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El Dorado County sheriff’s officials have identified the man shot by deputies Wednesday afternoon as 32-year-old Thomas Michael Signor of Placerville.
The Sheriff’s Office narcotics team was serving a narcotics-related search warrant at a residence on Baco Drive around noon when Signor reportedly answered the door with a firearm in his hand. Information regarding what actions led to at least one deputy shooting the man or how many deputies served the search warrant has not yet been released.
“During the investigation, the team collected the firearm that Signor was holding when he confronted the deputies at the front door. In
addition, other weapons were found in accessible locations throughout the residence,” notes an EDSO social media post posted Thursday evening.
Friends of the victim also took to social media, expressing disbelief, sadness and outrage after Signor’s death.
Signor’s last post before he died was a repost of a William Faulkner quote: “Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world … would do this, it would change the earth.”
No officers were injured during the incident, according to EDSO Sgt. Anthony Prencipe,
The U.S. Federal District Court of Montana heard oral arguments April 17 for the Forest Service
Employees For Environmental Ethics’ lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service for the service’s discharging of fire retardant into national waters.
Of those making arguments, a coalition of firefighting experts and stakeholders gave their opinions through an amicus brief defending the use of fire retardants as needed to fight increasing and more frequent wildfires. Among them was former Cal Fire director and Mount Aukum resident Ken Pimlott, who chairs the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council and works part time for the county Office of Wildfire Preparedness. Pimlott was asked to give a
declaration based on his experiences as a subject matter expert.
“Over the course of my 40-year career fighting fires, I have witnessed countless examples where the aerial deployment of fire retardant made a significant difference in our ability to protect public safety, communities, property and natural resources,” Pimlott states in the brief. “If the Forest Service were enjoined from the aerial deployment of fire retardant, it would dramatically disrupt the close coordination between federal and state governments in deploying aerial
resources to respond to wildfires. This would result in significantly increased response times and would place an additional burden on state and local government aircraft, risking additional large fires that threaten lives and natural resources.”
In its lawsuit against the Forest Service, the FSEEE claims USFS dropped about three-fourths of a million gallons of fire retardant into U.S. waters from 2012 to 2019 without a National Pollutant Discharge System permit from the Environmental Protection Agency, a violation of the Clean Water Act which
Placerville’s City Council meeting Tuesday evening saw a significant turnout of farmers, merchants and locals looking to speak about the decision to move the Wednesday night farmers market away from the Bell Tower.
Public comment and the following discussion by the council took the greater part of two hours, with both sides of the issue speaking to concerns, frustrations and hopes for an amicable resolution. Parking, safety, finances and communication were the main themes of the night, with suggested solutions and counterpoints coming from both sides.
“The more I’ve dug into it, the more people I’ve talked to and the more information that I have received about that situation, the more comfortable I am with the decision I made.”
regulates discharging of pollutants into U.S. waters. The FSEEE maintains the use of these retardants is doing more harm to the environment than good as a fire-fighting tool.
“Over the decades, they have kept trying to come up with a better chemical mousetrap, but they have never departed from the notion that somehow they can make water better for fighting fire and improve upon Mother Nature’s water, except there’s no evidence that it does,” said Andy Stahl, FSEEE executive director, to the
The market relocation discussion has had a Terminator-like tenacity, coming back again and again to the council agenda since it was first discussed in February.
“I think this is the third meeting at least this year so far on this issue and I do want to apologize for that,” Placerville Mayor Michael Saragosa said at the start of the meeting.
“Because we really strive to get things right the first time when we do things and this hasn’t been the smoothest of processes. No matter what your position is on any of this, one meeting probably would’ve been the way to go on this. We always want to err on the side of caution as we go forward, make sure we get the input that we need. Hopefully tonight we’ll have some finality on this.”
Following a litany of complaints from Main Street merchants, many of whom council members said were unwilling to publicly voice their concerns due to fear of retribution or public pushback, the council discussed moving the market and identified the Fox Lot near Mel’s as a potential new location. The council decided during its Feb. 14 meeting to have city staff evaluate options prior to a decision that would be made the following meeting.
Jason (Robert)
Shepherd
July 14, 1946 – March 1, 2023
Jason Shepherd passed away into the arms of Jesus March 1, 2023 at his home after being in hospice care for one year. His wife, Jan and granddaughter Lillyan were at his side. Born
July 14, 1946 and raised in Packanack Lake New Jersey by Jonathan and Dorothy Shepherd. He joined the Air Force in 1967 serving as Sta Sergeant during the Vietnam war. Subsequently he was on disability through the VA for his heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange. He was a member of the DAV 35 chapter, American Legion and VFW Post 10165 where he served as Chaplain in addition to serving in several ministries at Green Valley Community Church. He leaves behind his wife of 17 years, Jan and brother Tom Shepherd as well as step children Becky Cracknell, Bobby and Billy Shepherd, Eric Carr and daughters/ granddaughters Samantha and Danielle Shepherd. Grandchildren, Lillyan, Rachelle, Nathan, Aubri, Addilyn, Vince, Triston, Khaleesi and Raiden.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Thursday May 18, 2023 at Green Valley Community Church, 3500 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. Donations to Snowline Hospice are appreciated in lieu of flowers.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been detected for the first time in freeranging California wildlife.
One hunter-harvested mule deer, a buck from El Dorado County, was confirmed to be infected. The deer was harvested in 2021 and sampled by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for chronic wasting disease surveillance. It was negative for CWD and did not show any outward signs of illness.
In California SARS-CoV-2 has been confirmed in pets and zoo animals, but never in free-ranging wildlife. Following reports of SARS-CoV-2 detections in freeranging white-tailed deer and mule deer in other states and
The following was taken from El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office records:
April 24
1:17 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 48-year-old man suspected of DUI and child abuse on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines. He was released on $150,000 bail.
1:47 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 24-year-old man suspected of possession of a controlled
Canadian provinces, CDFW tested archived deer samples for SARSCoV-2. CDFW submitted archived samples from 170 black-tailed and mule deer collected in 2020 and 209 black-tailed and mule deer collected in 2021. Initial testing for SARS-CoV-2 was conducted at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory at UC Davis and confirmatory testing was conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. “Others have shown that deer can be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and that they can pass it to other deer but do not get sick,” said Dr. Brandon Munk, senior wildlife
substance and illegal drug paraphernalia on Garden Valley Road in Garden Valley. He was later released.
10:30 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Parkside Drive in Grizzly Flat.
11:20 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man suspected of a felony probation violation on Placerville Drive in Placerville. He was listed in custody.
11:41 a.m. Burglary was reported
Market Continued from A1
Two weeks later on March 2, the council resolved to relocate the market to the Mooney Lot next to Hangtown Cantina, a decision that came as a surprise to El Dorado County Farm Trails leadership, including President Mike Owen and manager of the market Seana Hartsell.
“I haven’t even looked at this lot; I didn’t even know it was there and it was never mentioned as an option,” Hartsell told the Mountain Democrat in March. “I now only have three months to prepare, to figure out what the council wants, to change permits, to change our address with payment processors.”
The Mooney Lot decision was an unanticipated curve ball for farmers as well, as the prior meeting had identified three potential location spots — none of which were the Mooney Lot. Following the decision, city sta and council members received multiple letters and emails voicing the opinion that the public had not been given enough time or chance to provide input, according to City Manager Cleve Morris.
The council additionally received a letter that questioned wether the council’s approach to the topic had amounted to a violation of the Brown Act. The council met in closed session April 11 with City Attorney Mona Ebrahimi and determined that the council had met legal requirements for posting agenda items and had therefore not violated the act. The council also announced it would revisit its decision at the following meeting to allow for more public comment.
The council defended its prior decision, with Council member John Clerici explaining his thought processes and that a prior survey sent out to merchants did not reflect the whole picture.
The survey in question was sent to 80 businesses, with 25 responding; of those 25, there were around four that shared comments critical of the market.
The responses to the survey were initially available to the public on the city website, but have since been removed after a number of people began to call for boycotts of the businesses that responded in the negative.
“This isn’t about the vendors; it might impact the vendors and I understand that, but this is about Farm Trails and how they’ve handled this situation,” Clerici said. “The more I’ve dug into it, the more people I’ve talked to and the more information that I have received about that situation, the more comfortable I am with the decision I made.”
Many farmers were less than comfortable with the decision, however, saying the short warning and relocation paired with unclear new requirements posed a threat to their livelihoods.
“Seventy percent of my income depends on this farmers market and it being moved will mean mean me losing 30%,” said Greg Rockney, owner of Rockney Farms. “That’s what is estimated in studies, that moving a market makes sales go down by at least 30%.”
Rockney also spoke to the proposition that vendors be limited to exclusively produce, an
veterinarian with CDFW. “We do not see SARS-CoV-2 as a threat to our deer populations but we continue to work with partners to better understand what, if any, significance SARS-CoV-2 infections in wildlife may pose to wildlife and people. This is certainly another reminder not to intentionally feed deer. Artificially congregating deer increases the likelihood of spreading disease and may be a source of SARSCoV-2 exposure for deer.”
There is no evidence people can contract COVID-19 by eating meat from an infected animal. Nonetheless, hunters are encouraged to take appropriate precautions when handling and dressing game and practice good food hygiene when processing their animals.
on Spyglass Lane in El Dorado Hills.
12:58 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a mobile home park on Cold Springs Road in Placerville.
1:11 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Saratoga Way in El Dorado Hills.
3:21 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 54-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Jacquier Road in Placerville, He was later released.
3:40 p.m. Battery was reported at a park on Mother Lode Drive in Shingle Springs.
6:10 p.m. Battery was reported on Pony Tail Lane in Shingle Springs.
6:30 p.m. Burglary was reported on Howard Circle in Diamond Springs.
11:19 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 20-year-old man suspected of burglary on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville, He was listed in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail.
idea that had been raised in the previous council meeting regarding the market. “The market and other vendors there, that’s what makes the farmers market. It’s everybody that crafts locally, that grows produce, everybody that plays music, coming together as a community that invites everybody else to come over and become part of the community as well,” Rockney told the council.
Jean Reinders, a member of the EDC Farm Trails Board of Directors, took issue with a comment from council saying the organization had mismanaged the market.
“This is the first time I have ever heard this,” Reinders said. “Yes, there’s been complaints about parking and complaints from the merchants, but now you’re throwing it at the organization? I mean I feel I’ve just been slapped in the face. I think you’re just looking for an excuse. This market is only good for this community; it takes EBT and we match it. We feed the people who couldn’t a ord it.”
After public comment had closed April 25 Saragosa spoke to a prior talking point that Farm Trails had not been properly notified of a change in the contract between the city and the market. Saragosa revealed an email sent Sept. 13, 2022, between city Director of Community Services Terry Zeller and Hartsell had indicated the city would not be renewing the contract in 2023.
The council voted to rea rm its prior decision to relocate the market to the Mooney Lot, which both the council and Farm Trails leadership said is an acceptable compromise for both parties. Morris was given authority to negotiate the contract with Farm Trails leadership and the limitation on nonproduce/food vendors was defined as less than 20% of the total vendors at the market. The contract would allow for possible year-by-year extension, provided that Farm Trails keeps to the contract and there are not significant complaints from neighboring businesses.
In a closing comment, Council member David Yarborough emphasized the importance of community input at council meetings and involvement of all parties in the market discussions.
“I think this movement from downtown is not only a ecting the farmers and the vendors but I think the merchants are going to see something; they’re going to see an e ect too whether they think so or not,” Yarborough explained.
“Merchants are going to be missing out on Wednesday nights, honestly. I would highly recommend that all of you that are vendors and farmers that are participating in this market, attend your board meetings. It’s not just the management’s responsibility to make sure you guys are doing what you’re supposed to do; it is your responsibility too and it is your responsibility to hold the city accountable to make sure that we’re following the contract for you guys,” he continued “If we can all work together and get that taken care of, that’s gonna solve a lot of problems. Hopefully, for years to come, we have this farmers market.”
Tahoe Daily Tribune
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced April 24 that $142.6 million has been awarded, including a chunk to El Dorado County agencies, for statewide investments in projects intended to enhance carbon storage while restoring the health and resilience of existing and recently burned forests.
Cal Fire’s Forest Health Program is awarding 27 grants to local and regional partners implementing projects on state, local, tribal, federal and private lands spanning more than 75,000 acres and 24 counties.
Fuels reduction and prescribed fire treatments funded under these grants are aimed at reducing excess vegetation and returning forest and oak woodlands to more fire, drought and pest-resilient conditions.
Several projects include work within landscapes severely burned in recent wildfires. Ten awarded projects focus on post-fire reforestation and regeneration activities over the landscape of 11 catastrophic fires in California over the past 10 years. These fires include the Antelope, Bobcat, Beckwourth, Caldor, CZU Lightning Complex, Dixie, KNP Complex, McKinney, Mosquito, North Complex and Rim.
“Cal Fire is proud to award Forest Health Grants that will provide invaluable reforestation and restoration capacity to California’s fire-effected and threatened landscapes and communities,” said John Melvin, assistant deputy director of resource protection and improvement for Cal Fire. “Fuels reduction, reintroduction of beneficial fire, treatment of degraded lands and conservation of threatened forests are all vital to conserving and improving California’s forest health and resilience.”
Two-thirds of the awarded projects benefit disadvantaged or low-income communities. The economic opportunities provided by these investments are in addition to the expected benefits from forest
management activities, including reduced threat of catastrophic wildfire, reduced risk to nearby communities, improvements in water quality and habitat, and climate change mitigation from carbon storage in wood products and retaining and improving forest carbon sinks.
Many of Cal Fire’s Forest Health grants were made available through California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars toward achieving the state’s climate change goals while also strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities. This summer, Cal Fire expects to award additional grants of up to $115 million for Wildfire Prevention and up to $19 million for Tribal Wildfire Resilience.
Forest Projects Plan — Arbor
(Phase 1A)
Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority, Amador, El Dorado counties, $6,999,999
This fuels reduction project is designed to reduce the risk of highintensity, large-scale wildfires, protect communities, improve forest resilience and enhance important wildlife habitat on a minimum of 3,133 acres of upper watershed areas primarily within the WUI. The roadside fuel breaks, Yes mastication, hand thinning and follow-up prescribed fire treatments are designed to reduce excess surface fuels in strategic locations along ridge tops and upper slopes that connect with past treatments.
Calforests Caldor Fire Post Fire Recovery — Phase I
California Forestry Association, El Dorado County, $4,167,588, 780,000 trees to be planted
The project has 14 treatment areas within the Caldor Fire near the devastated community of Grizzly Flat in El Dorado County. Treatments
n See GRANTS, page A5
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Ideally, you live in a way to offer continual evidence that the world is better because you’re in it. If you aren’t improving things, you’ll be learning ways or watching for the opportunity to do so.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). While you wouldn’t dream of giving up on what you really want, you also realize that humans do not always want what is in their best interest. You are wise to keep an open mind in determining which pursuits are worthy.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Since you never know what another person has experienced or is dealing with right now, you err on the side of tenderness. With a kind word, dark moments can be stirred in such a way to bring in the light.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). How can you tell you’re choosing the right thing to work on? If it has the potential for significant and meaningful impact, it’s worth doing. Is it also easy? Do it right away. Is it difficult? Do it little by little.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When you believe in something, your conviction is often enough to pull you forward. But if something shakes the belief, momentum dies. This is part of the reason you are so driven to know the truth, which is, by definition, unchanging.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You run toward the challenge because you know that no matter how far into the endeavor you get, it’s better to have the experience than not. Setbacks are inevitable, but you have the strength and resilience to keep going.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Keep at it. Tenacity will bring the
result. That said, the art is in making it look easy. Today’s aim will be best accomplished without sweat. If people think you’re trying too hard, you’ll be less influential.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ve a gift for knowing when to blend in and how to assert yourself when it’s your turn. Your work weaves in with that of others and patterns emerge. It will seem you were always headed toward unmistakable beauty.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re in a mood to skip the plan and get right into action, but run this through your head a few times before you launch. It will keep you from forgetting anything essential to your success.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). In the movies, big changes happen in an instant. Reality more often involves small changes that, over time, create a new circumstance. You continue with little acts of grace and watch a better world slowly take shape.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Reciprocal relationships thrive. Even so, the currency reciprocated may not be the same for each person. For instance, Person A may give undivided attention to Person B, who offers in return the sense of purpose that comes from being needed.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You won’t have to worry about networking or outreach because doing what you love will draw the like-minded to you. Your enthusiasm has magnetism. Revel in what you find exciting about the endeavor and share your enjoyment.
In a recent column I referred to SBX1-2, a dangerous legislative proposal to define “excessive profits,” as setting a new speed record in California’s headlong rush toward Soviet-style central planning. Well, let’s add one more bad bill to the state’s perpetual march toward a collectivist state. Fortunately, this one may not be legal for long.
Like SBX1-2, Assembly Bill No. 205 from last year bypassed many of the normal procedures for enacting legislation. It did this because it was a so-called “budget trailer bill.” While the “budget bill” is constitutionally mandated to be enacted by June 15, it only passes by that date for one reason — so the legislators can continue to receive their paychecks. Moreover, after the enactment of the budget, there are so-called “junior budget bills” amending the fake June 15 budget as well as last-minute “budget trailer bills” directing the spending of billions in ways that the budget bill itself did not direct.
AB 205, the “energy trailer bill,” received scant public attention and no meaningful public hearings were held. But its impacts are profound — and not in a good way.
Following the new law’s mandates, California’s big utility companies have announced a radical change in the way they will charge customers for service. Soon, residential electricity charges will depend in part on the ratepayer’s income. Specifically, electricity bills will have two components: a fixed infrastructure charge that varies with income and an electricity use charge, which would vary based on consumption. Next year the CPUC will determine what charges are imposed and on whom.
Not surprisingly, the announcement from Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Gas & Electric has resulted in a huge negative reaction from taxpayers and the media — for good reason. Trying to shoehorn an income component into utility rates converts “ratepayers” into “taxpayers” and Californians have had their fill of high taxes.
The difference between a tax and a fee is more than semantics. Taxes are imposed for generalized government services like education, public safety, transportation and even for a reasonable safety net for the less fortunate.
EDITOR:
Iremember as a kid when the radio was playing happy days are here again because Nixon had resigned. I wondered then, why are they celebrating? How could that day be joyous?
Since then I have watched the greatest democracy known to man erode into a banana republic. Politicians using the rule of law for political expediency used to only be seen in South America or some other third world nation but it is commonplace here today — from Nixon, Watergate, Clarence Thomas, pubic hair in my Coke, Clinton’s cigar, Tom Delay’s political hack job, Kavanaugh’s embarrassment to Trump’s two impeachments and now a politically motivated city prosecutor’s prosecution. I see no way we can put the genie back into the bottle. We are no longer at the edge. Our country’s view of the cliff edge is looking up on our way down. I have no idea what this chaos will bring except that the rest of the world, which has counted on us as a leader, will suffer.
KEN STEERS Cameron ParkRasmussen Pond is a refuge for all
EDITOR:
The Rasmussen Pond area has been like a sacred friend to me over the past 20 years, if not longer. I have walked all over that area more times than one could ever count, not to mention many of my different dogs have also walked the beautiful grounds there. I have met people along my walks, met their dogs and have made friendships.
It saddens me beyond words to think greedy developers have plans to develop this part of our rural county. The look of Cameron Park/Shingle Springs has changed so much already; the rural nature is quickly fading away.
The TTLC subdivision plan shows houses will be packed in there like sardines. They will cram as many in this area as allowable by all the regulations. This will turn into the highest-density housing development in this area. The impact on Meder Road and the surrounding neighborhood will be horrific. The loss of natural habitats and the destruction of our local wildlife will be staggering. This land, I dare to say, is used by the public year round more than any other area in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs I can think of. I hope our
community can do what it can to reject this development and save the Rasmussen Pond area.
RED CAREY Shingle SpringsEDITOR:
Iread the Mountain Democrat article regarding the development around Rasmussen Pond. It is a shame to lose this beautiful open space. It states the developer is trying to save the pond; however, the proposed plans show all the homes concentrated around the pond area and with smaller lots than is common for the area. If they were truly trying to preserve this space for all of the wildlife and visitors who have enjoyed it, it seems they could annex the pond and trails and many acres beyond to Rasmussen Park and position the homes much further out on this large property.
Cameron Park lacks useable open space unlike the many trails and lakes in surrounding communities (Bass Lake, Serrano trails, Folsom, Jenkinson Lake, etc). I hope there is a way to find a better solution and one that continues to make Cameron Park a special place to live, for animals and residents alike.
SHERI HILLIS Cameron ParkEDITOR:
Mr. Garon’s April 10 letter is “Rationalizing the Nashville massacre.” The harder thing to rationalize is Mr. Garon. How Mr. Garon took the heinous action by someone whose orientation made them feel marginalized and morphed that into the Second Amendment being in the Constitution solely to shoot runaway slaves takes a twisted mind.
Unfortunately that’s not that uncommon on the left. They try to ban guns while at the same time support the release of violent felons and armed parolees. And since he brought up race, how about your President Joe Biden, Mr. Garon? You remember President Biden, the one who didn’t want his kids going to school in a “racial jungle,” his words. It’s the same Joe Biden who gave a moving eulogy for Sen. Robert Byrd, who had been a former grand kleagle of the KKK.
Your outrage about some things seems to be rather selective, Mr. Garon.
GEORGE ALGER PlacervilleOn March 20 the 6th District Court of Appeals issued a new ruling on California’s Mitigation Fee Act in the case of Hamilton and Hill v. the city of Palo Alto. Although the losing party, the city of Palo Alto, has asked for a rehearing, it appears the odds are against Palo Alto as three of the seven appellate judges who heard the case already concur with the decision and it was well-reasoned, following the law and heavily citing Walker v. San Clemente, the leading case on the MFA and the law in California.
The case is significant to El Dorado County as it impacts our own MFA lawsuit — Austin v. El Dorado County.
Both Walker and Hamilton-Hill ruled that under the MFA, a “local agency” must refund to property owners all monies in MFA accounts if the local agency does not make findings every five years via a
resolution of the Board of Supervisors that reexamine and justify the need of the funds on account and the continued collection of those fees.
That is exactly the problem for El Dorado County and other special districts, which failed to make timely five-year findings (despite multiple warnings from the county auditor), resulting in the lawsuit being filed.
The Austin case heads to trial in a few months and now the plaintiffs are armed with another case affirming the law and requirements. In both the Walker and Hamilton-Hill cases, the local agency (the cities of Palo Alto and San Clemente) were ordered to refund and disgorge themselves of their MFA accounts and refund the money to the property owners of record.
The Walker and now the HamiltonHill rulings have said that every five years the local agency must
“reexamine” its basis for retaining the unexpended fees in the fund ….”
But Hamilton adds another twist to the mix — lateness of the fiveyear findings. The ruling states, “It is undisputed that more than 180 days had elapsed between the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2018, and the city’s May 2020 five-year findings. Therefore, those findings were untimely and noncompliant with the requirement of the subdivision (66001 (d)(2) … We decide that the May 2020 five-year findings failed to conform to procedures required by law … rendering the unexpended portion of the parking fund subject to the refund provision of section 66001(d)(2).”
What that all means is that the law now states the five-year findings have to meet the sufficiency of Walker (that is to re-justify by reexamination and a demonstration of a need for the funds on account) and be timely filed (within 180 days of the end of the prior fiscal year when fiveyear findings are due). If either requirement is not met, the funds on account must be refunded and a
continued collection of those fees is illegal.
In the Austin case, it is without question that El Dorado County was late with the five-year findings — several years late as per the emails of the county auditor. That alone requires a refund of the monies in the MFA account.
The opinions previously rendered by the board’s legal counsel — that the county was “OK” because it was working on the five-year findings — were wrong and don’t comply with the law. But that faulty guidance was what the board wanted to hear, so they too ignored the law.
Will the County Counsel’s Office step up? I am aware County Counsel
David Livingston has this new Hamilton-Hill decision. The county and other defendants have spent more than a $1 million of taxpayers’ money attempting to delay the inevitable. The law is very clear. Is the county going to follow the law or does it think it’s still above the law and plan to waste more taxpayer money?
Larry Weitzman is a resident of Placerville.
Trying to shoehorn an income component into utility rates converts “ratepayers” into “taxpayers” and Californians have had their fill of high taxes.
But a “fee” or “charge” has always correlated to the receipt of a specific service. Californians readily understand the di erence and have wholly embraced “cost of service” principles by approving several amendments to the California Constitution.
For example, immediately after Proposition 13 passed in 1978 voters approved the Gann Spending Limit (1979) to limit the growth of government spending to increases in population and inflation. The Gann definition of “proceeds of taxes,” subject to the spending cap, includes user fees except when those fees “exceed the costs reasonably borne by that entity in providing the regulation, product or service.”
Likewise, in 2010 California voters specifically approved language to clarify the di erence between taxes and legitimate user fees. Proposition 26 provides that a tax does not include certain fees as long as the charge “does not exceed the reasonable costs to the State of conferring the benefit or granting the privilege to the payor.”
The income-based utility rates are not scheduled to be in e ect until 2025, so ratepayers, taxpayers and voters will have an opportunity to correct this mistake though political means.
But even if politicians do nothing to stop this tax increase, backers of income-based utility rates have another problem. A coalition of taxpayer and business organizations have already qualified the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act for the 2024 ballot. Among its many provisions is not only further clarification of what a “tax” is but also a provision that requires any tax to be approved by a legislative body rather than some administrative agency or other authority not directly accountable to voters. That includes the PUC. If the income-based utility rates are deemed to be taxes — an incontrovertible fact — then the tax would have to be approved by the California legislature. Moreover, since the TPA requires any statewide tax increase (this one authorized by AB 205) to be approved by the statewide electorate as well as a two-thirds vote of both houses, voters, one way or another, will have the final say.
In short, this battle on behalf of California’s beleaguered taxpayers and ratepayers is not over. Not by a long shot.
Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 334-2970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot. comt
AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net
El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR
RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net
LEARN & PLAY CRIBBAGE Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762
Ready for real change?
CELEBRATE RECOVERY meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm at Bayside Church of Placerville, 4602 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. We are a Christ centered recovery program to find healing and recovery from our hurts, habits, and hangups. Email elebratercovery@ baysideplacerville. com. Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ CRBaysidePlacerville.
Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at
6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@ greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/
DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems. org for more information.
GOLD RUSH CHORUS now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing fourpart harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575
Hangtown Women’s TENNIS Club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.
MARSHALL HOSPITAL
AUXILIARY is looking for volunteers. It is a rewarding opportunity to do something for the community. We will be holding interviews on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Please contact Linda Grimoldi at 530-6202240 or call the Auxiliary Office at 530-626-2643.
SENIOR PEER COUNSELING
Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)6216304 to leave a message and get started.
TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OF EL DORADO COUNTY
Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that affect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public except the first Monday of each month. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a nonpartisan organization
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include erosion control tilling; mastication; control of competing vegetation using pre- and postherbicide treatments and grazing; planting of native trees; Yes and biomass utilization. Treated areas will be resilient to natural disturbance, fostering long-term carbon sequestration, timber products, healthy watersheds and forest-dependent wildlife habitat.
ARC SOFAR Restoration Project
American River Conservancy, El Dorado County, $3,146,831
The ARC SOFAR Restoration Project is a 1,030 acre ecological forestry project proposal grouping four separate properties owned by the American River Conservancy that fall within the priority landscape of South Fork of The American River Watershed in El Dorado County. The ARC Yes SOFAR Restoration Project will implement ecological forestry management that promotes healthy forests and watersheds, increases carbon sequestration and reduces catastrophic wildfire risk on the landscape.
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who spoke to reporters several hours after the shooting. Prencipe confirmed the warrant was not marijuana related.
Per EDSO’s Critical Incident Protocol Policy, an in-depth investigation of the incident has begun. The multi-agency team,
including members of the District Attorney’s Office, Placerville Police Department and South Lake Tahoe Police Department, has been continuously working to identify additional witnesses and process and collect evidence, sheriff’s officials note.
Mountain Democrat.
Ammonia inside the retardant is toxic to aquatic life and the animals can be killed with a high enough concentration, Stahl maintained, adding it can cause toxic algae blooms due to the fertilization characteristic of the product.
Pimlott countered the ammonium-phosphate based retardant has not proven to be great in damage and harm indicated by the FSEEE and that processes for staying back from watercourses while firefighting help to minimize potential impacts of retardant.
“You can’t guarantee 100% but best management practices have changed over the decades to really make it a priority wherever possible to prevent retardant from being deposited into watercourses,” Pimlott told the Mountain Democrat.
The Forest Service used nearly 53 million gallons of the firefighting tool in 2021. More than half of that was dropped in California, where increasingly intense wildfire seasons and six-digit-acre wildfires are becoming more common, including the Caldor Fire that torched the Grizzly Flat community and national forest land all the way to the Tahoe Basin.
“The area of discharge of fire retardant is one of many tools used by
the Forest Service to fight fires,” said Alan Greenberg in court, representing the Forest Service in the case. “It’s an important tool in certain circumstances, but it’s typically not the primary tool the Forest Service uses. The Forest Service uses aerial discharge of fire retardant on only about 5% of the wildfires at site. And in those 5% in which the Forest Service aerially discharges fire retardant, less than 1% of those discharges find their way to waters of the United States.”
The Forest Service in court documents argue the only way to prevent retardant from being dropped or spilled into the waterways is to stop the use of it altogether — an action the service and other stakeholders say would not be in the best interest of the public.
“Today’s oral arguments conveyed a salient fact: fire retardants have played an integral role in stopping some of the most devastating wildfires in recent history — saving lives, businesses, and property,” argued Matt Dias, president and CEO of Calforest, in the brief.
“If this important tool is taken away at the federal level, the real-life consequences will be catastrophic. State agencies’ resources would be stretched far too thin, allowing wildfires to burn hotter and for longer periods
of time — putting the lives of firefighters and residents of nearby communities at risk,” Dias continued. “Over the years, we would likely see our air quality continue to worsen with toxic smoke paired with a dwindling tree population that produces clean air. As businesses burn, jobs would be lost and local economies would struggle. The list goes on and on, which is why I hope the Court ensures we never have to live in that reality.”
Stahl said the Forest Service could increase buffer zones along waterways where retardant cannot be dropped.
He also said use of water as a firefighting resource would be more environmentally efficient and referenced a RAND Corporation study that found retardant should not be dropped where any water nearby a fire can be scooped up and dumped on the fire.
Pimlott countered by stating retardant is still more effective for building containment lines than water, as water desiccates quickly and is better used for hot spots.
“It doesn’t work well at all when you are pre-treating vegetation ahead of the fire,” Pimlott said. “That’s where retardant has a true benefit over water when the fire is moving quickly and you want to get far enough ahead of the fire to build a fire line in an area of treated vegetation that has material on it that will reduce the spread. You want to close that whole line ahead of the fire so that when it hits there, it will slow down.”
Forest Service officials have looked into getting a permit to discharge retardant into waterways, a process that could potentially take over two years.
In response to the prospect of the Forest Service not being able to drop retardant, lawmakers, including Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), introduced to Congress the Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023, which would create Clean Water Act exemptions for firefighting agencies for continued use of fire retardant. The bill has been supported by Representative Kevin Kiley and 23 other members of Congress.
This is not the first time the FSEEE and the Forest Service have engaged in heated debate. The watchdog nonprofit took the Forest Service to court in 2003 and 2008 for failing to provide adequate environmental analysis for fire retardant use.
After the series of lawsuits, the Forest Service mapped out exclusion areas where it would not drop retardants, contingent on public safety, which included buffers for waterways and vulnerable species habitats. The EPA said the service would not require a permit if those guidelines were met.
The Forest Services reported it had dropped more than 1 million gallons of retardant between 2012 and 2019 into exclusion areas 459 times, with retardant being dropped into water 213 of those times.
Now
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2680 in El Dorado County invites veterans of World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War as well as those seeing action in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries during the war on terror plus those serving peace-keeping missions throughout the globe to become VFW members. Member benefits are plenty and there is no fee for the first year. For more information call (530) 499-2950.
British artist and Camino resident David Yapp will exhibit a selection of his fine art prints, reproduced from his original oil paintings, at Gold Country Retirement Community in Placerville through May 5. To discover more about the artist and to see a selection of his paintings go to davidyapp.com.
The Master Gardener public office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon at 311 Fair Lane, Placerville. Have a gardening question or problem? Come in and chat. Bring a cutting or insect in a Ziploc baggie or a picture. Can’t come in person? Call (530) 6215512 and leave a voicemail or go online to the “Ask A Master Gardener” tool mgeldorado@ucanr.edu.
The purpose of the Widowed Persons Club is to provide a support group for widowed men and women of all ages and provide a wide range of social activities through which they have an opportunity to make new friends and find a new direction in their lives.
General meeting lunches are held at Cold Springs Country Club in Placerville for members and guests on the fourth Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. A social time precedes each meeting. The cost is $18 and reservations are required. Regular breakfasts are held every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s in Placerville. For those interested in joining or reservations don’t hesitate to get in touch with Glenda at (530) 2958374 or Nancy at (530) 919-8276.
May 2
Powell’s Steamer Company and Pub, 425 Main St. in Placerville, presents Eric Hill and Jonny Mojo for Taco Tuesday on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 4-7 p.m. Stop by for some good food and good tunes. For more information call (530) 6261091.
“Pretty Woman: The Musical” comes to the SAFE Credit Union Performing Art Center in Sacramento May 2-7. For tickets and more information visit broadwaysacramento.com.
May 3
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Builder Buffet, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hills Church, 800 White Rock Road in El Dorado Hills. Guest speaker will be FireFighter1 developer and Shark Tank phenom Bianca Wittenberg. Register at eldoradohillschamber.org.
Vitalant will host a Shingle Springs Community blood drive, 1:30-5 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 3821 Quest Court. Donors will receive a $10 Amazon gift card redeemable by email. Make an appointment at donors.
The 13th annual Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference Toiletries Drive focused on supporting those in the community who are struggling to make ends meet, as well as those who lost their homes or remain displaced by wildfires in the area. Eleven elementary schools and multiple local businesses collected more than 10,000 items during the threeweek drive held in February and March.
The Hands4Hope –Youth Making A Difference
Community Engagement Team and Youth Ambassadors worked with schools in El Dorado County and Folsom to collect toiletries. Youth ambassadors encouraged the schools in their geographic areas of focus to host their own toiletries drives. Each school advertised through posters and flyers that included information about their supply drive and which items were most requested such as dental supplies, deodorant, hair products and sunscreen.
All donations picked up from the participating schools and businesses were organized by Hands4Hope youth volunteers at a variety of sorting and counting events throughout the month of March. In total, more than 10,137 items (4,000 more
than last year) were collected. The schools participating this year were: Oak Meadow, Jackson, Valley View, Silva Valley, William Brooks, Natoma Station, Gallardo, Gold Ridge, Empire Oaks, Buckeye and California Montessori Project. In addition, local businesses helped the drive significantly
by hosting collection barrels, including those setup at Lyon Real Estate (Cameron Park), Shingle Springs and Placerville Snap Fitness, Folsom Massage Heights, Heritage Community and Surf Soccer Club.
The Traveling Trophy the schools compete for is given to the school that collects the most toiletries in its specific
region. The 2023 winners of the Traveling Toiletries Drive Trophies are Gold Ridge Elementary, Oak Meadow Elementary and California Montessori Project.
“Congratulations to the winners and a huge thank you to all of the schools and businesses that participated in the toiletries drive this year, “ said Yoko Kono, Hands4Hope Community engagement coordinator. “We truly couldn’t do this without their help and generosity.”
All toiletries will be donated to Hands4Hope partner agencies throughout El Dorado and Sacramento counties, including Loaves and Fishes, Sister Nora’s Place, Green Valley Community Church, Upper Room Dining Hall and to Caldor Fire survivors. Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference is a nonprofit, youth-driven organization with the mission to inspire and empower youth in leadership and service. Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference offers hands-on education and community engagement opportunities to youth from kindergarten through 12th grades through school-based and afterschool programs in Sacramento and El Dorado counties. For more information about Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference visit hands4hopeyouth.org or call (916) 294-7426.
With finances being tight for many families these days, El Dorado County Animal Services announces that a local business has stepped up to conduct a fundraiser event for the Animal Services’ Spay and Neuter Fund. This fund helps families in need in El Dorado County offset the cost of spay or neutering their pets.
The fundraiser will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at Buttercup Pantry, 222 Main St. in Placerville. During the event, Buttercup Pantry has committed to donate 5% of the day’s profit to the Spay and Neuter Fund.
“We greatly appreciate the generosity of this local business, and we want to thank them as well as any residents who will be participating in this event,” said Henry Brzezinski, chief of El Dorado County Animal Services. “We appreciate the community’s support for this worthy cause.”
Animal Services volunteers and staff will be onsite during the event with several adoptable n See FUNDRAISER, page
News release
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife invites artists to submit their original artwork to the 202324 California Duck Stamp Art Contest.
Submissions will be accepted May 1 through
June 9.
The artwork must depict the species selected by the California Fish and Game Commission, which for the 202324 hunting season is the ring-necked duck. Often found in small flocks, these
Available
margaritalherrera@icloud.com
small to medium-sized diving ducks frequent shallower bodies of water including fresh marshes, wooded ponds and flooded agricultural fields. They are identified by their noticeably peaked head, which on males is an iridescent black that continues down across the back and chest. The namesake ring around their neck is usually difficult to see, but the prominent white bands around their bill are easily recognizable. The winning artwork will be reproduced on the 2023-24 California Duck Stamp. The top submissions are
in California. Current and former CDFW employees are ineligible. All entries must be accompanied by a completed participation agreement and entry form. These forms and the official rules are available online at wildlife.ca.gov/duckstamp/contest.
The design is to be in full color and in the medium (or combination of mediums) of the artist’s choosing, except that no photographic process, digital art, metallic paints or fluorescent paints may Licensed
traditionally showcased at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association’s art show, which is scheduled to take place
in July.
The contest is open to U.S. residents 18 years of age or older.
Entrants need not reside
n See stamp page B3
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drive code SMFM551 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.
May 4
Women’s Fund El Dorado hosts its Grants Gala, 5-8 p.m. at the Cameron Park Community Center. Celebrate the success of 2022 grant recipients and learn about the 2023 grant and scholarship recipients. For tickets and more information visit womensfundeldorado.org.
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be used in the finished design. Photographs, computer-generated art, art produced from a computer printer or other computer/ mechanical output device (air brush method excepted) are not eligible for entry and will be disqualified. The design must be the contestant’s original hand-drawn creation. The entry design may not be copied or duplicated from previously published art, including photographs or from images in any format published on the Internet. Entries will be judged in June. The judges panel, which will consist of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation and art and printing, will choose first, second and thirdplace winners, as well as honorable mention.
Since 1971 CDFW’s annual contest has attracted top wildlife artists from around the
Ponderosa Stage Productions presents “The Bold, The Young, and the Murdered” at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs, May 4-6. For more information visit pondodrama. com.
Folsom Lake College Dance Department presents Spring 2023 Evening of Dance: UNSTOPPABLE! at 6 p.m. at Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. For tickets and more information call (916) 608-6888 or visit HarrisCenter.net.
country. All proceeds generated from stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects throughout California. In past years hunters were required to purchase and affix the stamp to their hunting license. Now California has moved to an automated licensing system and
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dogs looking for their forever homes, Brzezinski added. Animal Services will also be available to greet residents during that time and answer questions about the various programs offered by the agency.
In addition to the Spay and Neuter Fund, Animal Services also maintains a Pet Aid Fund that helps abandoned and injured animals in El Dorado County with surgery, medical care and other needs. This fund has been used to help animals who were rescued by
Animal Services from wildland fires and other natural disasters or during other emergency situations.
To learn more about Animal Services programs, including the Pet Aid Fund, or to access pictures of lost or adoptable pets in El Dorado County, visit the Animal Services website at edcgov.us/animalservices. Animal Services staff can also be reached by phone at (530) 621-5795 in Diamond Springs or (530) 5737925 in South Lake Tahoe.
hunters are no longer required to carry the physical stamps in the field (proof of purchase prints directly onto the license). However, CDFW will still produce the stamps, which can be requested by interested individuals at wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/ collector-stamps.
The Mountain Democrat and Village Life seek a general assignment reporter. Assignments will range from news coverage to features. Must have interviewing skills and photography experience and be able to meet deadlines. Knowledge of AP Style and Adobe Photoshop is a plus. Some evening and weekend work is required. Email résumé, writing and photography samples to Krysten Kellum at kkellum@mtdemocrat.net.
Help needed for the Placerville Biergarten (OPENING SOON) all positions are open, please send resume via email to samnaser@aol.com or call Sam @ 415-601-5080.
Cafeteria Assistant
If you enjoy the beautiful outdoors and working with children, we currently have an amazing opportunity as a Cafeteria Assistant at our Sly Park Conservation and Environmental Education Center near Pollock Pines.
Starting Hourly Rate: $17.23
Click here to apply today: http://www.edjo.in/1762537
Maintenance Custodian
If you have experience performing custodial and general maintenance services and enjoy the beautiful outdoors, we currently have an amazing opportunity as a Maintenance Custodian at our Sly Park Conservation and Environmental Education Center near Pollock Pines.
Starting Hourly Rate: $20.47
Click here to apply today: http://www.edjo.in/1762538
For more information, contact Sacramento County Office of Education Personnel Dept. 916-228-2332
■ SUDOKU SOLUTIONS
Solution to Puzzle 1
Solution to Puzzle 2
selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form.
If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association.
NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.
!AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin eschuchar su version. Lea la informacion a continuacion. Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO después de que Ie entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una lIamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su
caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que Ie quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que Ie de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte Ie podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que lIame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede lIamar a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las coutas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un case de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de
This summer athletes around the world are in Brazil to compete in the Olympics. This is the first time in Olympic history that a South American country has hosted the games.
You can take a little tour of Brazil by reading today’s Kid Scoop. Use the code to find out some amazing facts!
You’ll need:
3 boxes
small ball
Place the first box a distance of 10 steps from where you will be tossing the ball.
Brazil is one of the largest countries in the world. In fact it is the largest!
The huge river located in Brazil is called the 261426312 13
Brazil is named after a kind of 792222
Rio de Janeiro is one of Brazil’s most famous cities. It has a statue that overlooks the city. It is the most famous landmark of Rio and it overlooks Rio from a mountain top.
Connect the dots to see what this famous landmark looks like. Then use the code to discover its name.
818574
About percent of the world’s rainforest can be found in Brazil.
Brazil has more than 600 kinds of mammals, 1,500 kinds of fish, 1,600 kinds of birds and 100,000 kinds of insects. Put these animal names in alphabetical order below each picture and you will discover the names of each animal!
Place the second box 20 steps away, and the third box 30 steps away.
241991887 71922 92223222214229 822 111297620622
The official language of Brazil is
Each player gets 10 throws. Each time you toss the ball into the closest box, you earn 3 points. The middle box is worth 6 points and the box the greatest distance away is worth 10 points.
Have a competition with friends and family members. Who will win the Great Summer Backyard Games?
This colorful character is the mascot for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. A mix of all of the different animals found in Brazil, this mascot was born out of the explosion of joy that followed the announcement that Rio would host the Olympic Games. Circle every third letter to discover this mascot’s name. The first letter is done for you.
Arrange these numbers, one on each paddle or ball so that when added together, the total of the numbers on the table tennis balls is the same as the total of the two paddles.
Sports teams often use names and mascots to give personality to their teams. Select one sports team from the newspaper and make a list of characteristics you think that team wants to convey with its name.
Look through the newspaper and cut out parts of different animal bodies. Glue these together to make a new creature. What will you name it?
Standards Link: Research: Use the newspaper to locate information.
This week’s word:
MASCOT
The noun mascot means a symbol, often an animal, that represents a team or event.
My football team’s mascot was a large bear.
Try to use the word mascot in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.
Write a sports story about something that happened in a game you played or watched.