After years of public complaints about misplaced priorities and failure to keep pace with the community's needs, El Dorado Hills Community Services District directors were lauded for listening to constituents.

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors has agreed to take charge of a popular skate park at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, saying on-site management is needed to safely operate the facility. The board last week approved a six-month pilot program for managing Joe's Skate Park.

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) -- When five forest firefighters died in Southern California last year, investigators blamed risky decisions by managers.

But is the gung-ho culture of wildland firefighters also to blame? The U.S. Forest Service has commissioned a study to find out if it needs to change the attitudes of its staff toward fighting fires. Firefighters, like astronauts, can share feelings of invincibility, a "right stuff" mentality that is dangerous, said University of Idaho researcher Chuck Harris, who is leading the study. "Rather than question authority, they plug ahead and believe they can beat the fire," Harris said.

Have you always wanted to help others in our community? Can you spare one night per month and volunteer from the comfort of your own home? The South Lake Tahoe Women's Center is looking for volunteers.

Two months after the Angora fire, residents who plan to rebuild their homes now await the outcome of their insurance policies and how much companies will break down and separate damage costs from what they consider depreciation. Today, town hall meeting, 7 p.m. at the Lake Tahoe Community College theater

El Dorado County Counsel Lou Green announces that the County has prevailed in the Lawsuit brought against the County by The California Native Plant Society and the Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation.  Building an assisted living for up to 345 seniors, including 50 to 60 with Alzheimer's disease will now resume. See related stories below.

REPRINT

Once when I was a little girl about five my parents took my sister and I to the beach. They let us play near the skim and I was curious about the waves. So I went closer and the tide came in dangerously playing around my waist and then a wave unexpectedly came out of nowhere and pounded me into the sand, if my breath wasn't taken away from the force of the blow I would have choked on the salt water that flooded into my mouth and nose.

All proceeds generated from this month's First Thursday's Wine Walk benefited nine families of Boys and Girls Club members who lost their homes in the Angora fire.

Karen Houser, executive director of the organization, said "16 of our kids have been affected by this devastating event. That is a big number in a club the size of ours. Those are only the ones we are aware of. There may be more. In addition, one employee and two volunteers also lost their homes.

"The aftermath of this event solidified the significant role that the club plays in our community and our families' lives, providing a safe and positive place for kids to spend their time," Houser said. "The club also served as a distribution center for donated items for victims for the two weeks after the fire."

El Dorado Town Center presents Walking Spanish in the amphi-theater, live music on Town Center Boulevard, El Dorado Hills Taekwondo Family Center demonstrations in the lower plaza and children's Mad Science activities at ...

[.pdf ]  El Dorado County Public Health Department will be offering low-cost back to school immunization clinics in South Lake Tahoe in August.  According to Cathy Dunbar, El Dorado County Immunization Coordinator, California School Immunization Law requires that children be up-to-date on their shots to attend school.  “Diseases like pertussis and mumps have been more prevalent over the last few years, so children need to be protected before they enter school,” said Dunbar.

Snapple has done everything right. The Australian shepherd-Jack Russell terrier mix eats healthy, exercises and lives in the clean Tahoe air. Unfortunately, luck has eluded him: He has lung cancer.