[PRpond, February 10, 2021]

February 10th – PLACERVILLE, CA:  All grape growers, vintners, wineries and interested parties are invited to join us on Wednesday, February 17, at 6:30pm, for a Zoom discussion on Understanding Vineyard, Winery, Farm and Ranch Valuation and the State of the Market with our special guest speaker David Bolster. Bolster provides valuable insight due to his extensive background, knowledge and lifelong experience in the agricultural industry combined with nearly 20 years of real estate experience.

About this topic:

Understanding and negotiating the path of multiple, complex variables is critical in making informed and appropriate decisions regarding buying, selling or investing in improving agricultural properties. These variables include: location, site suitability, regulatory and land use issues, market and industry trends, market potential, and business modeling.

Discussion topics include:

current state of the market; factors that drive value (location, structural improvements, vineyard characteristics, net income, and grape market); appraisers; recent winery market activity; and, who are the buyers: lifestyle or commercial. Bolster will also touch upon future and new investment in El Dorado and Amador counties.

There is no cost to participate but registration is required to get the Zoom meeting login.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuceyorzMtHtYCMeA9bTnmVZMsAqOiW3Uf.

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Same day registration is available depending upon space.

For more information about the El Dorado Wine Grape Growers Association, contact Karen Thomas at edwgga@gmail.com or call 707-853-3025

[EDC Supervisor Novasel]

Join the Tahoe Chamber on Friday, February 19th, from 11 AM-12 PM for a Virtual Town Hall with the Lake Tahoe Unified School District to discuss the latest updates on the operations of our local schools and what parents can expect moving into the spring.

The Virtual Town Hall Series will continue as a monthly event to address the key areas of focus in the Vision 2025 document with updates from local experts and a dialogue with the community.

Featured Speakers:

Todd Cutler
Lake Tahoe Unified School District Superintendent

Register in advance for this webinar:

Attendees will be able to submit questions throughout the Town Hall to be answered following the presentation. Registration is required and space on the Zoom platform is limited to 100 attendees. Those interested can also watch live on our Tahoe Chamber Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/tahoechamber

---

Local News brought to you by the Placerville Newswire at InEDC.com by Cris Alarcon

[By Sonya Sorich,  Sacramento Business Journal, Feb 11, 2021.]

The casino near Placerville, which is owned by the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, said Thursday that it's adding two restaurant options: diner chain The Original Mels, and a new concept that will combine three different eateries.

Scheduled to open in March, The Original Mels will fill a space previously occupied by Koto restaurant at Red Hawk. The Original Mels is a franchise chain with locations in Northern California and Nevada, including several sites in the Sacramento area. It appears this will be the chain's second El Dorado County location, joining a site in Placerville.

Plans are also in the works to renovate The Burger Spot, another eatery at the casino. With those changes, the space will be converted into a new dining concept expected to open in April. That concept, called Triple Down Kitchen, will combine three eateries, according to Red Hawk representatives. Those eateries include The Original Mels, The Cheese Steak Shop and "a local well-known BBQ restaurant," casino representatives said in a news release.

The Cheese Steak Shop is a Pleasant Hill-based franchise. The company's website lists one other Sacramento-area location, which is in Roseville.

Red Hawk representatives did not elaborate on the barbecue restaurant planned as part of Triple Down Kitchen.

“We’re excited to partner with such strong franchise brands that will bring fresh, new dining concepts to Red Hawk Casino and our guests,” said Red Hawk CEO Bryan deLugo, in a news release.

As of May, Red Hawk was El Dorado County's fourth-largest employer, with an estimated 1,300 full-time-equivalent workers.

https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2021/02/12/5-things-to-know-business-exodus.html

RHC - 

All-American favorites
Coming to Red Hawk Casino
March 2021
 
When you think classic, All-American service, it’s easy to imagine a diner with checkered floors, smiles at every turn, and a flat top sizzling with burgers. At The Original Mels, that’s exactly what you get when you walk in the door. We’ve been California’s favorite diner since we opened back in 1947, and that’s because we have a time-tested focus on quality food and excellent customer service. We serve breakfast all day, your favorite blue plate specials, and of course over 15 delicious Melburgers to choose from. Our diner is a true celebration of the American dream, and we hope to welcome you soon to join in our story!

https://youtu.be/UEXR7lBRii8 

Law enforcement confronts an old threat: far-right extremism in the ranks. ‘Swift action must be taken’ After the Capitol siege, law enforcement leaders have been forced to confront extremism in their own ranks.

Feb. 17, 2021 - L. A. Times

"After an Orange County sheriff's deputy was spotted on a protest skirmish line wearing a far-right Oath Keepers patch last summer, the department started to look for ways to better address extremism in its ranks. Last week, after sources confirmed that FBI agents had searched the Irvine apartment of another O.C. officer suspected of participating in the far-right insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the agency again stressed efforts to improve — including by pointing to new training to teach personnel how far-right and other radical groups recruit, operate and pose threats to police and the public. 

"Obviously our thought process is our employees need to be informed," - said Sgt. Dennis Breckner, a sheriff's spokesman. 

"The course is educational: This is what these groups do, and this is how they might try and ingratiate themselves with law enforcement officers and then use their participation for the group's own means." 

In the wake of the Capitol attack and other recent incidents exposing far-right sympathies among law enforcement officers and the military — which is a big feeder of recruits into police forces — law enforcement leaders across the country are confronting anew an old threat: far-right extremism within their own ranks. While leaders say they have long vetted for white supremacist, anti-government and other racist and radical beliefs and precluded recruits who harbor them, they also acknowledged that growing ideological fissures in the country have drawn an increasingly broad cross-section of the American populace, including cops, down conspiratorial rabbit holes and into the fold of radical right-wing militias and white supremacist organizations. 

They noted growing court filings and evidence implicating individuals with military and policing backgrounds in the Capitol attack — which featured Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and other extremist factions — and said it has forced them to take a more careful look at the policies they have to prevent radicals from getting guns and badges. In a response to congressional questions last month about police officers allegedly being involved in the Capitol attack, Major Cities Chiefs Assn. President Art Acevedo said law enforcement leaders nationwide would be reviewing the attack and looking for ways to root out extremism. 

"To be clear, officers who subscribe to violent extremism, racism and hate have no place in our profession," - Acevedo wrote to Congress. "When officers with that mindset are identified, swift action must be taken." 

Days earlier, Acevedo — who is also Chief of the Houston Police Department — announced that one of his officers had been identified entering the Capitol. That officer, Tam Pham, has resigned and been federally charged in the siege. In an interview, Acevedo said the Capitol attack was

"a wake-up call for the American people
" and a moment of reckoning for police leaders. 
"It is the first time in modern history that we have officers engaging in acts of sedition," - he said. "We have to do everything we can as police departments to weed out extremists who support violence, be it far right or far left." 

Similar efforts to address radicalism are also occurring in prosecutors' offices and at the highest levels of government and the military. Newly elected Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón has said 

"extremist groups must be uprooted from law enforcement immediately." President Biden's administration has promised to expand the Justice Department's power to investigate systemic police misconduct through the consent decree process. New U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III last week said he had "met with senior leaders to discuss extremism in the military" and ordered a "stand down" over the next 60 days "so each service, each command and each unit can have a deeper conversation about this issue." 

"It comes down to leadership," Austin wrote on Twitter. "Everyone’s." 

The new reckoning in some ways mirrors what Democratic lawmakers, academics and left-leaning activists have called on law enforcement to commit to for years — making it both welcome and overdue, some of those critics said. The FBI highlighted the threat of white supremacist sentiment in police forces in a 2006 report released by Congress in September. Last August, the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan policy institute at the New York University Law School, found evidence the Oath Keepers and another group known as the Three Percenters had successfully infiltrated law enforcement, noting ties within at least a dozen states including California. 

The issue has loomed in Southern California for decades. In 1991, U.S. District Judge Terry J. Hatter Jr. found that a “neo-Nazi, white supremacist gang” of tattooed deputies existed within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, with the knowledge of department officials. In 1996, L.A. County paid $9 million in fines and training costs to settle a related class-action lawsuit. Today, the Sheriff's Department says it takes allegations of bias or extremism seriously and roots out guilty deputies, but also faces new charges of harboring tattooed gangs — with the latest allegations landing just last year. 

In a 2019 academic paper, associate Georgetown Law professor Vida Johnson found white supremacist ideology in departments across the country, noting "scandals in over 100 different police departments, in over 40 different states, in which individual police officers have sent overtly racist emails, texts or made racist comments via social media." Still, the issue has never been sufficiently addressed, Johnson said in an interview. "It's clear that extremist groups on the right and white supremacists have been agents of chaos, of violence in our community, and the fact that police are just now interested in training on this, I find more than disturbing," Johnson said. She said it is equally concerning when officers subscribe to some of the more modern conspiracy theories that circulate among the same groups — such as COVID-19 is a hoax or Biden stole the election from former President Trump. "People who can't separate fact from fiction probably shouldn't be the ones enforcing laws with guns," Johnson said.

Police officials say they are grappling with all of this. Activists in L.A. have in recent years called out various individual LAPD officials for online comments and "likes" that the activists argued were radical and racist. Some critics say right-wing extremism runs deep in the department, and claim it has biased the department's responses to protests where right-wing and left-wing factions have clashed. In recent weeks, social media accounts purportedly created and followed by LAPD personnel drew more scrutiny for their sexist, homophobic and otherwise crude tone. Late last month, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore sent a notice to his entire force reminding officers that their actions on and off duty must remain unsullied under the department's ethics code, and that posting "harassing, discriminatory, and/or defamatory material" on social media could result in termination. 

"Recent events both here and in Washington D.C., have shown the power and influence of social media, including how that power is not always used for good or legitimate purposes," Moore wrote. In an interview, Moore said last summer's protests drove him and other LAPD officials to have renewed discussions about the best ways to vet for extremists and root them out when they're found — lest they undermine their efforts to rebuild trust in L.A.'s diverse neighborhoods. He also said the LAPD is a diverse department, reflecting an array of political positions and beliefs, and rejected the notion that extremism was prevalent among his officers. Moore said police departments deserve credit for diversifying their ranks for years, including by hiring more women and LGBTQ officers. Still, he acknowledged the current cultural moment demands renewed attention to inclusion and fairness, and presents challenges. 

Choosing where to draw the line between free speech and hate speech, between opinions an officer is entitled to and opinions that undermine the department's mission, isn't easy, Moore said. Separating dangerous extremism from political opinions that simply run counter to one's own can also be fraught in today's hyper-partisan atmosphere, he argued. "What's really critical I believe going forward is for America to ... recognize extremes and have no place for them in this democracy, but also to recognize views that are different from their own and not vilify or call them extremist," Moore said. 

Asked whether a member of an extremist group such as the Proud Boys — a misogynistic and xenophobic organization whose members were allegedly involved in the Capitol storming — could also be an LAPD officer, Moore at first suggested that the Proud Boys fell into a broad category of groups, along with Black Lives Matter, that many Americans were still trying to understand. "America is struggling today with understanding whether the Proud Boys, some aspects of BLM, other groups including Heritage Foundation and others, represent ideology that’s counter to this democracy," Moore said. "What I know is that this democracy is made best when there is discussion and there’s dialogue and debate." He added that determining when an officer crosses the line into unacceptable extremism largely depended on an assessment of whether their actions or comments could give the public an impression that they as officers would not be able to "act in a fair and impartial manner.""That's where the line is," Moore said. 

"I hate to use the analogy that’s overly used, but it’s kind of like pornography. You know it when you see it." Moore said that he personally considers the Proud Boys a group that "runs counter to this democracy," and does not believe that "there is any place for a law enforcement officer to be a member of such organization or advocate for their existence." He said he is not aware of any LAPD officers who are members of the Proud Boys or any other extremist organization, but that the department is ready to investigate any such claims and fire individuals who cross the line of what is acceptable. 

In Orange County, Sheriff Don Barnes also has expressed little patience for racism or radicalism in his ranks. After the deputy was spotted with an Oath Keepers patch and a Gadsden flag patch on his vest last summer, Barnes announced an investigation, saying the symbols "contradict the values" of the department and that he was personally "deeply disturbed." Just two months later, however, the sheriff said the investigation was over — with the deputy, later identified as Russell Sison, still employed — because there was "no evidence" Sison had any "extremist views or racial views." 

Asked about the FBI search of Special Officer Monica Alston's apartment last week, a sheriff's spokesman said an officer had been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation but would not comment further.

 Neither Sison nor Alston could be reached for comment. Staff writer Alene Tchekmedyian contributed to this report.

LA Times

[Kaitlyn Keyt]

MY SON, A COP & LIGHT SABERS. 

Saturday after closing the Enchanted Forest Dining Experience. My son Bailey and another employee Ethan were ready for a little fun. 

My son had brought his Star Wars light sabers and him and Ethan were having an artistic light battle in front of the forest. 

A COP drives by and slows down. They think “oh dear is he going to give us a bad time?” 

Cop cruises past, turns around and pulls up close to them... next thing you know out of his loud speaker comes the Star Wars song “DUAL OF FATES” for the boys to battle to! 

HOW FUN IS THAT??!! 

Placerville police are really cool people!

[Suzanne Wright]

El Dorado County Fair & Event Center is hosting three Swap Meets/Flea Markets at the fairgrounds this spring. On Saturday, March 6th, April 3rd and May 1st, shoppers will find a wide variety of steals and deals, ranging from antiques, new items, crafts, collectibles and gently used items. Those looking for the thrill of the deal will not be disappointed.

The Swap Meet is held from 9am to 1pm – If rainy, we will set up in the Vicini Family Pavilions and a sunny day will find vendors flooding the Plaza which faces Placerville Drive.

Admission and parking is free. The fairgrounds are located at 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville CA. Shoppers and sellers should use the gate on Armory Road (next door to Raley’s). 

Please visit our website at eldoradocountyfair.org or call the office at (530) 621-5860 for more information.
 

Bryan Miller, FEBRUARY 27TH, 2021 | 23:49 

California District Attorneys Association President and El Dorado County DA Vern Pierson, joins us to discuss Los Angeles's spiraling gun violence, and how LA District Attorney George Gascón's policies are contributing to the surge in violent crime.

Play MP3

"Some ideas put forward by Peterson and Densely to prevent future mass shootings: potential shooting sites can be made less accessible with visible security measures such as metal detectors and police officers. 

They suggest weapons need to be better controlled, through age restrictions, permit-to-purchase licensing, universal background checks, safe storage campaigns and red-flag laws, measures that help control firearm access for vulnerable individuals or people in crisis."

  CalMatters https://calmatters.org/commentary/2019/11/school-shooting/ - UPDATED JUNE 23, 2020

Podcast Host - Bryan Miller

Partner and Co-Founder | Northern California

Bryan Miller has served two U.S. Presidents and has over 25 twenty years of experience in campaigns and public affairs. Bryan started in politics as a fundraiser and grassroots organizer for Clinton/Gore ’96 where he was the presidential campaign’s youngest employee. He went on to form a successful Democratic fundraising group that helped congressional and local candidates win competitive races. During this time, he practiced law for a full-service law firm, where he represented numerous Fortune 500 companies in regulatory and public affairs matters.

From 2007-2008, Bryan was as a member of Obama For America’s National Fundraising Committee. He later served in the Obama Administration as Senior Counsel at the U.S. Department of Energy where he worked on climate change legislation and implementing a $90 billion-dollar clean tech stimulus package.

Bryan’s public affairs experience has included running the solar industry’s advocacy across the nation. One of the country’s leading political journalists wrote that under his leadership the industry’s “mastery of public relations and guerilla tactics is awe-inspiring.” Fortune profiled how he is “radically changing” political advocacy through technology.

Bryan is a double graduate of The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he received his B.A. in political science and his J.D. He lives in the Bay Area with his wife and two teen daughters.

https://neptuneops.com/leadership-bios/

[CHP Placerville, 7:57 PM · Feb 27, 2021·Twitter for iPhone]

The chp_placerville has additional officers in eldoradohills ... searching for DUI and drivers disobeying the law. Here is Officer Sepulveda on his first stop of the night. More tickets were given for numerous violations throughout El Dorado Hills.

https://twitter.com/CHPPlacerville/status/1365873610590543876 

(Cris Alarcon, InEDC,19:29, 3/2/21)

On March 1, 2021 Sue Taylor shared a link to the group: "Friends of Historic Hangtown."

In part she wrote: ... 

"show that we would like to keep our history.  Please sign to save the title of Old Hangtown.  (please do not donate money - it just goes to change.org).  
There is becoming a serious campaign to remove anything "Hangtown" based on ignorance of the fact that the miners, after hanging 3 murderers after a jury trial ruled over by a judge, named the town “Hangtown” as a deterrent to lawlessness caused by the huge influx of people and the lawlessness during the Gold Rush.   Hangtown was a place that would not tolerate the crimes that were taking place in and around other mining towns. 

A copy of your message goes to the City Council.  

Please let them know that you don't want to see our history erased."

The Link posted goes to a Change.Org page with a Petition that is forwarded to the Placerville City Council. 

https://www.change.org/p/placerville-city-council-placerville-keep-old-hangtown-on-our-welcome-sign?redirect=false&InEDC

The Petition named "Placerville: KEEP 'Old Hangtown' on our Welcome sign" and was started by Sean Yeske.
The petition reads:

"The undersigned people of Placerville, CA "Old Hangtown" and supporters, wish to impress upon our city council that we want to keep our town's historic name "Old Hangtown" on our Welcome sign. 

In this age of rampant political correctness and concocted victimhood, the new trend is to remove, destroy, tear down or burn historical monuments in order to rewrite or forget history to please a small but vocal minority.  Old Hangtown's most notable history is that of the California Gold Rush, where Placerville, then known as Dry Diggin's, earned its new nickname after, according to the local museum,the hanging of three outlaws after they rode through town firing their guns. The name stuck and is an indelible part of local and state history.  In actuality, a large amount of the draw of our town is the history and the preservation of it.  Look on the walls of just about any store or restaurant downtown and see photos from over a hundred years ago of the very street you are on and how much, but also how little, it has changed.

A recent petition by a resident of a nearby town incorrectly states that the Old Hangtown's name came by way of racially charged hangings, which it didn't, and that the "Hanged Dummy" on the front of the Hangman's Tree Historical Spot is black, which it isn't, as anyone can see by googling "Placerville Ca Hangman's Tree" and looking at the photos.  They also state that the name "Old Hangtown" is outdated and offensive, but is only offensive to those who read malicious intent into something that is purely historical.  Their petition is nothing short of a step to erase a piece of history.

We wish to preserve our history, "warts and all" for all proceeding generations. History - local, national and global - should never be subject to "cleansing" by those to whom it is uncomfortable.  History is to be preserved, especially that history which is uncomfortable, for future generations to learn and build upon, and to prevent mistakes and poor decisions in the future.  

Please do not give in to the tensions of the moment by removing a piece of history that may never be reclaimed."

https://www.change.org/p/placerville-city-council-placerville-keep-old-hangtown-on-our-welcome-sign?redirect=false&InEDC

[El Dorado County Office of Education, Various - Tracy Bunch]

https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1366767?InEDC.com

Job requirements - Qualifications:
 

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent. Education at a level to demonstrate the ability to perform the duties and responsibilities ...
 

Experience:

One year of increasingly responsible computer applications and systems analysis experience in a help desk environment. Experience in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the class or experience in maintaining and repairing audio visual and computer components. Demonstrated competency in systems documentation. A-1 computer certification highly desirable.

Please attach the following documents to your completed application:

• Letter of Introduction
• Letter(s) of Recommendation (Two (2) Current Letters (within the last 2 years))
• Resume.

MORE:https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1366767?InEDC.com 

The Title IX Coordinator: 
Amy Andersen, Executive Director of Personnel Services 
6767 Green Valley Road 
Placerville, California  95667 
(530) 295-2242

[EDC BOS Supervisor Parlin, District 4]

Supervisor Parlin and Supervisor Turnboo, recommending the Board:

1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Urgency Ordinance 5140, pursuant to California Government Code Section 65858 and 65090, to adopt interim restrictions on the establishment of Formula Businesses pending the study and consideration of zoning and other land use regulations pertaining to such businesses, with the ordinance being in effect for forty-five (45) days from the date of adoption, unless extended by the Board; and

2) Find that the urgency ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines 15308, 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3). (4/5 vote required)

Supervisor Parlin and Turnboo are bringing this item because County residents have expressed their concern that ‘chain’ or ‘formula’ businesses will proliferate throughout the Rural Centers and Rural Regions of the County, which may detract from the unique character of the County by displacing unique local or other small businesses or by introducing standardized, non-unique establishments that will lessen the diversity and community character prized by County residents. If current regulations continue, formulaic businesses could proliferate in the Rural Centers and Rural Regions which would decrease the diversity of offerings to residents and visitors thereby negatively impacting the rural character and authenticity of the Rural Centers and Rural Regions and negatively impacting the quality of life for residents and visitors.

This Ordinance is being proposed for the Rural Centers in El Dorado County, which include: Camino, Cedar Grove, Coloma, Cool, Fairplay, Garden Valley, Greenwood, Georgetown, Grey’s Corner, Grizzly Flat, Kelsey, Kyburz, Latrobe, Little Norway, Lotus, Mosquito, Mount Ralson, Mr. Aukum, Nashville, Oak Hill, Phillips, Pilot Hill, Pleasant Valley, Pollock Pines, Quintette, Rescue, Somerset, Strawberry, and Chrome Ridge.

The County has received an application for a formula business (Dollar General, Somerset in District 2) which necessitates the adoption of the urgency ordinance because issuing permits or entitlements for formula business establishments could conflict with potential future regulations that may be adopted that will govern such uses. The purpose of this ordinance is to temporarily prohibit the establishment of formula businesses within any zoning districts of the Rural Centers and Rural Regions of El Dorado County pending the study and consideration of permanent regulations governing such formula business establishments.

A Formula Business Ordinance has been in the works for several months and Supervisor Parlin had planned on implementing it as part of the 2021 Work Plan. However, the recent applications for chain stores in our rural areas has caused the need for the urgency ordinance. The urgency ordinance will not apply to the Dollar General in Cool because that application is deemed complete, whereas the application in Somerset has not been deemed complete.

The agenda details and documents for File #21-0378 are available here: https://eldorado.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Please email the Clerk of the Board at edc.cob@edcgov.us and let us know if you support the proposed Ordinance to restrict Formula Businesses (Chain Stores) in Rural Centers. The Clerk will forward your email to all 5 Supervisors and add it to the public record. Do not email information that you do not want in the public record.

BOS Supervisor Parlin

• Chain Store Urgency Ordinance 3/9/21

• Cameron Woods Rezone 3/9/21

• Hotel Tax Allocation Discussion 3/9/21

• Chili Bar Park Open House 3/27/21

• River Aide Employment Opportunity

• Notice of Vacancy - Cameron Park Design Review Committee

• Free Dementia Kits at Libraries

• Planning Commission/Board Workshop 3/8/21

CHP, 13:37 · Mar 4, 2021

I Can't Drive....65!!!

Just because your car can, doesn't mean you should.

This #McLaren was caught on US-50 near Shingle Springs.

This unsafe driving will not be tolerated and will be cited.

Keep it on the track.

Placerville CHP

3031 LoHi Way Placerville, CA

[El Dorado Water Agency, 10:13 AM · Mar 3, 2021]

Congratulations to our new Board of Directors members!

We are happy to introduce Wendy Thomas, George Turnboo, Mike Thornbrough, and David Peterson as a part of our board. 

The El Dorado Water Agency, "EDWA" was authorized within the 1959 (El Dorado County Water Agency Act) to ensure that El Dorado County has adequate water to serve its multiple needs now and in the future.

Learn more about our board members here:

https://www.edwateragency.org/Pages/Water-Agency-Board-of-Directors.aspx 

[Kirk Callan Smith, 3/5/21] 

Looks like it was a challenge to go over Donner Summit 110 years ago.
 
This is one of two photos at a local repair shop and when asked if he had more information about them he said, 

"just what’s on the photo, 'Crossing the Yuba River on Donner Summit June 4, 1911'”, and added.  

"Thought they were nice pictures."  

Agreed, Kirk.

---

Trey Pitsenberger:

"This spot on the Yuba River is across from the Rainbow Lodge on Hampshire Rocks Road ... this photo predates the Lincoln Highway, which operated between 1913 and 1927."

---

Kirk Callan Smith"

"As I recall the Lincoln Highway was built just over a century ago with two routes over the Sierra's, the one we've used that follows the outline of HW50 and the other that went over Donner Summit. Having multiple or alternative routes was a way to resolve concerns some communities had about not being left out along the way in connecting the West and East Coasts."

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10157676367877161&set=gm.38336906433...

[Michael D. Jackson, 3/4/21, ]
 
When I return to Placerville I see only my parents and myself as a child. 

My contemporary self is a shadow as I walk down Main Street, looking at what is the same and what has changed.  

I'm outside of it now, knowing that sadly, no one will ever again spend a Saturday afternoon watching a double feature in the Empire Theater.  

I can't help but romanticize my past.

Michael D. Jackson

Image Uploaded By Michael D. Jackson:

The Empire Theater’s “new” building, which is still standing. There had been an Empire Theater in Placerville since the Gold Rush.

432 Main Street, Placerville, CA 95667

2 Screens, 580 Seats.

Showing 1 to 36 comments

paulnelson on March 5, 2015 at 9:10 pm

I saw that film too. Lots of fun. Must have been great on the big screen. Quite the satire on silly action pics.

Rootieboy on March 5, 2015 at 5:35 pm

The last movie I saw at the Empire Theater was “Last Action Hero” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger back in 1993. I was 11 years old.

Mikeyisirish on April 27, 2014 at 9:45 pm

An April 2014 photo can be seen here.

rainestorm on October 25, 2012 at 3:16 pm

Thanks, Joe! That’s good information and I’ll check out that Google Book.

Mike, I probably should have been more clear. Yes, of course it’s a different building. I assumed from the photo that the Empire Theatre, in one form or another, had always been with the town.

Thanks to you both!

Joe Vogel on October 24, 2012 at 10:58 pm

Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County California, published in 1883, (Google Books scan) says that Placerville’s first Empire Theatre was opened after the Placer Theatre, which opened in 1852, and both houses were destroyed by the Placerville fire of 1856. After the fire The Empire Theatre was replaced by the Placerville Theatre. I’ve been unable to trace the later history of the Placerville Theatre, though it was apparently still around in 1883 when the book was published.

The Empire building in the 1849 photo might have been the building that became the Empire Theatre. It was most likely a saloon or dance hall, and saloons and dance halls were sometimes converted into theaters during the gold rush period, as towns grew and became more prosperous and the miners and merchants began seeking more elaborate entertainment.

Michael D. Jackson on October 24, 2012 at 8:20 pm

Rainestorm, Yes of course, but that 1849 theater is not the building on Main Street today. There was another Empire Theater between the one pictured in the 1849 photo and the opening of the current building in 1930 as well—very fancy and equal to the fine San Francisco theaters of the day. It burned in one of the many town fires. When the Elite Theatre burned down in March of 1929, I suppose the folks involved thought they should return to the name “Empire” as a way of retaining some past history when a new theater was built.

rainestorm on October 24, 2012 at 5:15 pm

Hi, Michael. I was actually referring to the photo that I pasted the link for. Here’s one that’s dated 1849.

http://eldoradocountyhistoricalsociety.org/images/Placerville1849.jpg

So it has to be as old as Placerville itself.

Michael D. Jackson on October 20, 2012 at 9:20 am

Dear Rainestorm, The reason the picture seems older than 1929 is probably due to the costumed parade participants. I assume a “Wagon Train Days” parade is in progress. The structure under the marquee is a built up “set” as part of the theme of the festival celebration. In another picture taken a year or two later you can see the same marquee without the set beneath it and the cars of the period parked along the street. The Empire was built new in 1929 because of a fire of the Elite Theatre that was down the street closer to the Bell Tower, robbing the town of its entertainment venue. Actually the Empire opened in the fall of 1930 with the film GOOD NEWS.

rainestorm on October 20, 2012 at 1:11 am

I worked there during its conversion from a single screen to a twin screen. This was in the early summer of 1988. It was nothing short of butchery.

I’m surprised to hear that the theatre was built in the 1929. The following picture makes it seem as if it was there at least in the mid to late 19th century.

http://yesteryearsnews.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/old-placerville.jpg

DeFragg on October 5, 2012 at 10:42 pm

yep- Cinema 4 has a familiar ring to it… I remember since they both belonged to the same company, we were able to go to movies at both for free. If there was room… lol

Michael D. Jackson on October 3, 2012 at 2:02 pm

Dear DeFragg, I remember the split double screen era of the Empire. Horrid. The Empire was built new in 1929 and opened in 1930 on the site of a hotel. It was built after the Elite Theater burned down. The Elite was down the street a bit, closer to the Bell Tower. The El Dorado Theater was short lived in the 1930s and couldn’t compete with the Empire, which changed its first run program of films 3 times a week. The Placerville Cinema 4 had 4 screens and basically killed the Empire as a single screen theater. The Empire ran live shows during the 1980s before the twin movie idea happened. I tap danced on the Empire stage in a show called “Berta’s Here!” in 1986. See story about the opening of the Empire and burning of the Elite: http://mainstreetstories.blogspot.com/2012/09/when-elite-burned-down.html

DeFragg on October 3, 2012 at 12:04 pm

Perhaps the El Dorado Theater became the Theater El Dorado group that held the tradition of stage plays at the fairgrounds..?

DeFragg on October 3, 2012 at 12:01 pm

I worked at the Empire Theater in the 1990’s. It was split down the middle, making two smallish theaters and two screens. The old green room area behind the screens were used for inventory as well as storage of many old theater props from the pre-cinema era. The boiler in the basement suggested the place was built before the 1920’s, but it’s hard to tell for sure. It was cozy, it had the old-building smell, but you could not spend time in there without feeling connected to a rich and romantic history. Supposedly there was a ghost of a man in a tall hat, too, but I can’t say I saw him myself. It was owned or ran then by Redwood Theaters Inc. out of Jackson, CA, as was the old Placerville Theater at the top of the hill near a grocery store strip mall. P-ville had about 6 screens, and was more popular because of it… When the huge theater in Folsom was built, we all felt it in Placerville…

Michael D. Jackson on September 18, 2009 at 10:26 pm

Mystery solved. The address of the El Dorado Theatre is 469 Main Street. Current resident is Arian’s Supply Sergeant. I received this information from the El Dorado Historical Society:
In answer to your mystery question – Yes, there was an El Dorado Theater located in the Upper Fairchild Building (now the Supply Sergeant). It opened under Ruth Knacke’s management in April, 1936. The theater was located on the lower floor of the building, large enough to accommodate 500 seats. Ruth Knacke, who owned the Empire Theater bought the El Dorado in order to prevent further competition with her theater. If you would like any additional information feel free to contact us.

Michael D. Jackson on June 20, 2009 at 12:10 pm

I am going to be in Placerville in August. Maybe for fun I’ll hunt around for the final answer to this El Dorado Theatre location question.

Michael D. Jackson on June 20, 2009 at 12:07 pm

The Fairchild Building is across the street from the Empire Theatre building. Here is a link to a contemporary picture. The building, since the beginning, was prominently labeled “Fairchild” and still is.

View link

Having grown up in Placerville, I never knew of an “Upper Fairchild Building” though the Fairchilds might have owned another building that was referred to as that, but the Empire Theatre Building was always referred to as the Empire Building. There was, in the Empire Building, the Fairchild’s Pharmacy, which might be the confusion. The Fairchild’s Pharmacy was later occupied by Robbinson’s Drugs until they moved down the street a block.

The picture that Joe Vogel references of the Empire Theatre Building was built in 1931, so the caption information, which comes from a CSUS archive, is not correct. I am guessing that the use of “Upper Fairchild Building” might be a description, rather than a name that was ever used.

Joe Vogel on June 19, 2009 at 3:44 am

It’s good to know the El Dorado did exist, but the news of its location brings new confusion. Here’s a photo of the Fairchild Building with the antique emporium that occupies the Empire Theatre’s space. The caption says it’s a twin of the Upper Fairchild Building, which is the building the El Dorado was in according to the first of those articles.

But where is (or was) the Upper Fairchild Building? Is it just the other half of the Fairchild Building, meaning the theaters would have been practically next door to each other? Does anybody know?

kencmcintyre on June 19, 2009 at 2:16 am

Regarding the El Dorado, these are from the local paper in 1936, 1937 and 1940, respectively:
http://tinyurl.com/nx9gsu
http://tinyurl.com/mf7sjf
http://tinyurl.com/nnjsa3

kencmcintyre on June 19, 2009 at 2:06 am

Here is a December 1996 ad:
http://tinyurl.com/kqqujh

Joe Vogel on April 29, 2009 at 1:40 am

I’ve never seen any mention of an El Dorado Theatre in Placerville anywhere other than that one Boxoffice item, myself. It’s possible the El Dorado was not in Placerville itself, but in one of the smaller, unincorporated towns in El Dorado County.

Boxoffice sometimes gave the name of the nearest big town when a theater was actually in an outlying area. This was especially likely when two theaters were under the same owner. In any case, if the place never reopened after 1938, there’d be very few people around to recall it. Also, if it had only 300 seats (which might even have been an exaggerated number) it might have been only a nickelodeon-type storefront theater, not easily spotted in photos.

If it existed anywhere in El Dorado County, though, there should be ads for it in issues of the local newspaper from that period. And if it lasted more than briefly, it ought to appear in one or another issue of Film Daily Yearbook, too.

Michael D. Jackson on April 28, 2009 at 8:45 pm

…and I spoke too soon about there not being an El Dorado Theater, I’m sure there may have been, but there isn’t any history on it that I ever came by except for the mention from Joe Vogel and Boxoffice Magazine above. Maybe it was a short lived operation.

Michael D. Jackson on April 28, 2009 at 8:32 pm

Another link to an old photo of the Empire:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaeldj/3484057103/

Michael D. Jackson on April 28, 2009 at 8:30 pm

A link to a pic of the Empire:
View link

Michael D. Jackson on April 28, 2009 at 12:37 pm

There was an El Dorado Drive-In on the edge of town, but I never knew of a regular sit down movie house called the El Dorado, nor has anyone I ever knew in Placerville ever mentioned it, nor does it appear in photographs of the town of which I have poured over in the past. As far as any history of Placerville known, I don’t believe there was ever another theater other than the Empire, which dates back to the beginning of the town and was first a canvas roof structure seen in very old photos of the town. Every time it burned down and was rebuilt or even moved to another address, it was always named The Empire.

Michael D. Jackson on April 28, 2009 at 12:29 pm

I’m not sure when the management renovated it as I knew it in the 1970s, but it had a late ‘60s/ early '70s decor of orange, red and gold curtains lining the walls and a gold curtain that opened and closed over the screen. The carpets were red with a pattern befitting a movie theater and I think the lobby actually had fake wood paneling on some of the walls.

Showing 26 - 36 of 36 comments

Joe Vogel on April 27, 2009 at 10:50 pm

The earliest mention of the Empire Theatre I’ve been able to find in Boxoffice Magazine is from the August 20, 1938, issue, in an item headed “Naify Brothers Acquire Duo From Mrs. Knacke.” It says:[quote]“Lee and Fred Naify, brothers of Mike Naify, manager of the T&D jr. Circuit, have acquired the two theatres in Placerville which Mrs. Ruth Knacke has been operating for some time. J.R. Saul, San Francisco theatre realty broker, handled the transaction.

“The houses are the 600-seat Empire, which may possibly be renovated, and the 300-seat El Dorado, which, dark for some time, is expected to continue closed under the Naify direction.”[/quote]I’ve found nothing later about the El Dorado, so perhaps it never reopened, but the Empire appears to have been operated by the Naify interests into the 1950s. Then by 1963 it was owned by an A.J. Longtin, who was planning a renovation of the house, according to Boxoffice Magazine of September 2 that year.

Michael D. Jackson on April 27, 2009 at 9:11 pm

I forgot another observation: Although there is an antique mall in the place, the basic interior structure is intact, although all the decor is stripped. They’ve done a rather cheap job, but for that matter, it would be rather easy to restore. There is simply a plug in the proscenium arch and you can see the outline of it. The floor, which used to slope downward towards the screen, has been built up to be level so that when you are by the proscenium arch you are sort of in the middle of what used to be the screen—maybe 10 feet above stage level. The stage and fly area his hiding behind the plug, probably used for storage. The wires from the surround speakers are hanging out of the walls and the projection booth windows are in full view. The lobby area is still separated from the auditorium, but the old crystal chandelier is gone and the entry area under the marquee has been partially built in as a storefront window area for showcasing goods. The box office is gone. The Marquee is still there.

Michael D. Jackson on April 26, 2009 at 6:40 am

Hello Empiretheater09, I don’t know how much help I can be except I can email you a couple of jpegs of the theater from the 1920s and 1931 when the building currently on site opened. In 1985-1986 when the venue was trying to function as a live performing arts venue I performed in two shows—a production of the musical CARNIVAL and a variety show called BERTA’S HERE when I was in a tap dancing act. Prior to that the theater showed a new double feature each week and I was there A LOT. The place was hopping until a 4 screen cinema opened on the other side of town about 1983. You can email me at michaeldj68@gmail.com and I’ll email you back the pix if you want to see them or ask any further questions surrounding the Empire.

EMPIRETHEATER09 on April 25, 2009 at 12:22 pm

I am doing a research essay on a building that has been closed down or forgotten that has affected the community in some way and I chose Empire Theater because it brought locals and travelers downtown and helped local businesses get noticed.

If anyone has further information, pictures, OR INPUT about this please write a comment!

Thanks!

Michael D. Jackson on April 24, 2009 at 12:23 pm

I grew up in Placerville during the 1970s and 1980s and attended the Empire Theater constantly. I spent many a Saturday afternoon watching Disney films and late engagements of block busters like STAR WARS, SUPERMAN and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARC. This theater always showed a double feature and there was a new program every week. A lot of times you’d get the new Disney release along with an old matinee classic like SINBAD or LASSIE. I remember seeing a full afternoon of Disney short subject cartoons the very first time I went. After the Placerville Cinema Four opened, the Empire was split in two and it was horrible—you could hear the sound from the next door movie during your movie. Too bad the place couldn’t be restored—Main Street could use a nice arts venue.

kencmcintyre on April 11, 2009 at 11:04 am

Here is a 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/c6p78v

kencmcintyre on April 11, 2009 at 11:01 am

Here is part of an April 1997 article from the Placerville Mountain Democrat:

It’s a wrap for Placerville’s Empire Theater as the Main Street movie house prepares for its final screenings tomorrow night. The Empire – which served as Placerville’s only movie theater for 50 years until 1984-will shutter in the wake of declining business and the pending opening of a six-screen movie theater on Placerville Drive, according to theater manager Julie Vogan.

“It’s been very slow … We’ve had about 20 people a week for the past several months,” Vogan said. Signature Theaters, which operates the Empire and Cinema 4 on Ray Lawyer Drive and is spearheading the new theater efforts, originally planned to close Empire when the new complex opens â€"scheduled for August. However, the theater’s patronage lessened dramatically when a multi-screen theater opened in Folsom almost a year ago. Business declined so much at the 375-seat Empire that the decision was made to close it early, Vogan said.

Empire isn’t the only local theater hurt by the Folsom cinema. The number of Placerville Cinema 4 theatergoers has gone down by about half since the Folsom theater opened, Vogan said. She said she hopes the new, 1,200-seat theater in Placerville will draw locals who are going to Folsom to see first-run movies. The 21,600-square foot theater broke ground about three weeks ago near the intersection of Pierroz Road and Placerville Drive.

The Empire, meanwhile, was built in 1931 after the original theater burned down in the mid-1920s. The early movie bill had a standard format: a short reel followed by a newsreel, a comedy and a feature. Adults paid 30 cents and children 15 cents, according to Mountain Democrat files. During the mid-1980s,the Sierra Cultural Arts Center Association and Theatre El Dorado studied using the theater as an arts center. However, no plans ever reached fruition.

The Empire struggled over the next 13 years to stay afloat as more theaters came to and near Placerville. In May 1984 the Empire â€" then owned by the Toler family – closed when Cinema 4 opened its doors and the home video business flourished. At the time, manager Jim Toler called it “an example of big business squeezing out the independent business man …” The theater reopened later that year as the Schisnewski family took over. Ultimately, Signature Theaters took over.

kencmcintyre on March 13, 2009 at 6:18 pm

Here is a March 1977 ad from the Placerville Mountain Democrat:
http://tinyurl.com/cqqr4j

Denis Vaughn on December 23, 2008 at 4:48 pm

At this point in time it seems doubtful that the Empire could ever be restored. It is thoughly restructured and only the marquee remains. The area could definitely use an arts center, but if it ever happens it won’t be downtown. Had local officials been sufficiently thoughtful and foresighted, they might have imposed a requirement on the owners of the new casino in Shingle Springs that they either restore the Empire or build a suitable facility elsewhere. If the casino people could spend $20 million for a freeway interchange, they could have come up with a few hundred thousand for a world-class arts center as well.

kencmcintyre on November 30, 2007 at 5:34 pm

Here is a photo:
http://tinyurl.com/yvrcrj

kencmcintyre on December 12, 2006 at 4:22 pm

Here is a 1987 article from the Placerville Mountain Democrat about efforts to find a buyer for the theater:

Empire Theater Up for Sale Again

The 56-year-old New Empire Theater, which served as Placerville’s only movie theater for 50 years, is up for sale once again after Placerville developers Jim Liles and Jim Newmeyer gave up on a dream to turn it into a performing arts center. Liles and Newmeyer bought the theater in 1985, rented upstairs office space to arts groups and began scheduling live performances of musical acts like Jesse Colin Young, Dan Hicks and Maria Muldaur. But the two developers recently grant deeded the 375-seat theater back to Aria Toler, who has been trying to sell it since 1984.

The goal was “to keep it as an entertainment facility,” Newmeyer said. “We did as much as we could. We gave it a run. We ‘tried stuff. There just wasn’t enough support … The burden of the building and the maintenance made it too hard to do the kind of program we wanted.” That burden amounts to about $70,000 to $100,000 in maintenance costs to bring the aging building into compliance with city building and fire codes, estimated Don McConnell, real estate agent handling the sale for Toler.

The theater is plagued with a costly, antiquated heating system, old wiring and plumbing, inadequate insulation and a faulty fire wall, several sources said. The city sent Toler a letter in June which requires the necessary improvements before the theater can be used again, said Conrad Montgomery, Placerville’s community development director. Toler’s selling price is $300,000, McConnell said. Toler originally bought the theater in 1970 and continued operating it as a movie house. But she said she closed the doors in 1984 after the video craze and the new Placerville Cinema 4 began siphoning off customers and the city sent the bill for a $4,600 a year parking assessment.

The theater, built during the Great Depression in the 1930s, has a colorful background, involving old movies, stage shows and rumors of ghosts. One of the theater’s ads in the Mountain Democrat in 1933 featured James Cagney in “The Mayor of Hell,” John Barrymore in “Reunion in Vienna,” and Jean Harlow and Clark Gable in “Hold Your Man.” The theater presented stage shows in the early years. “Two Sensational Psychics” appeared there in August 1933: “Helena â€"the girl who baffled Edison” and “Mahra.” The audience was encouraged to “prepare your questions” ahead of time
.
The theater is haunted by ghosts, according to numerous employees and visitors over the years. “Good spirits reportedly inhabit the upper part of the theater, while the unsettled spirit of a drunk who died about 1940 in the boiler room supposedly leaves a negative aura in the inner sanctum of the structure,” the Mountain Democrat observed in 1984.

Toler blamed the monopolistic practices of the big movie companies for the downfall of small independent theaters like hers. “They make the film, they distribute it and then they run it in their own theaters,” she said. The city has considered purchasing the theater in the past but was stopped by lack of funds. Both the Sierra Cultural Arts Center Association and Theater El Dorado have considered using it as a cultural arts center. But the theater requires numerous renovations to function in that capacity, representatives have claimed.

“We were a little early for what we wanted to do,” Newmeyer said. “The town is rejuvenating” and the support will be there in the future, he said. “There is no central place for the arts,” said Newmeyer. He said the theater is a prime location for that arts center. “It still could be done,” Newmeyer claims, but it will take a “full-time person” who has the resources, he said. Toler agreed. “If somebody came in here and had the know how, I’m sure they could make it go,” she said.

[EDCOE, 10:24 AM - March 03, 2021]

Sean Andrew, El Dorado County Office of Education Charter SELPA

Sean T Andrew, M.Ed., is a Regional Program Specialist working with the EDCOE Charter SELPA. He provides support to over 20 charter schools in the greater Los Angeles area. Sean has over eighteen years’ experience working in the field of Special Education. Sean has a passion for inclusion of students with disabilities with their general education peers, and a desire to help all students maximize their potential. His expertise is in working with students with challenging behaviors, parent support, and developing inclusive learning environments."- from Sean Andrew's Linked-In Bio.

EDCOE Spotlight:

Briefly describe your background (where you grew up, family, why you came to work for EDCOE).

I was born in Chicago; but grew up in Los Angeles where I currently reside with my wife, three daughters, and my bulldog. I came to work for EDCOE because I wanted an opportunity to expand beyond the traditional school district I was working at the time, to push for equity in education for all students, but primarily students with disabilities.

What is your department, title, primary work location, and how long have you worked for EDCOE?

This is my fifth year as a Regional Program Specialist working with the EDCOE Charter SELPA. My primary work location is my home office in Los Angeles.

Describe how your role helps support programs/schools/students directly or indirectly.

In my role I am supporting our charter school partners in running compliant, inclusive special education programs that benefit students with disabilities. This is accomplished by delivering professional learning to our partners; helping with state compliance issues; case consultation; and, assisting families and schools resolve disputes in the best interest of students.

What are you and your team doing to support education in El Dorado County during COVID-19?

We are helping our school partners navigate distance learning for students with disabilities. Whether it is helping schools develop contingency plans for students during school closure or providing professional development for educators statewide, we are focused on supporting education through this challenging time.

What do you most appreciate about your department/team?

Collaboration! Despite being in different regions in California, the Program Specialist Team is always ready, willing, and able to support each other on the behalf of students.

What is your proudest moment at EDCOE? Why?

There are many proud moments I can think of during my time at EDCOE. The one that stands out the most was feedback from a school administrator from a professional learning training that I presented to her staff regarding verbal de-escalation. She said that providing that training helped provide tools to her staff that would ensure students would have a more positive education than they would have without the staff training. I was happy that EDCOE provided me that opportunity to reach that group of educators and make an impact on student outcomes.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Before COVID-19, I really enjoyed playing basketball. Since then, I really enjoy going on walks with my wife. My knees really appreciate this change in my life.

What is something many people may not know about you?

That I am an avid comic book collector. I began collecting when I was young and it has grown to a sizeable collection over the years. I like to think that I was into Marvel before the movies made it cool.

If you could meet anyone in the world, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

I would love to be able to have a conversation with Jackie Robinson. It always amazes me to think of the difficulties he faced breaking barriers in the face of such racial injustice. I would love to hear how he was able to block out the negativity around him and still perform at such a high level.

From supervisor Ginese Quann, Director, Charter SELPA:

Sean is a crucial member of the team for his experience, depth of knowledge, and collaborative spirit. His greatest qualities are his moral and ethical compass paired with his supportive and thoughtful style of communication assisting both teammates and LEAs in working towards meaningful progress and solutions.

[Gary Thomas, Placerville, CA – 3/6/21]

The El Dorado County Fairgrounds based Placerville Speedway will hear racing engines for the first time in 2021 by hosting a “Test and Tune” on Saturday March 13th, taking place from Noon to 4pm. 
Pit passes cost $25 for adults, $10 for minors ages four to 13 and $5 for infants/ toddlers up to age three. 

Pit passes for the Test and Tune are available to pre-purchase via the Pit Pay Mobile Pit Pass App. To use Pit Pay, participants will download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and create a profile. They can then purchase passes for Placerville Speedway events, signing all waivers electronically. At the track, they will simply proceed to the Pit Pay Priority Line, show their mobile pit pass, and get an armband.

Please note the grandstands are closed to the public during the Test and Tune. The pit area will open at 11am. For those that don’t have a smart phone you can still purchase pit passes the traditional way upon arrival to the speedway. 
One week after that the Placerville Speedway is then slated to open its 56th season of competition on Saturday March 20th. Divisions set to tackle the famed quarter-mile during the event will include the Thompson’s Family of Dealerships Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Ltd. Late Models, Pure Stocks and Mini Trucks. 

Details on the regulations and protocols for the March 20th opener will be released as soon as possible.  

The Placerville Speedway is located on the beautiful El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville, California. Take Hwy US-50 to Forni Road/Placerville Drive exit. Then go north on Placerville Drive to the Fairgrounds. The physical address is 100 Placerville Dr., Placerville, CA 95667. For more information on the Placerville Speedway log onto http://www.placervillespeedway.com

Join over 13,800 followers of Placerville Speedway on Facebook, where you can keep abreast of updates for the 2021 season. You can also find Placerville Speedway on Twitter by following us https://twitter.com/pvillespeedway - In addition, Placerville Speedway is also on Instagram. Please follow us @PvilleSpeedway. 

The quarter-mile clay oval is operated by Russell Motorsports Incorporated, which can be reached at the track business office at 530-344-7592. Contact Kami Arnold or Scott Russell directly for sponsorship opportunities at the office.
Upcoming events at Placerville Speedway:

Saturday March 13: Test and Tune | Noon-4pm. Pit Gate Opens at 11am. Grandstands are closed

Saturday March 20: Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Ltd. Late Models, Pure Stocks and Mini Trucks

Saturday March 27: Sprint Car Challenge Tour presented by Elk Grove Ford and Abreu Vineyards plus BCRA Lightning Sprints | Spring Fever Frenzy

[NWS 5:00 PM, 3/62021]

Unsettled weather returns early next week to El Dorado County.

Multiple rounds of precipitation are possible with the heaviest currently expected on Tuesday.

Be prepared for mountain travel impacts including chain controls & travel delays.

EXTENDED FORECAST - 

Elev: 905 ft

Tonight - Clear. Lows 32 to 40. Light winds.

Sunday - Mostly sunny. Highs 53 to 61. Light winds becoming west up to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night - Mostly clear. Lows 33 to 41. Light winds.

Monday - Mostly cloudy in the morning, then partly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Highs 44 to 56. No snow accumulation lower elevations...up to 1 inch higher elevations. Prevailing southwest winds up to 15 mph.

Monday Night - Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain showers in the evening, then a chance of rain and snow showers after midnight. Lows 31 to 41. Prevailing southwest winds up to 10 mph in the evening becoming light.

Tuesday - Mostly cloudy with rain showers likely with possible snow showers and thunderstorms. Highs 43 to 55.

Tuesday Night - Rain showers likely. Lows 33 to 43.

Wednesday - Mostly cloudy with rain showers likely. Highs 44 to 54.

Wednesday Night - Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain showers. Lows 30 to 40.

Thursday - Partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers. Highs 49 to 59.

Thursday Night - Mostly clear. Lows 33 to 41.

Friday - Partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers. Highs 51 to 61.

Friday Night - Mostly clear. Lows 35 to 43.

Saturday - Partly cloudy. Highs 52 to 62.

Elev: 4613 ft

Tonight - Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the evening.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 52. East wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.

Sunday Night - Increasing clouds, with a low around 33. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the evening.

Monday - A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. South wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday Night - A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. East southeast wind around 8 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday - Snow showers likely before 4pm, then rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tuesday Night - Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all snow after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Wednesday - A chance of snow showers before 10am, then rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42.

Wednesday Night - A chance of rain and snow showers before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Thursday - A slight chance of rain and snow showers after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

Thursday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Friday - A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Friday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Saturday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

[Carla Hass, Communications Director for El Dorado County, ]

El Dorado County, in regard to moving to the less restrictive COVID-19 Red tier:

“We’re very happy about the news that El Dorado County will move from the most restrictive Purple tier where we’ve been since November, to the Red tier, which literally opens the door to more services and activities for our residents.

“This move means we regain some sense of normalcy in our lives and brings a level of relief to our small businesses that have borne the brunt of the pandemic. So many of our residents have suffered enormous economic loss due to the shutdown associated with high levels of positive COVID-19 cases and deaths. This change in status gives them a long-awaited economic boost.

“Starting tomorrow, indoor dining is allowed at 25% capacity, gyms can open at 10% capacity, retailers can open at 50% capacity, and movie theaters can reopen at 25% capacity, among other things.

“That said, this is not the time to relax the behaviors that have gotten us to this point. Even with the tens of thousands or residents who have already been vaccinated, it’s imperative that we continue to take the actions to further protect our residents and visitors. These actions – wearing a mask, keeping physical distance from those outside your household and not gathering with large groups of people – will ultimately be the very things that will get us to the next level of normalcy.

“To put a finer point on that issue, we didn’t make this move based on our daily case rate. We were able to make the move to the Red tier based on meeting the County’s overall test positivity rate and that positivity rate in our socioeconomically disadvantaged census tracts each for two consecutive weeks.

“Our case rate remains in the most restrictive Purple tier, so there is more work to be done. But this is very welcome news for our residents and business owners alike.”

[South Tahoe Now, 03/05/2021, 12:56pm]

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif.- After months of waiting, the El Dorado County Planning and Building Department has released the results of its Meyers Commercial Cannabis Retail Selection merit based scoring.

After receiving input from the County’s Sheriff’s Department, Air Quality Management District and the Planning Division, the Planning and Building Department announced the finalist from a short list of three applications.

The three- Embarc, Charles Boldwyn and Tahoe Honey Company - are vying for the single cannabis retail business being allowed in the Meyers town center. With 20 points, Embarc, who has a cannabis business in South Lake Tahoe, lead the group, followed by Boldwyn with 19 points and Tahoe Honey with 16. Embarc has proposed going into the current gym location. Boldwyn was purchasing the old wedding chapel for his business, and Tahoe Honey Company was planning on going into the pizza business. All three are on U.S. 50 in Meyers.

"We are excited to expand Embarc’s presence and community relationships in the Tahoe basin," said the owner of the property where Embarc is going, Greg Daum. "We look forward to providing patients and customers access to cannabis at a second location."

Scores were based on the following equally-rated criteria: Distance to a residence, security plan, odor control plan, background check, and plan to prevent theft and access to cannabis and cannabis products by individuals under the age of 21 unless they have a valid medical cannabis card.

The selected applicant must submit a full Commercial Cannabis Retail Application and the associated application fee within five business days of being notified of their selection.

Applications were independently scored by the departments with expertise in the corresponding fields and the individual category scores were not shared or discussed between departments during the scoring process. The scoring criteria are generally described as follows, with more refined criteria for each category that may be viewed on: https://southtahoenow.com/story/03/05/2021/county-releases-results-meyers-commercial-cannabis-businesses