California budget cuts target school bus service
Budget cuts and increased fuel costs are combining to make it harder for school districts to provide bus service for students. And a new state proposal could render transportation funding as optional for school officials.
Sacramento Bee

YouTube
Cousin Jack Music Festival 2009 - performer Ronnie Sweeting

Catheys Valley Community Plan
Tuesday 7-14-09
Government Center in Mariposa
6:30 P.M.
Mariposa County, CA - Official Website - Catheys Valley Community Plan - Draft

New Report from the United States Geological Survey
Groundwater Availability of the Central Valley Aquifer, California
California’s Central Valley covers about 20,000 square miles and is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. More than 250 different crops are grown in the Central Valley with an estimated value of $17 billion per year. This irrigated agriculture relies heavily on surface-water diversions and groundwater pumpage. Approximately one-sixth of the Nation’s irrigated land is in the Central Valley, and about one-fifth of the Nation’s groundwater demand is supplied from its aquifers.
USGS Professional Paper 1766: Groundwater Availability of the Central Valley Aquifer, California

SULTRY SUMMER SHINDIG Calling All Car, Bike Buffs and Music Lovers!
The Show Your Chrome_sm car and motorcycle show will add some sizzle to a hot day filled with the sultry vibes of four great bands…all happening on Saturday, August 1^st at the Coulterville park from 11 am ‘till 8 pm.  Classic and antique cars, hot rods and customized bikes ….both inside and surrounding the park… will be vying for a whole host of awards.
Mariposa News - SULTRY SUMMER SHINDIG Calling All Car, Bike Buffs and Music Lovers!

Reminder:
This coming weekend is another free weekend to get into Yosemite and the other National Parks in the U.S. A.

Midpines Planning Advisory Meeting July 16, 2009
Thursday
Midpines Community Hall
7:00-9:00P.M.
Agenda
And
6-17-09 Minutes
Mariposa News - Midpines News News Of The Midpines Area Of Mariposa County

Own a Small Business?
The I.R.S. has issued new guidelines for their agents
IRC § 183: Activities Not Engaged in For Profit (ATG)

Monday Food For Thought:
California Hotel Defaults, Foreclosures Surge; Reflect Nationwide Trend
In news that could have national implications for the hotel industry, 175 hotels in California are in default on their loans and an additional 31 have been foreclosed, according to a June 28 report by Atlas Hospitality Group.
A sharp decline in room revenues, combined with a jump in cap rates, has contributed to significant declines in property values, the report indicated.
According to University of California economist Kenneth Rosen, as many as one in five hotel loans in the United States may default through 2010.
Atlas Hospitality Group - The Market Leader in California Hotel Sales

In the Area News:
Changes Proposed For Tuolumne County Transit,
Geological Survey finds steep drop in Central Valley's groundwater,
Bass Lake Drowning
and more...
Area News

Sheriff Report
One accident was reported in the county yesterday and that accident took place near the Bootjack Market  on Darrah Road and involved property damage after two white vehicles collided.
A request for service on Miller Road during the early morning hours resulted in an individual getting a free lift to the county pokey.
Vandalism was reported on Triangle Road.
Someone was being harassed on East Westfall Road.
The Sheriff was called out to Yosemite Gifts over a civil matter during
the noon hour...
MARIPOSA COUNTY DAILY SHERIFF REPORT

Weather Report  
Enjoy today as the Temps are going to heat up this week
Another Gorgeous Day:
Monday's Forecast
90-100 Today: Sunny today with the high temps rising two to three degrees over Sunday's high temps.
Yosemite: SUNNY. HIGHS 85 TO 93 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...63 TO 73 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
 TONIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS 46 TO 56 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...37 TO 47 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
Sierra Sun Times - Weather Forecast For Mariposa / Madera County Foothills / Yosemite

Real Estate News
Foreclosed Homes Pitched In Auction
The auction, conducted by Auction.com, collected $11.5 million at the first of two northern California auctions in two days. A statement released by the Real Estate Disposition Corp. group indicated that 133 foreclosed homes in the Sacramento area quickly sold for $30,000, to $60,000, to more than $100,000...
Sierra Sun Times Real Estate - Homes and Land For Sale In Mariposa County

United States Economy
The Case For Unavoidable Increases In The Stimulus Package
President Obama’s main economic advisor, former Harvard president and Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers told the FT last week that “I don’t think the worst is over … It’s very likely that more jobs will be lost. It would not be surprising if GDP has not yet reached its low.” That is a remarkably grim and pessimistic statement by a man who is supposed to be the primary cheerleader of the efficacy of the government’s fiscal policy. The economy is getting worse. Nearly everyone sees that. Honesty is taking the place of posturing and the difficult evidence that the recovery is not at hand continues to roll in.
24/7 Wall Street
AND
CIT Group Says Its Failure Risks Demise of Customers
CIT became a bank in December to qualify for a government bailout and received $2.33 billion in funds from the U.S. Treasury.
The stock declined 12 cents, or 9 percent, to $1.41 as of 11:26 a.m. in Frankfurt today. It dropped 46 cents, or 23 percent, last week in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.
July 13 (Bloomberg) -- CIT Group Inc., the century-old lender that hasn’t been able to persuade the government to back its debt sales, says its demise would put 760 manufacturing clients at risk of failure and “precipitate a crisis” for as many as 300,000 retailers.
 Bloomberg.com

More News on Page 2

Photo Of The Day Click the photo for the big photo and the forum The High Sierra North Fork resident and Photographer Keith Sauer sure knows how to find snow in California during the month of July. This capture is from two days ago and has Treble and Maul Lake in the photo. To view more of Keith's Photographs Oakhurst: Williams Gallery West - Keith Sauer North Fork: North Fork Arts Council

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