The Fresno Bee from Fresno, California • GA2

THURSDAY A2 OAKHURST-STAR A2 20100930 A220100930Composite PAGE A2 for 09-30-2010 Set 17:58 by CHOUSE Thanks to the quick re- sponse of the Raymond Fire Station, the basement of the Raymond Museum was spared any permanent water damage after it was flooded Sept. 23. went to the museum to do my yard work and fil- ing and saw a hose had been left on for two days in the old, antique bathtub lanter sa id Lynn Northrop, Raymond Muse- um curator. checked the cellar and the entire cellar was full of water up to the door, at least 8 feet In a panic, Northrop began trying to clear the bathroom of water with a trash can until a friend noti- fied the fire station. next thing I knew, five firemen with their water pumps and fire truck were taking over, saving the Northrop said.

With the aid of two pumps and much reassur- ing, firemen began pump- ing the 8 feet of water out of the basement. In the meantime, they helped with other areas of the his- toric site. we were watch- ing the water drain, they proceeded to mow the mu- lawn and pick weeds, smiling the whole said Northrop. only did they make everyone smile and save the day, they did the land- scaping, too. What a trea- sure our fire people are, and we need to tell them that we appreciate all they Staff Report United States Attorney Benjamin B.

Wagner an- nounced recently that 12 more criminal defendants, 10 of whom are illegally in the country, were charged by complaints on Thursday in Fresno in connection with Operation Trident, an ongoing multi-agency mari- juana enforcement effort in Madera, Fresno, and Tulare counties that commenced in 2009 and is coordinated by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. To date, Operation Tri- dent has resulted in the eradication of approximate- ly 639,042 marijuana plants, primarily from pub- lic lands in the Sierra foot- hills and mountains, and the federal prosecution of 75 defendants. According to court docu- ments, the investigation began in March 2010. Law enforcement eradicated ap- proximately 38,925 mari- juana plants in several dif- ferent marijuana gardens on public lands including the Sierra National Forest in Madera County, Cleve- land National Forest in Riv- erside and the Sequoia Na- tional Forest in Tulare Coun- ty. Court documents indi- cate that the defendants were arrested on Sept.

21 during the execution of seven search warrants in Orosi, Sanger and Squaw Valley. As a result of the search warrants, agents seized an additional 1,666 marijuana plants, approxi- mately 24 pounds of mari- juana seeds, 348 pounds of processed marijuana, $74,300 in U.S. currency, eight handguns, three rifles and three shotguns. Nine of the defendants were ordered detained on Sept. 22.

A further court ap- pearance is scheduled for Oct 7. The case is the product of an investigation of the Central Valley Marijuana In- vestigation Team, com- prised of law enforcement officers including Califor- nia Bureau of Narcotic En- forcement, the Fresno County Office, Tu- lare County Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immi- gration and Customs En- forcement Office of Home- land Security Investiga- tions, the U.S. Forest Ser- vice, the National Park Ser- vice, and the Bureau of Land Management.

Assis- tant U.S. Attorney, Kath- leen A. Servatius is prosecut- ing the case. If convicted, the defen- dants face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum term of life in prison, as well as a fine of up to $4 million. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any appli- cable statutory sentencing factors and the Federal Sen- tencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only alle- gations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. More arrests from Operation Trident Green Home Supply grand opening Green Home Supply will host a grand- opening celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 next to The Grind, 40879 Highway 41 in Oak- hurst.

The celebration will have a special guest appear- ance by Bear Vasquez, The Cage Fighting Double Rain- bow Guy who became an overnight Internet sensa- tion due to his YouTube video of his double rainbow sighting. There will also be a free barbecue from BBQ and attendees will re- ceive a free CFL light bulb. The store will sell green products including energy- efficient do-it-yourself kits, solar light tubes, wind ener- gy on and off grids, solar hot tub kits, tankless water heaters and battery and generator backup. Public Television becomes ValleyPBS As of Monday, Valley Public Television became ValleyPBS. Recently, PBS recognized position as the primary PBS station in the San Joaquin Valley and granted permission for the station to change its name to ValleyPBS.

The sta- commitment to PBS national signature program- ming will remain un- changed. This includes maintaining 11 hours each weekday of pro- gramming that has made the station the most- watched channel in the Valley. ValleyPBS HD is the sta- primary high-defini- tion channel featuring PBS national signature pro- grams, local shows and chil- programming line- up. Valley Create features many of public most popular how-to pro- grams in the areas of cook- ing, arts and crafts, garden- ing, home improvement and travel. The ValleyPBS rebrand- ing is the latest step in a 33-year journey that began on April 17, 1977, when KMTF went on the air pro- viding public television pro- gramming for the first time to Kings, Madera, Tulare, Mariposa and Fresno coun- ties.

In 1990, KMTF became KVPT-Va ley Pub ic Television. Dance is an effective exercise The owner of Velocity Dance Studio, Just- ine Protopapa, will demon- strate an effective way to ex- ercise and will focus on ex- ercise that will increase strength and balance at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 at Wil- low Bridge Books. Protopapa has been a dancer since a very early age and has won choreogra- phy awards in both the Unit- ed States and Europe.

Her students have starred in and Details: (559) 692-2665. Sample ballots mailed Rebecca Martinez, Coun- ty Clerk-Recorder and Reg- istrar of Voters, announced that Sample Ballots for all registered voters in Madera County have been mailed. Sample Ballots contain important information re- lating to the election, candi- dates and measures, and in- dicate the address of the polling place. For voters who vote by mail, no polling place infor- mation is provided on the sample ballot. To view sample ballots online, visit the website at Voters who have not re- ceived a sample ballot should contact the Elec- tions Division at (559) 675-7720 or toll free at (800) 435-0509.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Eric Fleming was named the perma- nent County Administrative Officer for Madera County by the Board of Supervi- sors on Sept. 21. am honored by this appointment and would like to thank the Board of Supervi- sors for this said Fleming, who has been acting as interim CAO since late June. Fleming has been an assistant county administrative officer with the county since 2005. Previously, he was a senior ana- lyst for the Fresno County Administrative Office.

As CAO, Fleming acts as the county man- ager supervising county departments, rec- ommending the annual budget and enforc- ing board policy. think of a better individual to lead Madera County through these tough economic said Tom Wheeler, Dis- trict 5 supervisor and chairman of the board. is truly a team player who gen- uinely cares for the county, its staff and its Fleming said his biggest task has been balancing a budget stressed by a decline in tax revenue and deferred reimbursements from the state for mandated programs. Fleming has been meeting regularly with department heads to discover where sav- ings can occur without severely affecting services. have some major fiscal challenges ahead but I am confident that our board, our department heads and our employees will continue to collaborate on new and more cost-effective ways to deliver our ser- vices to the Fleming said.

Madera County Fleming named CAO This festival features three wineries: Milla Vineyards, Birdstone Winery and Chateau Lasgoity. time for a picnic in the park with a variety of California wines, appetizers from local restaurants, chocolate-cov- ered strawberries for dessert and unique artisans showcasing the best in holiday gift-giving ideas. The 19th Oakhurst Chocolate and Wine Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct.

9 and 10 at the Oakhurst Com- munity Park. Joining the festival for the first time is The Blue Heron Restaurant from Yosemite Lakes Park. Chef Christian Mueller will be serving appetizer-size portions of dark beer- braised pork with warm and sweet Ger- man potato salad. Tasting tickets cost $1 and can be used in any of the food tasting or wine tasting areas. See FESTIVAL A3 Oakhurst Chocolate and Wine Festival Oct.

9 and 10 Firefighters save the day at Raymond Museum SUBMITTED BY LYNN NORTHROP Raymond firefighters pump water out of the basement of the Raymond Museum last week after it was flooded. QUOTE they proceeded to mow the lawn and pick weeds, smiling the whole time. Lynn Northrop, Raymond Museum curator- QUOTE SPEAK WITH A FRIENDLY ATTORNEY ANYTIME, EVERYTIME. LAW OFFICE OF JAMES D. MILLER We are a debt relief agency providing bankruptcy counseling.

8050 N. Palm Ste. 300, Fresno, CA 93711 (559) 439-5997 BANKRUPTCY www.jdmillerlaw.com Bring Your Friends and Family! 29 76 0 OAKHURST ELEMENTARY Friday, October 1 5:00 pm 7:30 pm Wristbands: $15.00 inclusive of all activities Silent Auction BBQ DJ Contests Entertainment Great Food Games Bounce House Climbing Wall Miss Our BIGGEST Event of the Year! Proceeds academic programs, art and music classes, classroom materials and so much more! All food items require tickets. Individual activity and food tickets are each. 29 61 7 8-5 Sat.

9 4 641-ROCK 7 6 2 5 NORTH END OF OAKHURST HWY. 41 TURN LEFT ON BAY LEAF LANE OPPOSITE SUBURBAN PROPANE Do It Yourself The Easy Way KEYSTONE STACKABLE WALLBLOCK A a i i a i a i SOIL AMENDMENTS Mushroom Compost Rice Mix Nitro Humus Planting Mix Serving Eastern Madera County since 1957 Telephone (559) 683-4464 Fax (559) 683-8102 http://www.sierrastar.com e-mail: Betty E. Linn publisher Brian Wilkinson editor Lisa Baker creative services director Sheri Malcolm manager Sierra Star is published weekly. A McClatchy Company. 49165 Crane Valley Road Oakhurst.

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