Serving the communities of Valley Springs, Burson and Wallace

Sept. 26

Firefighters rescue a seriously injured Valley Springs woman trapped Sept. 24 in a 1993 Nissan Altima on Highway 26 east of Paloma Road.

Valley Springs woman sustains major injuries in Highway 26 accident

   A Valley Springs area woman and two children in her vehicle sustained injuries in a two-vehicle accident at 7:35 a.m. Sept. 24 on Highway 26 east of Paloma Road.

   According to the CHP, a 1993 Nissan Altima driven by Michelle Winslow, 41, of Valley Springs was eastbound on Highway 26. She was negotiating a right radius curve and her vehicle crossed the double yellow line and into the westbound lane.

   A 2003 Dodge Ram flatbed driven by Jared R. Link, 21, of Glencoe was in the opposite lane and the vehicles collided head-on.

   Winslow sustained major injuries and was transported by air ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. She was listed as stable, but in critical condition. The two children, identified as Mike James, 8, and Nick Winslow, 4, of Valley Springs sustained minor injuries.

   According to a firefighter at the scene, the youngsters were Winslow’s children and they were transported by ground ambulance to UCD Med Center.

   Link escaped injury.

   Highway 26 in the Paloma area was closed for approximately an hour as emergency crews assisted the injured and prepared them for evacuation.  

Sept. 24

Valley Springs man offers modest proposal to feds to resurrect red-legged frog

By Nick Baptista

   One Valley Springs man has an interesting proposition for Uncle Sam’s environmental police.

    The federal government once again has identified ranchland near Valley Springs as critical habitat for the California red-legged frog, but rancher Ron Randall disagrees with the proposal.

   Randall’s family owns or leases 1,500 of the 4,449 acres under consideration as protected habitat for the frog.

   The proposed critical habitat area is located east of Valley Springs in between Paloma Road and Highways 12 and 26.

   “I don’t think I could pick a worst habitat for the frog,” Randall said.

   The same Calaveras County area was dropped in 2006 for a statewide habitat-preservation plan, but federal wildlife official last week proposed a four-fold increase in the frog’s protected habitat.

   The California red-legged frog was listed as a threatened species by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1996. Critical habitat is a term in the Endangered Species Act. It identifies geographic areas that contain features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and may require special management considerations or protection.

   Randall is leery the critical habitat designation will interfere with his ranching operations. Although federal officials say otherwise, he points to the troubles Gillam Road residents have had in recent years since a red-legged frog reportedly was discovered in the area.

   Routine road repairs have been at a standstill since the reported sighting.

   Instead of tying up private property with the critical habitat designation, Randall has another idea.

   “If they pay me $2 a piece I’ll raise a million of them,” Randall said. “They have to give me a pair of them, male and female, to begin with.”

   Although at first, the move sounds strange, the federal government is on the verge of funding a $700 billion bailout of the nation’s financial institutions.

   Raising the frogs should be easier than cattle, according to Randall.

   “I hear they lay a million eggs. I can only get one calf a year with a cow.”

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has opened a 60-day public comment period on the critical habitat proposal. The comment period ends Nov. 17.  

Sept. 19

The cast of "The Music Man" is preparing for an Oct. 2 opening.

"Music Man" coming to Calaveras

   The Calaveras Children’s Repertory Theatre is presenting the popular Broadway musical “The Music Man” the first week in October.

   A cast of more than 40 aspiring young actors and actresses are getting ready to entertain the public Oct. 2 and 3 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 221 Church Hill Road in San Andreas.

   The Thursday, Oct. 2, opening night performance will begin at 6:30 p.m., while the Friday, Oct. 3, show will start at 7 p.m.

   Ticket will be available at the door for only $5 per person.

   Jennifer Bonomo directs the musical.

   The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys' band leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to naive townsfolk before skipping town with the cash. In River City, Iowa, prim Marian the librarian sees through him, but when Hill helps her younger brother, Marian begins to fall in love with Harold. Harold, in turn falling for Marian, risks being caught to win her.

   All is fair in love and trouble in the “Music Man”.

   The show became a hit on Broadway in 1957, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and running for 1,375 performances. The cast album won the first Grammy Award for "Best Original Cast Album". The show's success led to revivals and a popular 1962 film adaptation.

   The musical features popular tunes such as “Seventy-six Trombones,” “Gary, Indiana,” “Till There Was You” and “Marian the Librarian.”

   For more information on the Calaveras Children’s Repertory Theatre’s revival of The Music Man, call 736-4616.  

Sept. 17

Lisa Hubbs displays the 12 ribbons she brought home from the California State Fair for her nine jam and jelly entries.

Best of Show

Valley Springs woman wins big at state fair

By Nick Baptista

   California's best jelly maker resides in Valley Springs.

   Lisa Hubbs of Valley Springs won Best of Show at the recently concluded California State Fair with her Blazinberry Jelly. Enroute to the Best of Show ribbon, the Blazinberry Jelly also captured first place, Best of Class and Best of Division honors.

   The jelly is a combination of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries.

   "Great flavor, nice set and perfect headspace" were the comments on Hubbs' scoring sheet. The jams and jellies are judged on texture, flavor and appearance.

   Hubbs was one of five people who entered the state fair to also receive the C&H Award, which includes 20 pounds of sugar.

   All nine of Hubbs' state fair entries received awards, with five additional first place honors and three seconds.

   Her other first place entries were blackberry jam, blueberry jelly, strazberry jelly, blackberry jelly and strawberry jelly. Second-place ribbons went to her strawberry jam, strazberry jam and blazinberry jam.

   The strazberry jam and jelly are a combination of raspberries, blackberries and strawberries.

   Hubbs more than doubled her ribbon output compared to the 2007 state fair where she came home with two blue and two red ribbons. That came after a 21-year hiatus of entering jams and jellies in the state fair.

   Hubbs said she was filled with surprise when she received a phone call from the state fair asking whether she would be able to attend the Best of Show ribbon presentation, but she was able to assure them she would be there.

   She had to fetch a ride to Sacramento for the presentation from her brother, because earlier when she took her jams and jellies to be judged, the water-pump on her car went out on the way home and damaged the engine.

   "But it was worth it," she said.

   She's especially proud of the Best of Show ribbon, which includes a bronze seal of the State of California.

   As Hubbs scanned over the results on the internet, she finally realized her accomplishment. There were only six Best of Division winners and 10 Best of Class.

   "And then there was only one Best of Class - me - and then it registered," she said.

   Hubbs is looking at capitalizing on her new-found honors. She is talking with family and friends about the possibility of patenting the "Blazinberry" name and turning her hobby into a commercial venture.

   "I'm weighing the pros and cons," she said. Going commercial would mean health safety inspections, food safety courses and kitchen certification.

   "I'm not sure which way I'll turn, but winning Best of Show was sure exciting."

Sept. 10

Mark Campbell, left, Calaveras Unified School District’s assistant superintendent of curriculum and former Calaveras High School principal, has been selected by the district’s Board of Trustees to succeed Superintendent Jim Frost, right, in the 2009-10 school year. 

End of an era coming to Calaveras Unified School District

By Cierra Minyard

High School Correspondent

   An end of an era is coming to the Calaveras Unified School District with Superintendent Jim Frost’s retirement at the end of the school year.  He has been a part of Calaveras since 1987 and CUSD superintendent for 17 years, making major decisions that have helped shape the lives of several thousand students.

   When Frost began his college education at Chapman University, he made a comment to his friends that he would forever look back upon.

   “Most of my friends in college were going into education, and I remember telling them ‘I’m never going to become a teacher,’” Frost said.

   Almost as soon as he made the comment he was accepting a job as a teacher at Mater Dei High School, a private school located in Orange County. 

  “That was even before I had my teaching credential,” Frost recalled

   He then went to the University of California at Irvine where he earned his teaching credential and later went to the University of the Pacific to obtain a Masters in Education.

   At Manteca High School, Frost once again found himself in front of the classroom, giving lectures and handing back papers. He then went to Lincoln High School in Stockton where he later became vice principal. He heard through a friend that Calaveras High School was looking for a new principal.

   “I asked my friend if I was a good match and he said ‘yes,’” Frost said.

   From that point on, Calaveras became a major part of Frost’s life.

   Frost was principal of Calaveras High School from 1987 to 1990. He recalls teachers who were there to welcome him as principal included Vince Bicocca, Craig Lambert, Jim Pesout, Mark Bowe and Jan Lavaroni.

   “I think I hired all of the rest of them,” joked Frost.

   As CHS principal, Frost helped the school win the 1990 California Distinguished School Award, which is now represented by a banner that hangs in the new gym. That same year, Frost left CHS and became the new principal of Lodi High.

   In 1992 the CUSD board was seeking a new leader for the district. They quickly called Frost for an interview and he was selected for the job.

   From then until now, Frost has been a major influence in the school district in many different ways. With the support of the community, staff, and the approval of two major bond issues, Frost created Jenny Lind Elementary School and remodeled every school in the district. Last year they added additional rooms to Valley Springs Elementary, and a new pool at the CHS campus. This year construction has already started to remodel Toyon Middle School. Along with the new buildings, Frost filled the classrooms with great teachers and staff and helped raised student achievement and continues to do so.

   After many years of dedication to the district, Frost is retiring at the end of the current school year. Assistant Superintendent and former CHS Principal Mark Campbell has been selected by the board to be the new superintendent starting in the 2009-2010 school year.

   “I have mixed emotions,” Frost said. “Other than my family, the students, staff and parents of this district have been the most important and significant things in my life.”

   Although Frost will be retiring, he plans on doing something in the field of education part time and says he’s not going away just yet.

  “I want to thank this district for having the faith in me, and allowing me to have a career that I am passionate about,” Frost said.  “It has given me more than I can ever give it.”  

Sept. 5

Members of the committee to raise funds to build a new veterans hall and community center in Valley Springs – from left - Dave Evans, Cliff and Willene Seavey – celebrate the most recent donation to the fund, a $5,000 contribution from American Legion Post 102. The committee has raised $30,000 in an effort to collect $500,000 from the public for the new building. "A Community Day in the Park" is planned for Oct. 18 to raise additional funds for the hall. For more information on the project, or to donate, call 772-0641.

Community Day event planned to raise funds for new center

By Nick Baptista

   A “Community Day in the Park” to help raise funds for a new veterans hall and community center is scheduled for Oct. 18.

   The “Barn Building” Committee, organized under the auspices of the Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial District, is working to collect $500,000 toward the proposed project.

   The committee is spearheading plans for the Community Day at the Veterans Memorial Park located off Daphne Street and behind Valley Springs Elementary School.

   Activities are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and include a chili cook off and music by the Calaveras Community Band, said Dave Evans, Barn Building Committee chairman.

   There will be arts and crafts booths, children’s play fair, face painting and a jump castle and a Halloween costume contest, Evans added.

   The chili cook-off will begin at 10 a.m. and at noon the competitors will submit samples for judging by a panel of six. In addition to vying for the judges’ award, the cook-off competitors will seek approval from the public and the people’s choice award.

   Evans said the competitors would make a big pot of chili and beans to be sampled by the public. In addition to receiving a cup to sample the chili, the public will have tickets that can be deposited in a jar at each chili booth and at the end of the sampling, those tickets will be counted and the cook-off competitor to receive the most will win the people’s choice award.

   Evans said he already has more than a half-dozen chili cook-off teams signed up for the competition. The entry fee is $25 and a package with the rules can be obtained by calling Evans at 772-0641. Potential vendors can also call him at the same number.

   Money for the new hall will also be raised through a dunk tank featuring local dignitaries, Evans said. The committee is seeking the area’s favorite VIPs to take a turn on the dunk tank hot seat.

   All proceeds from the event will go toward the committee’s efforts to complete a new veterans hall and community center. Since its inception earlier this year, the committee has raised $30,000 toward their goal.

   Tickets will also be on sale at the Community Day for the committee’s next fundraiser, a Nov. 1 dinner and dance featuring the music of DJ Rene.

   The November dinner and dance will be similar to the “Spring Fling Dinner & Dance” the committee held earlier this year in its fund-raising efforts, Evans said.  

Kathy Mazzaferro

Mazzaferro comes out in support of Tofanelli for District 1 board race

By Nick Baptista

   The candidate who finished third in June’s primary election for District 1 supervisor has announced she has a favorite in the upcoming run-off election.

   Kathy Mazzaferro, who finished with nearly 600 votes in the June 3 primary, has endorsed Gary Tofanelli in his race against Zerrall McDaniel to replace Bill Claudino on Calaveras County’s Board of Supervisors.

   The endorsement was announced Saturday at Tofanelli’s campaign kick-off fundraiser and dinner in Valley Springs.

   The primary race between McDaniel and Tofanelli was close with Tofanelli having the election-night edge by five votes.

    “I believe Gary is the better answer for the county,” Mazzaferro said in an interview this week with The Valley Springs News. “His views are more closely aligned with mine.”

   Shortly after the primary, Mazzaferro said she probably would not endorse either of the two remaining candidates.

   “Both are well-qualified and it should be up to the voters themselves,” Mazzaferro said at that time.

   However, in announcing her support for Tofanelli, Mazzaferro said, “Gary is heading in the right direction as far as us needing growth, new development and business activity that is for the good of Calaveras County.

   McDaniel said Mazzaferro backing Tofanelli on the basis of growth as an issue perplexed her.

   “The notion that I’m no-growth is nonsense,” McDaniel said. “Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a business person who is in favor of working through the planning process for better conditions that would be beneficial for our local economy.”

   McDaniel said she did not think Mazzaferro’s endorsement would have a significant influence on the election.

   “Kathy garnered 28 percent of the primary vote and I value her endorsement,” Tofanelli said. “She carries a lot of weight in the county.”

   Tofanelli said he did not know Mazzaferro when the campaign began at the beginning of the year, but during the primary season they got to know each other well and “she’s a very likable person.”

   As to how he finally captured Mazzaferro’s support, Tofanelli said, “Our platform is more along the lines of what she was campaigning for.”

   Although details have not been finalized, Mazzaferro said she would be assisting Tofanelli in his campaign.

District 1 supervisor hopefuls to attend Candidates Night

   The two candidates running for District 1 supervisor have accepted invitations for an Oct. 8 forum at the Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial District Hall.

   The Candidates Night will feature District 1 hopefuls Zerrall McDaniel and Gary Tofanelli. They are vying for the seat on the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors being vacated by Bill Claudino at the end of his four-year term.

   The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at Pine and Daphne streets and is hosted by The Valley Springs News.

   The format for the forum includes opening statements by each candidate, questions from the media and questions from the audience.

   Each candidate will have three minutes for their introductory statement and will be limited to two minutes per question.

   “It was a close race in the June primary and we hope voters take advantage of this opportunity to hear the two candidates in person,” said Nick Baptista, editor and co-owner of The Valley Springs News. “We’ve scheduled the Candidates’ Night at about the time vote-by-mail ballots go out and since vote-by-mail has been trending as the popular way to vote we’re looking forward to a timely, informative and well-attended event.”

   Opening statements and media questions are scheduled for the first half of the forum. The public will be encouraged to submit questions in writing in marked boxes throughout the room. The media will screen the questions for redundancy and items not pertinent to the election and the candidates in the second half of the forum will address the public’s questions. Refreshments will be served during a brief intermission in the program.

   The election date is Nov. 4 and the new four-year term for District 1 supervisor will begin in January 2009.  

Sept. 3

Valley Springs’ entrance sign has seen a significant increase in population from 500 in a 1956 photo recently obtained by the Society for the Preservation of West Calaveras to 7,592 on today’s sign.

eBay photo find a boon to town's lost history

By Nick Baptista

   It may not rank as high as the myth of Dutch traders purchasing Manhattan Island for $24.60, but Sal Manna, president of the Society for the Preservation of West Calaveras History, is excited about his recent $21 eBay buy of Valley Springs photos dating back to a community event 52 years ago.

   The photos capture an April 22, 1956, Valley Springs celebration marking the 75th anniversary of the creation of the San Joaquin & Sierra Nevada Railroad in 1881. By April of 1885, the railroad had reached Valley Springs.

   The one-of-a-kind photos of the 1956 celebration will go to the society’s archives and eventually be displayed publicly, Manna said. The photos will also be the subjects of one of Manna’s future “Something From Nothing” historical column, which appears exclusively in The Valley Springs News.

   The snapshots sold by someone in Tracy exceeded Manna’s expectations, he added.

   Manna combed Calaveras County archives and found articles in the now-defunct Calaveras Prospect newspaper discussing the 1956 celebration.

   The stories somewhat parallel the Train Times celebration put on earlier this year to mark the SJ&SN Railroad’s establishment of service to Valley Springs on April 25, 1885.

   The 2008 Train Times was created by the nonprofit Society for the Preservation of West Calaveras History in conjunction with the Historic Valley Springs Train Depot and the VSABA and was billed as the first-ever celebration of the area’s railroad history.

   However, Manna was pleased to see there had been a similar celebration years before.

   “I don’t know of any historical celebration in Valley Springs’ history except for this and Train Times,” he said.

   According to the articles Manna uncovered, Valley Springs Postmaster and Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce President Bob Finnegan organized the 1956 celebration.

   The celebration was sponsored by the Pacific Coast Chapter, Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, Inc., out of San Francisco, and a special train, appropriately named “The Calaveras Special,” brought 650 people from Northern California to the event. In fact, two trains were needed for all of the passengers.

   Regular passenger service to Valley Springs had ended in the early 1930s, Manna said.

   “The Calaveras Special” went from San Francisco to Sacramento, before heading to Lodi and eventually Valley Springs. The return trip went through Tracy before going back to San Francisco.

   Some of the photos Manna received show the steam locomotives in Valley Springs along with an extensive warehouse row near the train depot.

   The photo featured in today’s paper is thought to have been taken on the west edge of the Highway 12 entrance into town. The entry sign gives Valley Springs’ population at 500.

   Another point of curiosity mentioned in articles is of a plaque given to then station agent Bob Flautt during the 1956 celebration. It was a framed photo of the old narrow gauge engine and the station. Manna is curious as to what eventually happened to the historic photo.