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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020
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EDC elections seeing early ballot returns Dawn Hodson Staff writer Ballots continue to pour into the El Dorado County Elections Department. “We’re getting a really large return early,” said Registrar of Voters Bill O’Neill. As of Oct. 17, a total of 133,251 ballots were mailed to residents. So far 42,327 have been returned — 31%. O’Neill said he’s expecting a turnout of about 85%, saying 7,000 new voters were added this year since March. So far 4,000 ballots have been tabulated and 138 have been challenged. O’Neill said processing ballots is proceeding normally with the biggest challenge ahead being how they handle people who want to vote in person but won’t or can’t wear a mask. Those people will be allowed to vote outside a vote center. Voting at vote centers will take place over four days, starting Oct. 31 when vote centers will be open eight hours every day. On Nov. 3 they will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find vote center and drop box locations and hours online at edcgov.us/Elections.
Photo courtesy of Cal Fire
Firefighters put out hotspots Monday morning where the Cameron Fire ripped through vegetation along Highway 50. The fire, started by an engine spark Sunday afternoon, damaged a home before a containment line got it under control at 15 acres.
EDH Fire does engine shuffle
Motorist sets off blaze
Noel Stack Staff writer
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The El Dorado Hills Fire Board authorized the purchase of a new fire engine Thursday evening but may have to look into a second purchase should one of the department’s other engines be deemed unfixable. Engine 91 based in Latrobe — a 2001 Type 1 engine that rolled into service this past May after being refurbished to suit the community’s needs — was struck by a vehicle while the engine was stopped at the intersection of South Shingle and Latrobe roads Oct. 4. “Firefighters immediately rendered care to the occupants of the other vehicle. One
Thomas Frey Staff writer
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Home damaged, 15 acres burned along Highway 50 in Cameron Park A wildland fire sparked by a Highway 50 motorist damaged one home and burned 15 acres in Cameron Park Sunday afternoon. The blaze was reported around 4:25 p.m. on the south side of Highway 50, north of Durock Road. “We know it was caused by a spark from the freeway,” said Cal Fire Public Information Officer Diana Swart. “It actually started in a couple of different places. The vehicle was traveling and something from the vehicle had ignited a few tiny little spots along the freeway. But the grass and wind pushed it a little bit; you get a little bit of a breeze
See ENGINE, page A3
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See BLAZE, page A7
Courtesy photo
Flames burn through vegetation along Highway 50.
Bass Lake Park users prioritize amenities Sel Richard Staff writer “We had an amazing response,” said El Dorado Hills Community Services District Parks and Planning Director Tauni Fessler about the Bass Lake Regional Park community survey circulated in July and August. Distributed through the district e-newsletter and website, social media, school district networks and local sports leagues, the survey queried community members on their desires for the regional park. With 2,996 unique responses, the feedback was well in excess of the district’s expected 400500 responses. Additionally, 1,084 responses indicated an interest in volunteering. Bass Lake Regional Park encompasses an area of more than 200 acres, land that the
CSD has been in the process of procuring over the past few years; 142 acres were purchased from the Rescue Union School District in December 2018 and include Bass Lake as well as Sellwood Field. Earlier this year, 14.7 acres were purchased from the El Dorado Irrigation District and 41.7 acres from El Dorado County. Most recently, the dedication of Parker Development’s 12.5acre Village J Lot H was finalized in August. Survey results specified walking trails as the most desired feature, followed closely by a natural playground, picnic shelters and shade, a kayak launch site via floating pier and mountain bike trails. Pleased that survey responses support most n
$1,000
1 DENTIST! 20 14 -2
Courtesy graphic
See BASS LAKE PARK, page A7
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Three Years Straight!
Current Bass Lake Park concept amenities include a 2,500-squarefoot museum and outdoor education center, interpretive signs nature trails, adventure inclusive playgrounds, bocce ball courts, sand volleyball courts and a dog park. Three lighted, multi-use sports fields are planned — one synthetic and two grass fields. A dock and boat ramp and an 8,500-square-foot event center was added through the design process.
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