYM.
V01 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 18
S01 SEX=F SUSPECT AGE=0 

[Distribution of personal information related to juveniles, victims of Domestic Violence and\or victims of sexual assault is unlawful.]

Please Note: Arrests are made based upon probable cause. All are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
 

[PRpond]

Goodwill will be accepting applications and conducting interviews for positions at our Placerville, CA store. 9am - 4pm, Aug 30th, 2017.

Position Information:
 
$10.50 per hour
 
Offers of employment may be contingent on satisfactory results of a criminal history background check and drug test. This organization participates in E-Verify. 

Please submit an application by following this LINK

Placerville, CA store
3858 Forni Road
Placerville, CA 95667
9am - 4pm
Aug 30th, 2017

[PRpond]

Men and women golfers are invited to participate in the 16th Annual Foothills Charity Golf Classic on Monday, Oct. 9 at Apple Mountain Golf Resort in Camino.

This year’s tournament is raising money to help veterans  throughout the region by supporting the El Dorado County Veterans Alliance and to provide mentoring and support programs for men in the foothills region.

The cost of only $80 per golfer includes a cart, 18 holes of golf, free driving range, a barbecue dinner, hole-in-one and longest drive contests. The event also includes a charity raffle and live auction.

Church of the Foothills Men's Golf Tournament is coming October 9th. The tournament includes: 18 holes with cart, range balls, drawing & door prizes, hole-in-one contest, longest drive contest, purchase mulligans.

Tournament Schedule: 8:30am Check-in | 10am Shotgun start | 3pm Prizes awarded

Country club attire required.

Cost: $80.

To register online as an individual or foursome, or to become a tournament sponsor go to cotf.org/golfing. For more information, contact Pastor Sam at Church of the Foothills in Cameron Park at sam@cotf.org.
    
 

[EID]

Updated Forebay Project FAQs and Webpages.

The Forebay Dam Remediation Project was approved by EID's Board of Directors at it's August 14, 2017 Regular Board Meeting.

Project construction is scheduled to begin in September 2017. To learn more about the proejct, please visit EID's Forebay Dam Project webpage that provides background information about the project. 

EID has also developed a Forebay Updates and Documents webpage to help keep the public informed of project activities during construction and added a photo album that currently has historical photos of the project during its construction in the early 1920s.

For project and construction related questions you may contact us as listed below.

E-mail: ForebayProject@eid.org

Phone: (530) 622-4513 Ask for a Forebay Project representative.

[Lieutenant James Byers, EDSO]

(UPDATED)

The California Highway Patrol has located the stolen Mikuni’s van used in these two crimes at a location off of Douglas Blvd just outside the City of Roseville.  The van was unoccupied.

Commercial Burglary and Robbery tied to Stolen Van

During the early morning hours of August 25th, 2017, two unknown suspects broke into the Valero Gas Station on Pony Express Trail at Ridgeway Drive.  The suspects stole numerous items and were seen driving a white commercial van with a distinctive Mikuni’s restaurant logo on the side.

About an hour later, the same suspects, driving the same vehicle broke into the El Dorado Saloon.  During this burglary, an employee arrived at the business and interrupted the criminals.  The criminals ordered the employee to the floor, finished stealing items, and fled, leaving the employee unharmed.

A check with the owner of the commercial van revealed it had been stolen during the night from their Roseville business.  Roseville Police Department is handling the stolen vehicle portion of this incident, while the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the commercial burglary at the Valero Gas Station and the robbery at the El Dorado Saloon.

Anyone with any information regarding either of these crimes, please call (530)621-6600.

Large Photos:

Van: http://pio.edso.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/17E32605.jpg

Suspect Img 1: http://pio.edso.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/17E32607.jpg

Suspect img 2: http://pio.edso.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/17E32608.jpg

--

[Cris Alarcon, Placerville Newswire]

On Thursday, August 24, the California Supreme Court issued its opinion in Briggs v. Brown, which upheld Proposition 66, the 2016 initiative to “mend not end” the death penalty in California, which was approved by the voters last November.

El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson commented,

“As a supporter of Prop. 66 I am pleased that the California Supreme Court upheld the will of the people and allowed the initiative to stand. The reforms contained in this law are critically important to ensure justice for victims and that the death penalty process is carried out in a timely matter for the most vicious criminals."[District Attorney Vern Pierson, August 25, 2017]

In November 2016, voters in the state of California passed Proposition 66, the “Death Penalty Reform and Savings Act of 2016,” a ballot measure that changed the procedures and limited the time during which death sentences could be appealed, with just 51% of the vote. 

Proposition 66 introduced measures that, among other things:

- Changes procedures governing state court appeals and petitions challenging death penalty convictions and sentences.
- Designates superior court for initial petitions and limits successive petitions.
- Establishes time frame for state court death penalty review.
- Requires appointed attorneys who take noncapital appeals to accept death penalty appeals

Ron Briggs and John Van De Kamp had challenged the constitutionality of Proposition 66 before the California Supreme Court, seeking injunctive relief to stay its implementation.. Plaintiffs argue that Prop 66 is unconstitutional because it violates the California Constitution’s single subject rule for ballot provisions, improperly interferes with the jurisdiction of appellate courts to hear habeas petitions, violates the separation of powers doctrine by setting deadlines for processing habeas corpus petitions, and violates the equal protection rights of capital defendants by limiting their ability to file successive habeas petitions. 

On December 20, the California Supreme Court granted the stay.

On March 30, the Brennan Center filed an amicus curiae brief in support of petitioner. Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. is universally regarded as one of the most influential and liberal justices of the second half of the 20th century.  

Amici were represented pro bono by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, In its brief, the Brennan Center and co-signatories argue the proposition places unlawful obligations on how and when courts can hear these petitions, violating the separation of powers doctrine. It also argues that the petition strips the California Supreme Court, California Court of Appeals, and other state superior courts of their constitutionally granted original jurisdiction to hear habeas petitions by limiting such petitions to only the superior court that issued the death sentence. Because the provisions of this proposition are non-severable, the Center argues that the proposition must be struck as a whole.

The California Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a ballot measure approved by voters to change the state’s death penalty system and speed up executions.

SUDHIN THANAWALA and BRIAN MELLEY:  

The highly anticipated ruling concerned Proposition 66, a push to “mend not end” capital punishment in California. The measure aimed to expedite death sentences in part by setting a five-year deadline on court appeals by condemned inmates...

Arguments before a divided California Supreme Court in June focused on whether the measure’s five-year deadline to hear appeals was realistic and enforceable. Supporters of the measure surprised observers when they conceded the time limit was not mandatory but more of a guideline...

Several justices seized on that issue and asked a lawyer from the attorney general’s office how the deadline could be met without radically altering the court system and how it could be effective without consequences.

Death penalty supporters argued the measure would not create chaos and could be upheld without a hard deadline. They urged justices to give it a chance to work...

The measure — approved by 51 percent of voters — was designed by prosecutors to revamp the appeals process so the “worst of the worst” murderers are actually executed...
 

[National Weather Service Sacramento CA]

...Widespread Triple Digit Heat Sunday and Monday...

.Building high pressure over the western US will bring very hot temperatures to the interior. Peak heat will occur Sunday and Monday and cause moderate to high risk for heat related illnesses.

Hazardous Weather Conditions -- Excessive Heat Warning in effect from August 27, 11:00 AM PDT until August 28, 08:00 PM PDT

* TEMPERATURE...Daytime highs will range 100 to 110 degrees for  much of the region with overnight lows in mainly in the upper  60s to mid 70s with some of the warmer foothill locations only  cooling off into the upper 70s.

* IMPACTS...Moderate to high risk of heat related illness,  especially for sensitive groups: elderly, children, sick  people, animals.

An Excessive Heat Warning means that a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a DANGEROUS SITUATION in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions, if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

[Tom Lotshaw]
 
Stateline, Nevada – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board on Wednesday approved an emergency permit for Caltrans to remove hazardous dying trees along its highways and rights of way in the Tahoe Basin.
 
California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a tree mortality emergency in October 2015 because of widespread tree die-offs after several years of severe drought. There are now an estimated 102 million dead trees in California, with the greatest tree mortality in the Southern Sierra Nevada.
 
As part of ongoing work to reduce risks associated with tree mortality, all highways on the California side of the Tahoe Basin have been evaluated by professional foresters and certified arborists to identify dead, dying, and diseased trees that pose a hazard to life, property, and vital infrastructure.
 
Caltrans plans to move forward with removing an estimated 875 dying hazardous trees along 67.83 miles of California highways in the Tahoe Basin, including state Routes 28, 50, 89, and 267. Caltrans will work on state Route 89 immediately after Labor Day, and begin tree removals on the other highways next spring.
 
Because tree mortality continues to affect forests in the Tahoe Basin, Caltrans will inspect highways again next year for dying hazardous trees.
 
Caltrans is reaching out to affected property owners with letters and door hangers that provide information about the tree removal project. Caltrans must receive permission from all affected property owners before removing hazardous trees from private or public property.
 
Trees within Caltrans right of way, as well as hazardous trees outside the right of way that are tall enough to strike roads, bike paths, bridges, and other highway facilities will be removed at no cost to affected property owners. Property owners who opt out or deny permission assume liability for damage or injury if a tree from their property has been marked with orange paint by Caltrans contractors and falls on a state highway. In similar projects around the state, Caltrans has seen participation rates of up to 98 percent.
 
Caltrans will work to protect the public during tree removal operations with lower speed limits, on-site law enforcement, lane and shoulder closures during lower-peak travel times, and traffic management plans to reduce travel delays.
 
Trees with no green growth are considered dead and can be removed without a TRPA permit. Live trees smaller than 14 inches diameter at breast height can also be removed without a TRPA permit. To promote fire defensible space on private properties, TRPA has agreements with all local fire districts allowing them to mark and permit the removal of trees larger than 14 inches diameter at breast height. Removal of live trees larger than 6 inches diameter at breast height on lakefront properties in the Tahoe Basin requires a TRPA permit.

[PRpond]

Farm Days are fun, hands-on field trips where lessons of agriculture and its role in our everyday lives, our county, and its economy are taught in the context of local farms, ranches, forests, and watersheds. Registration is available to all 3rd grade classes in El Dorado County.

Students and teachers experience the sights, sounds, smells and feels of agriculture at Farm Day. Throughout the day, students and their teachers rotate to 6-8 different learning stations to learn about farms, natural resources, food, nutrition and animals.

Learning Stations are presented by organizations, businesses, and persons who are experts in their field. Some topics include:

nutrition;
local produce, food preservation;
worm composting, soil;
working animals – horses, goats;
food animals – poultry, cattle, pigs;
animals that provide fiber –;
alpaca, llama, sheep;
invasive and beneficial insects;
milk and dairy;
resources from healthy forests;
organic pest management;
watersheds, irrigation;
land stewardship;
bats;
…and much more teaching students where their food, fiber, and shelter comes from.

Invitation only. Pre Registration required. 
Public · Hosted by El Dorado County Ag in the Classroom
Tuesday, September 19 at 9:45 AM - 1 PM
El Dorado County Ag in the Classroom
Shingle Springs, California 95682

If you have any questions regarding South Lake Tahoe Farm Day, please contact Britney Patterson, Program Coordinator at b.patterson@agintheclass-edc.org or online at http://agintheclass-edc.org/programs-resources/farm-day/

Facebook EVENT page

[PRpond]

El Dorado County residents are no strangers to apple farming. With Apple Hill and apple picking season, cider tasting, doughnut sampling and pies for sale, apple culture is a familiar fall experience. Unknown to some, though, is the actual process of grafting by which an apple is produced. 

Intersecting art, agriculture, and science, renowned Los Angeles-based artist Jessica Rath explores that very process in take me to the apple breeder, the new exhibition opening September 1, 2017, presented by El Dorado Arts Council at the Fausel House Gallery.

Public Opening Reception
Friday, Sept 1 
6 - 8 pm 

Fausel House Gallery
772 Pacific St, Placerville

Featuring Hors d'oeuvres from The Farm Table and Wine from Boeger Winery

Rath visited the Plant Genetics Resource Unit (PGRU) in Geneva, New York, a joint USDA/Cornell University project, in order to better understand the process of grafting, necessary to maintain a vast living collection of edible apples.

Clone with central leader. 2011. Photography. Archival pigment print on exhibition fiber. Ceramic sculptures of several varieties found at PGRU were made during her first visit. She mimicked the size and shape of each chosen varietal while mixing and matching high fire glazes to allude to the hues representative of each piece.  Returning in 2011, she photographed the "sister" trees planted by apple breeder Dr. Susan K. Brown. Dr. Brown utilized thousands of seeds from a crossbreeding of two apple varieties. These trees will mature, unpruned, for seven to eight years before Brown will choose one apple from the entire orchard to call a new variety. Rath shot the trees in the winter against large white muslin backdrops to catch the beautiful, leafless silhouettes and the sensuous detail of their skin.    The sculptures and large-scale photographs make up the exhibition visiting the Fausel House Gallery this fall.   Drap d'or gueneme. 2011. Sculpture. High-fire glazed porcelain. --- El Dorado Arts Council's mission to promote, connect, and empower arts and culture throughout the county is achieved by targeted programs and services, a vibrant gallery exhibition series, and a focus on initiatives which support and sustain the cultural life of the region.

[PRpond]

The following people are on the arrest log of August 26, 2017, as reported by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department:

JOSE AYALA
JN1704291    JOSE    GABRIEL    AYALA    M
PV    20170826    INCUSTODY    27    EDSO
273.5    F    INFLICT CRPL INJ SP/COHAB    $50,000.00
273A(A)    F    CHILD CRUELTY:POS INJ/DTH    $50,000.00
1203.2(A)    M    VIOL OF PROBATION    $10,000.00

SHERRY BAUTISTA
JN1704290    SHERRY    MARIE    BAUTISTA    F
PV    20170826    RELEASED    38    EDSO
23152(F)    M    DUI ALCOHOL/DRUG    $5,000.00

EVAN BRADLEY
JN1704298    EVAN    COOPER    BRADLEY    M
PV    20170826    INCUSTODY    28    SP
148(A)(1)    M    OBSTRUCT/ETC PUB OFCR/ETC    $3,000.00

MICHAELA BREWER
JN1704300    MICHAELA    NANCY    BREWER    F
LT    20170826    INCUSTODY    22    SLPD
10851(A)    F    VEHICLE THEFT    $25,000.00

JEFFERY CHICKELERO
JN1704287    JEFFERY    LEONARD    CHICKELERO    M
PV    20170826    INCUSTODY    60    EDSO
3056    F    VIOLATION OF PAROLE:FEL    

JASON CORBIN
JN1704294    JASON    EMMETT    CORBIN    M
PV    20170826    INCUSTODY    45    EDSO
243(E)(1)    M    BAT:SPOUSE/EX SP/DATE/ETC    $7,500.00
422(A)    M    THRTN CRIME:INT:TERRORIZE    $25,000.00

ADAM DAVIS
JN1704292    ADAM    CHRISTOPHE    DAVIS    M
PV    20170826    RELEASED    47    PCHP
23152(A)/23152(B)    M    DUI:ALCOHOL/DRUGS    $15,000.00
166(A)(4)    M    CONTEMPT:DISOBEY CRT ORDR    $2,000.00
1203.2(A)    M    VIOL OF PROBATION / 2 PRIOR DUI CONVICTIONS    $15,000.00
ENHANCEMENT    M    ENHANCEMENT - FOR BAIL PURPOSES ONLY    $2,500.00

JULIE DUNN
JN1704296    JULIE    MARIE    DUNN    F
PV    20170826    INCUSTODY    45    EDSO
273.5(A)    F    CRPL INJ:SPOUS/COHAB/DATE   $50,000.00
245(A)(1)    F    ADW NOT FIREARM    $25,000.00

WAYNE DURSTON
JN1704288    WAYNE    BERTRAM    DURSTON    M
PV    20170826    INCUSTODY    56    EDSO
23152(E)    M    DUI DRUG    

TODD HELMS
JN1704286    TODD    LAURENCE    HELMS    M
PV    20170826    INCUSTODY    56    EDSO
273.5(A)    F    CRPL INJ:SPOUS/COHAB/DATE    

JOSHUA HINES
JN1704285    JOSHUA    DAVID    HINES    M
PV    20170826    RELEASED    26    PPD
488    M    PETTY THEFT    $5,000.00

ROBERT LOWTHER
JN1704297    ROBERT    JAMES    LOWTHER    M
LT    20170826    INCUSTODY    38    EDSO
11364(A)    M    POSS UNLAW PARAPHERNALIA    $2,000.00
466    M    POSSESS BURGLARY TOOLS    $2,000.00
602    M    TRESPASSING    $2,000.00
487J    M    GRAND THEFT:COPPER    $2,000.00
HANCEMENT    M    ENHANCEMENT/ BAIL PURPOSES ONLY    $2,500.00

DILLON MCINTOSH
JN1704302    DILLON    PARKER    MCINTOSH    M
PV    20170826    INCUSTODY    25    EDSO
243(E)(1)    M    BAT:SPOUSE/EX SP/DATE/ETC    $7,500.00

JENNIFER PRISK
JN1704295    JENNIFER    MARIE    PRISK    F
PV    20170826    RELEASED    35    EDSO
11350(A)    M    POSSESS NARCOTIC CNTL SUB    $2,500.00
1203.2(A)    M    VIOL OF PROBATION    $2,500.00
ENHANCEMENT    M    ENHANCEMENT - FOR BAIL PURPOSES ONLY    $2,500.00

JESUS SANCHEZ
JN1704289    JESUS    LOPEZ    SANCHEZ    M
PV    20170826    RELEASED    30    PPD
23152(A)/23152(B)    M    DUI:ALCOHOL/DRUGS   $5,000.00

CALVIN SCHAEFER
JN1704299    CALVIN    GRANT    SCHAEFER    M
PV    20170826    RELEASED    18    PCHP
23152(A)    M    DUI ALCOHOL    
23152(B)    M    DUI ALCOHOL/0.08 PERCENT    

JAY SPEAR
JN1704301    JAY    WESLEY    SPEAR    M
PV    20170826    INCUSTODY    52    EDSO
14601.1(A)    M    DRIVE:LIC SUSPENDED/ETC    $2,500.00
11364(A)    M    POSS UNLAW PARAPHERNALIA    $2,000.00
ENHANCEMENT    M    ENHANCEMENT - FOR BAIL PURPOSES ONLY    $5,000.00
ENHANCEMENT    M    ENHANCEMENT - FOR BAIL PURPOSES ONLY    $5,000.00

CLARENCE THOMPSON
JN1704303    CLARENCE        THOMPSON    M
PV    20170826    INCUSTODY    65    EDSO
459    F    BURGLARY    $50,000.00
ENHANCEMENT    F    ENHANCEMENT - FOR BAIL PURPOSES ONLY    $90,000.00
ENHANCEMENT    F    ENHANCEMENT - FOR BAIL PURPOSES ONLY    $40,000.00

EMMA WORTHY
JN1704293    EMMA    LEANNA    WORTHY    F
PV    20170826    RELEASED    37    EDSO
11377(A)    M    POSSESS CNTL SUB    $2,500.00

EDSO Actvity Log for 

[Distribution of personal information related to juveniles, victims of Domestic Violence and\or victims of sexual assault is unlawful.]

Please Note: Arrests are made based upon probable cause. All are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
 

[Chandra Serfoss]

The Republican Party, if it's going to continue forward, needs to decide if it's the party of Lincoln or the party of the Confederate States of America. 

The two disparate histories written at the close of the war between the states cannot be reconciled.

I see Republicans (and conservatives) making several arguments as to why no Confederate statues should be moved from government properties, but the two I find most interesting can often be found in the same Facebook thread: that those statues are honoring "our" heritage, AND it's Democrats wishing to erase their "evil" history. 

It can't be both. Think about it.

Chandra Serfoss.

----

Directly behind the statue of Abraham Lincoln inside the memorial chamber an inscription reads:

IN THIS TEMPLE
AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE
FOR WHOM HE SAVED THE UNION
THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
IS ENSHRINED FOREVER

[Senator Ted Gaines. Senator Gaines is joined by Pastor Clay Rojas (middle) as he presents a certificate to Warden Randy Grounds (left).]

It was my honor to present a Certificate of Recognition to Warden Randy Grounds during a recent “Christians in Law Enforcement” event at William Jessup University. 

Warden Grounds retired after 34 years of service, starting with the El Dorado County Probation Department and then on to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Most recently, he served as warden of Salinas Valley State Prison where he is credited with significantly reducing the number of violent incidents that took place at the prison by increasing rehabilitation programs available to prisoners such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, along with a number of faith-based programs. 

I am thankful for his hard work and dedication to California and that he is continuing to share his knowledge and experience in advisory roles during his retirement.
 

[Wine and Dine Gold Country]

Wine and Dine Gold Country created this great newsletter and organize events all in one place to save you work in searching for events.  We love our community and it's our gift to you!       Check the ongoing events for information about the Community Observatory, a wonderful family friendly venue and all events are free!   Events in the newsletter Include Olde Coloma Theatre melodrama, car shows, art studio tours, Halloween events, wine festival, kids' carnival, car show, ice cream social, poker tournament, golf tournament, BBQ's, family events, chili cookoff, rock and gem show, fly-in, Songs for HartSong Ranch benefit, Georgetown's Founders Day and so much more!  

If you have friends or family coming for a visit, share this newsletter with them before they come.   They might find great events that they would like to attend!  This newsletter covers events on Western Slope El Dorado County. 

[EDSO Lieutenant James Byers]

On June 8, 2017, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office assisted California State Parks with a report of a missing kayaker. The kayaker, Dan Pham, left from Lester Beach on his way to boat camp in Emerald Bay. Pham never arrived.

An extensive search effort was conducted by El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR), El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Marine unit, California State Parks, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office SAR, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Marine unit, United States Coast Guard, and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. During this search, SAR K9 teams located an area of interest off Rubicon Point, but Pham was not located.

On August 26, 2017, a non-profit group called Bruce’s Legacy (from Wisconsin) arrived to assist. Bruce’s Legacy has located 18 drowning victims in just four years by using state of the art side scan sonar, Tow Fish sonar, an underwater remote operating vehicle (ROV), and years of operating experience. Bruce’s Legacy assisted in another recovery in Lake Tahoe in July, and made a recovery at Stampede Reservoir a few days ago.  Utilizing their side scan sonar, Bruce's Legacy located Dan Pham in 245 feet of water off of Rubicon Point, in the area of K9 alerts. Pham’s body was recovered after being brought to the surface by the ROV operated by Bruce's Legacy.  The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Coroner Division and South Lake Tahoe Detectives are handling this investigation.

The Pham family was extremely grateful for the efforts made by everyone and thankful their loved one can be put to rest.  The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office extends our deepest condolences to the Pham Family.

Refer to below link for extra information.

http://www.bruceslegacy.com

[PRpond]

The following people are on the arrest log of August 27, 2017, as reported by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department:

RALPH ALEXANDER
JN1704312    RALPH    JAMES    ALEXANDER    M
PV    20170827    RELEASED    61    PPD
647(I)    M    DIS CON:PEEKS INHAB BLDG    $5,000.00

PATRICK BAKER
JN1704324    PATRICK    BRYAN    BAKER    M
LT    20170827    INCUSTODY    41    SLPD
23153(B)    F    DUI .08 ALCOHOL:BODLY INJ    $75,000.00
148(A)(1)    M    OBSTRUCT/ETC PUB OFCR/ETC    $3,000.00
20001(B)(1)    F    HIT AND RUN:INJURY    $25,000.00

KRISTEN BOLCAR
JN1704322    KRISTEN        BOLCAR    F
LT    20170827    RELEASED    36    EDSO
11350(A)    M    POSSESS NARCOTIC CNTL SUB    $2,500.00
11364(A)    M    POSS UNLAW PARAPHERNALIA    $2,000.00

MARK BRESLIN
JN1704320    MARK    ROBERT    BRESLIN    M
PV    20170827    INCUSTODY    67    EDSO
273.6(A)    M    VIO ORD:PREVNT DOMES VIOL    $25,000.00

BENJAMIN GARCIA
JN1704306    BENJAMIN    JOEL    GARCIA    M
PV    20170827    RELEASED    22    EDSO
11364(A)    M    POSS UNLAW PARAPHERNALIA    $2,000.00
1203.2(A)    M    VIOL OF PROBATION    $2,500.00

TRICIA GARDUNO
JN1704311    TRICIA    LEANN    GARDUNO    F
PV    20170827    RELEASED    40    EDSO
11550(A)    M    UNDER INFLUENCE CNTL SUB   $2,000.00
ENHANCEMENT    M    ENHANCEMENT-FOR BAIL PURPOSES ONLY    $5,000.00

JASON GLEICH
JN1704318    JASON        GLEICH    M
LT    20170827    RELEASED    46    EDSO
148(A)(1)    M    OBSTRUCT/ETC PUB OFCR/ETC    $3,000.00

AZIZA GRAVES
JN1704313    AZIZA    OUIDA CLAP    GRAVES    F
PV    20170827    INCUSTODY    37    EDSO
490.2    M    PETTY THEFT -$950    $5,000.00
166(A)(4)    M    CONTEMPT:DISOBEY CRT ORDR    $5,000.00
166(A)(4)    M    CONTEMPT:DISOBEY CRT ORDR    $5,000.00

NORBERTO GUTIERREZ-CEJA
JN1704307    NORBERTO    JOSE    GUTIERREZ-CEJA    M
LT    20170827    RELEASED    26    SLPD
148(A)(1)    M    OBSTRUCT/ETC PUB OFCR/ETC    $3,000.00
496(A)    M    REC KNWN STOLN PROP   $2,000.00
11377(A)    M    POSSESS CNTL SUB    $2,500.00
ENHANCEMENT    M    ENHANCEMENT:FOR BAIL PURPOSES ONLY    $2,500.00

LADALE HERNANDEZ
JN1704310    LADALE    FRANK    HERNANDEZ    M
PV    20170827    INCUSTODY    40    EDSO
3455    F    POST RELEASE REVOCATION   

MYKALA MARTIN
JN1704305    MYKALA    KIANN    MARTIN    F
PV    20170827    RELEASED    19    EDSO
11364(A)    M    POSS UNLAW PARAPHERNALIA    $2,000.00
11350(A)    M    POSSESS NARCOTIC CNTL SUB    $2,500.00

DEREK MILLER
JN1704309    DEREK    CLIFFTON    MILLER    M
PV    20170827    INCUSTODY    38    EDSO
1203.2(A)    M    VIOL OF PROBATION    

DANIEL MONK
JN1704321    DANIEL    JOSEPH    MONK    M
LT    20170827    INCUSTODY    34    SLPD
23152(A)    M    DUI ALCOHOL    $15,000.00
69    F    OBSTRUCT/RESIST EXEC OFF    $25,000.00
14601.1(A)    M    DRIVE:LIC SUSPENDED/ETC    $2,500.00

ZACHARY MOORE
JN1704314    ZACHARY    KENDALL    MOORE    M
PV    20170827    RELEASED    26    EDSO
11350(A)    M    POSSESS NARCOTIC CNTL SUB    $5,000.00

CHRISTOPHER PETTIGREW
JN1704323    CHRISTOPHER    RAY    PETTIGREW    M
LT    20170827    INCUSTODY    31    SLPD
23152(A)/23152(B)    M    DUI:ALCOHOL/DRUGS    $20,000.00

SHAUN PONCE
JN1704304    SHAUN    LOUIS    PONCE    M
LT    20170827    RELEASED    38    SLPD
647(F)    M    DISORD CONDUCT:ALCOHOL    $500.00

DEBRA REYES
JN1704316    DEBRA    DARLENE    REYES    F
PV    20170827    RELEASED    40    EDSO
11377(A)    M    POSSESS CNTL SUB    $2,500.00
11364(A)    M    POSS UNLAW PARAPHERNALIA    $2,000.00

ADAM SARGENT
JN1704317    ADAM    EUGENE    SARGENT    M
PV    20170827    INCUSTODY    35    EDSO
14601.1(A)    M    DRIVE:LIC SUSPENDED/ETC    $10,000.00
11377(A)    M    POSSESS CNTL SUB    $2,000.00
3455    F    POST RELEASE REVOCATION    

JOSEPH SCHEIVE
JN1704319    JOSEPH    ALLEN    SCHEIVE    M
PV    20170827    INCUSTODY    33    EDSO
1203.2(A)    M    VIOL OF PROBATION    

ZACHARY SMITH
JN1704308    ZACHARY    JASON    SMITH    M
PV    20170827    RELEASED    25    PCHP
23152(A)/23152(B)    M    DUI:ALCOHOL/DRUGS    $20,000.00
ENHANCEMENT    M    ENHANCEMENT-FOR BAIL PURPOSES ONLY    $2,500.00

PAUL ZIERKE
JN1704315    PAUL    DARYLE    ZIERKE    M
PV    20170827    RELEASED    55    EDSO
11550    M    UNDER INFLUENCE CNTL SUB    $2,000.00

EDSO Actvity Log for 8/27/2017

@ 0103 13700 PC VERBAL DISPUTE \ DARWIN WY, EL DORADO HILLS EG1707628
A HUSBAND AND WIFE ENGAGED IN A VERBAL DISPUTE AT A RESIDENCE IN EL DORADO HILLS.

@ 0125 13700 PC DOMESTIC DISPUTE \ NORTH SHINGLE RD, EL DORADO EG1707629
KNOWN SUBJECTS WERE INVOLVED IN A DOMESTIC DISPUTE.

@ 0413 242 PC BATTERY \ GRIZZLY FLATS EG1707632
VICTIM WAS BATTERED BY A NEIGHBOR HOWEVER WOULD PROVIDE NO FURTHER INFORMATION
V01 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 21

@ 0845 27491 GC CORONER CASE \ DIAMOND SPRINGS EM1707635
V01 SEX=M VICTIM AGE =69

@ 1107 13700A PC VERBAL ARGUMENT \ WILLISTON WY, EL DORADO HILLS EG1707642
A MALE AND FEMALE SUBJECTS WERE INVOLVED IN A VERBAL ARGUMENT.

@ 1302 4000(A) VC NO REG:VEH/TRAILER/E \ GREEN VALLEY RD, RESCUE EG1707644
THE SUBJECT'S VEHICLE WAS TOWED AS A RESULT OF A TRAFFIC STOP.
S01 ARRESTED ROBINSON, KENNETH SEX=M AGE=25

@ 1511 0000 IN VEHICLE TOW \ DIVIDEND DR, SHINGLE SPRINGS EG1707647
A VEHICLE WITH EXPIRED REGISTRATION OVER 6 MONTHS, MISSING BODY PARTS AND A TIRE OFF THE RIM WAS TOWED FROM A
PUBLIC ROADWAY.

@ 1515 273.6(A) PC VIO ORD:PREVNT DOMES \ CAMERON PARK DR, CAMERON PARK EG1707650
AN ADULT MALE SUBJECT WAS ARRESTED FOR WILLFULL VIOLATION OF A RESTRAINING ORDER.
V01 SEX=F VICTIM AGE = 62
S01 ARRESTED BRESLIN, MARK SEX=M AGE=67

@ 1544 INFO IN COUNTERFEIT BILLS \ FRANCISCO DR, EL DORADO HILLS EG1707651
DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED TO A REPORT OF AN UNKNOWN SUBJECT PASSING COUNTERFEIT BILLS AT A BUSINESS.

@ 1628 13700 PC DV:VERBAL \ PAUL BUNYON RD, CAMINO EG1707654
DV:VERBAL

@ 2209 5.56.100 CO VHR NOISE COMPLAINT \ APACHE AV, SOUTH LAKE TAHO EG1707664
VHR NOISE COMPLAINT
S01 SEX=M SUSPECT AGE=27 

[Distribution of personal information related to juveniles, victims of Domestic Violence and\or victims of sexual assault is unlawful.]

Please Note: Arrests are made based upon probable cause. All are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.

[ION BALEANU]

One has to wonder our significance in this chaotic world. In layman’s terms, the Second Law of Thermodynamics says everything in our universe goes from order to disorder or order to chaos. For example, steel is a stout powerful compound of iron and carbon. In its unmolested (order) state, it has built America. With oxidation (chaos) it makes bridges, buildings, chairs, or any other structure used by it fall apart.

Contrary to Evolutionists grandiose flawed thinking our natural universe will one day be in complete chaos. Although some today feel we are already there.

This coming Friday, August 25th will mark 40 years since my family and I have been on American soil. In 1977 we stepped off the TWA flight from Austria.

So much has changed since then. Back then the U.S. government actually enforced immigration laws. Because we were political and religious refugees we spent about 6 months at a refugee camp in Traiskirchen Austria. In fact, that same refugee camp today is one of Europe’s largest. We had to wait to get proper paperwork, private financial sponsorship for three full years, and show that the head of household is able to get a job within a reasonable time. Being a welder my father was able to get a job fairly quick. Ironically we were safer only 559 km (about 6 hours) from my last memory of Aleșd, Romania.

This historical day may not be as important to others as it is to my family and I. With that said I would like to add some historical reference to the significance of 40 and or what happened around the time of our arrival into the greatest country in the history of mankind... [Ed. See below]

Forty is a significant number for many. It is especially important for those of us immigrants that chose America as our new home. I hear so many immigrants that may have come here legally say things like “back home.” Dammit, if life was so good “back home” why aren’t you there now? No, America is your home so assimilate, be a productive and legal member of society and so on. Or at least until you go, and stay, “back home.”

My father had other options for countries emigrate to but America was the most lucrative. Canada was not the nation that stood on its own against the most powerful nation. Austrailia was a pretty much started penal colony and because of its socialist leanings, it made the next natural step, communism, so much easier to take hold. We just fled communism. Why would we want to go backward. The United States was the most obvious choice.

Imagine yourself as a parent risking your child’s life on purpose. Consequently, that is exactly what my father did. For him, it was better that his children taste one millisecond of freedom than to live a lifetime of tyranny. Do you have the courage to do that?

In the beginning of this editorial, I mentioned the natural order of decay. From order comes disorder. With that said because of what our founders laid out we as Americans have the ability to buck the natural order of decay. As we become assimilated Americans we take chaos and make it into order. We take the chaos of our former nations and add to the fabric of America that previous legal immigrants turned into order. We make the beacon shine brighter in that city on a hill that attracts more to the very promise of the pursuit of happiness. Your lineage may have been here since the Mayflower or came here on the Bering Straits frozen over thousands of years ago. You may only have been here a week or 50 years. Hence, you are an America because your family immigrated here at one time or another.

As to what your purpose here is… What have you done to make America better?

ION BALEANU.

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This historical day may not be as important to others as it is to my family and I. With that said I would like to add some historical reference to the significance of 40 and or what happened around the time of our arrival into the greatest country in the history of mankind.

FACTS

Forty is the only number in English whose letters appear in alphabetical order. Minus 40 degrees, or “40 below,” is the only temperature that is the same in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. When the bubonic plague gripped Europe during the Middle Ages, ships would be isolated in the harbor for 40 days before passengers could go ashore. The Italian word for 40 is quaranta—hence quarantine. For you baseball fans, Forty is the maximum number of players a Major League Baseball team can sign to its roster at once. Forget “nine months”; a typical pregnancy actually lasts 40 weeks. It took chemists 40 attempts to develop the magical spray we know as … wait for it … WD-40 (full name: Water Displacement, 40th formula).

BIBLICAL EVENTS

It rained for 40 days and 40 nights when God wanted to cleanse the world and start over.
(Gen 7:12 KJV) And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

Noah waited another 40 days after it rained before he opened a window in the Ark.
(Gen 8:6 KJV) And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the

Courtesy of http://www.greatdreams.com/blog-2014-2/dee-blog706.html

window of the ark which he had made:

Embalming required 40 days (although this was an Egyptian custom, the Egyptians recognized the period of 40 for the preparation of going into a new life, what they called the afterlife)
(Gen 50:3 KJV) And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days.

Moses was on the mountain with God for 40 days (TWICE)
(Exo 24:18 KJV) And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
(Exo 34:28-29 KJV) And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
(Deu 10:10 NIV) Now I had stayed on the mountain forty days and nights, as I did the first time, and the LORD listened to me at this time also. It was not his will to destroy you.

Moses’ face shone after the 40 days on the mountain.
(Exo 34:29 KJV) And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

It took the spies 40 days to search out the promised land and bring back fruit
(Num 13:25 KJV) And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.

Courtesy of http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/20020720.htm

The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness, one year for each day they explored the

Promised Land.
(Exo 16:35 KJV) And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.
(Num 14:33-34 NIV) Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert. {34} For forty years–one year for each of the forty days you explored the land-you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.

Goliath came for forty days before being killed by David
(1 Sam 17:16 NLT) For forty days, twice a day, morning and evening, the Philistine giant strutted in front of the Israelite army.

Elijah strengthened by one angelic meal went forty days to Mount Horeb where the Lord passed by and he heard the voice of God
(1 Ki 19:8 KJV) And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

Jonah warned the City of Nineveh they had 40 days until God would overthrow the city. The people repented in those 40 days and God spared the city.
(Jonah 3:4 and 10 KJV) And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the

Courtesy of https://www.emaze.com/@AOFIWLLF

evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness
(Mat 3:17 KJV) And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
(Mat 4:1-2 KJV) Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. {2} And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.

Jesus was seen in the earth 40 days after His crucifixion
(Acts 1:3 NIV) After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

POP CULTURE 1977

August 17 Elvis Presley dies. Graceland celebrated it’s 20th year. Star Wars is released and is a major hit. The Chia Pet is introduced. McDonald’s Big Mac is 10 years old. Dr, Suess’s “The Cat in the Hat” turned 20 years old. The high five debuted for the first time back in 1977 when Los Angeles Dodgers players Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke first did it to celebrate the last game of the baseball season. In 1977 Slim-Fast debuted on the market, selling weight loss hopes to millions.

[ED MENDEL]

A worried Herald Fire Protection District board discussed the possibility last week that the fee for leaving CalPERS may be around $400,000, an amount some members fear could push the small district in southern Sacramento County into bankruptcy.

Earlier this month, Transparent California reported that the suburban Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District has 216 retirees receiving annual pensions of $100,000 or more, and a dozen of those are $200,000 or more.

Sacramento Metropolitan was formed from 16 smaller fire districts, several in rural areas similar to Herald. How the large consolidated district and tiny Herald evolved in such drastically different ways might make a good case study of local government efficiency.

Now Sacramento Metropolitan provides some of the most generous pensions in the state. The Herald district, which approved a $655,000 budget last week, filed to leave CalPERS in January 2016 because pension costs were becoming unaffordable.

On the Transparent California list of the 25 local governments with the most annual pensions of $100,000 or more, Sacramento Metropolitan ranks above the city of Sacramento, which is 13th with 167 pensions. The highest is former police chief Rick Braziel at $198,412.

Sacramento Metropolitan also ranks above two large regional districts. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is 15th with 159 pensions of $100,000 or more, a half dozen above $200,000. The highest is Gilbert Ivey, $298,233.

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is 24th with 133 retirees receiving pensions of $100,000 or more. Three of the pensions are above $200,000, topped by Gary Gee, $218,666.

Sacramento Metropolitan says it’s the seventh largest fire agency in the state. The only other fire district on the top 25 list, Alameda County, ranked 25th with 126 pensions of $100,000 or more, led by Daniel Berfield, $172,475.

The Alameda County Fire Distict has a smaller staff than Sacramento Metropolitan, 450 compared to 700. But it covers a higher-cost area, particularly for housing, that includes San Leandro, Newark, Union City, Emeryville, Dublin and the unincorporated area of the county.

Sacramento Metropolitan covers eastern and northern Sacramento County and a tiny piece of Placer County. It’s 358 square-mile service area has a population of 738,000 and includes Rio Linda, Citrus Heights, Orangevale, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, and Rancho Cordova.

So, why does Sacramento Metropolitan have what seems to be an unusually large number of retirees with high pensions: 216 receiving $100,000 or more a year, and the top dozen receiving $200,000 or more?

A spokesman said Sacramento Metropolitan firefighters tend to work a full career of three decades. “We do have a higher percentage of employees who reach that level,” Capt. Chris Vestal said in a brief interview, cut short.

Five years ago, a former Sacramento Metropolitan Fire chief, Kurt Henke, was among the local officials who successfully urged the CalPERS board to phase in a lower investment earnings forecast over two years, softening the impact of an employer rate increase.

Henke told the CalPERS board that Sacramento Metropolitan had closed six of 42 fire stations, cut the budget from $159 million to $132 million, and obtained $28 million in labor concessions.

He said the proposed rate increase would cost his agency $2 million to $2.5 million, adding to an expected loss of $6 million in revenue as Sacramento area property values continue to drop.

“You have a lot of local agencies that are on the verge of economic hardship and/or bankruptcy, and to implement this in one fell swoop would push a lot of those entities over the edge,” Henke said.

Top Sacramento Metropolitan pensions (Transparent California)

Herald has told the California Public Employees Retirement System that a termination fee of around $400,000 might push the small fire district into bankruptcy, said Lindsey Liebig, the Herald board chairwoman.

After filing to leave CalPERS last year, Herald waited the mandatory year before completing the exit in January. Liebig said the district was told to expect a final termination fee in four to six weeks.

But Herald is still waiting for the termination fee that could determine its future. The district has retained an attorney and is contesting some of the seven or eight former employees CalPERS thinks are eligible for a pension.

A CalPERS spokeswoman, Amy Morgan, said via email: “The District found some discrepancies for the termination valuation data (i.e., contesting employment classifications, compensation, and dates of employment) that CalPERS is validating in order to issue an accurate final termination valuation.”

Presumably, CalPERS is proceeding wtih caution because it recently cut pensions for the first time when termination fees were not paid by a tiny Sierra town, Loyalton, and a disbanded job-training agency, LA Works.

Herald could be the third round of CalPERS pension cuts, compounded this time by putting a small fire district out of business. But letting Herald off the hook could set a precedent at a time when local governments are struggling with rising pension costs.

The termination fee, due in a lump sum, is controversial. Employers and employees no longer contribute to a terminated pension plan. So CalPERS says the fee must be large enough to invest and cover all of the future costs of pensions.

If the termination fee is not paid, CalPERS cuts the pensions to the amount covered by the employer’s pension fund. The Loyalton pensions were cut by about 60 percent, currently being replaced by city payments, and LA Works pensions were cut by 63 percent, not being replaced.

In 2011 CalPERS sharply increased termination fees. The investment earnings forecast used to calculate the fee was dropped from the regular forecast, now 7 percent, to a risk-free bond rate, now 2 to 3 percent in the termination fee estimates in annual plan valuations.

Several cities, notably Villa Park, considered exiting CalPERS but balked at the high termination fee. The judge in the Stockton bankruptcy called the fee a “poison pill.” Others refer to the old “Hotel California” pop song: You can check in, but you can’t check out.

With new leadership, the Herald district is still responding to a county grand jury report in 2014. “A Firestorm Raging in Herald” said the close-knit community had been torn apart by two years of criticism of the district.

The grand jury said a bank account was not revealed to the county finance department or auditors. Firefighters were not given due process. Staff did not respond to a subpoena for financial information. And the board did not candidly respond to the public at meetings.

Last week, Liebig said a grand jury followup in June criticized the district for not budgeting money for the CalPERS termination fee. She said that would be difficult when the fee amount is uncertain and the district is continuing to spend to make more improvements.

Herald now has only one full-time employee, an administrative assistant, said Liebig. About 30 volunteer firefighters are paid by shift and per call, providing 24-hour staffing with one to three firefighters depending on the shift.

Previously, she said, three full-time firefighters only provided staffing Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last month the district, which has a 96 square mile service area, responded to 45 calls.

In discussions with CalPERS, Liebig said, estimates of the CalPERS termination fee have ranged from zero to about $400,000. She said the district is in “limbo” while waiting for a fee that may determine whether it continues to operate, closes, or merges with another district.

“I wish they would give us some sort of news, whether it’s good, bad or ugly,” Liebig said.

Originally posted at Cal Pensions.

[Dan Walters, CALmatters]

California’s Democratic state government is exerting “resistance” to the Republican federal government on issues such as immigration and climate change.

California insists, under the doctrine of “states’ rights,” that President Donald Trump and a Republican Congress should not interfere with state policies on those and other issues that reflect Californians’ views.

Meanwhile, however, the state finds itself facing similar conflicts with its own local governments over attempts to force them to comply with decrees from Sacramento.

A prime example is an effort by Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislators to compel cities to build more housing.

Although the state has long set paper quotas for housing construction, they lacked enforcement teeth. That has allowed cities to ignore the quotas when projects faced, as they often do, opposition among current residents, a syndrome known as “not in my backyard” or NIMBY.

With new housing construction generating barely half of the projected annual need of 180,000 units, Brown and lawmakers are negotiating details of legislation that would overcome NIMBYism and compel cities to approve projects meeting certain criteria, thus eroding their traditional land use powers.

City officials don’t like it. The League of California Cities says the governor’s streamlining proposal violates “the principles of local democracy and public engagement,” thus echoing complaints from Brown and other state officials about high-handed federal decrees.

Housing policy is not the only point of friction between state and local officials. For instance, members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Democrats, are complaining loudly about a pending measure that would radically change the county’s governing structure, saying it heavy-handedly violates local control.

Senate Constitutional Amendment 12, carried by Los Angeles County Sen. Tony Mendoza, would expand the county’s five-member Board of Supervisors to at least seven members after the 2020 census and, most importantly, shift much of its power to an elected county executive.

Many other examples abound, and one of the most significant is Assembly Bill 1250, which would virtually prohibit counties from using private contractors or even non-profit groups, from providing county services.

The bill, carried by Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, and backed by a powerful coalition of public employee unions, is supposedly aimed at making counties more efficient and accountable. However, it’s evident that its true motive is protecting unionized civil service jobs from private sector competition.

The bill, which has cleared the Assembly and is pending in the Senate, is being stoutly opposed by the California State Association of Counties as unwarranted state interference in local affairs.

However, the criticism is not confined to the counties themselves. The Senate Governance and Finance Committee’s staff analysis declared: “AB 1250 erodes local officials’ ability to manage local affairs, making it hard for them to preserve essential public services during tough financial times. Local elected officials are well-positioned to judge the merits of a service contract and can either negotiate better terms or reject a contract altogether.”

That did not prevent committee approval on a party-line vote, however.

The more important criticism is coming from Gov. Brown’s Department of Finance, which is opposed because “it applies a one-size-fits-all approach to contracting for personal services that could severely restrict the ability of counties to provide services in an efficient manner (and) makes sweeping change…when the extent of the problem is unknown.”

That pretty much parrots what Brown and other California politicians have been saying about sweeping, one-size-fits-all decrees from the Trump White House and the Republican Congress.

Do as we say, not as we do?