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Your Bio

I picked up my first 35mm camera in Thailand in 1970, and haven't stopped shooting since.

I am a NEWS junkie. If you see a fire truck, police car, or ambulance, watch out, I am right behind them.

I love shooting people. The camera can see much more than the eye. Weddings, portraits and candid shots are my specialty.

If you have questions or comments you can contact me at:
Bill Lavallie Email
Tel: 209 296 4450

Featured Galleries

Speakeazy Jazz Orchestra (SJO) at the Elks in Jackson : http://speakeazyjazz.com/ This is REAL music. A great sound and well practiced and played. A must see if you like this type of music. They play at the Elks Club in Jackson every fourth Sunday. The cover is $8 and part of that goes to charity (Purple Pig Charity). Check the web site of the band listed above.

Speakeazy Jazz Orchestra (SJO) at the Elks in Jackson

http://speakeazyjazz.com/ This is REAL music. A great sound and well ...

Updated: Oct 26, 2009 12:11pm PST

Amador Peace Officers 2009 Citizen of the Year and Officer of the Year :

Amador Peace Officers 2009 Citizen of the Year and Officer of the Year

Updated: Oct 26, 2009 10:08pm PST

Singing in the Rain: A Cow, a sprinkler, a hot day : You really need to view these at X3Large size to get the entire effect. To do this hold your mouse at the right margin of the picture and a size selector will pop in.

Singing in the Rain: A Cow, a sprinkler, a hot day

You really need to view these at X3Large size to get the entire effect ...

Updated: Jun 28, 2009 11:08pm PST

Father's Day BBQ and Blues at the St. George Hotel :

Father's Day BBQ and Blues at the St. George Hotel

Updated: Jun 22, 2009 8:17am PST

Galleries

Visit to Nevada City and Grass Valley :

Visit to Nevada City and Grass Valley

Updated: Nov 07, 2009 11:16pm EST

2009 Buseiness Perosons of the Year Bart and Maura Gillman :

2009 Buseiness Perosons of the Year Bart and Maura Gillman

Updated: Nov 05, 2009 1:54pm EST

St George Halloween Mature :

St George Halloween Mature

Updated: Nov 03, 2009 12:22am EST

Halloween at the George General Version :

Halloween at the George General Version

Updated: Nov 02, 2009 11:03pm EST

Halloween Trick or Treat Jackson :

Halloween Trick or Treat Jackson

Updated: Nov 02, 2009 11:26am EST

Wreckless Motorcycle Driver flees accident scene :

Wreckless Motorcycle Driver flees accident scene

Updated: Oct 31, 2009 1:05pm EST

Haunted Dungeon in Sutter Creek :

Haunted Dungeon in Sutter Creek

Updated: Oct 31, 2009 12:23pm EST

Giant 700 Pound Pumpkin at Jackson Rancheria : Jackson Rancheria Executive Chef Ed Wickman carved a 700 pound pumpkin for Halloween on Friday, October 30. He started early in the morining and it took the better part of the day to complete the masterpiece which now stands outside the Casino Lobby door. The pumpkin was grown by Richard Larson of Granite Bay and given to Jackson Rancheria. “It was so pretty I thought it should be displayed somewhere,” said Larson. And Wickman, an experience giant pumpkin carver, was glad to take it on. The pumpkin is part of the decorations for the Casino’s $275,000 Mad Money promotion and Halloween festivities.

Giant 700 Pound Pumpkin at Jackson Rancheria

Jackson Rancheria Executive Chef Ed Wickman carved a 700 pound pumpki ...

Updated: Oct 31, 2009 10:57am EST

Mel & Fayes Diner Jackson - Business person of the year award. :

Mel & Fayes Diner Jackson - Business person of the year award.

Updated: Oct 31, 2009 12:53am EST

10272009 Car crashes into School Bus in Sutter Hill :

10272009 Car crashes into School Bus in Sutter Hill

Updated: Oct 28, 2009 12:05pm EST

Sharon Merzlak Birthday 2009 :

Sharon Merzlak Birthday 2009

Updated: Oct 28, 2009 11:22am EST

Amador Peace Officers 2009 Citizen of the Year and Officer of the Year :

Amador Peace Officers 2009 Citizen of the Year and Officer of the Year

Updated: Oct 27, 2009 1:08am EST

Speakeazy Jazz Orchestra (SJO) at the Elks in Jackson : http://speakeazyjazz.com/ This is REAL music. A great sound and well practiced and played. A must see if you like this type of music. They play at the Elks Club in Jackson every fourth Sunday. The cover is $8 and part of that goes to charity (Purple Pig Charity). Check the web site of the band listed above.

Speakeazy Jazz Orchestra (SJO) at the Elks in Jackson

http://speakeazyjazz.com/ This is REAL music. A great sound and well ...

Updated: Oct 26, 2009 3:11pm EST

Car skids on wet pavement and comes to rest on its side on New York Ranch Raod :

Car skids on wet pavement and comes to rest on its side on New York Ranch Raod

Updated: Oct 19, 2009 11:48pm EST

Heritage Days Jackson Ca 2009 :

Heritage Days Jackson Ca 2009

Updated: Oct 19, 2009 1:18am EST

Amador Chamber Mixer at Sutter Amador Hospital :

Amador Chamber Mixer at Sutter Amador Hospital

Updated: Oct 17, 2009 1:46am EST

Huge tree branch crashes into home in Pine Grove : Luckily the Rolf’s were not home during the blustery storm on Wednesday when a large tree limb came crashing down onto their home on Pine Grove - Volcano Road. The downed limb destroyed a stone fireplace and chimney and then compromised the interior walls and structure of the home Ginger Rolf stated that it may take months before the repairs are complete and that they will most likely have to live else ware until the they are done. Bill Lavallie

Huge tree branch crashes into home in Pine Grove

Luckily the Rolf’s were not home during the blustery storm on Wednes ...

Updated: Oct 17, 2009 1:19am EST

Rainy Day Mishaps - Tuesday's Big Storm : Trees down, trees down on power lines, and tree down across road and a truck slams into it. The truck slammed into the down tree on Ridge at Climax. The driver refused medical service and emergency responders had a huge job ahead cutting up that tree in the pouring rain. Power outages everywhere.. See the PG&E Outage Map at 9:51PM Tuesday.

Rainy Day Mishaps - Tuesday's Big Storm

Trees down, trees down on power lines, and tree down across road and a ...

Updated: Oct 14, 2009 8:55am EST

Ledger Dispatch publisher Jack Mitchel gets ROASTED at Castle Oaks :

Ledger Dispatch publisher Jack Mitchel gets ROASTED at Castle Oaks

Updated: Oct 12, 2009 11:15am EST

Wings and Wheels - Cadet races to assist aircraft down. :

Wings and Wheels - Cadet races to assist aircraft down.

Updated: Oct 06, 2009 11:49am EST

Amador Flower Farm :

Amador Flower Farm

Updated: Oct 05, 2009 10:34pm EST

Monday rollover accident on Latrobe Road : A woman traveling north on Latrobe Road lost control of the vehicle on the sharp curve at Lorentz Road. The car went off the right side of the road then rolled over and came to rest on its roof. Fortunately the occupant was not injured.

Monday rollover accident on Latrobe Road

A woman traveling north on Latrobe Road lost control of the vehicle on ...

Updated: Sep 29, 2009 1:24am EST

Apartment Fire In Jackson : Friday apartment fire on Raggio Road in Jackson. The corner apartment of this 4-plex apartment building caught fire possibly due to a can of cigarette butts left outside near the wall. Jackson Fire and CDF responded along with a unit from Battalion 10. The fire was held in check to the one apartment. Red Cross was called in to assist the residents.

Apartment Fire In Jackson

Friday apartment fire on Raggio Road in Jackson. The corner apartme ...

Updated: Sep 29, 2009 12:58am EST

Sunday Dirt Bike rider suffers serious head injury : Sunday a man injured after a freak accident on his motorbike was flown out on a Calstar Helicopter. The man, a resident Pioneer, was riding a dirt bike when the throttle got stuck and propelled him towards a chain link fence. To avoid crashing into the fence he leaned the bike over and made contact with the ground striking his head. He did not have a helmet on at the time and due to the type of injury medics called for the helicopter.

Sunday Dirt Bike rider suffers serious head injury

Sunday a man injured after a freak accident on his motorbike was flown ...

Updated: Sep 29, 2009 12:30am EST

Tuesday September 22, 2009 Car fire on Hwy 88 East of Pine Grove : Car fire on Hwy 88 east of Pine Grove on Sep 22. The car was a total however a wild land fire was averted when the driver, while the car was on fire, steered the vehicle toward the center of the road, and away from the roadside after he lost his breaks.

Tuesday September 22, 2009 Car fire on Hwy 88 East of Pine Grove

Car fire on Hwy 88 east of Pine Grove on Sep 22. The car was a total ...

Updated: Sep 23, 2009 11:46pm EST

September 19, 2009 Spagetti Western at Cooper Vineyards Benefit for Amador Cancer REsearch Foundation :

September 19, 2009 Spagetti Western at Cooper Vineyards Benefit for Amador Cancer REsearch Foundation

Updated: Sep 23, 2009 10:16pm EST

Sunday September 9, 2009 Sutter Creek Chili Cookoff and Car Show :

Sunday September 9, 2009 Sutter Creek Chili Cookoff and Car Show

Updated: Sep 21, 2009 1:43am EST

09192009 Cars at the Volcano Union Inn :

09192009 Cars at the Volcano Union Inn

Updated: Sep 20, 2009 8:11pm EST

Thursday September 17, 2009 Power lines down fire on New York Ranch Road in Jackson :

Thursday September 17, 2009 Power lines down fire on New York Ranch Road in Jackson

Updated: Sep 18, 2009 11:51am EST

49er Sports Grill Car Club Dinner :

49er Sports Grill Car Club Dinner

Updated: Sep 18, 2009 11:13am EST

Wednesday September 16 Driver rolls car on Hwy 88 in Pioneer : Per CHP web site accident occurred around 9:46PM west of Amador Station. The car skidded and rolled for at least 100 feet. Not a window was left in the car. Somehow the driver got out and then left the scene. Police are still looking for the driver.

Wednesday September 16 Driver rolls car on Hwy 88 in Pioneer

Per CHP web site accident occurred around 9:46PM west of Amador Statio ...

Updated: Sep 17, 2009 10:15am EST

Wednesday September 16, 2009 Amador Chamber Mixer at Helimax at Westover Airport :

Wednesday September 16, 2009 Amador Chamber Mixer at Helimax at Westover Airport

Updated: Sep 17, 2009 12:45am EST

Tuesday September 15, 2009 Car crash at Hwy 49 and Ridge Road in Martel California :

Tuesday September 15, 2009 Car crash at Hwy 49 and Ridge Road in Martel California

Updated: Sep 16, 2009 1:09am EST

09122009 Spring Fire :

09122009 Spring Fire

Updated: Sep 15, 2009 12:45am EST

Friday September 11, 2009 Under the stars with Exie : Our small group of amateur astronomers mostly do Science and Astronomy Educational Outreach in Amador County. Below is some club info. If you take a minute to go our website and click on "photos of events" and/or "about us", "educational links" (one video from local TV station) you might get a better idea of our mission. Thanks again. Next star party in 2 weeks at Sutter Creek Elementary. Please feel free to come without camera and just enjoy looking at heavenly bodies with us. http://www.amadorastronomy.org/service.aspx AAS community involvement during past years has included: Star party and membership meetings at the observatory and other venues Boy Scout Merit badge support GATE classes taught in El Dorado County Public star parties at Pine Grove Elementary Public star parties at Ione Elementary Public star parties at Sutter Creek Elementary Astronomy GATE club at Carl Sundahl Elementary, Folsom Astronomy classes taught at Kids' College Public school teachers received astronomical resources and in-class assistance in the teaching of astronomy at Ione Elementary, Pine Grove Elementary, Sutter Creek Elementary, Sutter Creek Primary and Jackson Elementary. Development and maintenance of a Web site with teaching materials for local students and amateur astronomers If you would like to participate in our community projects and star parties, please E-Mail Larry Brown, President, Amador Astronomical Society at amadorastronomy@volcano.net

Friday September 11, 2009 Under the stars with Exie

Our small group of amateur astronomers mostly do Science and Astronomy ...

Updated: Sep 12, 2009 12:03pm EST

September 10, 2009 Robbie Kinevel Jumps the busses at Jackson Rancheria :

September 10, 2009 Robbie Kinevel Jumps the busses at Jackson Rancheria

Updated: Sep 11, 2009 5:04pm EST

Wednesday September 9, 2009 Drytown Man Rescued from Well : A young man in Drytown had an unpleasant surprise Wednesday while he was entering a shed in his back yard. While standing near the doorway, the floorboards gave way and he fell into an old abandoned, hand dug well. He fell about 20 feet and was trapped in the hole until someone realized he was missing. See the full story here: http://ledger-dispatch.com/news/newsview.asp?c=260663&topStory=1

Wednesday September 9, 2009 Drytown Man Rescued from Well

A young man in Drytown had an unpleasant surprise Wednesday while he w ...

Updated: Sep 11, 2009 11:05am EST

Wednesday Sep 9, 2009 Head on hit and run crash on Hwy 26 : A pickup truck traveling on Hwy 26 towards Amador Hwy 88 was struck head on by an SUB headed in the direction of West Point. One witness stated that the driver of the SUV ran from the scene of the accident, and he followed him for some distance until he jumped over the embankment and headed down steep terrain off of Hwy 26. The driver of the pickup was flown out via helicopter with injuries he suffered in the crash. CHP has put out a BOLO on an Anthony Kesler as the suspected driver. UPDATE - The driver that was struck by Kesler is Neil Frisby of Wilseyville. The CHP reported that Niel was flown to Mercy San Juan Hospital for treatment of his injuries. CHP are still looking for Kesler for questioning about this accident.

Wednesday Sep 9, 2009 Head on hit and run crash on Hwy 26

A pickup truck traveling on Hwy 26 towards Amador Hwy 88 was struck he ...

Updated: Sep 09, 2009 12:19pm EST

Accident Friday September 4, 2009 on Hwy 88 in Pine Grove :

Accident Friday September 4, 2009 on Hwy 88 in Pine Grove

Updated: Sep 08, 2009 10:29am EST

September 3, 2009 RV vs. Truck on Hwy 88 causes major traffic problem in Amador Thursday Morining : An early morning accident between an RV and Big Rig caused a serious traffic jam on Highway 88 between Jackson and Dalton Road. A camper exiting Ousby Road pulled in front of a 47 foot tractor trailer rig causing the truck to strike the camper mid way completely blocking the roadway for over an hour. The RV driver and his female passenger owere taken to Sutter Amador hospital. The truck driver did not suffer any injuries.

September 3, 2009 RV vs. Truck on Hwy 88 causes major traffic problem in Amador Thursday Morining

An early morning accident between an RV and Big Rig caused a serious t ...

Updated: Sep 03, 2009 12:41pm EST

Tuesday September 1, 2009 Fatal accident on Ridge at Climax in Amador Countey : A sedan traveling eastbound on Ridge came to the intersection of ridge and climax. The driver of the sedan then made a left turn to proceed on to upper ridge but apparently, due to the low sun, could not see any oncoming traffic. A crane truck traveling westbound on Climax had no time to stop his rig and struck the sedan broadside plowing the car to the edge of the roadside and then rolling the truck on its side. An eye witness that was stopped at the Ridge/Climax intersection indicated that he saw the truck and then the car turn in front of it. The force of the impact on the passenger side was substantial and the truck proceeded down the road and rolled on its side. The female passenger was taken to the hospital but efforts to revive her failed and she was declared diseased at Sutter Amador.

Tuesday September 1, 2009 Fatal accident on Ridge at Climax in Amador Countey

A sedan traveling eastbound on Ridge came to the intersection of ridge ...

Updated: Sep 02, 2009 11:10am EST

Saturday 8/29/2009 - Motorcycle crashes in front of Kmart in Sutter Hill : The driver of this motorcycle appeared to have been over come with heat exhaustion and went off the road. Fortunately no traffic was comming in the other direction and emergency personnel arrived quickly and packaged him up for transport to the hospital.

Saturday 8/29/2009 - Motorcycle crashes in front of Kmart in Sutter Hill

The driver of this motorcycle appeared to have been over come with hea ...

Updated: Sep 01, 2009 10:14pm EST

Monday August 31, 2009 Bomb Scare at Jackson City Hall : Someone left a backpack in the bushes near City Hall in Jackson this morning and that triggered an all-out bomb squad response. Roadways around City Hall were closed down and Hwy 88 traffic was diverted through downtown Jackson. Responders from Jackson Police, Sutter Creek Police, Calaveras Bomb Squad, CHP and Jackson Fire Department were all called in to coordinate the removal of the backpack. The bag was finally detonated with a small charge and nothing threatening was found inside.

Monday August 31, 2009 Bomb Scare at Jackson City Hall

Someone left a backpack in the bushes near City Hall in Jackson this m ...

Updated: Aug 31, 2009 11:18pm EST

August 28, 2009 Belly Dancers at Clarks Corner in Ione :

August 28, 2009 Belly Dancers at Clarks Corner in Ione

Updated: Aug 31, 2009 9:47pm EST

Truck rolls over at Shakeridge and Hale Road - Two brothers flown out to area hospitals. : A flatbed truck hauling a load of logs overturned at Hale Road on Friday. The driver and his passenger were flown out by helicopters for treatment at area trauma centers. CHP have indicated that they later arrested the driver on suspicion of felony DUI.

Truck rolls over at Shakeridge and Hale Road - Two brothers flown out to area hospitals.

A flatbed truck hauling a load of logs overturned at Hale Road on Frid ...

Updated: Aug 31, 2009 1:46pm EST

Divas at the George :

Divas at the George

Updated: Aug 24, 2009 8:05am EST

Tess :

Tess

Updated: Aug 24, 2009 8:04am EST

Driver launches Yaris over cliff and sticks landing in a cluster of trees. : Late Friday afternoon a driver traveling on Hwy 26 near Glenco in Calaveras launched his Yaris over a steep sharp curve and miraculously landed in a cluster of trees that prevented him from plunging down the cliff below. The driver was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Driver launches Yaris over cliff and sticks landing in a cluster of trees.

Late Friday afternoon a driver traveling on Hwy 26 near Glenco in Cala ...

Updated: Aug 24, 2009 12:24am EST

Injury accident Friday morning on Hwy 88 in Pine Grove 8/21/09 :

Injury accident Friday morning on Hwy 88 in Pine Grove 8/21/09

Updated: Aug 23, 2009 11:33pm EST

Fire near Pardee Dam Saturday 8/22/09 : Fire broke out near Pardee Saturday afternoon. The supsected cause is a down power line.

Fire near Pardee Dam Saturday 8/22/09

Fire broke out near Pardee Saturday afternoon. The supsected caus ...

Updated: Aug 23, 2009 11:16pm EST

Gunshots ring out on Jura Lane Sunday Evening : Shots rang out Sunday evening on Jura Lane in Fiddletown. When it was over, one man was dead and the other in jail charged with suspicion of murder. For the breaking news story, go to the link below. http://ledger-dispatch.com/news/newsview.asp?c=259841&topStory=1

Gunshots ring out on Jura Lane Sunday Evening

Shots rang out Sunday evening on Jura Lane in Fiddletown. When it was ...

Updated: Aug 17, 2009 9:25pm EST

House Fire in Pioneer on Wagon Wheel Drive :

House Fire in Pioneer on Wagon Wheel Drive

Updated: Aug 16, 2009 9:12pm EST

08132009 Robery Suspects Felony Stop Jackson California : Around noon time, Thursday, a call came into the Sherrifs office that a home was being burglarized in Jackson Ca. The whitness reported the description of the robbers and their vehicle. Police responded but the suspects had already left the scene. While the police were at the home they spoted the vehicle in the neighborhood and several Jackson Police converged on the area. The vehicle was stopped at the intersection of Pit Street and Highway 88. The officers then conducted a felony stop and took the suspects into custody. There will be more information posted on the charges and items stolen later.

08132009 Robery Suspects Felony Stop Jackson California

Around noon time, Thursday, a call came into the Sherrifs office that ...

Updated: Aug 14, 2009 10:29am EST

Cement truck topples into ditch in Sutter Creek :

Cement truck topples into ditch in Sutter Creek

Updated: Aug 12, 2009 10:41pm EST

Amador County Fair - Sights from the fair :

Amador County Fair - Sights from the fair

Updated: Aug 04, 2009 12:42am EST

Amador County Fair - 7/30/2009 - Ms Amador Pageant :

Amador County Fair - 7/30/2009 - Ms Amador Pageant

Updated: Aug 03, 2009 11:48pm EST

Amador County Fair - 08/02/2009 - Demolition Derby :

Amador County Fair - 08/02/2009 - Demolition Derby

Updated: Aug 03, 2009 1:17pm EST

Amador County Fair - 08/01/2009 - Rodeo :

Amador County Fair - 08/01/2009 - Rodeo

Updated: Aug 02, 2009 4:42pm EST

Amador County Fair 07-31-2009 Tractor and Truck Pull :

Amador County Fair 07-31-2009 Tractor and Truck Pull

Updated: Aug 01, 2009 12:09pm EST

High Wire Hangup Causes Major Power Failure :

High Wire Hangup Causes Major Power Failure

Updated: Jul 30, 2009 1:17am EST

Out and about in Jackson California :

Out and about in Jackson California

Updated: Jul 27, 2009 10:57am EST

Just for Fun

Updated: Jul 27, 2009 10:46am EST

Kam's Party :

Kam's Party

Updated: Jul 20, 2009 10:46am EST

July 4, 2009 Canonball Run Volcano California :

July 4, 2009 Canonball Run Volcano California

Updated: Jul 17, 2009 10:58am EST

Good Day Sacramento - Mark S Allen Visits Jackson/Amador : Good Day Sacramento visited Jackson/Amador Tuesday after two of our young citizens chastised them for "never coming to Jackson". Several residents showed up at the Martel location where they had set up their communications truck in front of PETCO in the parking lot. Mark has a knack for bringing out the best in everyone and the photos in this album show how things went.

Good Day Sacramento - Mark S Allen Visits Jackson/Amador

Good Day Sacramento visited Jackson/Amador Tuesday after two of our y ...

Updated: Jul 14, 2009 10:51pm EST

07102009 Headon crash near Jackson California sends on to the hospital via helicopter : Friday Evening July 10, 2009 - Martel California A head on collision on a stretch of Highway 88 called Hurricane Hill sent one man to a local trauma center via helicopter. A white car that witnesses clamed was having trouble maintaining its lane crossed over two lanes and struck a pickup traveling in the westbound direction. A fire then started in the white car, but the driver and his dog were able to get out. The victim in the truck had to be extracted from the vehicle by firefighters from Ione, Jackson and CDF. Calstar landed its helicopter on the road near the accident and the victim was quickly loaded onto the helicopter and taken to the hospital. At the scene the driver of the white vehicle had no injuries and did not appear to be impaired.

07102009 Headon crash near Jackson California sends on to the hospital via helicopter

Friday Evening July 10, 2009 - Martel California A head on collisio ...

Updated: Jul 14, 2009 9:33am EST

Kamps Propane :

Kamps Propane

Updated: Jul 10, 2009 12:32pm EST

July 2, 2009 House Fire Susan Lane Pioneer California :

July 2, 2009 House Fire Susan Lane Pioneer California

Updated: Jul 03, 2009 12:42pm EST

June 30, 2009 Fire at Mace Meadows Golf Cart Shed :

June 30, 2009 Fire at Mace Meadows Golf Cart Shed

Updated: Jul 01, 2009 1:12pm EST

Singing in the Rain: A Cow, a sprinkler, a hot day : You really need to view these at X3Large size to get the entire effect. To do this hold your mouse at the right margin of the picture and a size selector will pop in.

Singing in the Rain: A Cow, a sprinkler, a hot day

You really need to view these at X3Large size to get the entire effect ...

Updated: Jun 29, 2009 2:08am EST

06282009 Wildfire on Hunt Road in Milton CA :

06282009 Wildfire on Hunt Road in Milton CA

Updated: Jun 29, 2009 1:56am EST

Black Bart Days Sutter Creek California 2009 :

Black Bart Days Sutter Creek California 2009

Updated: Jun 24, 2009 12:17am EST

Black Bart Days Sutter Creek California :

Black Bart Days Sutter Creek California

Updated: Jun 24, 2009 12:11am EST

Father's Day BBQ and Blues at the St. George Hotel :

Father's Day BBQ and Blues at the St. George Hotel

Updated: Jun 22, 2009 11:17am EST

Humminng Birds :

Humminng Birds

Updated: Jun 13, 2009 9:33pm EST

Sutter Creek Footbridge Gets Lifted Into Place :

Sutter Creek Footbridge Gets Lifted Into Place

Updated: Jun 11, 2009 9:43pm EST

2009 Italian Picnic and Parade : Michelle Hoover also has photos of the parade. Please go here to see her photographs: http://mic.smugmug.com/gallery/8483886_2nTB6#558062507_aRzFh

2009 Italian Picnic and Parade

Michelle Hoover also has photos of the parade. Please go here to see ...

Updated: Jun 09, 2009 10:26am EST

CHP Presentation of Resolution to Dr, Hood for saving the life of CHP Officer Joel Merrill : Background on this story quoted from CHP: CHP Officer Joel Merrill was in the ER in the early morning hours of March 26th. He needed to get his hand x-rayed after a fight with a drunk. While he was waiting for the x-ray, he had a life threatening heart attack. The kind you hear of healthy people just dropping dead from. Dr. Drew Hood was there in the Emergency Room and took action. The rest is text from a Resolution from the CHP presented to Dr. Hood on June 7, 2009: Dr. Drew Hood Whereas: On March 25, 2009, California Highway Patrol Officer Joel Merrill was in the Sutter Amador Hospital Emergency Room for treatment of a hand injury, and; Whereas: Officer Merrill, experiencing light-headedness, laid down to ease his discomfort, and; Whereas: Upon encountering Officer Merrill, Dr. Drew Hood immediately diagnosed his condition as a heart attack, and; Whereas: Dr. Drew Hood quickly focused all Emergency Room resources on Officer Merrill, and: Whereas: Dr. Drew Hood immediately administered medication to Officer Merrill, allowing him to be stabilized and expediting his transportation to Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento for treatment of a major artery blockage, and; Whereas: In the opinion of consulting and examining physicians, had Dr. Drew Hood not acted quickly in diagnosing and treating Officer Merrill, his heart attack would have been fatal, and; Whereas: The actions of Dr. Drew Hood in treating Officer Merrill saved his life, and; Whereas: Dr. Drew Hood is a respected member of the Jackson community and medical profession and now therefore be it Resolved: By the men and women of the California Highway Patrol that Dr. Drew Hood is thanked and saluted for his selfless efforts in saving the life of Officer Joel Merrill. He, and the CHP, is in his debt for his actions.

CHP Presentation of Resolution to Dr, Hood for saving the life of CHP Officer Joel Merrill

Background on this story quoted from CHP: CHP Officer Joel Merrill ...

Updated: Jun 08, 2009 1:45pm EST

Sober Grads 2009 : Photos taken on June 5th at Amador Sober Grad. More photos taken by Michelle Hoover are on this page: http://mic.smugmug.com/gallery/8450535_NjBLM#555451876_GFpEK

Sober Grads 2009

Photos taken on June 5th at Amador Sober Grad. More photos taken by ...

Updated: Jun 07, 2009 8:41pm EST

Sober Grad 2009

Updated: Jun 05, 2009 2:07pm EST

Memorial Day Amador California 2009 :

Memorial Day Amador California 2009

Updated: May 27, 2009 12:55pm EST

6th Annual Placer County Spring Wine Tasting at Latitudes Restaurant in Auburn : I had the pleasure to attend this wine tasting at Latitudes Restaurant in Auburn. With me was an old friend and wine connoisseur Dan Lannutti. Dan has made comments on this site regarding the wines he tasted. Since I was the photographer, and designated driver, I was not able to sample many of the wines. I did have a chance to talk with most of the winemakers, and found that there is a treasure of boutique wineries in this area. We will definitely be visiting these wineries and enjoying more tasting in the future. Bill Lavallie

6th Annual Placer County Spring Wine Tasting at Latitudes Restaurant in Auburn

I had the pleasure to attend this wine tasting at Latitudes Restaurant ...

Updated: May 21, 2009 11:46am EST

Amador Vintners 2009 Wine and Jzz Jubilee :

Amador Vintners 2009 Wine and Jzz Jubilee

Updated: May 18, 2009 1:33pm EST

Accident on Hwy 88 near Dalton Road :

Accident on Hwy 88 near Dalton Road

Updated: May 14, 2009 11:07am EST

Ione Homecoming Parade :

Ione Homecoming Parade

Updated: May 12, 2009 11:58am EST

The Salon :

The Salon

Updated: Apr 28, 2009 11:08pm EST

Puck :

Puck

Updated: Apr 28, 2009 10:27pm EST

Tim Murphy Video Shoot - Burn Me Down January 2007 :

Tim Murphy Video Shoot - Burn Me Down January 2007

Updated: Apr 12, 2009 9:28pm EST

Vera :

Vera

Updated: Apr 12, 2009 12:46pm EST

Amador Chamber Trade Show at the Jackson Rancheria :

Amador Chamber Trade Show at the Jackson Rancheria

Updated: Apr 10, 2009 12:51pm EST

Daffodil Hill April 2009 :

Daffodil Hill April 2009

Updated: Apr 07, 2009 3:02am EST

Car traveling at high speed loses control and crashes into tree on China Graveyard Road : Wednesday Morning April 1, 2009 – Jackson California Car traveling at high speed loses control and crashes into tree on China Graveyard Road An early morning crash put Jackson fire personnel into high gear with all the tools they have to rescue a passenger trapped in the vehicle. The rescue played out on a dark corner on China Graveyard Road where the red sports car had come to rest with a tree imbedded into the right front of the vehicle crushing the metal around the passengers lower body. Slowly and methodically, using the jaws of life, fire personnel dismantled the vehicle until they could get the victim out. At the scene were Jackson Fire, Jackson Police, CDF, Veterans Ambulance, CHP, and Amador Sheriff, all assisting and working their part of the crash scene. The driver of the vehicle is suspected to have been under the influence and was taken to Sutter Amador Hospital. The passenger was flown to an area hospital trauma center via helicopter. Bill Lavallie

Car traveling at high speed loses control and crashes into tree on China Graveyard Road

Wednesday Morning April 1, 2009 – Jackson California Car traveling ...

Updated: Apr 02, 2009 12:25am EST

March 31, 2009 Hay Truck Accident : Tuesday March 31, 2009 - Pioneer California Another hay truck fails to make it down Highway 88. What has become an all too often occurrence, another hay truck lost control on a curve, tipped over and lost its entire load on the road along Highway 88 near Cooks Station. Eye witnesses indicate that the truck was moving at a fast pace along the tight curves leading up to Cooks station. Apparently something went wrong and the rear trailer began to tip over to the right and soon the rest of the rig followed. The tractor and front trailer soon ricochet off of several trees and the load from both trailers tumbled into the road and down the embankment. Lucky for the driver the cab, came to a stop upside down between the embankment and some trees, leaving it severely damaged but not crushed. The driver was able to crawl out and he later sought medical attention when the ambulance arrived. It took a couple of hours to clean up the mess and right the truck and tractor. Amador fire, Calfire, CalTrans and CHP were all on scene working on various parts of clearing up the road. A large truck size wrecker and a smaller wrecker from ATR were used to remove the vehicle from the side of the hill and right it. The accident was still being investigated when I left the scene. Bill Lavallie

March 31, 2009 Hay Truck Accident

Tuesday March 31, 2009 - Pioneer California Another hay truck fails ...

Updated: Apr 01, 2009 12:07am EST

Belly Dancers at Clark's Corner : Saturday March 28, 2009 – Clark’s Corner, Ione California An evening of belly dancers at Clark’s provides a change of pace in entertainment. There was quite a gathering at Clark’s Corner in Ione on Saturday. Clark's is a relatively new Coffee House and Community Center in the middle of Ione across from the Town Hall. Enough of a crowd gathered that some were left on the sidewalk peering in the windows as the acts were going on. Tracy Carlton put together this event with the help of other dancers in the area and came up with a very impressive show for the audience. All ages attended and the youngsters were awestruck watching the dancers with swords on their heads dance around. The dancers are described below: Kundalini Belly Dance Tribe: Tracy Carlton (me), Sonya Castoe (poi spinner - aka fire spinner, short, has long long hair, in green), Jenny Fuller (long dark hair, in green/red/rust), Jenny Upchurch (short dark hair in blue/purple), not there Kimberly Wooten. All from Amador County. Soloist - Cybella, blond hair (Ursula Perry) (did two sets in two diff. costumes, used zills/finger cymbals like crazy). Calaveras County. Duo - Desert Oasis Dancers (Patti Koolhoven-in red, Rochelle Pena-in purple) (the 'n' in Pena has a 'tidle' over it but I couldn't figure out how to type that in). Calaveras County. Soloist - Farina (Leslie Shepherds) (did only one dance-veil dance, in purple, Calaveras County. Bill Lavallie

Belly Dancers at Clark's Corner

Saturday March 28, 2009 – Clark’s Corner, Ione California An ev ...

Updated: Mar 31, 2009 11:53am EST

Divas at the George

Updated: Mar 18, 2009 10:27am EST

House fire on Curran Road in Ione : March 12, 2009 - Ione California House fire in Ione claims another residence in Amador County In the wake of a house fire on Wednesday that destroyed a house in Pioneer, another fire broke out around 11:15AM off of Curran Road in the Lake Comanche/Ione area. This fire also destroyed most of the home, leaving behind charred remains of memories on the bookshelf. A horse rancher at 4183 Curran Road had gone to a neighbor's house to work out some horses and when he returned he noticed a small amount of smoke coming from the windows and eves of the home. He immediately phoned 911 and fire units from Ione, Mule Creek, CDF and Amador Fire were dispatched. The heat buildup inside the closed building was intense and when fire units arrived the home was fully involved. Firefighters knocked down the blaze quickly, but the damage had already been done. The Red Cross was also called in to aid the victims. The cause of the blaze was unclear. CDF fire prevention was investigating the cause. Bill Lavallie

House fire on Curran Road in Ione

March 12, 2009 - Ione California House fire in ...

Updated: Mar 13, 2009 1:36am EST

House Fire in Pioneer California. : March 11, 2009 – Pioneer California House fire in Pioneer causes serious damage. A call came in about 11:15AM from an elderly woman who reported that her home was on fire. The attic and roof area were on fire and she stated that she needed assistance in vacating the premises. Amador Sherriff’s deputies and a US Forestry Enforcement officer sped to the scene. The on duty Sherriff’s Sergeant quickly entered the building, which was in flames, and went to the second floor to aid the woman and get her out of the house. When Amador Fire and CDF arrived they had a difficult time due to the fact that there was a steep, single land driveway, so hose lines had to be set up with one engine at the top of the hill and other engines and water tenders a the bottom of the hill. Fire fighters entered the building, with the top floor fully involved and battled the blaze from inside and the outside. It can only be said that it is amazing how much they did save under the circumstances. There was no total estimate on damage when I left the scene. The cause of the blaze had not been determined as of yet. Bill Lavallie

House Fire in Pioneer California.

March 11, 2009 – Pioneer California House fire in Pioneer causes se ...

Updated: Mar 12, 2009 12:58am EST

Nevada City Calfornia :

Nevada City Calfornia

Updated: Mar 07, 2009 10:50pm EST

No injuries in railroad crossing crash. : No injuries in railroad crossing crash Thursday, February 26, 2009 By Bill Lavallie - Raheem Hosseini An early morning accident Thursday at a railroad crossing on Highway 88 near Sutter Creek Ranchos Road caused traffic delays, but no injuries. There were no injuries in a spectacular crash on Highway 88 near Sutter Creek Thursday morning, when a school bus traveling eastbound stopped at the railroad crossing and an approaching motorist in a 1995 Dodge pickup truck braked suddenly. Motorists behind the Dodge were not prepared for the sudden stop, leading to a wreck in which one vehicle was flipped onto its side. Another 1995 Dodge pickup truck, rammed into the first Dodge. The driver of a 2006 Chevrolet trailing behind the action, 34-year-old Elizabeth Saravia of Ione, braked but couldn't avoid skidding into the pickup in front of her. The pickup was sandwiched between two vehicles, became airborne and spun around, coming to rest in the roadway on its side. The overturned truck's occupant, Gary Ballard, 46, of Pine Grove, was uninjured. The accident blocked traffic in the eastbound lane, and traffic control was required for about an hour. The California Highway Patrol was still investigating the crash at press time.

No injuries in railroad crossing crash.

No injuries in railroad crossing crash Thursday, February 26, 2009 B ...

Updated: Feb 27, 2009 9:58am EST

Sutter Creek Mardi Gras :

Sutter Creek Mardi Gras

Updated: Feb 23, 2009 10:01am EST

Eagles of the Lake : First time for me photographing Eagles. The tour was fantastic! The weather was fantastic also. I never thought about it but once out in the boat I realized this was not going to be easy. Three factors: 1 - The boat is moving. 2 - The Eagles are moving. 3 - The camera is moving. I shot with a 28-300MM lens, but should have had an 800MM lens (which I do not have $$$$). So, out of the many shots I took, here are the pictures that look reasonable. I am glad I went. It is a fantastic sight to see an eagle fly and to catch a fish it is quite a show!! I'm still thinking about how they do that?? Random fish movement, huge bird diving down, seems more like betting on the lotto... Hope you enjoy.. UPDATE - A note from our guide Steve Diers: Bill: Thank you for sharing you pictures of the tour. On the AM (Morning) Eagle Tour Participants observed 13 Eagles total (9 Juvenile B A, 3 Adult B A, 1 Adult G E & 1 unknown Eagle), a Northern Harrier, an Osprey, a Prairie Falcon, 7 Red-tailed Hawks and 4 White Pelicans. In Norton Gulch they observed 6 Bald Eagles at one time. On the afternoon tour Participants observed 10 Eagles (7 Juvenile B A, 2 Adult B A & 1 Adult G E), an Osprey and 8 Red-tailed Hawks. I personally have not seen 6 Bald Eagles at one time on Pardee nor White Pelicans at Pardee since I started doing these tours in 1995.. This is going to be a hard act to follow on 1-31-09 Bald Eagle Tours. Steve

Eagles of the Lake

First time for me photographing Eagles. The tour was fantastic! The ...

Updated: Jan 27, 2009 11:10am EST

Save Prospect Motors Rally : My pick for the photograph that says it all! This is Picture #61, Grace Ereksen, and she defines the moment. Check out NEWS 10's Article and Video here: http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=53121 Go here to see and hear comments on Capital Public Radio's WEB site: http://www.capradio.org/articles/articledetail.aspx?articleid=6059 Another article about the event on The Record: http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090111/A_NEWS/901110328/-1/A_BIZ Bill Lavallie

Save Prospect Motors Rally

My pick for the photograph that says it all! This is Picture #61, Gra ...

Updated: Jan 11, 2009 5:33pm EST

Yes we can - Make a T-Shirt; Make a Mug; Make a statement. : This picture works for ordering MERCHANDISE!! T-Shirts/Mugs Etc.

Yes we can - Make a T-Shirt; Make a Mug; Make a statement.

This picture works for ordering MERCHANDISE!! T-Shirts/Mugs Etc.

Updated: Jan 11, 2009 5:32pm EST

Teens lost in Amador high country rescued. : December 28, 2008 – Pioneer California Tense search for missing teens in showy forest ends in a happy reunion. Around 3PM Sunday afternoon a call came into the Amador Sheriff’s office that there was a lost teen in the woods off of Highway 88 two miles east of Ham’s Station. The caller indicated that the youth had been gone for over an hour and the mother could not make contact. CHP and Sheriff’s deputies were immediately dispatched to the scene. CHP also sent H20, one of their helicopters, to the location where the teens entered the woods. Once on scene, law enforcement established that, in fact, three young people were missing. They had drifted down a hill on boards and then dropped quickly down a steep embankment. Once at the bottom of the hill, they became disoriented and tired trying to walk in waist deep snow. Fighting a setting sun, the helicopter flew over the location and quickly spotted the group and talked them towards the hill they had come down. Two Amador deputies headed down the hill to lead them back up. One girl had trouble negotiating through the deep snow and was carried out. All were reunited with Mom at the top of the hill. Cold, wet, and very tired they were examined by medics and sent on their way. Bill Lavallie

Teens lost in Amador high country rescued.

December 28, 2008 – Pioneer California Tense search for missing tee ...

Updated: Dec 29, 2008 1:33am EST

Wedding Photography :

Wedding Photography

Updated: Dec 22, 2008 2:01am EST

Ice storm freezes traffic in Amador : Monday December 15 - Amador County California Ice storm freezes traffic in Amador Around 2:45PM a strong storm cell approached Amador County from the West, as you can see from the weather radar map and photos I took from the Amador Corp yard off of Airport Road. Shortly after the storm rolled over Jackson and the Ridge Road/New York Ranch Road area and dumped a couple of inches of hail/snow on the roadway. Chaos ensued when several vehicles could not negotiate the slick roadways. Sherriff's deputies converged on the intersection and roadways leading to the intersection, along with CHP and fire who were responding to the several minor accidents caused by the sudden storm. One of the smaller FEDEX trucks slid off of New York Ranch road, and a larger FEDEX vehicle behind completely blocked the lane behind him. Amador Roads was called into action with plows and sanders, but it was extremely difficult to plow because of the already large traffic jam that had occurred. Slowly they were able to clear the traffic, but the impact of the storm had spread up the hill. Traffic was at a crawl through Pine Grove during the 5PM commute up the hill. Later that evening several roads were not negotiable, notably Pine Grove Volcano road was closed until after midnight. For Amador commuters it is important that you pack your car with warm clothes, chains, and a lot of patience during the winter months. Bill Lavallie

Ice storm freezes traffic in Amador

Monday December 15 - Amador County California Ice storm freezes traff ...

Updated: Dec 16, 2008 10:33am EST

Festival of Lights in Sutter Creek California :

Festival of Lights in Sutter Creek California

Updated: Dec 15, 2008 1:02am EST

December 12 - Hay truck load bails on Climax Curves : December 12, 2008 - Pine Grove California Hay truck load bails on Climax Curves A hay truck carrying large 1,200 pound bales of hay lost part of its load in the sharp curves on Climax Road near Highway 88 yesterday around 11:40 AM. The driver was not quite clear on how or why the load shifted but it is clear that it was not as secure as it should be. Luckily there were no vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. The weight of that many bales of hay could have cause serious damage to a vehicle. The driver of the truck was cited by CHP. Fortunately a Caltrans crew that was in the area jumped in quickly to clear the roadway. The truck driver waited for a special lifting tractor to be transported from the Lodi area to put the bales back on the trailer. Bill Lavallie

December 12 - Hay truck load bails on Climax Curves

December 12, 2008 - Pine Grove California Hay truck load bails on C ...

Updated: Dec 13, 2008 1:19pm EST

Bank Robbery Plymouth California : From the Amador County Sheriff's Media Release - The last 5 photos in this series are from the Wells Fargo Security cameras. MEDIA RELEASE ***************************************************************** RELEASE NUMBER: One DATE: December 11, 2008 TYPE OF INCIDENT: Bank Robbery DETAILS: On Friday December 12, 2008 at approximately 1139 hours, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a bank robbery had just occurred at the Wells Fargo Bank located at 9454 Main Street, in Plymouth. Amador County Sheriff’s Personnel responded to the call. Detectives made contact at the bank to begin the investigation and search for evidence. Several deputies checked the surrounding area for the suspect who was last seen running west bound on Main Street from the bank. Bank personnel told detectives a white male suspect, approximately 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 175-180 pounds, with reddish brown hair and a beard, wearing dark sunglasses, a white tee shirt, charcoal grey hooded sweatshirt with the word “Clive” on the front and black gloves, entered the bank and approached a teller. Bank personnel reported that the suspect handed the teller a note stating he had a firearm and demanding money. The teller provided the suspect with a small amount of currency which he placed into his pocket. The suspect then fled west bound Main Street on foot. The bank surveillance system captured several images of the suspect, some of which are attached to this media release. Bank personnel reported that the suspect never displayed the firearm but did make a verbal reference to having one. Bank personnel did not observe the suspect associated with any vehicles. While conducting a neighborhood canvas, deputies learned of a white Dodge van with an overheard rack system occupied by a white male subject with a beard that had been observed in the area immediately prior to and immediately after the robbery. Amador County Sheriff’s Detectives are conducting follow up investigation into the suspicious vehicle as well as physical evidence recovered nearby the scene. Anyone with information regarding this or any other crime is urged to contact the Amador County Sheriff’s Office at (209) 223-6500 or the Amador County Secret Witness Program at (209) 223-4900.

Bank Robbery Plymouth California

From the Amador County Sheriff's Media Release - The last 5 photos in ...

Updated: Dec 13, 2008 10:03am EST

December 10 - Injury Accident Volcano California : Wednesday December 10, 2008 – Volcano California Injury Accident Volcano Two motor vehicles collided on Pine Grove Volcano Road near Masonic Cave Road yesterday around 4:45PM. A woman traveling in a sedan noticed a cow caught in a fence. She then attempted to make a left turn into a driveway when a pickup truck traveling behind her attempted to pass. The vehicles collided and crashed into a fence on the left side of the road. The woman in the sedan was taken to the hospital via ambulance. The CHP was still investigating the accident when I left. Bill Lavallie

December 10 - Injury Accident Volcano California

Wednesday December 10, 2008 – Volcano California Injury Accident Vo ...

Updated: Dec 11, 2008 11:37am EST

2008 Christmas in Amador County California : 2008 Christmas in Amador County California

2008 Christmas in Amador County California

2008 Christmas in Amador County California

Updated: Dec 09, 2008 12:17pm EST

Truck and Camper Fire Highway 88 May 2007 :

Truck and Camper Fire Highway 88 May 2007

Updated: Dec 06, 2008 7:31pm EST

2008 Knight's Foundry Dinner at the Jackson Rancheria :

2008 Knight's Foundry Dinner at the Jackson Rancheria

Updated: Dec 06, 2008 6:38pm EST

My Smug Mug : CHEESE DOGS!!! His name is Oly and he is a black labradore. Once a troublsome dog (I think the owner was the trouble!!) Now a great guy. He is the leader of the pack.

My Smug Mug

CHEESE DOGS!!! His name is Oly and he is a black labradore. Once a t ...

Updated: Dec 01, 2008 1:59am EST

Fine Art Prints : Country and Home Town USA. - Great wall art for the home and business.

Fine Art Prints

Country and Home Town USA. - Great wall art for the home and busines ...

Updated: Nov 24, 2008 10:50am EST

November 18, 2008 - Jackson, California. 3 Cars and a Motorcycle pile up in front of Bike shop in Jackson on Hwy 88 around 5:30PM. :

November 18, 2008 - Jackson, California. 3 Cars and a Motorcycle pile up in front of Bike shop in Jackson on Hwy 88 around 5:30PM.

Updated: Nov 19, 2008 11:46am EST

Fire at the rear of a home on Debbie Lane quickly extinguished by firefighters. : Pine Grove California November 4, 2008 Fire at the rear of a home on Debbie Lane quickly extinguished by firefighters. A fire which could have threatened several structures was quickly extinguished last night around 6:45 PM. When Battalion 10 first arrived on scene, the rear of an adjacent building to the home was heavily involved in fire. Negotiating a narrow driveway on a steep hill fire fighters were able to set up hose lines and quickly knock down the fire before it spread any further to the building and the adjacent home. Fire personnel were still investigating the incident. Bill Lavallie

Fire at the rear of a home on Debbie Lane quickly extinguished by firefighters.

Pine Grove California November 4, 2008 Fire at the rear of a home o ...

Updated: Nov 05, 2008 12:06pm EST

Halloween at the St George Hotel : Halloween Evening at the St. George Hotel in Volcano California. To see a great video of the evening by Nedra Russ take a look at this link: St. George Video

Halloween at the St George Hotel

Halloween Evening at the St. George Hotel in Volcano California. To s ...

Updated: Nov 03, 2008 9:50am EST

password protected gallery

Nicole and Sean

Nicole and Sean Wedding wedding in Volcano California on October 4, 20 ...

Updated: Oct 28, 2008 10:27am EST

password protected gallery

Amber & Carlos Wedding

Updated: Oct 21, 2008 9:48am EST

password protected gallery

Rosalie and John

Updated: Oct 19, 2008 5:26pm EST

Diesel the Biker Dog - Bad to the Bone : This little guy is a POSER!! He stands still for the camera until you put it down!! Great dog!!

Diesel the Biker Dog - Bad to the Bone

This little guy is a POSER!! He stands still for the camera until you ...

Updated: Oct 15, 2008 12:13am EST

Wildland Fire Near Lake Pardee : Thursday October 9, 2998 – Ione California Wildland fire near Lake Pardee A wildland fire whipped by strong winds ran through a section of open fields and pockets of oak trees near Lake Pardee. A swift and strong response by local fire agencies and CDF aircraft quickly halted the fire before it was able to cause any serious damage. The head of the fire was stopped near Stony Creek Road leaving small fires burning in tree trunks and in small pockets of brush. Bill Lavallie

Wildland Fire Near Lake Pardee

Thursday October 9, 2998 – Ione California Wildland fire near Lak ...

Updated: Oct 10, 2008 2:11am EST

Four car pile-up on Hwy 88 in Jackson sends four victims to the hospital : October 7, 2008 - Jackson California Four car pile-up on Hwy 88 in Jackson sends four victims to the hospital

Four car pile-up on Hwy 88 in Jackson sends four victims to the hospital

October 7, 2008 - Jackson California Four car pile-up on Hwy 88 in ...

Updated: Oct 08, 2008 3:10am EST

Pursuit ends when CHP rams suspect and forces him off the road : Monday, September 29, 2008 Pioneer California Pursuit ends when CHP rams suspect and forces him off the road Around 7PM Monday evening a Sheriff’s deputy called in a report that a person suspected of possession of stolen property had almost struck his vehicle on Shake Ridge Road. The Sheriff then put out a BOLO (Be on the lookout) for the white vehicle he was driving. CHP in the area soon spotted the vehicle and when he tried to stop the vehicle on Pine Drive the suspect began to speed away. The pursuit wound through the curvy roads and it was soon clear that the chase was becoming very dangerous due to the speeds of the driver. The car lost control and came to a stop at the roads edge at the intersection of Manzanita Way and Dew Drop Road. The suspect then backed up and tried to run again and that is when the CHP officer chose to end the chase by ramming the vehicle and forcing it off the road into the trees. The suspect then ran into the woods and evaded officers. CHP and Amador Sheriff’s with a canine tried to locate the suspect but as late as 10 PM they had still not located him. Bill Lavallie

Pursuit ends when CHP rams suspect and forces him off the road

Monday, September 29, 2008 Pioneer California Pursuit ends when CH ...

Updated: Sep 30, 2008 8:58am EST

Motorcycle collides with SUV on dangerous curves in Pioneer. : Motorcycle collides with SUV on dangerous curves in Pioneer. A motorcycle headed East on Highway 88 veered into the West bound lane and collided with a Dodge Durango according to the driver of the Durango. The accident occurred East of Mace Meadows in a series of infamous curves that have claimed many motorcycles, automobiles and trucks in the past. The motorcycle driver and his female passenger were both seriously injured and were flown out by helicopter to area trauma centers. There was no clear reason why the motorcycle crossed the center line and CHP were still investigating the accident. Bill Lavallie

Motorcycle collides with SUV on dangerous curves in Pioneer.

Motorcycle collides with SUV on dangerous curves in Pioneer. A moto ...

Updated: Sep 26, 2008 11:37am EST

Belly Dancers :

Belly Dancers

Updated: Sep 25, 2008 12:03pm EST

password protected gallery

Leslie and her Daughter

All Photographs are Copyright MMVIII Bill Lavallie

Updated: Sep 25, 2008 10:33am EST

Propane Tank Explosion Ridge Road : Propane tank explosion sends one person to the hospital with critical burns Tuesday evening a resident of a home at 1885 Ridge Road called in and said that he was burned and that a propane tank had exploded in his garage at that residence. Upon arrival emergency responders found the victim with burns to his upper body and the building well involved in flame. The victim was immediately taken to a helicopter landing site and fire fighters began extinguishing the flames in the garage. The impact of the explosion had literally pushed the back of the building out and it was leaning against an additional shed at the rear of the building. The garage door at the front was ballooned out showing just how strong the blast was. Firefighters were huddled in a rear corner of the building, hosing down the 100 pound gas tank to cool it down. The tank continued to burn like a roman candle inside the building for close to 30 minutes until the gas finally was depleted from the tank. The cause of the is still under investigation.

Propane Tank Explosion Ridge Road

Propane tank explosion sends one person to the hospital with critical ...

Updated: Sep 24, 2008 11:24am EST

Other Animals :

Other Animals

Updated: Sep 23, 2008 12:30pm EST

Bodie :

Bodie

Updated: Sep 21, 2008 12:57pm EST

Motorhome Fire Hwy 26 :

Motorhome Fire Hwy 26

Updated: Sep 17, 2008 2:44pm EST

Wings & Wheels - Airport Appreciation Day :

Wings & Wheels - Airport Appreciation Day

Updated: Sep 09, 2008 1:33am EST

Diesel, Roxie, Mouse The Cat & Friends :

Diesel, Roxie, Mouse The Cat & Friends

Updated: Sep 07, 2008 8:30pm EST

Smitty Lane Fire, West Point California Sep 1, 2008 : Smitty Lane Fire in West Point Sunday afternoon a fire started on Smitty Lane in West Point that quickly traveled up the slope towards Valentine Hill Road threatening homes along the way and in its path. CDF called for Heavy Tankers and helicopters along with local and regional fire crews to battle the blaze. Quick work by fire crews clearly saved homes off of Valentine Hill Road as flames licked at the porch of one home. A spot fire also developed off of Valentine and a Bulldozer and crews were kept busy fighting that fire in thick heavy brush. Several families were ordered to evacuate along the path of the fire until its forward progress was stopped. Several ranchers were busy loading up horses to take them to a safer location. Bill Lavallie

Smitty Lane Fire, West Point California Sep 1, 2008

Smitty Lane Fire in West Point Sunday afternoon a fire started on S ...

Updated: Sep 02, 2008 1:29pm EST

password protected gallery

Holly & Eric Wedding

Updated: Sep 02, 2008 11:40am EST

Electra Fire :

Electra Fire

Updated: Sep 02, 2008 1:02am EST

Ocean Rocket Cruises Through Amador : Boat ride anyone? Thursday, motorists heading West on Highway 88 were surprised to find themselves behind a very unusual site on the highway. With an escort of 3 CHP, and two pilot cars, a huge boat called an Ocean Rocket ( http://oceanrockets.com/ ). According to the driver of the truck, the boat is 75 feet long and 20 feet wide and weighs 64,000 pounds! The pilot car driver said that they had left New Jersey over a month ago and traveled across the United States to deliver the boat to the Port of Stockton. Based on the manufacturers web site I would say that Stockton may soon have a one heck of a boat ride for visitors to that city. Bill Lavallie

Ocean Rocket Cruises Through Amador

Boat ride anyone? Thursday, motorists heading West on Highway 88 we ...

Updated: Aug 29, 2008 12:00pm EST

Hay Truck Accident : Hay Truck Accident Downloads As reported in the Amador Ledger Dispatch Ledger Dispatch Hay Truck Accident Article

Hay Truck Accident

Hay Truck Accident Downloads As reported in the Amador Ledger Dispa ...

Updated: Aug 26, 2008 1:35am EST

Photography by Bill Lavallie :

Photography by Bill Lavallie

Updated: Jun 26, 2008 6:40pm EST