Duval County's first "lagoon community" is set to open later this year Diamond Springs on Normandy Boulevard will feature 2,700 single-family and townhomes from Lennar The lagoon and full amenity center will range from 5 to 15 acres in size Tampa-based Metro Development Group develops "inland coastal living" communities MetroLagoons "serve as an ideal gathering place in our communities" and are "like a town center," according to the development's website Diamond Springs also will include walking trails sports fields and picnic areas among its landscaping and be about 20 miles from downtown Jacksonville and 40 miles from the coast "Inland coastal living is what Metro has become known for and we are excited to bring this new lifestyle to the Jacksonville market,” said Lisa Gibbings vice president of marketing and communications at Metro Development Group "Seeing how well the new development was received by the real estate community was exciting to see and we look forward to launching it to the general public.”  MetroLagoons "offer a serene escape with top-notch amenities like solar streetlights ULTRAFi internet and sustainable features to elevate everyday living." four MetroLagoons exist in Florida — Fort Myers Wimauma and Wesley Chapel — with two more "coming soon" in Land O' Lakes and Parrish With over 3 acres of signature lagoons and resort-style recreation Diamond Springs also will include kayaking and paddle boarding on a man-made lagoon and community events like yoga classes and live music performances El Dorado County sheriff’s officials work the scene where two people died in Diamond Springs El Dorado County sheriff's officials responded to a reported shooting at a residence on Crossbill Lane in Diamond Springs and found two victims dead at the scene on the afternoon of Feb One elderly male and one elderly female were found deceased when deputies entered the residence around 2 p.m They were later positively identified as Sharon Hamilton A neighbor at the scene told the Mountain Democrat that both victims suffered from health problems EDSO officials noted the day of the shooting they did not believe there was any threat to the community and there were no additional subjects sought in the investigation "The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office expresses its deepest condolences to family and friends of the Hamiltons," states an update sent to the media "Due to the incident being an active investigation no further information will be released at this time." Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don't miss out on updates Receive occasional local offers from our website and its advertisers summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account 2025 – El Dorado County Sheriff's Office officials report that on February 22 El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Central Dispatch received a call from an individual who reported a shooting inside of a residence in the 5500 block of Crossbill Lane Deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the location of the call.  Deputies entered the residence where they located an elderly male and an elderly female who were both deceased Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators responded to assist with the investigation the Sheriff’s Office does not believe there is any threat to the community and there are no outstanding subjects in this investigation.  Currently this incident is an active investigation and no further information will be released Diamond Springs, CA – On the morning of Tuesday, April 1, 2025, a car crash occurred near the intersection of Lotus and Springvale Roads in El Dorado County, according to KCRA The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that the crash was reported around 6:34 AM and involved two vehicles While the exact cause of the crash remains unclear Further details about the people involved or the extent of their injuries have not yet been released the area remains under investigation as officials work to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California Personal Injury Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost Martin Gasparian is the founder of Maison Law Martin is a graduate of Georgetown University Law School and has been practicing law in California 2004 His practice focuses on helping injury victims know their rights and recover just compensation Please do not include personal details in your comment. To message the author privately instead, click here does not create an attorney–client privilege By clicking Send you agree that the submission of this information does not create an attorney client relationship No attorney client relationship is created until a written agreement is signed This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply A tribute to two American icon pop music legends will be performing at the Broadway Theater in April The Sweetwater County Concert Association will celebrate the iconic music of the Beach Boys with a performance by “Sail On” on April 3 The tribute group will bring the Beach Boys’ surf and sun harmonies alive with such classic songs as “Surfin’ USA,” “Good Vibrations,” and “California Girls.” The group will also present Beach Boys’ deeper cuts Denny “Diamond” Svehla will perform a night of Neil Diamond classics Svehla is known for his uncanny vocal resemblance to Diamond The performance will explore Diamond’s life and the stories behind his legendary songs including from “Sweet Caroline” to “America.” Tickets for each performance are $20 for adults Online purchases can be made at BroadwayRS.com or at the Rock Springs Main Street/URA office at Bunning Hall With so many North Jersey residents on edge about the flurry of alleged drone activity recently reported one local brewery is encouraging residents to sit back why not enjoy some DRONES & DRAFTS in the beer garden," Diamond Spring wrote "which just so happens to be the perfect place to keep an eye on the sky for a chance at your own aerial encounter!" The brewery also invited residents to "discuss your theories with craft beer friends & neighbors" while lounging in the spacious outdoor area of the property The drone-inspired drink is the latest in an ever-rotating array of beers by Diamond Spring, which opened on Broadway in Denville in June 2023. The brewery's current tap list features a group of beverages that pay homage to the 1989 movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," with names like Little Full Lotta Sap; Aunt Bethany's Lime Jello Sour and Jelly of the Month Club 2024 at 4:47 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Demolition will be kicking off soon at 35 Evergreen Avenue the first step towards building a new housing development on the property NJ — Demolition will be kicking off soon at 35 Evergreen Avenue The current structure – which is the former location of the Diamond Springs Pool Club – has fallen into disrepair and is in “derelict condition,” officials announced in a statement adding that the demolition process needs to begin as early as possible That could take place “in the next few weeks,” Nutley officials said “The developer wants to get started clearing the land so that the redevelopment can begin,” Township Commissioner Tom Evans said Evans added that there are “significant safety issues at the site.” Commissioner Joseph Scarpelli said that the property has become unsafe and is an eyesore in the neighborhood “Although the final site approval hasn’t come through the developer is allowed to begin cleaning up the area,” Scarpelli said “The sooner that happens the better for the township.” The demolition is the first step towards the building of the new development which includes 82 age-restricted units and three non-restricted studio units Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Belleville-Nutley Facebook page. Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Thank you! El Dorado County Animal Services is grateful for those kind individuals who have donated and continue to donate to our shelters. These donations help so many of our sheltered animals! To learn more about helping, please see our shelter wish list page The El Dorado County Animal Services shelter in Diamond Springs is currently not accepting owner surrenders of dogs The shelter is at maximum capacity and continues to focus on adoptions The shelter must keep some space available for stray and protective custody dogs that are impounded and at risk Staff recommends owners seek placement through friends and family during this period Animal Services makes every effort to safely return licensed/microchipped/identifiable dogs while the officer is in the field if there are not extenuating circumstances The website will be updated as space becomes available Should you have any questions about surrendering a pet Animal Services is reminding residents to use caution when recreating at lakes rivers or ponds where potentially dangerous algae may be present To avoid possible cyanobacterial toxin poisoning Dogs can be especially susceptible when algal mats are present For more info, visit FAQs about Freshwater and Estuarine Harmful Algal Blooms or Pets, Livestock, and HABs Field Services enforces state statutes and county ordinances regulating animal care and welfare investigates citizens' complaints of animal neglect or nuisance and responds to reports of loose and injured animals Animal Services also inspects and licenses animal establishments and kennels Include your pets and livestock in your disaster plan! Start today by making a plan and preparing a disaster kit Email: animal.services@edcgov.us Pay Placerville Animal Services Pay South Lake Tahoe Animal Services 20186 min readMichigan’s Hidden Gem: Diamond SpringsOne of the best values and public golf courses in the country is little-known Diamond Springs A great design has a way of uplifting your golfing soul After walking 54 holes in a little over 28 hours I didn’t expect to have one of those moments when we arrived at Diamond Springs Golf Course after two holes in I was swiftly walking from green to tee To say this Mike DeVries design in Hamilton Michigan is easy on the wallet is an understatement With a peak rate of $60 (as of June 2024) to walk on weekends it is among the very best values in all of golf that’s the greatest compliment you could pay a golf course The amazing part is this statement came before the course’s design kicked into full gear The lion's mouth 2nd green at Diamond Springs Diamond Springs is everything that public golf should be a group of investors hired a talented young architect They gave him a nice piece of land and tasked him with building an affordable golf course The end result is a layout that can stand up against some of the best architecture in the Midwest at a price point few touch The course’s aspirational qualities go far beyond its design 95% of public golf courses should take a close look at their maintenance practices The course employs a single cut height of grass across the property It’s functional and promotes an ideal playing surface for a public golf course The turf is maintained with a simple single-row irrigation system that struggles to reach the outskirts of the fairway The lack of water allows the native grasses to play perfectly and easy to find balls in – the perfect mix of playability and unpredictability DeVries’s routing at Diamond Springs is stellar The opening holes wind through the property’s least interesting topography He counters the flat land with some of the course’s boldest green complexes {{content-block-diamond-springs-golf-course-001}} The land gets a nice roll to it on the par-5 8th and cresting the back of the green offers a dramatic reveal of a beautiful ravine The 9th gives golfers a tease of what’s to come before heading back to flatter land for the start of the back nine The 9th tee shot plays over a dramatic ravine The 10th through 13th play across modest rolling land before the routing hits its closing crescendo along the ravines. The final five play over, around, and along the ravine. Its cadence, variety, and landscape reminded me of Shoreacres we need to mention the two offensive aspects to Diamond Springs The first: a centerline pond on the par-4 6th It was a bunker that became a pond shortly after the course was opened The second is a set of two centerline pines on the 11th that I gather the owners insisted be kept Will managed to split these two trees when we played {{content-block-diamond-springs-golf-course-002}} The shortish par 4 makes the most of what its got A bunker and bold mound on the left generate interest off the tee It provides a number of options – play over Each option has a different benefit depending on the day’s pin position on the stunning lion’s mouth green {{content-block-diamond-springs-golf-course-003}} It is one of the boldest greens I have seen from a modern architect especially on a public course in rural Michigan DeVries pulled off a putting surface that plays like the love child of a redan and a biarritz In the front portion of the green a kicker slope on the left funnels shots toward the center before a deep swale divides the green in two parts {{content-block-diamond-springs-golf-course-004}} DeVries resisted the temptation using the ravine too early in the round The result of that restraint: a mid-round reveal that provides a great deal of shock and awe The 9th tee shot tests a players appetite for risk Cutting in front of the tee and down the left side the ideal angle to approach the green is from the bold left line {{content-block-diamond-springs-golf-course-005}} One of the most dramatic short par 4s in golf The drivable par 4 plays around the ravine to a shallow and wide green which slopes from left to right from the tee but that will leave a semi-blind approach shot to a narrow green that runs away The best layup challenges the ravine on the right and will leave a flat lie and clean view of the green {{content-block-diamond-springs-golf-course-006}} The 15th bears a shocking resemblance to the 7th at Cal Club a hole built four years after Diamond Springs Diamond Springs comes to a close with the beautiful par-4 18th The play off the tee forces a choice – playing up the right shortens the approach but brings into play the ravine Playing up the left is far safer and provides a better angle to the green but will leave a far longer approach shot A fitting closer to a course that asks stimulating and varied questions on each hole {{content-block-diamond-springs-golf-course-007}} One of the most beautiful aspects of golf is never knowing when or where you will find a hidden gem that reignites your passion I found myself dreaming of what Diamond Springs could be with a country club maintenance budget I had to pinch myself and realize that what Diamond Springs is today is everything that a community golf course should be: endlessly interesting The Fried Egg Newsletter is the best way to stay up to date on all things golf In looking at an entire golf course holistically Fried Egg Golf brings another dimension to the game and fills a gap in golf coverage Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet 24ReplyCancelSUBMIT COMMENTSUBMIT COMMENTThank you! Your submission has been received!Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.Author NameJan 13, 2025DeleteLorem ipsum dolor sit amet FooterA deeper level of golfSign up to our newsletter for fresh takes Mondays Fried Egg Course RatingWe rate golf courses using a three-"Egg" scale a course must be very good; to receive three Most courses will not get any Eggs at all — and this is not meant as an insult Click here to learn more about our rating system and our criteria of Land Behavioral Health is a division of the Health and Human Services Agency  CARE Act (Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment)(PDF, 349KB) culturally responsive mental health and substance use disorder treatment services that promote wellness To provide exemplary community-based mental health and substance use disorder treatment El Dorado County Behavioral Health serves all regardless of ability to pay Discounts for essential services are offered based on family size and income A rendering shows the possibilities of the proposed Diamond Springs community sports complex which got its final environmental impact report approved by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors Dec Diamond Springs is one step closer to getting a 40-acre sports park After nearly two years of community and county-held meetings the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors approved the project's environmental impact report Dec allowing staff to move forward with construction During last week's Board of Supervisors meeting a possibility previously undiscussed came up during discussion of the final EIR — a community center for countywide emergency purposes Steve Peterson of consultant company Kimley Horn told the board the idea of a community center came about after the Caldor and Mosquito fires forced evacuations for El Dorado County residents who were placed at various parks and other community centers not uniquely purposed for refugees "That's something that really informed our process as we went forward after the catastrophic fires that happened a couple of years ago and the way that Henningsen Lotus Park really turned into a refuge for a lot of folks as well as other parks," Peterson said "We wanted to keep that in mind and wanted to have the infrastructure in place at this park and I think all parks in the future should be designed to where our parking lots have the infrastructure facilities available just in case," said Vickie Sanders Troy Morton noted the area's central location in the county would be beneficial during emergencies "We think it would be beneficial to have a county facility to start out with where we can send people for evacuations," Morton said For regular park purposes plans include soccer and baseball/softball fields; basketball tennis and pickleball courts; and a children's play area This would be the first park of its kind in the Diamond Springs/El Dorado area The EIR addressed aspects of the project such as noise "This is such an exciting project that has been years in the making," said Wendy Thomas "What makes this so special is the broad collaboration where the whole community have come together to create something that our community needs and wants."  county leaders also officially approved the donation of nearly 30 acres of the land previously owned by healthcare nonprofit Marshall Foundation for Community Health approximately 9 acres owned by the Mother Lode Union School District which has also been called a sports complex with the idea of community emergency infrastructure another fiscal analysis will need to be completed to determine the final price tag who casted the only "no" vote to approve the EIR due to multiple reasons took issue with the lack of knowledge of total project cost "There are a lot of unknowns with the costs rights now and we are being told to tighten our belts which is concerning and with all of the mandates they are putting on us that are not funded .. I just want to make sure we are not adding to that inadvertently," Parlin said Sanders responded stating the money set aside from the General Fund could be used to do the ground work for the park and future money could come from grants from the state government and also local community groups "You would be right at the top for service grants but I also think you have so many special interest groups that would come forward and build this park for you if you got the infrastructure done," Sanders said "I think you have so many possibilities with the $4 million you have given us so far; I think we'd make great progress and we would go nowhere but upward from there." addressed is potential traffic implications Oakdale Drive is the only way in or out of the area which could potentially cause more traffic congestion on Highway 49 and Pleasant Valley Road County Department of Transportation staff are looking into an alternative roadway connector which would cut through the park to the west and onto Argonaut Drive They are also looking into installing traffic lights including at Pleasant Valley Road and Forni Road which would have an approximate price tag of $1.5 million each to construct Despite multiple residents addressing traffic and gridlock concerns they seemed to approve the idea of the sports complex for children to use and for El Dorado and other greater Sacramento area leagues and teams to come and compete "I really want to see this park come through because our kids don't have something like this," said one unidentified man as public comment was taken "(We need to) get them out there swinging a baseball bat throwing a softball and have a facility for them to do that."  El Dorado County sheriff’s officers surround a section of Fowler Lane in Diamond Springs July 14 morning where a man was found dead Mountain Democrat file photo by Eric Jaramishian Law enforcement continues to investigate two deaths that occurred on Fowler Lane in Diamond Springs within a week of each other El Dorado County sheriff’s depuites swarmed the area north of Toyan Drive the evening of July 9 to investigate the “suspicious death” of 63-year-old Diamond Springs resident Jeanie Cilley Investigators ruled her death as a homicide the next day and launched an investigation The Sheriff’s Office declined at the time to release details on how the victim died or if the address where they found her was her home Neighbors said two men moved into the home where Cilley’s body was found a month before her death Five days later investigators were faced with another “suspicious death.” A man whose name has not been released by the Sheriff’s Office and was a “person of interest” was found deceased on Fowler Lane just blocks from the home where Cilley’s body was found Sheriff’s deputies got a call early the morning of July 14 when “the person of interest’s” body was found just south of Panther Lane Investigators blocked off the street with road barriers and crime tape to search for clues It is unknown as of press time if the man was related to Cilley No arrests have been made in the case and EDSO continues to follow all investigative leads Eighty-one affordable housing units are proposed for 6035 Service Drive off Black Rice Road in Diamond Springs Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded El Dorado County $1,498,000 in support of the Diamond Springs Village Apartments project The county will utilize the funding awarded through the Community Development Block Grant to acquire property for the affordable housing project The grant funding is awarded to local jurisdictions that have goals of […] The grant funding is awarded to local jurisdictions that have goals of providing affordable housing and infrastructure for community development The Diamond Springs Village Apartment project was approved by the planning commission in 2018 and is one of the affordable housing projects proposed for the area The apartment complex would provide 81 affordable multifamily workforce housing units at 6035 Service Drive off Black Rice Road Other housing projects proposed for the area include the 382-unit residential community Dorado Oaks on Faith Lane the 149-unit affordable housing El Dorado Senior Village on Koki Lane and 75-unit Piedmont Oaks north of Black Rice Road This barely leaves a dent in the 3,700-affordable units needed in the county to offset the affordable housing shortage Housing El Dorado Vice President Frank Porter reminded county leaders May 24 a housing analysis found more than half of people who commute to the county for work do so due to unaffordable or unattainable housing While some were happy to hear the Board of Supervisors accept the grant during its meeting Tuesday many who live in the Diamond Springs/El Dorado area including those who formed a community coalition to bring awareness to the proposed changes expressed concerns the small communities will be overpacked with residents poorly designed growth and need for water were all points of concern for these residents District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas addressed traffic concerns citing that land use in the county’s General Plan designates a 403-person maximum for the Diamond Springs Village Apartments project area The project calls for a 186-person maximum The county will issue the grant funds in the form of an interest-free loan to the developer through the General Fund has to meet conditions of approval before groundbreaking can start founding member of the Diamond Springs/El Dorado Community Coalition leads a presentation at the El Dorado Community Hall March 30 in front of a packed house Traffic mitigation plans for the 142-acre Dorado Oaks housing project on Faith Lane in Diamond Springs include one of two roundabouts at either China Garden Road and Highway 49 or between Silver Drive and Faith Lane at 49 Inclusion of either of the roundabouts could mean Deb’s Frosty or the old carpenter building on Pleasant Valley Road would be removed says the Diamond Springs/El Dorado Community Coalition Dorado Oaks would bring about 382 housing units to Diamond Springs in the Faith Lane area Graphic courtesy of El Dorado County Planning and Building Department A map shows the alternatives being considered to route traffic onto Pleasant Valley Road and Highway 49 from Faith Lane The Diamond Springs/El Dorado Community Coalition held its first meeting March 30 spearheaded by residents concerned about multiple development projects planned for the area Community members of neighboring Diamond Springs and El Dorado brought the coalition to life in November 2021 to bring awareness to local residents and business owners of changes slated for the […] Community members of neighboring Diamond Springs and El Dorado brought the coalition to life in November 2021 to bring awareness to local residents and business owners of changes slated for the community said she got involved after hearing about the proposed housing project Dorado Oaks which is meant to supply Diamond Springs with 382 housing units on Faith Lane The Mountain Democrat previously reported that the project has been in the works since 2007 “A group of us formed this coalition to bring awareness to the need for community involvement with land use decisions and historical preservation in our area,” Selby said “We are not experts in planning or development but we are concerned about what we see coming and the impacts.” Dozens poured into the El Dorado Community Hall Wednesday evening filling the entire building with folks looking to learn about approved or pending projects Dorado Oaks was one focus of discussion in a coalition-led presentation The coalition told the crowd the project is currently going through traffic mitigation plans which include possible development of a roundabout at either China Garden Road and Highway 49 or between Silver Drive and Faith Lane at 49 New traffic signals where Highway 49 intersects at Silver Drive and Faith Lane are also being considered presenter and coalition founding member who lives on Fowler Lane showed attendees El Dorado County Planning and Building Department maps where either of the roundabout projects would require the removal of the two-story historical brick Carpenter House built in the 1870s or Deb’s Frosty which operates at 460 Pleasant Valley Road but I think when we start to look at what they are proposing “What we find is that the historic town of Diamond Springs will be impacted forever.” Increased traffic was another worry for everyone in the room Many wondered what could happen in another emergency like the Caldor Fire when Diamond Springs might become an evacuation route for residents escaping the fire “The concern I’ve got with some of these developments is the further away from Highway 50 they get the less dense our development should be,” Rolla said “What they’re looking at is high density 2 miles away from Highway 50 said in addition to population and traffic increases she is worried more wildlife would be driven out “There are seven projects going on right now and it is going to drive out more and more wildlife caretaker for the property where Dorado Oaks would go in said while she understands everyone’s concerns but she would rather see the property developed stuff that people steal … there is so much disgusting stuff that I see,” Gellar said that stuff would go away and we would have nice parks The county has yet to approve the environmental impact report for Dorado Oaks The presentation also included other housing projects like the 75-unit Piedmont Oaks north of Black Rice Road an approved 80 units for Diamond Springs Village Apartments off Black Rice 149 units of affordable housing for the El Dorado Senior Village on Koki Lane and a 40-unit apartment complex behind the historical Wells Fargo building off Main Street and Centers Lane The coalition determined that if all combined units were filled that it would increase the population of Diamond Springs by 15% The population of Diamond Springs is 11,345 residents according to the 2020 Census Nobody is saying we do not need housing but we have legitimate concerns about safety traffic and our way of life and losing our historical resources,” Selby said The proposed sports complex adjacent to Charles F Brown Elementary School and the addition of an ARCO gas station off Forni and Missouri Flat roads would also cause additional traffic the coalition encouraged those in attendance to voice concerns to county leaders “The more people who participate in our coalition The coalition is asking residents to take a survey of how they might be impacted by developments at savediamondsprings.com miraculously flew home to those who loved him— his heartbroken family has broken the sad news that he has died Springs resident and Bridgehampton teacher Tom House — who is once again organizing the 3rd Annual Hamptons Pride Parade in East Hampton which takes place on June 1 — has been carrying the heavy weight of grief House wrote on Facebook about his family's unthinkable loss: "We're so sorry to tell you that my brother John House's year-long struggle ended this morning He'd been in and out of hospitals these last two months with deep pneumonia never having quite recovered his strength after the terrible crime that almost took his life in Colombia last May The past weeks especially were so taxing that he finally told doctors and my niece who has done so much for both John and my mom and we were with him while he was moved to hospice we left his rock and roll playing all night House added: "If I ever struggle for words I know these are some of the best last ones to say 'Kind and Generous' by Natalie Merchant was the last song I played for John when I went to help our mom view him yesterday before his cremation and said 'thank you' with the end of the song However much he worked and fought these past almost two years since our sister Deb passed away House then thanked all who'd rallied beside him not just last year after his brother's attack but in the months since — and in the days since he lost his last sibling "The outpouring below will take weeks for us to process but it is so lovely and appreciated; please know how much is helping me hang on in a time of almost unbearable tragedy and sadness for my mom and myself." The East End community rejoiced with him when his brother was able to fly home last year to the United States House said — it was a miracle beyond words "I feel as though I've witnessed a resurrection," he said at the time The nightmare began on Mother's Day, 2023: House's brother John, then 69, who had gone on a vacation to Colombia, was found drugged, robbed, and barely alive in his hotel room was found by a hotel worker who raced him to a local hospital The hotel worker was the first in a sea of good Samaritans who stepped forward to lift House up during the darkest of days as he scrambled to find a way to Colombia Although John had remained unconscious and on the ventilator for the first week — House continued to play music for him and speak to him during that entire time – suddenly his eyes began to open while House was talking with their mother "I have a small Bluetooth speaker here in the room and I've been playing some of the music I know he loves — those of you who know John Complicating the effects of the powerful drugs he was given John was also found to have pneumonia and arrhythmia John's eyes were open for a bit when House arrived He blinked his eyes in response to some questions and I think he was trying to sing along to it," he wrote House said his brother normally lived in Florida where he has been caring for their mother since their sister's death from endometrial cancer a year before he needed a break — and then this happened," House said His brother arrived in Colombia on the Thursday before Mother's Day — and the drugging and robbery happened on Mother's Day itself "My mom didn't hear from him all day on Mother's Day and then we found out he was in the hospital." House said that to the best of their knowledge someone put a very high dose of benzodiazepines in his drink "It was enough to make him unconscious so he could be robbed of everything he had He was found in his hotel room unconscious; luckily the hotel staff knew he was supposed to check out and fly home What followed was an experience rife with confusion and terror House and his niece began receiving messages from John's phone But then came a message on What's App in Spanish House contacted the friend his brother had been slated to meet and said "You need to go to the clinic and see if this is true." The texts demanding money But when the friend arrived at the hospital House learned that his brother had been admitted The frustration over the communication barrier mounted; finally an international patient coordinator was able to explain what had happened House was fearful not just for his brother but for their mother "There's just the three of us left in my family now," he said last year now we are three." Besides the loss of their sister last year they lost a brother years ago and their father House also lost his beloved cat Jake of 15 years just two weeks before his brother Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. WAVY.com (WAVY) – Diamond Springs Road was closed to traffic in Virginia Beach following a crash involving a motorcycle Wednesday evening Police say the call for the crash came in around 7:13 p.m at the intersection of Bayside Road and Diamond Springs Road Police say the motorcyclist suffered serious injuries after being ejected during the crash The motorcyclist was transported to a local hospital and is now in stable condition The crash is being investigated by the VBPD Traffic Unit and there are no charges pending at this time these are the actual most popular baby names so far in 2025 Whether it’s a short vacation or they’re jetting off to begin their career show the future traveler you care with a meaningful graduation gift National Teacher Appreciation Week begins May 5 take advantage of these freebies and deals Diamond Springs Hotel owner Amy Shim says treating customers like family every time they walk into the restaurant has been a key to her business’ success Diamond Springs Hotel owner Amy Shim stands on the back dining patio at the restaurant on Dec When you walk through the doors of the Diamond Springs Hotel for a scrumptious meal be prepared to say hello to your new family will quickly let you know that her beloved restaurant should be considered yours as well has firmly anchored the center of the charming town of Diamond Springs for 100 years this year with the century mark reached in 2016 a measure of its status in the community The hotel was built by Anton Meyer to service the folks who found their way to the area in search of gold; the town acquired its lyrical name from a gorgeous Shim and her husband Moon have been running the venerable hotel (no longer offering rooms but featuring a stellar home-style restaurant) for a dozen years now with each sharing duties at their other restaurant The Shims purchased Sportsman’s Hall three years ago the comfortable surroundings that make customers feel immediately at ease that appealed to the couple when they made the leap from the Bay Area in 2004 and decided to run the Diamond Hotel “We liked it here,” she said as she led a short tour of the premises where what sounded like a barbershop quartet was belting forth with holiday cheer “We wanted to move more out to the country but Amy said she and Moon are happy to sit tight in their home in Pollock Pines until each day the Diamond Hotel beckons and the short commute is made tender loving care and a lot of hard work go into running the place who described the restaurant and historical building as a sort of adopted child now that her boys are grown “It is like my baby,” laughed the 56-year-old restaurateur “All the customers here are so friendly that it has become like my home you don’t ignore guests in your home,” she added “And you make sure they don’t go away hungry.” not at the Diamond Hotel where Amy’s personal favorite The Mountain Democrat thought about asking a couple of diners how they were enjoying their meal food that at almost every red-and-white checked table was being consumed with gusto but the threat of getting poked with a fork at the interruption was quite real Asked why she thinks the Diamond Hotel restaurant has remained in business over the century weathering all kinds of economic twists and turns Amy said it really is pretty simple: “Everything is homemade She added that the restaurant offers weekly specials that won’t be found on the menu such as pot roast — words that made her light up and rethink what her favorite dish might be “We also have chicken fried chicken,” she smiled Amy said she grew up in a restaurant family and is content to stay in a line of work she so obviously enjoys There is no other business I would want to do.” And that’s a lucky break for the regulars as well as newcomers to the Diamond Hotel where by now the singing that was emanating from one of the private dining alcoves had to be checked out members of the local Gold Rush Chorus and of the Folsom Harmony Express were belting out melodious harmonies a cheerful sound that followed what must have been an inspirational meal at the hotel One member said the group meets at the Diamond Hotel for lunch once a month something they have done for going on 15 years while another chimed in — harmoniously — that the food is all the reason needed for their group choosing the locale That’s when it became a three-part harmony as yet another said The entire group then launched into a farewell ditty as they said good-bye to Amy and her guests the fellows made it clear that they know the secret to the success of the Diamond Springs Hotel — and they love to sing its praises Located at 545 Pleasant Valley Road smack-dab in the middle of Diamond Springs the restaurant may be reached by calling (530) 621-1730 for early birds intent on catching the chicken fried fare Sunday (to give the 15 members of the staff time to catch their breath and figure out what else can be chicken fried) located near Black Rice Road and Highway 49 would bring affordable housing to El Dorado County’s West Slope A proposed multi-unit residential development in Diamond Springs was withdrawn from consideration at the Sept 26 El Dorado County Planning Commission meeting after a private settlement was reached that allows the original project to go through the Diamond Springs Village Apartments complex would include 10 multi-unit residential buildings and one community […] the Diamond Springs Village Apartments complex would include 10 multi-unit residential buildings and one community building totaling 80 multi-family units on Black Rice Road near the intersection with Highway 49 in Diamond Springs The project would be restricted to very-low and low-income tenants earning 50 percent to 80 percent of the area median income for a period of 55 years In return the developer was given a TIM fee offset of almost $1.5 million by the county The project was previously approved by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors last year but was challenged in court by the Courtside Manor Homeowners Association based on allegations of unmitigated CEQA impacts primarily due to increased traffic and inadequate setbacks At the same time the lawsuit was being pursued Oleshko re-submitted the same development proposal to the county planning department in accordance with Senate Bill 35 that streamlines affordable housing construction for areas that fail to meet their regional housing need allocations Projects that qualify for SB 35 are statutorily exempt from CEQA if the planning commission had reviewed the re-submitted proposal its members would have been limited to assessing the project based on compliance with criteria set for streamlined projects and existing county design standards rather than CEQA That point was made moot when it was announced at the Sept 24 Board of Supervisor’s meeting that a private settlement had been reached between the homeowners association and Oleshko that allows the project to go forward with some minor changes to how the development will be configured That then led the developer to withdraw his development proposal before the planners at Thursday’s meeting the planners unanimously renewed a special use permit of an existing cell tower off South Shingle Road in Latrobe With that approval came two additional conditions: one regarding when maintenance could be done on the generator and the other was preparation of a radio-frequency analysis to be reported back to the planners within 30 days Kings Meats owner Casey King and employee Beth Horne take customer orders Wednesday Taking over the former location of Scalise Meats the butcher shop opened on Valentine’s Day Kings Meats owner Casey King shows off his collection of dry-aged meats at his Diamond Springs butcher shop A longtime El Dorado County butcher has opened a new meat shop in Diamond Springs the shop is owned and operated by Casey King who has been cutting meats in the area since 1993 King is also the owner of The Butcher’s Kitchen food truck Kings Meats had its grand opening on Valentine’s Day The store won’t be the first of its kind in the building Kings Meats fills the spot previously occupied by Scalise Meats and Olivier’s Butchery Olivier’s opened in January 2017 before shutting its doors just a year later family-run feel left in the void of Scalise’s closure four years ago “I’ve been driving by this building for 20-plus years and I’ve always wanted to be a part of it,” King said if you asked anyone where they got their meats what Scalise’s was providing to the community.” “We’re aiming to bring higher quality and consistency opposed to what you’ll find in your typical grocery store,” he said The new shop might not be King’s only business expansion effort in 2020 He said his food truck’s popularity has forced him to look into increasing operating hours and staffing Kings Meats is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m Diamond Springs Road has been closed to traffic between Bayside Road and Thurston Avenue in Virginia Beach following a crash Wednesday evening A local farm needs help picking their strawberries the city of Virginia Beach experienced a tragedy when police officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese were shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop A dispatcher who was working that night spoke with 10 On Your Side about the moment the call came in A Chesapeake family is thanking the community after getting support following a house fire last month dispatchers received reports of a house on fire off of Country Mill Run Road at approximately 12:10 p.m Moyock Fire Department and Navy Regional also responded to help with water supply and fire extinguishment two recent child drownings in Chesapeake remind all of us that water safety should be top of mind A bill concerning Flock cameras and the data they hold was just signed into law by Virginia Gov The law is meant to regulate the data and add restrictions How loved ones spend their last days in Medicare and Medicaid supported facilities is top of mind for local members of Congress who represents voters in Virginia's first congressional district said he went through this with his parents Newport News police responded to a home on Cedar Avenue and found a toddler unconscious on a mattress with paramedics arriving soon after and pronouncing him dead before medical efforts could be made Zai-Twond Perry was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and felony child abuse the father's side of the family of 20-month-old Khaza Lindsay-Holliday has been in an uphill battle to get answers about what happened to him a time to raise awareness about the system and how it helps children across the country the Department of Homeland Security's deadline for Real ID is Wednesday Secretary Kristi Noem says the enhanced form of identification for boarding flights and accessing federal buildings and installations will reduce fraud and make the country safer but her name is not the only reason why she's precious That word best describes how Ruby Stancill entered the world — precious If you drive across the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expected to be a game changer for transportation in the region and especially there where traffic snarls remain a quality of life issue for the region's drivers Jeremy Olson sits in a hospital bed at UC Davis Medical Center after going through surgery to donate his kidney in December of 2022 He will undergo another surgery at the University of California 12 to donate part of his liver to a non-directed recipient a piccolo and flute musician with the Folsom Lake Symphony shared the news with her husband two years ago that her fellow symphony member and drummer Trent Teague needed a kidney transplant After researching kidney donation and determining he would be fine after the procedure Jeremy only had one question left to answer: Teague tragically passed away before the operation could happen became set on donating his kidney to someone in need After an approximate three-month process of medical and mental health screenings through UC Davis Medical Center the Diamond Springs donor went under the knife Dec and he never learned the name of the recipient “That’s not the important part,” Jeremy asserted has more to give; he is scheduled to undergo surgery to donate approximately 40% of his liver to another non-directed recipient Jan “My surgery went smoothly last time and I recovered quickly,” Jeremy said “My life will go on and someone else's will be transformed positively otherwise the people who don’t get what they need in time are going to die.” Olson said it took him about two weeks to recover before returning to his daily routine The engineer was one of 6,466 people nationwide who became a living organ donor in 2022 The Organ Procurement and Transplant Network from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services reported the nation set a record of 42,887 performed organ transplants in 2022 Kidney transplants accounted for more than 25,000 of those transplants A staff report for the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors outlines the Diamond Springs Parkway alignment spanning Bradley Road at the northern end to Pleasant Valley Road at the southern end the Diamond Springs Parkway project will be out for construction bids in late January A staff report for the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting Dec 18 said the parkway alignment will run parallel to Highway 49 spanning Bradley Road at the northern end to Pleasant […] The project site will be approximately 3 miles south of Placerville With an unknown start date sometime in summer 2019 the parkway alignment will involve a closure on Lime Kiln Road This road will be closed in both directions for 10 weeks Local and emergency response traffic will have to detour road work via China Garden Road or Odd Fellows Road The project’s estimated cost is $9 million and will involve tasks typical of road projects: excavation it will add a sidewalk and widen that section of road to accommodate more traffic deputy director of engineering for the county’s transportation department said the realignment would be a “big safety improvement to our area,” since the project will allow driveways to pull out onto a county-maintained frontage road The project’s plans and request for bids were approved by county supervisors at their Dec While Supervisor Shiva Frentzen pulled the item from the consent agenda at the request of community member Sue Taylor much of the conversation centered around the possible installation of broadband internet equipment On the heels of the county’s “dig once” policy approved Dec Frentzen was concerned to see that the parkway project lacked a broadband component The “dig once” policy allows for the addition of broadband conduits as a separate component of road projects where equipment can be installed while a road is already dug up versus finishing a road project and adding in broadband conduits at a later time While AT&T and PG&E will have infrastructure installed during the parkway alignment Smeltzer said the county had not intended to add any of its own equipment Transportation director Rafael Martinez added it was his department’s understanding that the “dig once” policy was for county projects only raising the question of how the county’s new broadband installation guidelines will affect major projects that have been on the table for a long time “I hope we take the broadband project a little bit more seriously,” Frentzen said we do our due diligence and talk to the right people and get to the bottom of whether this is the opportunity for us or not.” Martinez said he would make sure the transportation department coordinates with other agencies regarding broadband in the future He was unsure whether it was too late to add on to this particular project has only done large-scale planning of what services will look like in the county “We don’t know exactly what the need is going to be in that area,” Martinez said John Hidahl and Sue Novasel — of districts 3 respectively — expressed some desire to clarify the language in the “dig once” policy directing staff to consider the parkway’s inclusion in the county broadband plan Hidahl seconded the vote and the item passed 5-0 Bids for construction on the project will be advertised starting Jan