See Page B3 Experience ou r cover coDmism u nity Th e E s on anDd meektaotu r care i ff e r e n c e . staff today!
I N E L D O R A D O H I L L S ■ AUGUST 25, 2021
FIRE FIGHT
Steadfast seniors form nonprofit ■ Group takes aim at EDHCSD action Sel Richard Staff writer Locals recently formed Concerned Residents of El Dorado Hills Heritage Village, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public services corporation and legal platform to pursue resident and environmental protection activities. “We … [are] intent on making sure that seniors, nonseniors and the entire environmental community is protected against any kind of issues that ultimately may be viewed by us as abusive,” said Heritage community representative Bob Williams at last week’s El Dorado Hills Community Services District board meeting. “We would not be here at this point if we did not think “You’ve created a historically there have public nuisance and been issues with your actions with regard to I’m shocked by that light pollution, conduct of assessment activities … It almost seems and a whole host of other as if the impact of issues.” Members’ main dispute that park on the centers around 50-foot stadium lights installed residents of Heritage at the future Heritage Village is irrelevant.” Park, located off Carson Crossing Drive in the — Heritage Village resident midst of the over-55 Roberta Ward active adult communities Heritage and Four Seasons. Initial plans for the park included lighted tennis, pickle ball and bocce ball courts. After 160 residents submitted a petition to modify park hours and eliminate the need for lighting, the district designated park hours from dawn to dusk with no evening lighted courts, although the lights remained due to removal costs estimated at approximately $300,000. The group’s legal counsel has now contacted the CSD via a letter demanding the removal of the court lights by Aug 21 or face litigation for violation of the California Environmental Quality Act. As of press time Monday, the lights remained. Heritage Village resident Roberta Ward reiterated many of the nearby residents’ aversion to the Heritage Park location. “I want you to know that I appreciate the
Photo by Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic
Flames from the Caldor Fire rise as firefighters with the San Marcos Fire Department maintain a burn along Hazel Valley Road near Pollock Pines Friday.
Caldor Fire burns unrestrained El Dorado Hills steps up to help evacuees and firefighters ■
Village Life staff The Caldor Fire continues to rage in southern El Dorado County, already burning more than 106,500 acres and destroying more than 550 structures, including at least 403 homes, according to Cal Fire’s latest figures available at press time. The fire is thus far 5% contained. Officials confirmed two fire-related injuries and one south county man has been reported missing. Cal Fire reported resources fighting the fire include 211 engines, 51 dozers, 37 hand crews, 24 water tenders and 19 helicopters plus numerous air tankers (as conditions allow). More than 1,740 people are working to douse the Caldor Fire. El Dorado Hills Fire Chief Maurice Johnson reported at last Thursday’s EDH Fire Board meeting that the department’s crews have risen to the ■
See FIRE, page A5
HELPING THOSE AFFECTED BY THE CALDOR FIRE To make monetary donations go to edcf. fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1792. Toiletries (feminine products, wipes, diapers, razors and shaving cream, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, chapstick) can be dropped off at Hands4Hope –Youth Making A Difference. Drop donations in the blue bin if the office/youth center is closed. • 5005 Windplay Drive, Suite 2, El Dorado Hills • 905A Spring St., Placerville Gift cards to gas stations, Target, Raley’s, Safeway or Walmart. Drop off at the El Dorado Hills Hands4Hope location, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
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See NONPROFIT, page A4
Girl Scouts learn valuable life lessons through service Sel Richard Staff writer
S
ometimes achieving a Girl Scout Silver Award is not only a community service opportunity, but a life lesson — as was the case for Oak Ridge High School freshmen Phoebe Yonano, Ella Hoy and Ariana Thakur. The three girls began their project in late 2019, setting their sights on the Sherwood Demonstration Garden in Placerville. With a goal toward enhancing the Children’s Garden, they hoped to add features that would attract and engage the younger crowd. “We’re helping children appreciate nature more by making the garden fun,” explained Yonano. Unbeknownst to the trio, the coronavirus was lurking in the shadows,
soon to explode onto the world scene, quickly railroading plans for months on end. Fundraising efforts had to be scratched, bake sales and lemonade stands no longer viable. The girls forged on, working their way through multiple failed ideas. A crawl tunnel concept was abandoned due to safety concerns and expense, not to mention the possibility of wild animals acquiring it for a cozy habitat. Placement of structures went through several iterations due to space and logistical concerns. Ultimately, three structures were built. A music wall with interactive objects for kids to explore, an information wall illustrating facts on animals important to ecosystems and a mural ■
See SCOUTS, page A4
Courtesy photo
Ariana Thakur, Ella Hoy and Phoebe Yonano, left to right, stand by their information wall illustrating facts about animals important to the ecosystem.
INSIDE NEWS VOL. 28
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ISSUE NO. 34
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