sports
News, etc.
A6
B1
Playoffs bring pain, joy as championship runs continue.
The ladies on murderess row come to the Harris Center.
mtdemocrat.com
Friday, February 28, 2020
Volume 169 • Issue 24
| 75¢
Dry diggings in February — rain total only .04 inches n Current trends
indicate dry year ahead Dawn Hodson Staff writer
In the span of 141 years of climate records, there has never been a warmer January than last month, according to scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Centers for Environmental Information. And February isn't looking a whole lot better, at least in terms of rainfall.
Sierra Littlefield, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said this is one of the drier Februaries we've had in Placerville and as of Feb. 26, we've only received .04 inches of rain. But all is not lost as the region might close out the month with a trace more rain as the National Weather Service is predicting that Saturday will be cloudy with a 10% chance of showers after 4 p.m. Sunday there is also a slight chance of showers. Monday and Tuesday are forecast to be sunny with a high near 62 on
Monday and 63 on Tuesday. Littlefield said there have been times in the past when February has been dry. In 1953, for example, the area only received .08 inches of rain in Placerville. But on average the amount of rainfall in February is closer to 6.5 inches. Fingers are crossed that March will be better. The March average is 5.85 inches of rain, although there is considerable variation. Littlefield said that based on available data, the area received as little as .11 inches rainfall back in 1926 and almost 16 inches in 1991. And
while the area is bound to get more rain before spring is over, Littlefield said there is a 50% chance that the area will receive less than the average amount for March. All this dry weather is quite a change from last year when it seemed it would never stop raining and snowing in El Dorado County and elsewhere in the state. In Placerville, for example, rainfall was 131% of average by the end of last May; at Sly Park, 140% of average; at Pacific House, 142% of average; and 127 % of average at the Georgetown Ranger Station. Blamed on El Niño,
all that extra precipitation helped fill local reservoirs. It also helped create a thick snowpack that acts like an extra reservoir until the snow melts. Across the Sierra Nevada range, the snowpack was 203% of normal with Squaw Valley receiving 714 inches of snow as of May 22 and Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort staying open until August because of all the extra snow. El Dorado Irrigation District Director of Operations Dan Corcoran on Monday gave a presentation to the EID Board of n
See forecast, page A9
Happy Birthday, Joy
What to know about local measures Dylan Svoboda Staff writer While prospective elected officials garner the headlines, local measures are largely overlooked. Below is a list of issues El Dorado County voters will decide on come March 3 — if they haven't already mailed in their ballot. The future of community colleges, high schools, cemeteries and snow removal services, among other matters, will be determined at the ballot box. Don't show up uninformed.
Measure A El Dorado Unified High School District This measure aims to improve El Dorado Unified High School District schools. The measure would authorize $120 million in bonds for the school security system, plumbing, electrical system and classroom improvements and repairs. The bond also calls for upgrades to the district’s science labs and career training facilities, with a focus on mathematics, science, technology, the arts and skilled trades. If passed, the measure would cost property owners about $16 per $100,000 of their home’s assessed value, bringing in approximately $8 million annually for the district. All bond monies would be spent locally and overseen by a citizen oversight committee and supervised by annual independent audits.
Leap year baby Joy Henderson celebrates her birthday at work during a non leap year. To mark the extra special occasion this year, Henderson is going out to dinner with family.
Measure B
n Henderson a
Lake Valley Fire Protection District This measure would implement an annual $52 special parcel tax. The funds would go toward improving fire protection and suppression and medical emergency services through purchasing and improving fire vehicles and equipment. The tax would bring in an estimated $432,900 in revenue for the district. The tax would be overseen by an independent citizen oversight commission and imposed until ended by voters.
Measure C Kelsey Cemetery District This measure would levy a special tax no higher than $8 per parcel annually. Revenues would be used for building, roads, grounds and record-keeping improvements for the Kelsey Pioneer n
See measures, page A8
Courtesy photos
48-year-old celebrates
12th birthday 2003 she began work at the El Dorado County Counsel’s Office. Henderson’s birthday celebrations Thomas Frey are as diverse as the Staff writer places she has lived. Since her birthday oy Henderson who comes just once was born on a leap every four years, her year in 1972 has parties have included only seen her actual renting out an entire birthday 12 times in her bowling alley, going life. to Disneyland and a She has moved quite trip to Las Vegas. a lot for a 12-year-old. She has had She was born in the Since Joy Henderson’s birthday comes just once every four years, she likes to go celebrations themed big when the actual day rolls around, renting out an entire bowling alley, going Philippines before around Hello Kitty, to Disneyland or taking a trip to Las Vegas. moving to the United Shopkins, San States (her father was a Francisco Giants, In 2002 she got married and the U.S. military veteran). San Francisco 49ers and San Jose newlyweds moved to El Dorado She went to high school in Arlington, County, where her in-laws have lived Va., then moved to San Diego in for more than 50 years. In January n See Joy Henderson, page A9 1994 to work for San Diego County.
rare leap year baby
J
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