Thursday, May 15, 2008

Jessup University to graduate 1st class in Rocklin

William Jessup University on Saturday will mark a milestone in its 69-year history, graduating its largest class and the first students to come to the Rocklin campus....(more)

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Two elementary schools to close

GRANITE BAY – After four years of declining enrollment, Eureka Union School District will close two campuses and open a charter school in 2009....(more)

New van is a lifesaver for Sacramento-area Red Cross

For too long, Sacramento-based Red Cross volunteers did lots of packing before driving to distant places in Northern California to teach lifesaving. Mannequins used for CPR training had to be stuffed into the volunteers' cars, along with class manuals and other equipment....(more)

Friendly Paws

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Carlos Alcala: Birds drop in on casino employees

For the birds: For a while there, employees at Thunder Valley casino were playing a game you might call Rush in Roulette. Hundreds of barn swallows built nests in the eaves over the employee entrance. When workers came to work, they had to rush in while looking out for falling … well, it's the same word as a dice game often played at casinos. "Oh, my God, you cannot believe the mess they were making," said Doug Elmets, spokesman for the casino. Operators built tents at the entry so workers wouldn't be subject to aerial strikes. They put netting up at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, Elmets said. What finally worked was this: If you can't beat 'em, house 'em. Thunder Valley put up a swallow condo tower at the far edge of Lot GG, away from the casino. "It's designed to look like Thunder Valley Casino," Elmets said. It even has fake windows, although they are even more fake than the casino's fake windows. To get the birds to move, Elmets said, they played a recording of mating calls from a boom box on a vehicle driving back and forth from the casino to the swallow tower. I'm not making that up. Now there are scores of nests on the tower and birds occupying them. Quite a sight to see. But don't stand too close. …...(more)

Guest commentary: Do human billboards bring in customers?

Until I moved to South Placer County, I had never seen human billboards – individuals in costume, usually standing at an intersection or in front of the business they're advertising, waving a large sign bearing the name of the enterprise....(more)

Public safety watch: Buckle up, or face a citation

Rocklin, Roseville and Lincoln police say they will watch specifically for and issue citations for seat belt violations in vehicles this month....(more)

Board to meet

The Placer County Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Board is scheduled to meet at 6:15 p.m. Monday at the Adult System of Care administration building, 11533 C Ave., Auburn. The board, which is responsible for reviewing Placer County mental health and substance abuse services, also is recruiting new members. Call (530) 889-7254....(more)

Volleyball camp planned

Roseville High School is accepting applications from girls in seventh through ninth grades for its volleyball camp....(more)

Camp pairs kids, horses

Applications are being accepted for the Placer County Sheriff's Department's "Ride With Pride," a one-day camp that pairs children between the ages of 7 and 12 with deputies and their horses. The free camp is available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 16-19 at the Gold Country Fairgrounds, 1273 High St., Auburn. Lunch will be provided. Call (916) 652-2419....(more)

Registration deadline near

Monday is the last day to register to vote for the June 3 primary election. Registration forms are available at post offices and libraries in Placer County or online at www.sos.ca.gov. Forms can be picked up until midnight Monday outside the Placer County Elections Division entrance, 2956 Richardson Drive, Auburn. Completed forms will be processed the next morning. A secure drop box will be available. Voters can register, find polling places and learn results at www.placer.ca.gov/elections....(more)

Deal provides Newcastle with new fire station site

The Newcastle Fire Protection District broke ground on a much-needed new fire station Monday after working out a deal with a cooperative local school district....(more)

Yvonne McKinney: Teens give library energy-saving tips

Just before Earth Day last month, a small team of teens from rural Placer County showed the world how to build a robot – and save energy....(more)

Police/Fire log: Placer County

The following information was provided by the Roseville and Rocklin police departments:...(more)

Scholarships offered

Friends of Roseville offers two $1,000 scholarships for the 2008-09 school year for Roseville students....(more)

A TREAT FOR FEET

Four generations of women in one family – Heather Hawkins (mom), Hannah Hawkins, 16 months, Haley Hawkins, 3, Sherrill O'Toole (grandmother) and June Melton (great-grandmother) - decided the best way to celebrate Mother's Day was to do it together. So the Fair Oaks residents treated themselves last week to a pedicure en masse....(more)

Barbecue benefit

A "Boots and Scoots" barbecue and barn dance to benefit the Ride to Walk program in Lincoln is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday at 1630 Highway 193, Lincoln. Tickets are $35 general, $15 for ages 7 and older and free for children younger than 7. Reservations are requested by calling (916) 434-0693....(more)

Commission to meet

The Placer County Community Services Commission has scheduled a meeting at 5:30 p.m. today in the Placer County Board of Supervisors Field Office, 101 Cirby Hills Drive, Roseville. The commission is a 12-member panel that advises the Board of Supervisors on matters related to providing health and human services to county residents. For details or to place an item on the agenda, call (530) 889-7229....(more)

It's Tuesday and hopping in downtown Roseville

Roseville kicked off summer fun early last week with the season's first of its scheduled Downtown Tuesday Nights. Taking place from 5 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday on Vernon Street, the three-month street fair will end July 29. The attractions include a farmers market, classic cars on display, live music, food and other vendor booths and a beer and wine garden. Children's activities are offered in the Kids Fun Zone. Organized by the Downtown Roseville Merchants association, the events are intended to showcase the center of town....(more)

In the Military

Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Yuri V. Graves, whose wife, Maggie, is the daughter of Shirley and Raymond Pietila of Roseville, was recently promoted to the position of coordinator of the international port security liaison officer program for the Asia-Pacific region while serving as an international port security liaison officer assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Activities Far East at Yokota Air Force Base in Tokyo....(more)

People

On a Thursday in late April while women were delivering babies in the Family Birth Center at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, a different kind of labor was taking place in the hallway....(more)

Marketplace: Lincoln center leases space

A new commercial center on the edge of downtown Lincoln will add a mix of retail stores, restaurants and offices when it is completed in August....(more)

Bible study group open

New members are sought for a women's Bible study group that meets from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at a private home in Sun City Lincoln Hills....(more)

Garage sale planned

The South Stanford Ranch Monster Garage Sale is planned from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at more than 200 homes in the South Stanford Ranch neighborhood in Rocklin. Maps will be available at major intersections in the area. Goods not sold will be donated to Disabled American Veterans. The sale is sponsored by Rindy Merrifield. To participate or for more information, call (916) 787-7760....(more)

Students' Solar Fair set

Rocklin Elementary School students will host a Solar Fair on Saturday at Ace Hardware in Rocklin to educate residents about the benefits of the alternative energy source. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the store parking lot, 3261 Stanford Ranch Road. Second- and sixth-grade students will present solar-cooking demonstrations, hands-on experiments and other interactive activities for all ages, according to a news release. Money raised from food sales will help provide solar cookers for South Africa residents. Admission to the fair is free....(more)

Pharmacy class set

Sierra College Community Education has scheduled a free orientation for its pharmacy technician training program from 10 a.m. to noon May 31 at the Roseville Gateway campus, 333 Sunrise Ave., Roseville....(more)

Ex-deputy pleads guilty

AUBURN – A former Placer County sheriff's deputy could face nearly six years in prison after pleading guilty to five counts involving sexual relations with underage girls, the District Attorney's Office said....(more)

Colfax science teacher finds winning formula

Colfax High School teacher Suzanna Gough Johnson has been recognized with $10,000 in grants for her excellence in science instruction....(more)

Weekend Watch

• GOSPEL PERFORMANCE...(more)

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Wednesday, May 14, 2008

• Former Placer deputy pleads guilty to sex with minors

• Granite Bay district plans to close two campuses

• Man pleads not guilty in teen's rape

• Missing kayaker found safe after 2 days

• Police seek man who exposed himself to young girls

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

• Rafters rescue kayaker who was lost for two days

• Hard times ease I-80 project's path

• Car theft suspect learns rules of road the hard way

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Monday, May 12, 2008

• Developer pours money into Fountains at Roseville

• I-80 bottleneck will get complete fix

• Recall organizers want to oust four Dry Creek trustees

• Solo crash fatality identified as Roseville man, 71

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Saturday, May 10, 2008

• 4th District candidates debate

• Man, 74, dies in solo Roseville crash

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Friday, May 9, 2008

• Newcastle will get a new fire station, built on cooperation

• Colfax teacher wins science award, grant

• Auburn dam may be dealt death blow

• Ose, McClintock to debate at Sierra College

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Thursday, May 8, 2008

• Colfax science teacher wins $5,000 grant

• Lincoln man arrested as suspect in beating

• Private service set for former Placer leader Bill Santucci

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