DEATH INVESTIGATION TURNS UP EXPLOSIVES IN EL DORADO COUNTY -- A coroner's investigation of a of a man's death in a rural area of of El Dorado County turned up a store of explosive materials at the 2300 block of Sandridge Road
http://goo.gl/udYbk

FEDERAL JUDGE GIVES NORTHERN CALIF POT GROWER 9-YEAR SENTENCE -- A federal judge has sentenced a northern California marijuana grower to nine years in prison for running a sophisticated pot operation in El Dorado County
http://goo.gl/BAeSu

WILTSE COURT DEAD MAN ID’D --Authorities have identified the body of a man found on a small road near a Placerville park earlier this month.  Anthony Coltra, 29, was found dead on a fire access road near Placerville’s Lumsden Park on Jan. 20.
http://goo.gl/UkPrZ

GOVERNOR NAMES TRIBAL ADVISOR -- MS. GOMEZ has been the chief justice for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok
http://goo.gl/ZVYTL

FORMER PRESCHOOL TEACHER SUES CITY OVER STUN GUN INCIDENT
http://goo.gl/Lfb43

FREE WINE TASTING IN EL DORADO HILLS on Feb. 16
http://goo.gl/ZvSDQ

YOU’LL NEVER FORGET A CHOCOLATE AFFAIR -- A Chocolate Affair is Saturday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m
http://goo.gl/k6b1C

CA MINE DISPUTE RECALLS WILD PAST -- California's Gold Rush was more than a century-and-a-half ago, but its Wild West spirit lives on in a dispute between government agencies and a landowner in the Sierra Nevada foothills
http://goo.gl/6KLPO

SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT APPLIES FOR GRANT FUNDING FOR THE RUBICON TRAIL
http://goo.gl/fjQVP

AMERICAN RIVER, PLACERVILLE -- Last landscape shot of the week, finally had some time to try out my new variable ND filter
http://goo.gl/VIiMn

SAM AANESTAD TO RUN FOR CONGRESS, SETTING UP BATTLE WITH FELLOW REPUBLICAN DOUG LAMALFA
http://goo.gl/M8clP

HOUSE PANEL APPROVES KEYSTONE PIPELINE BILL -- legislation that would reverse President Obama’s rejection of the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline
http://goo.gl/0TUEn

MIDDLE EAST CRUMBLES AROUND OBAMA’S FOREIGN POLICY -- Opinion by Mike Brownfield
http://goo.gl/b8yRD

OBAMACARE AWAKENS A SLEEPING GIANT -- It is a rare moment indeed when faith denominations of all stripes unite together in common cause, and it is rarer still when that cause is a political one, with a sole piece of legislation as its principal target
http://goo.gl/Zgo90

PLACERVILLE IS SEEKING ITS FIRST DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES -- This newly created management position focuses on the enhancement and coordination of the City's Engineering and Community Development Departments into a highly efficient unit, serving our historic and rural community
http://goo.gl/khguJ

3 DEAD, 3 INJURED KILLED IN CRASH ON 50 -- the 51-year-old male Pontiac driver was driving his friends home from Red Hawk Casino to Sacramento when an intoxicated, wrong-way driver caused a head-on collision. 
http://goo.gl/dwwse

FOOD SOVEREIGNTY MOVEMENT SPAWNS STRUGGLE FOR LOCAL CONTROL -- Recent events in El Dorado County, California highlight emerging tensions between state and local laws related to agriculture. "Supervisor Ray Nutting is quoted: "I am personally appalled that they will come onto my ranch and tell me I can't share my cow or I can't share my chickens"
http://goo.gl/Ww81T

BUSINESS ALLIANCE…UPDATE, FEB 2012 -- Oak Protection Plan, Hearing on Traffic Fee, and an unexpected balance of
lands in the Genera Plan
http://goo.gl/EJyzl

THEOGT.TV INTERVIEWS BILL GEORGE OF THE EL DORADO IRRIGATION DISTRICT - Bill George talks about the improvements and future Improvements. of the infrastructure that provides water to El Dorado county
http://goo.gl/NZFHE

NEW ROADMASTER FOR THE EL DORADO WESTERN RAILROAD -- On a recent brisk Saturday morning, Peter Schulze introduced himself to the crew at the train station in El Dorado as the newly appointed roadmaster
http://goo.gl/2P8dW

EL DORADO COUNTY REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT - 11 Year View of Average Selling Price
http://goo.gl/GIuBy

NEW USDA PLANT HARDINESS ZONES FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA -- "We have lots and lots of microclimates," Mosbacher said. "It's so hard to tell sometimes what zone you're in
http://goo.gl/0m8gi

BYGONE BISON GONE BYE BYE -- You’ve seen them on the hillside beneath Bass Lake Grade. Each spring we waited for the birth announcement scrawled on plywood, “It’s three girls.” But no more. After 40 years, “Buffalo Will” Neunam gave up his herd in December
http://goo.gl/ml5tt

SKINNER FAMILY REVIVES WINEMAKING AFTER MORE THAN 100 YEARS
http://goo.gl/etty2

KFOK TO BEGIN BROADCASTING TO WIDER AUDIENCE -- installation of a broadcast tower atop one of the district’s water tanks. The broadcast antenna will be located at the 30-foot level of the radio tower, which is attached to a steel water tank on Hotchkiss Hill
http://goo.gl/3lN6e

DOMINIC RONZO, 23, OF PLACERVILLE -- “I wanted to see what New York had to offer, and after a few nights in Manhattan I decided I had to check out Coney Island
http://goo.gl/sigdi

SACRAMENTO REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER SOTIRIS K. KOLOKOTRONIS FILED FOR PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY Friday
http://goo.gl/f1Q1I

FIREFIGHTING: BACKLASH TO RURAL PROTECTION FEE EXPECTED -- Some say a $150-per-dwelling fee will prompt rural communities to annex to cities or find other ways to leave state fire jurisdiction
http://goo.gl/NvAw0

PROPOSITION 8 DECISION TO BE RELEASED ON TUESDAY -- The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to release its opinion on the constitutionality of California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage Tuesday morning
http://goo.gl/0EgpP

SACRAMENTO COUNTY SET TO APPROVE DR. OLIVIA KASIRYE as the county's public health officer -- She has worked as public health officer in El Dorado County since August 2009
http://goo.gl/e0mPo

GLIDER CRASH LANDS ON SKI RUN AT HEAVENLY Mountain Resort; pilot and passenger OK
http://goo.gl/E3ZkO

LEARN ALMOST ANYTHING FOR FREE -- The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit with the goal of changing education for the better by providing a free world-class education to anyone anywhere
http://goo.gl/LPszf

GRAND JURY OUT OF MONEY, TAKES COUNTY TO COURT FOR MORE -- The county doesn’t want to give any entity a blank check

STONER’ SIGNS DRAW LAUGHS IN EL DORADO COUNTY

5% EID RATE HIKE BEGAN JAN. 1 -- Those areas are El Dorado Hills, Pollock Pines, Camino and the Placerville area
http://goo.gl/wKrOg

MEAGER SIERRA SNOW WORRIES CALIF. WATER MANAGERS -- California water managers say the Sierra Nevada snowpack is just 37 percent of normal for this time of year. After last year's prolific powder, measurements taken Wednesday
http://goo.gl/hj8nW

RED HAWK CASINO PAID $148962 AS PAI GOW PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT WINNING -- This weekend a fortunate member of Rewards Club has won a huge progressive jackpot worth $148962, while enjoying the Pai Gow Poker game
http://goo.gl/Q7d0N

AT AUCTION: CALIFORNIA GOLD QUARTZ PRESENTATION WALKING STICK -- was presented by the Engrossing Clerks of the California State Assembly to Hugh B. Newell, a member of the assembly from 1867-1870 from El Dorado county.  He was very prolific and had ownership interests in mines in Gold Hill.  This very important piece is estimated at $7,000 to $9,000.
http://goo.gl/EZ6QI

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE ENDS REDEVELOPMENT FOLLOWING STATE MANDATE
http://goo.gl/yncMY

SACRAMENTO REGION LOSES ONLINE JOB POSTINGS -- The state and the nation gained job postings in January, while the four-county Sacramento area lost 400, according to the monthly online jobs report
http://goo.gl/GX0QS

LAW FIRMS CRAFT NEW GROWTH STRATEGY: POACHING
http://goo.gl/K0FSA

STATE APPROVES FIRE TAX…AGAIN
http://goo.gl/35UQn

Survey results: MANY SAY U.S. IS IN DECLINE BECAUSE OF RULES, TAXES -- 57 percent, voted to say yes, rules and taxes are killing our economy.
http://goo.gl/06NGc

AMERICAN AIRLINES PARENT REPORTEDLY WILL CUT UP TO 15K JOBS
http://goo.gl/Lycxy

MEET GEORGE JETSON: MOLLER INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPS TWO NEW LIGHT-SPORT SKYCARS
http://goo.gl/5TfMV

ROMNEY AND PAUL, A STRATEGIC ALLIANCE -- Despite deep differences on a range of issues, Romney and Paul became friends in 2008, the last time both ran for president. So did their wives, Ann Romney and Carol Paul
http://goo.gl/yR2SU

EVENTS:

PRESIDENTIAL FRONTRUNNER MITT ROMNEY WILL MAKE A RENO APPEARANCE -- Thursday afternoon from 4:30-5:30 at the Grove, at 95 Foothill Road in south Reno
http://goo.gl/eXlo8

El Dorado Western Railroad: ALL ABOARD! -- The El Dorado Western Railroad will be running every 1st and 3rd Sunday, from Feb. 4 through March 18, from noon to 4 p.m., weather permitting. The train is located next to the El Dorado Community Center, in the town of El Dorado, across from the Post Office. Hop on board and enjoy this fun ride.

$5,500 IN REWARDS OFFERED IN CONNECTION WITH CASE OF CAT SHOT WITH ARROW IN DIAMOND SPRINGS -- "Our officers have been investigating the case but we have not come up with any solid leads yet," sadi Henry Brzezinski, Chief of El Dorado County Animal
http://goo.gl/YGZ0e

SUPES EYE ‘FOOD RIGHTS’ -- More than 200 people overfilled the 175-person BOS room to support the “Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance.”  Supervisor Ray Nutting asked, "Can you imagine what our grandparents would say if the government said that they could not share the food they raised with thier neighbors?"
http://goo.gl/BJkr9

300 LB MOUNTAIN LION Drawn in by Bad Habits --  Help needed
http://goo.gl/1erYM

AS GOLD HITS $1,700/OZ. DREDGERS LAMENT LOST INCOME -- “We don’t have a revenue problem, said Supervisor Nutting. “We have a regulatory problem,” The state is regulating us off our lands and taking our rights away.”
http://goo.gl/XrAk9

The CENTRAL SIERRA GROWER'S TREE FRUIT MEETING is February 15, 2012!
http://goo.gl/w4IYE

GAINES RECEIVES STRONG PRO-JOBS BUSINESS RATING -- Assemblywomen Beth Gaines received an "A" grade from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) for her strong, pro-business voting record
http://goo.gl/H8Jr9

MORE THAN OIL SPEWING FROM KEYSTONE PIPELINE DECISION
http://goo.gl/SRxZj

THE BUSINESS JOURNAL NEEDS YOUR HELP -- "Expert Advice," will ask tap local business owners and executives for wisdom to address questions that all growing businesses face — for example, how to make the most of social media
http://goo.gl/IfV6v

STATE TO RUN OUT OF CASH IN MARCH -- cash management solutions are needed because state tax revenues are $2.6 billion less than what Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers assumed in their optimistic budget last year. Meanwhile, Chiang said, the state is spending $2.6 billion more than state leaders planned on.
http://goo.gl/Sbd2u

JERRY BROWN NEGOTIATES GAMBLING DEALS AS TRIBES FILL CAMPAIGN FUND
http://goo.gl/iIfGz

CBO SAYS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES RAKE IN MUCH MORE PAY -- federal workers earn 16 percent more in total compensation
http://goo.gl/l8K9R

FIRST, THEY CAME FOR THE CATHOLICS
http://goo.gl/RSXxQ

ROMNEY’S FLORIDA WIN: CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS PICKING THEIR MAN -- Buried in the exit polls from Romney’s more than 15 point win over Newt Gingrich is the fact that Romney won Protestants, Catholics, and virtually tied among evangelicals. Tea Partiers too broke for Romney.  Female voters fueled Romney's victory, favoring him by 23 percentage points over the thrice-married Gingrich, whose second wife went public less than two weeks ago with new details of his six-year affair with a former congressional staffer who is now his third wife.
http://goo.gl/yUy7n

SHERIFFS WHO WON'T BE "MILK POLICE" -- "I made the decision that the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office was not going to be the milk police," Sheriff John D'Agostini told his Board of Supervisors.  "I think its great that the local sheriff is supporting the local farmers," Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund' s Gary Cox said.
http://goo.gl/ki9EV

TOP 10 AREA FORECLOSURE MARKETS --  No. 10: The El Dorado County community of El Dorado Hills, with a rate of 7.3 foreclosure notices in December per 1,000 housing units.
http://goo.gl/ML5gT

PAUL MCINTOSH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES -- McIntosh served as CAO of El Dorado County from 1988 to 1995
http://goo.gl/pKQWS

DUI PATROLS PLANNED FOR SUPER BOWL SUNDAY -- The Avoid the 6 El Dorado County DUI Campaign is reminding football fans watching this year's Super Bowl game Sunday to designate a driver
http://goo.gl/ETPgU

LOCAL ECONOMIC SPECIALIST SITS ON GARDEN VALLEY FIRE BOARD -- Wendell Smith of Garden Valley is the newly appointed member to the Garden Valley Fire Protection District board.
http://goo.gl/h60ej

CEDAR RAVINE SEWER LINE TO MOVE -- Due to a lack of funding to pay for construction improvements to the trunk sewer system on Hangtown Creek, an existing trunk sewer system in Cedar Ravine Creek will be relocated out of the creek and into the adjacent roadway on Cedar Ravine Street instead.
http://goo.gl/dwN3y

PAI GOW POKER PROGRESSIVE HITS FOR $148962 JACKPOT -- It was a winning weekend at Red Hawk Casino when one lucky Rewards Club member hit the Pai Gow
http://goo.gl/sdwo7

WILL NEW DIRECTOR BRING NEW APPROACH FROM LEAGUE TO SAVE LAKE TAHOE?
http://goo.gl/i1agz

WOLF APPARENTLY GIVES UP SEARCH FOR MATE IN NEV -- The wolf known as OR-7 came within 15 miles of the Nevada line near Susanville, Calif., early last week before he decided to head back west away from the nation's most arid state
http://goo.gl/zE1IV

CALIFORNIA HAD THE MOST UNION MEMBERS OF ALL THE STATES -- 16.2 percent of the total number of union workers in the country
http://goo.gl/YKgx0

FACEBOOK IPO FINALLY SET -- IPO as early as this week and the share sale could generate a valuation of from $75 billion to $100 billion
http://goo.gl/GczHD

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: ROMNEY'S FLORIDA LEAD CUTS ACROSS CATEGORIES -- If the polls are right and the Sunshine State delivers the former Massachusetts governor a decisive win, his breadth of support could prove more telling than the margin of victory.
http://goo.gl/S7wcg

MEDIA BLACKOUT IN OBAMA GEORGIA BALLOT ELIGIBILITY CASE -- I had just witnessed an historic hearing that actually discussed the eligibility of the sitting president of the United States to run for a second term.  The president had been subpoenaed to appear, and instead of his attorney respectfully following protocol to have that subpoena recalled, both Obama and his attorney, Michael Jablonski, simply failed to show up at all or offer any defense whatsoever.
http://goo.gl/P7uku

MAN DIES IN APARTMENT FIRE -- The first El Dorado Hills accidental death by fire in recent memory occurred early Saturday morning at Lake Forest Apartments, off Village Center Drive, just north of the Safeway shopping center when an unidentified man, age 57, died in an apartment fire. Roberts wonders if he simply fell asleep while smoking
http://www.villagelife.com/news/man-dies-in-apartment-fire-2/

DAVE PRATT CHAIRMAN OF COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION -- Dave Pratt was elected the new chairman of the El Dorado County Planning Commission. He will take over from Tom Heflin at the next meeting. Elected as first vice chairman was Walter Mathews. Second vice chairman will be Alan Tolhurst.
http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/Government/Planning/Planning_Commission_Current_Agenda.aspx

CREEKSIDE PLAZA OK’D BY COUNTY PANEL -- The Creekside Plaza project, if approved by the Board of Supervisors, would rezone the northwest corner of the intersection of Forni and Missouri Flat roads from residential to commercial use. When complete, the 4.1-acre site will have two office buildings and one fast food restaurant
http://www.mtdemocrat.com/news/creekside-plaza-okd-by-county-panel/

9TH ANNUAL GEORGETOWN NATURE FEST FAMILY EVENT -- This outdoor event provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy music, dance, drums, food arts & crafts, vendors, Native cultural activities, children’s activities, and much more
http://www.examiner.com/culture-events-in-sacramento/9th-annual-georgetown-nature-fest-family-event

WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO OFFERS ONLINE TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEER SPOTTERS -- areas such as Placerville may be less well covered
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/29/4223043/weather-service-in-sacramento.html

PLACERVILLE HOMELESS CLEANING UP LUMSDEN PARK
http://www.news10.net/news/article/175727/2/PHOTOS-Placerville-homeless-cleaning-up-Lumsden-Park

LOCAL-FOOD MOVEMENT GETS VERBAL SUPPORT FROM EL DORADO COUNTY OFFICIALS -- The grass-roots (and grass-fed) agriculture revolution that Patty Chelseth started last summer is picking up steam
http://www.laketahoenews.net/2012/01/local-food-movement-gets-verbal-support-from-el-dorado-county-officials

FOREST SERVICE WORKS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS BETWEEN TAHOE SNOWMOBILERS, XC SKIERS
www.sierrasun.com/article/20120128/NEWS/120129905/

BUSINESSES FEELING PINCH FROM LOW SNOWPACK
www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20120129/NEWS/120129847/

FIREFIGHTERS CONDUCT COLD WATER RESCUE TRAINING
www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20120128/NEWS/120129837/

Editorial: SALARIES FOR COUNTY PENSION EXECUTIVES CANNOT BE JUSTIFIED -- The recent double-digit percentage pay raises the board of the Sacramento County Employees' Retirement System approved for its top executives underscore the fallacy of compensation surveys
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/30/4224173/salaries-for-county-pension-executives.html

ROMNEY LOOKS FOR A FLORIDA KNOCKOUT -- With just one full day of campaigning left before the most important primary on the Republican calendar to date, Mitt Romney’s camp is hoping for a decisive victory that would all but end the GOP nomination fight
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/207283-ahead-in-polls-mitt-romney-looks-for-a-florida-knockout

JOSEPH (JR) STANCIL AND DANIEL MATHIS CHARGED BY FEDS WITH TAX EVASION -- for his alleged role in selling aircraft to Mexican buyers as part of an under-the-table transaction.  Although the complaint alleges the buyers were part of the “criminal element,” it does not specify what the planes were used for in Mexico.  If convicted, Stancil Enterprises could pay fines of up to $500,000 while Stancil and Mathis could face prison sentences of up to 5 years.
http://goo.gl/6e1Hl

CBS SHOW TO FOCUS ON EL DORADO COUNTY MURDER -- case will be in the national spotlight this weekend as the CBS show “48 Hours Mystery” focuses on the El Dorado County story about a story about forbidden young love that ended with a mother’s killing
http://goo.gl/EaGdb

FOUR PEOPLE ARRESTED FOR BURGLARY IN EL DORADO COUNTY -- 30 year old Lisa Cooney, 43 year old Anthony Braswell, 36 year old David Mack and 43 year old Mary Martinez were booked into the county jail for burglary and possession of stolen property
http://goo.gl/I6I5q

CRUISE SHIP SURVIVOR: 'IT WAS A TOTAL DISASTER'-- Brenda Miller returns home to Shingle Springs exhausted, bruised and very thankful to be alive
http://goo.gl/fVZJY

SHERIFF’S S.T.A.R. VOLUNTEERS TO OFFER CHILD FINGERPRINTING SERVICE IN EL DORADO HILLS -- This service will be provided free of charge at the Sheriff’s Town Center Substation
http://goo.gl/wg1xL

OROVILLE MAN FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES -- A man sought by Oroville and Placerville police in connection with fraud, writing bad checks and identity theft was recently arrested
http://goo.gl/ZLIlM

OAK TREE RULING THROWS LOCAL PROJECTS A CURVE -- With the local housing industry trying to sputter back to life, a Jan. 20 ruling by the Third District Court of Appeals threw a curve to local developers with plans in the works
http://goo.gl/UYzSB

STATE UPHOLDS DECISION TO RECLASSIFY WASHOE MEADOWS PARK, ALTER RIVER-GOLF COURSE -- El Dorado County Supervisor Norma Santiago was the first of the seven to speak. All believed the commission should either overturn its original vote or delay Friday’s vote. Santiago asked for three months to prove the information she provided is correct.  It would be hard to know what the commissioners truly thought beyond their body language because they voted without discussion. Commission Chairwoman Caryl Hart cut people off and only gave people representing an organization three minutes to speak instead the customary five minutes. She also said the commission had heard everything they needed to hear.
http://goo.gl/eLO92

BARREL TASTING WITH NELLO OLIVO AND 27 EL DORADO COUNTY WINERIES -- This weekend-long event is sponsored by El Dorado Winery Association features 27 local wineries.  As part of the event, Nello is offering $100 off the case price of all wines currently in stock.
http://goo.gl/ruxwx

THE METHOD TO REPRESENT PLACERVILLE AT DAVID REA TRIBUTE CONCERT -- Placerville duo The Method will be performing at a special tribute concert to the late David Rea at the Alberta Rose Theater in Portland on Sunday, Jan. 29. Many in El Dorado County remember from his performances at the Placerville Folk Festival and from a series of house concerts
http://goo.gl/H2w8U

DOG-FRIENDLY WINERIES IN EL DORADO COUNTY
http://goo.gl/ptDXS

Counter Culture: You could call it a 'BEST OF GUILTY PLEASURES' LIST -- THE BURGER AT BONES ROADHOUSE, 4430 Pleasant Valley Road, Placerville
http://goo.gl/IMNra

THE BEST ROMANTIC TRIPS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY -- CAREY HOUSE HOTEL
http://goo.gl/BZAyw

TOBY KEITH'S COMING TO FOLSOM'S PALLADIO
http://goo.gl/8r0NM

TWO ROBBED DURING BOGUS CRAIGSLIST TRANSACTION
http://goo.gl/Stw79

39TH ANNUAL HANGTOWN DESTRUCTION DERBY PPOA RAFFLE TICKETS AVAILABLE
http://goo.gl/IJrQW

NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM THAT SEEKS TO DELIVER STRONGER PROTECTIONS FOR FORESTS, WATER, AND WILDLIFE
http://goo.gl/y5hb9

TAHOE SCHOOL DISTRICT FACING DEEP CUTS -- to cut about $2.4 million from their 2012-2013 budget
http://goo.gl/kRtno

LEARN ABOUT THE OLYMPIC SPORT OF BIATHLON -- There is a real allure to the challenge of combining the two extremes of heart pumping exercise followed by steadying breathing enough to hit targets 50 meters (160 feet) away. In competition for every miss you must ski an extra 150-meter penalty lap before going back out on the ski course, so you have to work on skiing fast and shooting straight to be a good biathlete
http://goo.gl/uAdKj

SENATE LEADER SAYS NO TO EXTENSION OF REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES -- It appears that the execution date for Redevelopment Agencies won’t receive a legislative stay. On February 1, they will cease to exist.
http://goo.gl/UV1U8

CALIFORNIA ADOPTS NATION'S MOST AGGRESSIVE CLEAN CAR RULES
http://goo.gl/HfgGu

CalPERS, CalSTRS and UC HEADED FOR TAXPAYER BAILOUT?
http://goo.gl/r1q5w

IS PRESIDENT OBAMA CREATING A NATION OF DEPENDENTS? By john merline, investor's business daily -- Food Stamps Up 45%; Federal Handouts Up 32%
http://goo.gl/Sokdd

DID ARIZONA GOV. JAN BREWER DISRESPECT PRESIDENT OBAMA? (+video)
http://goo.gl/gIhbX

A SLASHED AND BURNED MILITARY -- The future is not bright for the U.S. military. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta gave America a glimpse of the half-trillion dollars in defense spending cuts requested by the Obama Administration and detailed how the U.S. military’s capabilities would be affected in practical terms.
http://goo.gl/W7MLT

Opinionline: IS GOOGLE 'GOING EVIL' ON PRIVACY?
http://goo.gl/kpiJb

----------------------------------

Events:

EL DORADO COUNTY BARREL TASTING WEEKEND
http://goo.gl/tzzU0

HANGTOWN HOLD-EM 4:00 pm
http://goo.gl/GvtDL

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SPONSOR CRAB FEED 5:00 pm
http://goo.gl/M8BOq

SACRAMENTO COPS TAKE ON FIREFIGHTERS SATURDAY IN 38TH PIG BOWL
http://goo.gl/3O2eG

ELKS LODGE SERVES BREAKFAST 8:00 am
http://goo.gl/vBLPP

Free WINDS AND STRINGS FEATURED IN CLASSICAL CONCERT 2:00 pm
http://goo.gl/LKOeZ

STATE OF THE S.O. -- SHERIFF’S FIRST ANNUAL REPORT -- "I strongly believe that we have a moral responsibility to provide high quality patrol and investigative services to all of our communities. Last year we changed patrol shifts to a 12-hour schedule. This schedule has reduced overtime and increased the number of deputies on patrol in your neighborhood. During the past year we reduced our overtime budget by approximately $900,000. In addition, we recently conducted an audit of cellular telephones, desk telephone lines and pagers. We identified and disconnected 96 unused cellular telephones, 70 unused pagers, 43 unused desk telephone lines, and 28 unused data lines. This will save approximately $60,000/year"
http://goo.gl/OM6Oj

 $1,700,000 EL DORADO HILLS DREAM HOME FOR $150? -- Can you imagine moving into an El Dorado Hills mansion for just $150? Proceeds go to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern California. Only 32,000 tickets will be sold. Winner shall assume all fees, local, state and federal taxes!
http://goo.gl/chGPu

GRAPE HARVEST DOWN AS U.S. THIRST FOR WINE GROWS -- Now comes the tough part: Keeping up with consumer demand. Inventories of bulk wine remain at an 11-year low
http://goo.gl/gYA1N

2009 CRYSTAL BASIN CELLARS ZINFANDEL – Review
http://goo.gl/sPxGu

THREE $1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE -- To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be employees of El Dorado County and members of El Dorado County Employees' Association Local #1; or the spouse, child, stepchild, grandchild, or guardian of said member
http://goo.gl/OEF8P

THE LIVING HISTORY OF LAKE TAHOE -- Before you even open the Tahoe Maritime Museum doors you feel history is waiting to be discovered. Even in the heart of winter visitors have the opportunity to see the beautiful mahogany Gar Wood Boats
http://goo.gl/hih20

COUNTY OF EL DORADO AND VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT PESTICIDE APPLICATION PLAN
http://goo.gl/CIIJq

PROMOTIONS UNPOPULAR FOR CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTERS EARNING OVERTIME
http://goo.gl/iAaAB

HJTA AND NFIB TO BUSINESS LEADERS – DON’T SUPPORT TAX INCREASES
http://goo.gl/VAzB3

MIKE SCHROEDER TAPPED AS POLITICAL DIRECTOR FOR GINGRICH CAMPAIGN IN CALIFORNIA
http://goo.gl/9jzO0

J.C. PENNEY GETS RID OF HUNDREDS OF SALES -- J.C. Penney is permanently marking down all of its merchandise by at least 40 percent so shoppers no longer have to wait for sales to get bargains. Starting on Feb. 1, the retailer is rolling out an "Every Day" pricing strategy with much fewer sales throughout the year
http://goo.gl/Kdv3z

MITT ROMNEY’S INCOME TAXED AT 50%, NOT 15% -- Frustrated by America's CONFUSING tax system?! Join the club! "At the very least, Mitt Romney paid nearly 45 percent, but a chunk of this tax was collected before he even saw the remainder. Income from capital gains and dividends means the income was first earned by businesses, most likely corporations which paid tax at 35 percent. So Romney paid his 15 percent only after the government had taken its 35 percent cut. That leaves Romney with a combined tax of 45 cents on the dollar of corporate earnings"
blog.heritage.org/2012/01/26/morning-bell-mitt-romneys-taxes-and-true-reform

OPINION: RE-ELECT OBAMA: VOTE NEWT!
http://goo.gl/6HRS3

EBERT, 59, A POLLOCK PINES RESIDENT FOUND DEAD ABOUT 6 AM MONDAY IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF HIS STILL-IDLING CAR IN -- Monday morning, Sacramento County sheriff's detectives allege, one of those former employees drove to Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova and waited. When Ebert, 59, rolled up at 6 a.m., as he did daily, 47-year-old Dupree Pierre Barber fired at least five rounds into his former supervisor's Jeep Wrangler and fled
http://goo.gl/yLPbo

LOCAL-FOOD MOVEMENT GETS VERBAL SUPPORT FROM EL DORADO COUNTY OFFICIALS -- The grass-roots (and grass-fed) agriculture revolution that Patty Chelseth started last summer is picking up steam. Chelseth, of My Sisters' Farm in Shingle Springs, has launched a campaign to get a "Local Food and Community Self-Governance" ordinance. Her effort got a warm reception Tuesday from the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors.
http://goo.gl/mNFm7

RUBEN CERVANTES, 44, OF PLACERVILLE CAUGHT IN STING ACCUSED OF CONTRACTING WITHOUT A LICENSE
http://goo.gl/dNE3P

THE EL DORADO RCC'S ANNUAL DINNER THIS YEAR FEATURING A DEBATE BETWEEN ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 5 CANDIDATES FRANK BIGELOW AND RICO OLLER
http://goo.gl/Dk8Qd

SUPES, PUBLIC BLAST SACOG AS ‘BIG BROTHER’ -- Dena Freeman, representing Tea Party in the Hills, quoted her father, saying, “If you make money in the wrong way you’re a whore,” ... Judy Mathat referred to the issue of “Sustainable Development” for “Agenda 21.” ... Melody Lane of Coloma likened SACOG to a “gateway to socialism”
http://goo.gl/iOyah

DROWSY DRIVING ALTERS LIFE FOR POLLOCK PINES MAN, MOTHER -- Michael Misch's best friend was driving home from a concert when he fell asleep two exits from home
http://goo.gl/lXMFb

HANGING OUT IN HANGTOWN! -- In Hangtown, California, you can hang 'em high or raise the dead! I better explain . Legions of Clint Eastwood fans know that in any wild west spaghetti western ...
http://goo.gl/cI98k

KATE BUSH DOES LAKE TAHOE - "Eider Falls at Lake Tahoe" -- Official animation to accompany a segment from the new Kate Bush track Lake Tahoe - "Eider Falls at Lake Tahoe"
http://goo.gl/qqPeJ

CALIFORNIA – EL DORADO COUNTY REALIGNMENT STATS EXAMINED -- Greg Sly is El Dorado County's chief probation officer and serves as the chairman of the CCP
http://goo.gl/3NaIo

MARK HANGING OUT IN PLACERVILLE FOR ALLENTOWN -- Mark S. Allen was on the road this morning in Placerville hanging out with the people. He went out to Cosmic Cafe, which has a cave. Mark met a kid named Nate who was brave and went into the cave to take a look. See what happened.
http://goo.gl/Jkh3T

WHO ON THIS DAY IN 1848 DISCOVERED GOLD AT SUTTER'S MILL IN COLOMA, Calif., which sparked the Gold Rush? But he didn't profit much from the find. He died penniless in 1885.
http://goo.gl/9JlwP

BACKSTAGE AT HANGTOWN HOLLOWEEN BALL (video)
http://goo.gl/LKGO4

TATE v. FIESELER -- Every lawsuit tells a story. This is the story of a 40-year friendship ending in years of acrimony, six days of trial, and this appeal. To an outside observer, very little is at stake
http://goo.gl/Kd4a7

CALIFORNIA COUNTIES REVAMPING BAIL POLICIES
http://goo.gl/Judgj

LAWSUIT BY STEINBERG, PEREZ WILL HAVE PROFOUND NEGATIVE IMPACT WITH VOTERS -- Democratic legislative leaders sue Controller John Chiang over pay in budget dispute
http://goo.gl/d274s

STAMP PRICES GO UP AS POSTAL LABOR TALKS REACH AN IMPASSE
http://goo.gl/W87yJ

COLD CASES SHARE SIMILARITIES TO ALLEGED NASO CRIMES --  a task force is looking into possible connections between Naso and some of the 30 or so cold cases in El Dorado County
http://goo.gl/eh38w

SCHOOL DISTRICTS STRUGGLE TO COMPLY WITH VOTERS RIGHTS ACT -- Lake Tahoe Unified School District may be in violation of the California Voters Rights Act based on how board members are elected
http://goo.gl/mjnRM

WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 4 p.m. -- Snow is expected to increase in intensity between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., NWS reports. An additional 15 to 30 inches of snow is expected above 7,000 feet
http://goo.gl/NLuAn

EL DORADO COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER MOVES TO SACRAMENTO COUNTY NEXT MONTH -- Sacramento Co. Health Dept. Names New Health Officer, Dr. Olivia Kasirye
http://goo.gl/j8J9M

EL DORADO'S COUNTY'S OAK WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PLAN STRUCK DOWN BY APPEALS COURT -- The judgment is reversed and the case is remanded to the trial court with directions to enter a judgment granting the ... petition, and to issue a writ of mandate directing the County of El Dorado to set aside the Initial Study/Negative Declaration for the El Dorado County Oak Woodland Management Plan and related ordinance implementing Option B
http://goo.gl/8k9mZ

POURING BABBITT IN THE ENGINE HOUSE -- For the past year stories and photographs have focused on tie replacement, speeders and train rides on the Placerville Branch rail line. That doesn't mean work has stopped at the engine house
http://goo.gl/xCkc9

EL DORADO FLIPPERS IN TROUBLE -- Percent Loss: 65.2%
http://goo.gl/UWEY2

$350K AIR QUALITY GRANTS; WHAT’S A COUNTY TO DO? -- Supervisor Ray Nutting suggested the RFPs should focus on three projects: shuttles for the county fair; shuttles for Apple Hill; and grants to fire safe councils to reduce fuel loads that contribute to catastrophic fires
http://goo.gl/vJy2N

MAROON 5 ANNOUNCES JULY SHOW AT LAKE TAHOE
http://goo.gl/PNcPz

A SLO moment: SAN LUIS OBISPO SUPERVISOR IMPERSONATES CAMPAIGN CHALLENGER IN MALICIOUS VOICE MAIl -- In one of those what-was-he-thinking moments, San Luis Obispo Supervisor Adam Hill called a constituent who had penned a letter to the editor and accused her of being a communist, socialist, or Marxist. He then falsely identified himself as Ed Waage, his challenger for County Supervisor
http://goo.gl/gWYza

CALIFORNIA CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS IN DENIAL ON PENSION COSTS -- Whenever someone suggests that California's public employee pension systems need reform, civil service unions react dismissively, often with attacks on the credentials or even the morals of critics
http://goo.gl/Y6ddV

WORKERS' COMP REFORMS, RULINGS CUT BENEFITS BY 58% -- The reforms seven years ago of California’s workers’ compensation system plus some later court rulings that changed the interpretation of the law have collectively cut benefits to permanent injured workers by 58 percent
http://goo.gl/5BPAK

WSJ: CALIFORNIA'S MILLIONAIRE TAX MIRAGE -- A new report says Jerry Brown's revenue projections are fanciful
http://goo.gl/yC3UY

NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK -- What singular cause could bring together the likes of Democratic campaign strategist James Carville, Republican Governor Bobby Jindal (LA), actor Sacha Baron Cohen, and 2,000 families, all under one roof? The answer: school choice
http://goo.gl/sp79S

GINGRICH EXPLOITS CLASS POLITICS TO WIN IN S.C. -- Conservatives may denounce class warfare, yet by shrewdly combining the politics of class with the politics of culture, Newt Gingrich won his first election in 14 years, humbled Mitt Romney and upended the Republican Party
http://goo.gl/So6Bw

OPINION: LEGALIZING DRUGS IS CONSTITUTIONAL -- the Constitution is silent on the federal government’s ability to regulate or ban substances that adults choose to digest at their own peril
http://goo.gl/Ig11U

APPEALS COURT OVERTURNS EL DORADO COUNTY'S OAK WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PLAN -- Rejection of the County's Plan eliminates the ability for developers to utilize the Option B mitigation, which permits clearing of oaks in exchange for a fee paid into a conservation fund. Instead, developers will be limited in the amount of oak woodlands they can remove on a parcel, pursuant to the Option A part of the General Plan
http://goo.gl/09Z3s

PLACERVILLE'S ROB CHARNY INTERVIEWS TED NUGENT
http://goo.gl/MbxXq

PLACERVILLE POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON TO REPORTS OF A BODY FOUND IN PLACERVILLE. At around 3 p.m., Placerville man Everett Farris entered the Mountain Democrat office on Broadway and told Mountain Democrat publisher Richard Esposito that he discovered the body of a naked male inside of a ditch near Wiltse Court
http://goo.gl/MkMG2

CONGRESSMAN TOM MCCLINTOCK DISTRICT 4 MEETING --  Monday, 13 February, 10A.M. at The Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, Cameron Park, CA. This happening is being hosted by the El Dorado West Republican Women, Federated and is open to the public

CALIFORNIA HIGH COURT TO CONSIDER POT DISPENSARIES -- The court will address whether local governments can bar the pot shops despite voter passage of Proposition 215.  The court also will consider the continued conflict between state and federal authorities, who don't recognize Proposition 215. Under federal law, marijuana is illegal in all forms
http://goo.gl/K2Rmx

RED HAWK CASINO POSTS TRANSPORTATION SCHEDULES
http://goo.gl/2sFmB

CASINOS CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR IN A BIG WAY -- Red Hawk Casino will celebrate with a traditional lion dance through the casino, accompanied by the God of Fortune, from 11 am to 4 pm Jan. 28
http://goo.gl/UUai3

SHERIFF NAMES SAR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR -- Cameron Park resident David McCracken was recently honored by the Sheriff’s Department for his contributions to the county
http://goo.gl/WSj1j

JPA GIVES GO AHEAD ON REFINANCING PLAN -- South Lake Tahoe Recreation Facilities JPA plan is scheduled to be before the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and Tahoe Paradise Resort Improvement District Board of Directors next week
http://goo.gl/IknMw

NANCY LYNCH FROM PLACERVILLE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT SELECTED AS SOLANA BEACH SCHOOL DISTRICT NEW SUPERINTENDENT -- Dr. Lynch will begin her assignment in Solana Beach in April
http://goo.gl/WBGfJ

PUBLIC NOTICE: SUPERVISORS TO HOLD HEARING REGARDING TIM FEES -- Details of these fees are outlined
http://goo.gl/a7O1C

EL DORADO COUNTY SHERIFF, SOUTH LAKE TAHOE POLICE AND FIRE LIVE SCANNER AUDIO FEED -- Includes El Dorado County Sheriff, South Lake Tahoe Police and Fire, Lake Valley Fire, CHP Grey, USFS LTBMU, and CALCORD
http://goo.gl/M3t7F

DEADLIEST GUNFIGHT IN US HISTORY REPORTED FIRST IN A PLACERVILLE NEWSPAPER -- Foresthill 1854
http://goo.gl/3j2oF

BEN ROETHLISBERGER’S LAKE TAHOE COURT CASE WITH ANDREA MCNULTY HAS QUIETLY BEEN SETTLED
http://goo.gl/wZ8zz

FEDERAL JUDGE REJECTS CHALLENGE TO SOUTH LAKE TAHOE GENERAL PLAN
http://goo.gl/NsRhc

THE SACRAMENTO BEE TO EXPLORE MERGING SOME FUNCTIONS WITH SISTER PAPERS
http://goo.gl/HLjzG

CONSUMER GROUP ACCUSES HOLLYWOOD OF 'THREATENING POLITICIANS'
http://goo.gl/zbTvC

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE OCCUPIERS FROM GENERATION X -- To the Occupy movement: I know some of you mean well. I even share some of your concerns. The dismal economy has made it difficult to find a good job with benefits. Meanwhile, the government is bailing out the wealthy banks and mortgage lenders that helped precipitate this depressed economy...
http://goo.gl/8u6Mm

FIRST WINTER STORM HITS, TAKE PRECAUTIONS -- oil has had a few months to accumulate on roadways. Rainfall on these roads will cause slicker than usual conditions
http://goo.gl/8ZoL0

BODY OF MISSING HUNTER DISCOVERED IN EL DORADO COUNTY -- The man had been squirrel hunting with his friends, ate lunch, then separated from the group to find a different hunting location when he disappeared
http://goo.gl/qoL6U

PROPER ASH DISPOSAL FOLLOWING FIRE -- Fire Protection District has kicked off a “Can Your Ashes” campaign following several house fires linked to improper disposal of fireplace ashes
http://goo.gl/8QJi9

VALLEJO MAN NABBED AFTER HIGH-SPEED CHASE, CAR WRECK, AND FOOT CHASE -- Tuesday evening, Placerville police officers were alerted to reports of a stolen vehicle that was spotted leaving the Camino area. After leading officers on a pursuit reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph, exited Highway 50 onto northbound Cambridge Road until he crashed the vehicle into a ditch at the intersection of Knollwood Drive and Montclair Road, then exited the car and fled on foot
http://goo.gl/hSXTE

EL DORADO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE MAKES ARREST IN BURGLARY -- Deputies say it happened last Wednesday in the Bridlewood subdivision in the El Dorado Hills
http://goo.gl/2GI3h

A GENEROUS DONATION FROM AN EL DORADO COUNTY COUPLE IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR THE EL DORADO HILLS VETERAN’S MEMORIAL PARK -- Michael and Ellie Kuehn, of Camino, recently donated an 1875 Decker Brothers parlor grand piano to the fund
http://goo.gl/nV0gn

RON LOZANO TO MANAGE AFTERSHOCK -- Aftershock will rock the King's Room on Friday after the Thunder hockey game at Stockton Arena
http://goo.gl/LeykP

YOUNGEST DAUGHTER TAKES OVER BRIDGEPORT BUILDING SUPPLY -- At age 25, Katie Borcz is in charge of the family owned Bridgeport Building Supply in Diamond Springs
http://goo.gl/HQtV4

EL DORADO HILLS LIBRARY HELPS PATRONS PLUG INTO DIGITAL OFFERINGS -- with El Dorado Hills Library helps patrons plug into digital offerings
http://goo.gl/6Xi0c

FROZEN WATERFALL PLUNGE KILLS FORMER LAKE DISTRICT MOUNTAIN RESCUER IN USA -- Greg Almos, El Dorado County deputy sheriff, said: “The way it was described to us, he was at the top preparing to set some anchors and slipped on ice.”  Machell was an experienced climber who had helped save lives in the Lake District, completing 170 rescues with the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team (LAMRT)
http://goo.gl/HicZI

A WINTER TO REMEMBER: 1952 -- Sixty years ago Truckee-Tahoe residents were enduring one of the worst winters ever recorded in the Sierra Nevada. During the winter of 1951-52, vicious snowstorms pummeled the region for months on end
http://goo.gl/jP2h9

FOLSOM TO GROW BY 3,500 ACRES -- Folsom won unanimous approval Wednesday night to grow by 3,500 acres south of Highway 50
http://goo.gl/uozIn

BROWN SAYS HE WON'T DELAY REDEVELOPMENT 'FUNERAL' -- Gov. Jerry Brown said Thursday that he would oppose legislation to delay the scheduled elimination of more than 400 redevelopment agencies
http://goo.gl/DtThz

CalPERS DISCLOSES $250 MILLION REALTY LOSS
http://goo.gl/NFm0e

(State of the State) THE OLD MAN AND THE SPEECH -- "probably the most shallow and insubstantial State of the State address in modern history" by Jonathan Wilcox, a former speechwriter for Governor Pete Wilson
http://goo.gl/48MNZ

JERRY BROWN PITCHES HIGHER TAXES, BUDGET CUTS AND AND MORE PUBLIC WORKS SPENDING -- by SacBee
http://goo.gl/6j25r

TEXT OF GOV. JERRY BROWN'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS 2012
http://goo.gl/HSvvQ

RICK PERRY TO DROP OUT OF GOP RACE ACCORDING TO A REPORT IN CNN
http://goo.gl/V8Vb5

RON PAUL: ARE HIS VOTERS BEING STOLEN AWAY BY STEPHEN COLBERT?
http://goo.gl/CyFd1

LAWMAKERS RUSH TO DROP PIRACY BILLS AS WEBSITES GO DARK -- Support for two controversial online-piracy bills began to crumble Wednesday in the face of protests from thousands of websites, including tech titans Google and Wikipedia. Senate Republicans reacted quickly to the Web blackout, which exposed hundreds of millions of Internet users to the piracy bills for the first time
http://goo.gl/XyJjt

 

EVENTS

WOMEN'S FUND EL DORADO PRESENTS 2012 COMMUNITY NEEDS FORUM 6:00 pm
http://goo.gl/IQgy8

WILDLIFE RESCUE CLASS 7:00 pm
http://goo.gl/pxYfk

SHARI OF BERRY FAME HAS MOVED HER OFFICE TO PLACERVILLE AND NOW LIVES IN THE AREA -- “I’m looking to open a new strawberry-chocolate store on Main Street,” Fitzpatrick said. She wants to feature a berry bar and wine tasting, with different wineries joining her for a month at a time
http://goo.gl/I1rQw

ROBOTICS COMPETITION CHALLENGES STUDENTS -- More than 14 Northern California robotics teams will be competing this Sunday at a FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Qualifying Tournament at Oak Ridge High School
http://goo.gl/W1u4j

CHAZ SMITH OF THE HANGTOWN SABER CLUB WINS USA FENCING’S VETERAN EVENT at the North American Cup
http://goo.gl/NFHVX

DEATH OF REDEVELOPMENT IN CALIFORNIA A COMPLICATED TALE -- How the City of South Lake tahoe comingles its money does not help with clearly separating what goes where
http://goo.gl/CxyWY

MAKING THE ROUNDS: FIRST QUESTION AT COLD SPRINGS: 9, 18 OR 12? -- Nine holes or 18. Golfers have pretty much been limited to those options for 250 years. Earl, the general manager at Cold Springs, has created a 12-hole option
http://goo.gl/1pnyp

EL DORADO COUNTY OFFICE OF ECDUCATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2010-11 FISCAL YEAR AUDIT
http://goo.gl/tn6IJ

NO CHARGES FILED AGAINST FORMER EID CANDIDATE CAREY -- Prosecutors have declined to file charges against the former El Dorado Irrigation District board candidate who suspended his campaign following his November arrest
http://goo.gl/d2gld

FORMER NAPA WINEMAKER MAKES A NEW NAME IN SIERRA FOOTHILLS -- A decade has passed since Marco Cappelli, so closely identified with Napa Valley, packed up and left the nation's most highly regarded wine region for an isolated and remote area recognized more for apples, walnuts and cattle than grapes.
http://goo.gl/eyB5M

AUTHOR REVEALS A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE IN FIRST BOOK -- In 1964, a naive 19-year-old from Shingle Springs went to Berkeley County, South Carolina and she was preparing to register African Americans to vote. Leaving behind the Beach Boys and California sunshine, Holbrook entered a wet, steamy world of poverty, illiteracy, despair, prejudice and danger. In her first book,”You Came Here to Die, Didn’t You,” Sheri Holbrook Labedis lets the reader experience a culture, a way of life and a history wholly foreign to ...
http://goo.gl/U7V23

AUTHOR SHERIE LABEDIS HOLBROOK TO DISCUSS HER BOOK - You Came Here to Die, Didn’t You at the El Dorado County Library on Saturday
http://goo.gl/9dD6x

FUTURE AGAIN UNCERTAIN FOR HERRICK BUILDING AND HANGMAN’S BAR -- To rescue this historical unreinforced brick building, whose true condition is camouflaged by a coat of white stucco, will be monumental task
http://goo.gl/BIH7R

1933 FORD TRUCK AT DEPOT -- Sharon and Ron Evans of Crystal Hill Ranch in Placerville stopped by the El Dorado Western Railroad Depot in Diamond Springs with their 1933 Ford truck
http://goo.gl/rzmLz

NORTH COAST CRAB SEASON OPENS -- The North Coast from Mendocino upward opened Sunday to commercial crabbers. The opening was delayed more than a month by state Department of Fish and Game
http://goo.gl/SwRoA

CAPITOL WEEKLY ENDS PRINT EDITION -- the 23-year-old chronicle of state government in Sacramento, announced today that it is suspending its print edition effective Thursday
http://goo.gl/rJvX0

JUDGE TO END CALIF. PRISON RECEIVER -- A federal judge on Tuesday ordered California officials to prepare for the end of a six-year, court-ordered oversight of the prison system that has cost taxpayers billions of dollars and helped force a shift of lower-level criminals from state prisons to county jails
http://goo.gl/AnXBt

E-TRADE SETTLEMENT INCLUDES REFUND TO CALIFORNIA INVESTORS
http://goo.gl/u3yPS

WORKERS' COMP INSURERS BUMP UP RATES -- collectively by an average of 2.8 percent for 2012
http://goo.gl/pmkhz

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVES CALIFORNIA'S NEW POLITICAL DISTRICTS
http://goo.gl/Eu37V

RECESS APPOINTMENTS MIGHT NOT HOLD -- Some legal experts, including those who have sided with President Obama on other constitutional issues, think there is a good chance the courts could overturn his recent recess appointments
http://goo.gl/RA3eT

ANTI-ROMNEY DOCUMENTARY MAY NOT BE A BANE FOR HIS CAMPAIGN AFTER ALL -- The video in question is called “The King of Bain,” and was released by the pro-Newt Gingrich super-PAC Winning Our Future. reviews of the film were so universally bad that even Gingrich, whom the video was designed to help, eventually called on its distributors to stop running it or fix the falsehoods in it.
http://goo.gl/1ftmq

 

Events Today:

GIVE BLOOD – RECEIVE A T-SHIRT 3:30 pm
http://goo.gl/bGF2U

New Slab Creek Powerhouse Project Meeting 6:00 PM
http://goo.gl/f8U0n

STORMY WEATHER RETURNS TO NORTHERN INTERIOR CALIFORNIA -- A major shift to a wet weather pattern will occur Wednesday and Thursday of this week and continue into early next week
http://goo.gl/fSD5m

ANDRES PLAYS PENNIES AND WINS $32,058 AT RED HAWK CASINO
http://goo.gl/fcgYE

PLACERVILLE SON GERALD, IS TENDING TO THE FAMILY'S CONSIGNMENT STORE, GORILLA KIDS, AND WAITS FOR PARENTS RETURN FROM SINKING CRUISE SHIP
http://goo.gl/3yZOd

STATE BOARD, CDE AT ODDS ON CHARTER -- Unanimously voting to disregard the recommendation of Department of Education staff, the State Board of Education last week granted Rocketship Education a charter. “I appreciate the oversight and attention to detail. It’s critical,” said Commissioner Vicky Barber, superintendent of El Dorado County
http://goo.gl/ul8jw

RECOGNIZING BETH ANN BODI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SHINGLE SPRINGS TRIBAL HEALTH CLINIC -- The professional staff is highly trained in modern medical technology and they acknowledge the contribution and role that traditional medicine and beliefs play in the healing of the mind, body and spirit
http://goo.gl/KbilH

BAY AREA MAN DIES NEAR LAKE TAHOE IN ICE CLIMBING ACCIDENT -- A 23-year-old Michael Machell died on Saturday after slipping on ice and plunging about 150 feet at Cascade Falls near Lake Tahoe, an El Dorado County sheriff's deputy said
http://goo.gl/Uf8wW

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT MND RELATED TO EDC MASTER PLAN FOR PARKS & TRAILS (PDF)
http://goo.gl/Q2azl

MARK MECKLER GUN CASE RESOLVED -- I am pleased to announce that the criminal case against me has been dropped. Apparently, much to my surprise, in New York City, it is considered "disorderly conduct" to exercise your constitutionally guaranteed, Second Amendment rights
http://goo.gl/97LBk

CAPITAL SOUTHEAST CONNECTOR JPA REVISES EIR AND APPROVES EXPANDED FINANCING STUDY -- the directors formally rescinded certification of the Program Environmental Impact Report, prepared to recertify an amended report, and approved a financial study to fund construction of the project, including consideration of using tolls. The expressway runs from EDH to Elk Grove along Grant Line Rioad. For more information, visit www.connectorjpa.net
http://goo.gl/ijrRE

ORLANDO MAGIC FORWARD RYAN ANDERSON GREW UP IN EL DORADO HILLS
http://goo.gl/2ICvD

EL DORADO COUNTY DRINKING WATER MONITORING SCHEDULE
http://goo.gl/eyNTx

HANGTOWN FRY WITH GRITS (photo)
http://goo.gl/8Q939

CALIFORNIA PUTS UP MAP OF LONE WOLF'S TRAVELS -- People interested in the far-flung wanderings of celebrity wolf, OR-7, can keep up with his progress on a new website
http://goo.gl/75sSn

AMAZON MAY BRING A DISTRIBUTION CENTER AND 1,500 JOBS TO THE CENTRAL VALLEY -- starting in western Stanislaus County. The facility would be the first of several Amazon sites in California
http://goo.gl/oamqX

LESSONS FROM SPAIN’S BULLET TRAIN: The numbers are lies, and it’s all about politics, not economics
http://goo.gl/yh7j1

Romney and Capitalism on Trial -- Star Parker
http://goo.gl/221cN

US AND IRAN INCH CLOSER TO MILITARY CONFLICT -- The likelihood of military conflict between the United States and Iran is higher now than at any time in more than two decades and tensions continue to escalate
http://goo.gl/aObge

WIKIPEDIA TO SHUT DOWN ON WEDNESDAY TO PROTEST ANTI-ONLINE PIRACY LEGISLATION -- Wikipedia will black out on Wednesday to protest two controversial Internet piracy bills, founder Jimmy Wales announced.  Wikipedia is the sixth most-visited website in the world with 25 million visits per day
http://goo.gl/4VOi0

AMONG THOSE PASSENGERS OF THE COSTA CONCORDIA CRUISE SHIP WERE JOANNA LYNCH AND HER HUSBAND ADAM FROM POLLOCK PINES (AT LEAST 40 STILL MISSING AFTER CRUISE SHIP WRECK) -- Melody Rainwater, her sister was returning to northern California and that her sister is tired, frustrated about the aftermath, and that she's praying for all the family members of the victims. Rainwater said this may have been her sister's first cruise ship experience. Lynch's family is looking forward to her safe return home Monday. The couple operate a children's consignment store in Placerville called Gorilla Kids
http://goo.gl/A7rlv & http://goo.gl/GC4ZL

HARD FREEZE WARNING -- FREEZING TEMPERATURES TONIGHT INTO TUESDAY MORNING
http://goo.gl/ekNPW

LAND-USE ENGINEER GENE E. THORNE, 66, DIED -- Thorne was known locally to many as a “master mapper” and although the economic downturn of 2008 took its toll on his professional engineering firm, Gene E. Thorne and Associates Inc., he never stopped giving back. When work was slow, and without compensation, Thorne volunteered and produced an extensive and detailed set of maps that visually display how the county’s General Plan land-use policies function. These graphic visuals are still in use today, and are often on display at the Board of Supervisors’ chambers
http://goo.gl/tPsdp

SUBJECT ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE AND ARSON IN MT. AUKUM -- Amber Nash
http://goo.gl/VlTXC & http://goo.gl/T3xXT

EL DORADO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPT. LOOKING FOR ‘PERSON OF INTEREST’ IN RESCUE AREA BURGLARIES
http://goo.gl/zR3p6

ENJOY THE BOUNTY OF EL DORADO COUNTY -- Spanish for “The Gilded One”
http://goo.gl/cqDwe

EL DORADO JOINS NAPA, SONOMA, MENDOCINO IN FISH-FRIENDLY FARM EFFORT -- El Dorado County is adopting Fish Friendly Farming. The concept has nothing to do with trout farms or other aquaculture. It's about growing farm crops and raising cattle in ways that keep surrounding streams and rivers clean.
http://goo.gl/LICp8

CODY KAISER, EL DORADO HILLS, NAMED ON THE ROSTER OF CYCLO-CROSS WORLD ELITE -- U23 athletes that will represent the United States at the 2012 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Koksijde, Belgium on Jan. 28-29
http://goo.gl/zn5ul

EL DORADO COUNTY AREA FLIPPERS IN TROUBLE
http://goo.gl/9dIbc

SEC CHARGES THREE IN $16 MILLION PONZI SCHEME AIMED AT MORMONS -- the SEC complaint alleges that from June 2005 to June 2010, Joseph A. Nelson, 34, of El Dorado Hills, Calif., along with his associates Kevin J. Wilcox, of Vacaville, Calif.; Jennifer E. Thoennes; address unknown; and Eric R. Nelson, of Provo, Utah, convinced investors to buy promissory notes offered by Joseph Nelson's non-existent companies JNC Inc., JCN Capital and JCN International
http://goo.gl/ZoyXf

CASA EL DORADO: STANDING UP FOR CHILDREN -- CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates and is a program of volunteers, not lawyers or social workers, just ordinary people advocating for abused and neglected children
http://goo.gl/Sf40F

ASSEMBLYWOMAN GAINES GETS GIVEN PRO-JOBS RATING BY NFIB -- Beth Gaines received an “A” grade from the National Federation of Independent Business
http://goo.gl/Uku4M

ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST ARCHAEOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN -- Hourly pay is $16.28 or $19.90 depending on location.
http://goo.gl/RF7rK

MENTORS ACCUSED OF CHILD MOLESTATION BETRAY OUR TRUST
http://goo.gl/n144K

MASSIVE SOUTH SHORE FUELS REDUCTION PROJECT APPROVED
http://goo.gl/aiDPr

AREA AGENCIES SCRAMBLE TO PREPARE FOR REDEVELOPMENT'S DEMISE -- cities and counties must decide quickly whether to declare themselves "successors" to redevelopment agencies in their jurisdictions. That means they would receive just enough agency funds to pay its debts, complete the unfinished projects and oversee the assets
http://goo.gl/LjWWs

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE GREAT LESSON OF KING'S REMARKABLE LIFE: IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS CAN COME TRUE -- In awe of King's moral vision: We can be better. We must. We will.
http://goo.gl/GkDBP

HELPING HANDS FOR JOLEE'S FAMILY -- Jolee Tarrant died Wednesday, January 4th, at the scene of an automobile accident north of Tampa, Florida.  Jolee was a 19 year-old college student from Shingle Springs.  Friends of the Tarrant family have established this website to provide people a way to help "lift a load" for this family.
http://goo.gl/nhzDn

EDITORIAL: DOUBLE-DIPPING IN PENSIONS NEEDS TO SUNSET -- Brad Hudson, Sac CEO, sits in an office to collect nearly $200,000 in public employee retirement pay while picking up another quarter-million in public salary
http://goo.gl/iUWNn

CALIFORNIA'S NEW WINE COUNTRY: SACRAMENTO --  There are 54 in El Dorado County, 43 wineries in Amador County, 16 in Yolo County and Sacramento County has just 13.  A new Ordinace aims to change this.  The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in December to adopt new zoning code amendments that will potentially foster growth of Sacramento’s wine industry.  Among other things, the ordinance provides the grape growers of a certain size the right to produce and bottle their own wine; gives wineries the ability to open small tasting rooms in agricultural zones; and eliminates the requirement for conditional use permits for private events, with restrictions based on the size of the property
http://goo.gl/q3rjd

EL DORADO FRIENDS OF NRA DINNER AND BANQUET -- Tickets now availble, they sold out last year.
http://goo.gl/YWdPQ

FREE COORDINATION WORKSHOP BY FRED KELLY GRANT -- COORDINATION is a formal collaborative process established by Congress to require federal land and resource agencies to give states, local governments, and Indian tribes a meaningful role in the decision-making process
http://goo.gl/1cyNX

HIGH SCHOOL ENROLLMENT TO DECLINE -- The projection for EDUHSD’s 2012-2013's school year enrollment is a loss of 267 students districtwide, with the biggest drop being in the number of ninth and 12th graders. Overall, the high school district, with four comprehensive high schools and four alternative schools, is projected to decline by  600 students between 2012 and 2018
http://goo.gl/H4NVV

AUBURN TEACHER ID’D AS EL DORADO COUNTY MOTORCYCLE-CRASH VICTIM -- Altman had taught kindergarten and 7th and 8th grade classes at Orangevale Seventh-day Adventist School
http://goo.gl/spr8Y

AUTHOR SHERIE LABEDIS TO DISCUSS HER BOOK - YOU CAME HERE TO DIE, DIDN’T YOU? -- This book is about a young white woman from the Placerville who spent the summer of 1965 in South Carolina registering black people to vote
http://goo.gl/5XzzL

FOSSUM CO-WROTE 'THE BOOK' ON KICKBOXING LOWDOWN -- Professional karate studios were few and far between in the foothills in the mid-70s, but when Fossum got his driver's license at 16 he found classes that fit his style in Placerville. The training he received there launched him into a career in martial arts that continues today. “I had no idea in the world that I would be doing martial arts for 35 years, it went by so fast,” Fossum said
http://goo.gl/7Pj1X

REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MORPHS INTO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE -- the RDC was established by City Ordinance 7906, but now, with the elimination of redevelopment in California, it has been reinvented as the Economic Development Advisory Committee
http://goo.gl/6dv7H

RAPE SUSPECT ARRIVES IN EDC AFTER DECADE -- An El Dorado Hills man who spent the better part of a decade on the lam in New York was booked into the Placerville jail Monday night. Pasquale “Patrick” Senatore, 45, is accused of lewd acts upon a child and forcible rape
http://goo.gl/lpKEk

BLOO SOLAR RELOCATES TO THE EL DORADO HILLS BUSINESS PARK
http://goo.gl/9cHYU

NOAA'S EDC WATERSHED MAP -- The 2010 population of El Dorado County was 181,058 with a population density of 105.8 people / square mile
http://goo.gl/ngG6y

SACRAMENTO COUNTY COUNSEL ROBERT RYAN PLANS TO RETIRE AT THE END OF JUNE
http://goo.gl/WuCl2

GRAY WOLF MOVING EAST IN NORTHEASTERN CAL
http://goo.gl/j6Fvd

9TH CIRCUIT REINSTATES CONVICTION IN SACRAMENTO RAPE CASE  -- U.S. Supreme Court says of the 9th Circuit decision "That decision is as inexplicable as it is unexplained," declared the high court. "It is reversed."
http://goo.gl/519n4

HIGH-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY CEO ROELOF VAN ARK RESIGNS -- marking the latest setback for the state’s planned high-speed rail project
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2012/01/12/high-speed-rail-authority-ceo-resigns.html

California's economy dips to No. 9 in world
http://goo.gl/ofUUr

OBAMA LOOKS TO MERGE SIX TRADE, COMMERCE AGENCIES INTO ONE
http://goo.gl/ApzDQ

CAL FIRE Suspends Burning in Amador and El Dorado Counties -- suspended all burning in the two counties on state responsibility lands (SRA) until further notice
http://goo.gl/aPLLq

Photos of nude women in 'unnatural poses' found in alleged serial killer's home -- Suspect in serial killings had rape diary & Photos. Naso, 78, who was a self-employed photographer of models, was on three years of probation for a felony larceny in El Dorado County before being charged in the "Double Initial" serial killings
http://goo.gl/tnAwo

Say good-bye to the McMansion -- Today’s boomers downsize homes, but upsize amenities
http://goo.gl/6dJGg

True to its name, Obscurity Vineyards focuses on 'neglected' grape varieties -- As you drive up Slug Gulch Road in the Fair Play district of southwestern El Dorado County, you will find John Smith and Oakstone Winery
http://goo.gl/QB1um

Motocyclist killed in crash on Salmon Falls Road identified -- An Auburn woman who died Sunday afternoon when she lost control of her motorcycle on Salmon Falls Road has been identified as Vickie G. Altman, 52
http://goo.gl/LBKYW

Copper Lantern Cupcakes moves into retail space with Yo So Yogurt shop in Cameron Park
http://goo.gl/vAIYQ

Placerville Coffee Depot is a good place to stop -- “I believe humans get a lot done, not because we’re smart, but because we have thumbs so we can make coffee.” (Flash Rosenberg).  Placerville Coffee Depot, If you have been wondering about the new yellow building at 70 Main St. in Placerville that looks like a small turn-of-the-century railroad station, it is the Placerville Coffee Depot, a new coffee drive-through and walk-up store. According to owner John Mosbacher, it...
http://goo.gl/8LXBX

Friends of Historic Hangtown, Preserving Hangtown's Historical Resources -- Concerned Citizens Volunteering to Facilitate Restoration of the Herrick and Old Hangman’s Tree Buildings
http://goo.gl/OqCyY

El Dorado county shooting spots
http://goo.gl/okuA2

Cubicle_98, Shingle Springs, opines on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez & World Bank ruling in Exxon case
http://goo.gl/CWlPl

Search is on for Senior Pastor at Rolling Hills Christian Church in Eldorado Hills
http://goo.gl/GtrEx

New Cowboy arrive in Wyoming including Junior college offensive tackle Connor Rains from Shingle Springs
http://goo.gl/fCNsa

Gene Altshuler defends "Mob Rule" -- Gene Serves as Finance Chair of the El Dorado County Central Committee (D) and a delegate to the California Democratic Party
http://goo.gl/N1CPu

Is Lake Tahoe filled with hundreds of preserved bodies?
http://goo.gl/6VtFJ

Tahoe ski resort heavyweights to advance Olympic chances
http://goo.gl/m99kF

Aspen restoration begins at Lake Tahoe
http://goo.gl/czMLl

Hangar construction completed at Lake Tahoe Airport
http://goo.gl/8CP0K

In the cause of religious liberty, the Supreme Court delivers a knockout punch to the White House
http://goo.gl/xZJPL

Full speed ahead for Web domain name expansion, despite FTC warning
http://goo.gl/894bq

Feud erupts over DNC chairwoman’s comment on Giffords shooting -- An inter-party feud erupted Wednesday evening over whether the head of the Democratic Party blamed the Tea Party movement for the shooting one year ago in Tucson, Ariz. that killed six and injured Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
http://goo.gl/RNhAN

Hostess officially files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
http://goo.gl/VxJ76

Guantanamo Ten Years Later
http://goo.gl/ejmL4

Greenberg guilty of first-degree murder -- Jurors needed less than one week to return with a guilty verdict against 40-year-old Morris Greenberg, who shot and killed 26-year-old Anthony Dumont in 2008. Dumont, a Grizzly Flat resident, was shot three times while sitting in a vehicle at Greenberg’s foreclosed Somerset home. During the five-week trial, jurors learned that Dumont was helping his girlfriend — Greenberg’s estranged wife — move items from the home she once shared with the defendant.
http://goo.gl/fEiQS

PLACERVILLE -- Gold Rush roots and pioneering spirit underscore city's diverse culture
http://goo.gl/b5avT

Aircraft association to hold ground school Today
http://goo.gl/6nzcp

El Dorado Art & Wine Festival at county fairgrounds in Placerville
http://goo.gl/IRGdz

Buckeye Education Foundation -- The Buck Doesn't Stop Here
http://goo.gl/5SCCC

Teen Court to Hold Training January 18, Accept New Student Volunteers
http://goo.gl/qr006

Two Lucky Players Drive Home Winners in Red Hawk Casino's Cash & Cadillacs Grand Finale
http://goo.gl/DoPlN

South Lake Tahoe faces shortage of foster parents -- More than 50 percent of those children have to be moved out of the area for foster care, often to Placerville or Jackson or sometimes as far away as the Bay Area
http://goo.gl/gP6zz

Man gets probation on marijuana possession
http://goo.gl/Zhuy7

Name of Mt. Aukum crash victim released -- He was identified as 35-year-old Brian Joseph Hale, a Roseville resident
http://goo.gl/YLYgF

SLT Mancuso 2nd, Cook 8th in Austrian downhill
http://goo.gl/V6Kcs

DFG seeks participants for Natural Resource Volunteer Program in Sacramento
http://goo.gl/QR6xF

Delta council seeks public comment at EIR hearings
http://goo.gl/XCXbu

Forest Service Seeks Nominations for Planning Rule FACA Committee
http://goo.gl/PB4oe

**Neurologist Says Hayashi's Story Doesn't Fly** -- Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi's shoplifting incident raises medical questions
http://goo.gl/iQwyo

California Supreme Court takes up redistricting fight -- scheduled to consider at a 9 a.m. hearing whether to weigh in on which Senate districts will be used in this year's primary and general elections if the referendum qualifies
http://goo.gl/XqEAM

FlashReport: U.S. Rep. Wally Herger To Retire; Endorsing Doug LaMalfa for Congress
http://goo.gl/sbVSV

FlashReport: U.S. Rep. Jerry Lewis Calling Supporters: "I am retiring."
http://goo.gl/G4J4R

Supreme Court Hears Case of 'Dream House' Stopped by EPA -- The EPA has argued that landowners have no constitutional right to proceed from a compliance order directly into federal court.  A number of the Justices seemed empathetic to the Sacketts' argument that, without the ability to sue in federal court, they'd essentially be left with no real way to challenge the EPA's order or threatened fines.
http://goo.gl/OywHt

Tibetan monks returning to Placerville
http://goo.gl/uVZpC

52-year-old Woman Killed In Placerville Motorcycle Crash on Salmon Falls rd
http://goo.gl/KFNNy

Local Profile: Big Boy Cycles of Placerville
http://goo.gl/gMcKU

New Fairmont A4 car at El Dorado Western Railroad
http://goo.gl/xDKFS

Placerville-based Trudeau, also known as Pregnant, leads first-time "G hum parade."
http://goo.gl/OSulA

Executive Chef Robert Sapirman reinterpets the hangtown fry
http://goo.gl/jq3fB

A Chocolate Affair charity benefit at El Dorado fairgrounds
http://goo.gl/0bmfw

Marinoble's fighter Griffin wins MMA welterweight pro belt -- He KOs veteran Jara 52 seconds into first round
http://goo.gl/m1oFI

Custom Picture Framing Shop And Fine Art Gallery For Sale in EDH
http://goo.gl/o1vVJ

Incline Village golf course re-opens as snow continues to evade Lake Tahoe
http://goo.gl/WVD2d

Logger and Forest Service official to meet today on logger's claims against the government
http://goo.gl/Vx8Iz

Cost of gas in Sacramento rises 6.7 cents
http://goo.gl/rtuNH

Editorial: Assembly again favors lenders over consumers -- new laws to the benefit of lenders and detriment of borrowers
http://goo.gl/Kp0Bn

Opinion: Continuing deadlock in Congress may boost state power -- Because of Congress’s partisan paralysis, 2012 may signal a monumental shift in power away from the federal government to the state governments – and in the process permanently alter the constitutional interpretation of federalism
http://goo.gl/bhble

Opinion: NAACP Plantation Masters Play Race Card Again
http://goo.gl/YPDJI

Peter Fordham, Cameron Park, Takes Over Paragon Casino Resort after Opening the Red Hawk Casino -- Louisiana's Paragon Casino Resort Announces New General Manager
http://goo.gl/K7WQo

Union Mine coach arrested on sex charges -- The varsity baseball coach, David Robert Freeman, 38, at Union Mine High School has been arrested on felony charges involving alleged sex acts with a former student at the school.  Freeman was popular among students and faculty and had been at the school since it was built in 1999
http://goo.gl/Y741K

Victim of Pollock Pines mobile home fire a convicted sex offender -- The Wagon Wheel mobile park property manager said Harlan had been convicted of sex offenses. The property manager said most neighbors in the park did not like Harlan and one had even posted signs with his mugshot as a warning to parents in the area
http://goo.gl/4AtJJ

Wanted: CASA needs a few good men
http://goo.gl/DFmda

Prescribed Fires Planned To Resume In Eldorado National Forest -- near Mormon Emigant Trail & Georgetown
http://goo.gl/IKAwy

Local Mcdonald’s® Offers Free Small Coffee -- no purchase necessary
http://goo.gl/HSCMJ

El Dorado Hills man to join taxpayer panel -- the IRS this week named 26 new members to its Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, including El Dorado Hills resident Samuel Sorich
http://goo.gl/yF1C3

Jonas Minton joins taxpayers group for water chat -- decisions being made to improve conditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta may have consequences that affect the mountain counties where the waters that flow through the Delta originate. Jonas Minton, in his current role as president of the Planning and Conservation League (PCL), an environmental advocacy organization based in Sacramento, was invited to speak to the El Dorado County Taxpayers group at a weekly Monday morning meeting...
http://goo.gl/sQqCy

El Dorado County Barrel Tasting Weekend January 28 and 29 -- Tickets on sale now
http://goo.gl/QaAC7

Machado gets trial date -- Placerville's former Mayor David Machado is scheduled to go on trial June 5 on charges relating to his property dealings in the city. Dave Machado, 53, was charged in August with felony perjury and felony criminal conspiracy in connection with properties he Owned in Placerville's now defunct Redevelopment District
http://goo.gl/uzIhw

El Dorado Builders Exchange gives Public Records request to DOT re CIP -- proposed capital improvement plans (CIP) and their associated cost for all traffic impact fee zones (state and local)
http://goo.gl/jBtL2

1890 mining ore cart with track from Placerville goes to auction Sunday
http://goo.gl/bFYVA

16 year old Tay, Georgetown, Looking for a Horse -- Tay is District 3 High School Rodeo Queen
http://goo.gl/aVs7O

Union Pacific video could be worth cash -- Railroad said it will award more than $35,000 to top entries in a contest to remake the company's 1970s television commercial, "We Can Handle It."
http://goo.gl/AJEAz

Lake Tahoe ski resorts are making a go with little snow -- As Homewood moves to close midweek due to mild temps, regional officials dispel growing rumors of shuttering resorts
http://goo.gl/rf0Es

Summer in winter means hard times at Tahoe
http://goo.gl/t91BT

Sacramento airport offers priority lane -- for security for frequent flyer and business travel
http://goo.gl/xhomF

California Assembly releases member budgets under court order
http://goo.gl/CU5jO

Gaming Numbers Grim, But Sandoval Says Numbers are Improving -- With Indian gaming thriving in Roseville and Placerville, Washoe County casinos are struggling to bring in revenue from California residents who may see little need to drive all the way to Nevada
http://goo.gl/RkYfn

DOJ online gambling ruling -- The Justice Department released a ruling last month clarifying that the Wire Act’s ban on interstate transactions related to gambling applies only to sports betting, opening the door for states to offer online gaming to their citizens. The ruling was a reversal of DOJ’s previous position
http://goo.gl/K0bsZ

30-year mortgages match all-time low
http://goo.gl/TGVnQ

The Weakness That Saps the Strength of GOP Candidates
http://goo.gl/uE7Ku

R.I.P. Bill of Rights 1789 - 2011 (Opinion)
http://goo.gl/gGGY9