Folsom's finest: 2007 news in review

The year 2007 in Folsom was mostly about bridging the city's biggest ongoing headache - traffic congestion caused from the Folsom Dam Road closing almost four years ago.The start of construction on a new bridge to alleviate downtown traffic snarls was definitely king of the headlines, but crashes, fires, renovations, gas prices, even a Confederate flag created buzz this year in Folsom. To celebrate the outgoing year, The Telegraph has compiled a month-by-month list of the most newsworthy events in Folsom this year:JanuaryFour years after the closure of Folsom Dam Road impacted Folsom's businesses, tourism and traffic flow, the city and its surrounding area faced yet another hit.Construction threatened Folsom Point recreation area, which meant it would have been closed up to seven years while a dam retrofitting project was completed.Later in the month, Susan McNew, a 53-year-old second-grade teacher was hit and killed while leaving the Folsom Premium Outlets. She was the apparent victim of a street race, reported Folsom Police officers. McNew taught second grade in the Buckeye Union School District for 29 years, the last 19 at Blue Oak Elementary School in Cameron Park.FebruaryProving a war halfway across the world can still hit close to home, Sgt. Robert Thrasher, 23, died on Feb. 11 of wounds sustained in combat while conducting door to door patrols in Baghdad.Thrasher entered the Army in 2002 after graduating from Folsom High School. Thrasher volunteered for and was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed.Once a source of strife within city hall, Folsom's new library, the Georgia Murray Building, quickly became the city's pride and joy. A significant improvement over the former 7,000-square-foot Persifer Street location, the Georgia Murray Building holds 12,000 additional books, DVDs and CDs and 36 new public computers.Toward the end of the month, Folsom council members, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation officials, and Reps. John Doolittle and Dan Lungren broke ground on a new $115 million bridge downstream from Folsom Dam.MarchA zip line and a "Jurassic Zoo" exhibit were some of the changes outlined in an updated zoo master plan the city council adopted early in the month.The update was the first since 1992 and is meant to guide the zoo's direction over the next five years by focusing on improving the zoo through adding more non-live animal exhibits.Also, Sutter Street became poised for a facelift, but some of the proposed changes proved too controversial for many residents.Possible changes to historic Folsom included a streetscape plan that proposed removal of the iconic grass-filled medians lining Sutter Street.AprilMuch to the delight of its residents, Folsom received news that Dyke 8, known as Folsom Point recreation area, would likely remain open during an extensive $2 billion joint federal project to improve safety and flood control at Folsom Dam.Nearly two years after its approval sparked a local uproar, the region's first mosque moved a step closer to reality in mid-April.Members of the Islamic Society of Folsom broke ground at Sibley Street and Levy Road, the site of the future 30,000-square-foot, two-story structure.Kaiser Permanente also broke ground in April, marking a beginning to construction on a major medical center that will include an ambulatory surgery center, medical office building and a hospital.The new center will serve Kaiser's 18,000 members in Folsom and 50,000 in the combined communities of El Dorado Hills, Placerville, and Orangevale.MayThe Folsom Bulldogs baseball team finished off the regular season on a roll, sweeping their three-game series from Florin to run their record to 19-7-1 overall and 12-3 in the league, claiming the Delta River League title.In yet another tragedy, former Folsom resident Alex Varela, 19, was killed while on a routine patrol with the U.S. Army in Ameriyah, Baghdad on May 19. Varela attended Theodore Judah Elementary School before moving with his mother to Orangevale. To honor heroes of the past, the Folsom Joint Veterans Organization Color Guard and Honor Guard marched into Lakeside Cemetery for Memorial Day ceremonies. Mayor Andy Morin noted the memorial is a way for residents to connect with veterans.JuneFolsom High School handed 553 graduating seniors their diplomas. Though leaving behind so many memories might have been bittersweet for the new grads, Valedictorian Jim Cai left his class with some classic advice from Dr. Seuss: "Don't cry because it's over," Cai said. "Smile because it happened."The Folsom Fire Department found itself under new leadership as well. Dan Haverty, the man selected to replace Chief Eric Dutton, made national headlines two years ago when he donated two-thirds of his liver to ailing Bishop William K. Weigand. As chief, Haverty took control of a staff of 76 at four stations serving Folsom's 62,000 residents.To end the month, a five-alarm blaze burned 16 acres along the American River Parkway.The fire, which started along the bike path behind the City of Folsom's Corporation Yard near River Way, destroyed a storage shed housing maintenance equipment, reported Folsom Fire Marshall John Haberek. About 120 firefighters from Folsom, Sac Metro and Cal Fire (formerly California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) as well as the Bureau of Land Management worked for three hours to get the blaze under control.JulyCurbing any post-Fourth of July fun, the city of Folsom drafted an emergency ordinance early in the month banning the discharge of personal fireworks in Folsom after July 4. "We're not prohibiting the use of fireworks, just after the Fourth," said council member Steve Miklos. "You can still use them on private property under certain circumstances; this is a very limited limitation on use." In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion, Rep. John Doolittle (R-Roseville) announced in mid-July that he had obtained $14 million in funding for Folsom's new bridge.Secured through a member-sponsored initiative, the funding completed the $62.7 million required federal share for the bridge that will span the American River south of the Folsom dam, aiding Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer county commuters.AugustIn the beginning of the month, Vista del Lago, Folsom's newest high school, opened its doors. Vista del Lago currently houses 635 ninth- and 10th-graders only, but could ultimately serve nearly 1,800 students in all four high school grades, relieving overcrowding at Folsom High School.Folsom lost a beloved member of its community in August, when Bob Jarman, activities director at Folsom High School, died after a lengthy battle with cancer. Jarman touched thousands of lives with his leadership, dedication, and commitment over his 33-year stay at FHS. At another somber event, nearly 3,000 family, friends, and co-workers gathered at a Roseville church to memorialize 22-year CHP veteran Scott Russell, who was killed in the line of duty allegedly by a fleeing motorist during a high-speed chase.SeptemberCameron Park was the site of plane crash to start the month. High temperatures might have played a role in the crash.A man and a woman were killed and two others injured when their Beechcraft crashed during takeoff at the Cameron Park airport runway.Robert French, 62, died at the scene, officials said. Patricia French, 60, died at an area hospital hours later. Both were from Sacramento.To better care for the environment, Folsom residents were warned they might have to think twice before firing up the old stove this winter. Wood burning is the biggest source of Sacramento's wintertime air pollution, according to a recent report by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.In response, the district proposed mandatory no-burn restrictions. Area residents and businesses would be banned from burning any solid fuel, including wood, pellets, and manufactured logs on poor air quality days November through February, which occurred on average 30 times each year during that time span from 2003-2006. Surprisingly, FolsomLIVE! proved to be most controversial event of the year, courtesy of Nuthin' Fancy, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. In a courtesy photo from the band that ran on the front page of the Telegraph, the lead singer clutched a Confederate flag, A controversy about the flag's supposed tie to racism raged for weeks on the editorial pages of the Telegraph.OctoberFolsom's Anne Cutler became a true heavyweight - an anchor, in fact - in television broadcast journalism in October.Cutler's position at Reno's KOLO-TV puts her in the public eye during the eye-opener phase of the day, 5-7 a.m."It's myself and a weatherman," Cutler said. "I do all the main stuff. It's similar to 'Good Morning America.'"Seemingly ripped from a movie, the two-year-old tobacco ban at Folsom Prison has had some interesting effects. Smoking is at least down some, while both smuggling and prayer are up.Dedicated smugglers - inmate family members, friends and prison staff in significant numbers - have added considerable tobacco to the stream of contraband flowing into the prison, said Lt. Denise Laguna, information officer.Perhaps the only constant this year was the continued climb of gas prices. Crude oil prices jumped in October, which meant gas under $3 was a thing of the past. "I live in the area," said resident Alan Daily, who was filling up his car the week of the price hike. "I walk and bike when I can. But you just can't carry many groceries on a bike. In the end, paying these prices is just a necessary evil."NovemberA freak wave of water-line breaks in Folsom had drowned utility staff members under an unanswerable number of repair calls.Todd Eisling, city utilities director, said an unprecedented buildup of break repair jobs caused the city to hire contractor Vulcan Constructors and Maintenance out of Fresno.Infections of various inmates and guards at Folsom State Prison with a debilitating staphylococcus skin disease led state occupational-safety officials to cite the California Department of Corrections for several workplace violations, levying fines of more than $20,000 after an Oct. 31 compliance deadline was not met.Although thousands of residents lined the streets to honor our country's veterans, Folsom's Veteran's Day parade had a decidedly somber tone.Taking the podium for ceremonies at the Folsom Veterans Memorial, Sgt. Maj. Charles Linden, U.S. Army (Ret.), master of ceremonies, gave a simple address to the crowd."In my mind, Veteran's Day is every day, wherever in this country you see the red-white-and-blue flown," Linden said.In a proclamation delivered to city officials, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "May this Veterans Day be a reflective and gratitude-filled time."Janet Ampulski, a popular Folsom barber at Tom's Barber-Stylist on Natoma St., and her husband Larry Ampulski, were killed after the Cessna 177 Cardinal aircraft, leased from Auburn's Wayne Manning, crashed into a thicket of trees, narrowly missing a rural Auburn area house around 11 a.m. Thanksgiving Day.The Ampulskis and their dog Maxine were the only ones onboard the single-engine, four-seat plane when it hit nose-first about 30 feet in front of a 13700-block Wright Road house.Folsom went to court against the planned expansion of Mather Airport cargo operations on Nov. 21, suing Sacramento County and its Airport System.Specifically, Folsom officials sought to prevent an amended county lease agreement from taking effect that would allow expanded operations by cargo shipper DHL Express of Plantation, Fla., which would have created unwanted noise from overhead planes.DecemberStarting the month on a festive note, hundreds of families fought for parking on crowded Sutter Street as Folsom ushered in the holiday season with its annual Christmas tree lighting."It's a great tradition," said Chamber of Commerce member Kristine Keables. "Families love it and come to it every year."In El Dorado County's first capital case in more than 25 years, David Zanon, of Rancho Cordova, learned he faces the death penalty for allegedly killing California Highway Patrol Officer Scott Russell in Shingle Springs earlier in the year.Law officers pursued Zanon's vehicle from Rancho Cordova to Shingle Springs, where it allegedly struck and killed Russell as Russell prepared to set out a tire-popping device on the highway. Zanon reportedly was observed apparently trying to strike other officers with his vehicle earlier.Legal wheels beagn turning in a case alleging anti-gay bias, pitting defendant Folsom-Cordova Unified School District against a former student backed by the American Civil Liberties Union.The ACLU actively represented plaintiff Lance Chih, 20, of Folsom by preparing a preliminary claim in the matter, and continues to support his legal effort, said spokesman Ravi Garla.The suit by the 2006 Folsom High School graduate seeks specific reforms to be installed within the district to prevent anti-gay assault and harassment. It also seeks an unspecified amount of money damages, including punitive damages against a range of district officials.Ron Middlesteadt, CEO and owner of Waste Connections in Folsom and an El Dorado Hills resident, was on a business trip in Minnesota nearly 10 years ago when he learned that a truck from his company had killed Hannah Malychewski, a young girl.Proving this memory is far from distant, Mittelsteadt and Darrel Chambliss, vice president of Waste Connections, booked a flight two weeks ago to Vancouver, Wash. where they met with the Malychewski family, bought them dinner and visited with them for almost four hours.Before leaving, Mittelsteadt presented Gary Malychewski with a check, enough money to pay for his two oldest sons' college educations."We had no clue this was coming," said Malychewski, a driver for UPS. "The fact that they just contacted me and remembered my daughter and made us feel like she was more than just a statistic was enough. They didn't have to do anything else."Finally, Folsom itself had a changing of the guard. A council vote Dec. 12 installed Eric King as Folsom's new mayor and also installed Councilman Steve Miklos as the city's new vice mayor.Mayors and vice mayors in Folsom serve only a single-year term.