Uncategorized

“I was here last Saturday, and this place was packed.” Chris Reeves, our river pilot from Tributary Whitewater Tours, was amazed how quiet the Oxbow put-in location was by the edge of the Middle Fork of the American River. Chris is used to guiding busy weekend trips, but it was a beautiful Monday morning, and we practically had the river to ourselves.I rummaged through a pile of wetsuits, lifejackets and helmets to properly suit up for the adventure ahead. My friends and I were attending an Outdoor Writers Association of California conference and had chosen this sixteen mile river adventure from among several conference activities. It had been years since I had been on a white water trip, and I was excited for the adventure ahead.A handful of Class IV rapids awaited us—water without a sense of humor. We gathered around Chris for a review of safety and paddling protocol. I paid special attention when Chris pointed out a rope line around the perimeter of the raft. “If you fall overboard, grab that rope.” That seemed important.On board and underway, we bounced through a succession of fun Class II and Class III rapids, each of us responding promptly to Chris’s hollered commands. Two miles down the river, we encountered our first Class IV rapid: the Tunnel Chute. The Tunnel Chute is actually a manmade feature built by miners in the late 1800’s to divert water around a spot that, once it became accessible, yielded huge quantities of gold. The roiling 80-foot chute ended with a squeal-inducing drop. Just like that, mayhem turned into utter stillness as we slid quietly though a dark ninety-foot tunnel; smiles and chatter all around.After our nifty handling of Tunnel Chute, I was looking forward to Kanaka Falls, our next Class IV rapid. My recollection is a bit foggy. All I know for sure is that one minute I was paddling and the next I was in the water. As I went overboard, I remembered Chris’s words that morning and thought to myself, “Grab that #$@&%* rope!” I did. My boat mates snapped into action and in a flash I was back on board.As we did after each rapid, we excitedly recounted the drama at Kanaka Falls. Steve’s wife, Kathy, would have joined me overboard had Steve not snatched her out of mid air. I teased Jack that while I was in the water, I thought I saw him going through my wallet.Drifting along in peaceful water; time to soak in the deep and magnificent canyon this river had cut. The steep walls, cloaked in a variety of conifers and oaks, easily reached 2,000 feet above us. Near one bend in the river, soft afternoon sunlight from around the corner gilded the edges of the mantle of trees above us. Fabulous.Soon, we reached Chunder, another Class IV rapid, and once again, it was, “Man overboard,” and once again, it was me. When I popped to the surface (don’t let go of that rope!), my boat mates warned me that we were about to hit a huge granite wall named Mike Tyson with me as the front bumper. I turned around in time to cushion the impact.My tale suggests more danger than fun when you run the Middle Fork of the American River. Not so. Acquaintances became friends, and smiles were the order of the day.  River rafting, or whatever activity you prefer, our hosts proved that Placer County is a great outdoor play land.

Artists’ reception

Morgan Hill’s new city attorney will receive a loan of up to $835,000 from public funds to help with the purchase of a home and property within the city limits.City Attorney Donald Larkin and the five-member Morgan Hill City Council agreed back in May, when the two parties negotiated his employment contract, to offer such a loan if he chose to relocate his residence here. Since he was hired, Larkin has decided to move to Morgan Hill, according to Mayor Steve Tate.As a result, the council June 22 unanimously approved the loan, which will bear interest at the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate, plus .25 percent. As of June 27, that interest rate was about 1.44 percent, bringing Larkin’s housing loan interest to about 1.69 percent.According to the loan agreement, Larkin will pay principal and interest on 50 percent of the loan amount, and interest only for the remaining 50 percent. The entire balance is due to the city in 30 years, or within 12 months if Larkin becomes no longer employed by the City of Morgan Hill.The loan will not close before Larkin begins his new job at City Hall July 11, according to Tate.Councilmember Larry Carr noted the loan is a “better investment” than it would be if the funds were invested in the city’s investment portfolio. That portfolio generates about 1 percent interest for the city.Funds for the loan will come from the city’s general fund reserve, which will see annual revenue of about $27,000 from Larkin’s principal and interest payments, according to a city staff report.The council voted unanimously May 4 to hire Larkin as its new city attorney. He will replace former City Attorney Renee Gurza, who resigned from the position November 2015 after about 2.5 years on the job.Larkin is an 18-year veteran of municipal law, most recently as Deputy County Counsel for Santa Clara County, with his primary assignment in the sheriff’s office. He has previously worked for Morgan Hill, as Acting Deputy City Attorney several years ago.Larkin’s starting salary in Morgan Hill will be about $215,000.The council has offered housing loans to its city manager and city attorney in previous years. In 2014, the council offered City Manager Steve Rymer a $950,000 loan to purchase a home, plus a $110,000 home improvement loan in 2015.

An intoxicated man punched a Morgan Hill Police officer in an attempt to escape a traffic stop late Friday night, according to authorities.An MHPD officer made a traffic stop on a vehicle driving recklessly on Butterfield Boulevard, according to police. The driver was identified as Dante Fullard, and he was on probation.Fullard appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, police said. Another officer arrived to evaluate Fullard for DUI when the suspect punched the officer in the chest and fled on foot.The officer was not injured and chased Fullard, according to authorities. The two MHPD officers caught Fullard, who was arrested without further incident.The suspect was in possession of a white powdery substance, which tested positive for cocaine, police added.Fullard was booked at Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of multiple charges.

Former Gilroy High School science teacher Doug Le was charged with 20 felonies Monday for impersonating a female porn star and soliciting photos from high school boys, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorneys office.