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This raft of gold is associated with the legend of El Dorado since it represents the act of inauguration of power of the Muisca chiefs bathed in gold dust that was held in the Guatavita lagoon. The piece was found in 1969 in Pasca, Cundinamarca. Credit: Reg Natarajan/CC BY 2.0 Deep within the heart of Colombia’s lush landscapes and dense jungles lies a legendary tale that has captured the imagination of explorers, adventurers, and dreamers for centuries. It is the story of El Dorado, a fabled city of gold said to possess unimaginable wealth and treasures beyond belief. Although El...

The El Dorado Fire had burned up the south side Yucaipa Ridge above the communities of Oak Glen and the North Bench area of Yucaipa, fire officials said Sunday. After cresting Yucaipa Ridge, the blaze was threatening the communities of Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls. No injuries have been reported. An outbuilding was destroyed on Saturday, but no other damage was reported as of Sunday afternoon even though about 30 homes were threatened by the fire. Evacuation orders have been issued for the communities of Oak Glen, Forest Falls and Mountain Home Village. A portion of North Bench Yucaipa...

Leaning back in his chair, his gold sheriff’s badge glinting in a shaft of light, John D’Agostini thought for a second about what he would do if Sacramento legislators imposed San Francisco-style sanctuary laws to protect people living across the state illegally. His dilemma is part of the complex immigration debate in California, where a bill passed last week by the state Senate would restrict cooperation with U.S. immigration agents everywhere, including not only liberal strongholds but bastions of conservatism like El Dorado County. To D’Agostini, the proposed law, SB54, is tantamount to coddling criminals, and that doesn’t wash in...

The El Dorado County Sheriff says he’s not happy with the U.S. Forest Service, so he’s stripping them of their authority by keeping them from enforcing state law within the county. Sheriff John D’Agostini is taking the unusual step of pulling the police powers from the federal agency because he says he has received “numerous, numerous complaints.” In a letter obtained by CBS13, the sheriff informs the federal agency that its officers will no longer be able to enforce California state law anywhere in his county. “I take the service that we provide to the citizens of El Dorado County...

A dog, confined within his own yard, was shot and killed by an Eldorado, Ill. police officer who had mistakenly arrived to the wrong house to investigate a report of a stolen ladder. According to Wednesday's publication of WSIL TV, the shooting took place on Sunday evening, when an officer arrived to the home of Jason Robershaw. Robershaw claims that he heard a knock at his back door, followed by gun shots. Those shots took the life of his 6-year-old German shepherd, "Smokey." The grieving owner describes the horrific scene outside of his back door:

EL DORADO COUNTY (CBS13) – People from all over El Dorado County say they’re hearing loud booms several times a week, but there are many theories on what is causing them. “I thought it was thunder,” said one person. “It’s definitely not thunder; too consistent. I thought it was just mining,” said another person. “I always considered them to be sonic booms from flying aircrafts for years,” said Loring Brunius, owner of Sierra Rock Diamond Quarry. People who live near Pleasant Valley say their days have been interrupted by loud booms, shaking the floor beneath them. “You can feel it...

The Eldorado National Forest will close 42 popular off-highway-vehicle routes that cross meadows due to a February court order, Forest Supervisor Kathy Hardy announced this week. The routes could be closed through this year's recreation season while the U.S. Forest Service conducts an environmental analysis ordered by the court. U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Karlton said the Forest Service had failed to comply with the National Forest Management Act when it designated routes as open for motor vehicle use,

Phillip Garrido used a Taser gun to subdue kidnap victim Jaycee Dugard and threatened to stun her again if she tried to escape. The shocking new detail was revealed by El Dorado County Superior Judge Douglas Phimister as he imposed the maximum possible sentence on 60-year-old Phillip Garrido, calling his treatment of Dugard evil and reprehensible. The judge said: 'Basically what you did was you took a human being and turned them into a chattel, a piece of furniture, to be used by you at your whim. 'You reinvented slavery, that's what you did.'

Amazon explorers uncover signs of a real El Dorado Satellite technology detects giant mounds over 155 miles, pointing to sophisticated pre-Columbian culture Rory Carroll, Latin America correspondent guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 5 January 2010 19.08 GMT An aerial picture of traces of earthworks built by a lost Amazonian civilisation dating to 200AD. Photograph: National Geographic It is the legend that drew legions of explorers and adventurers to their deaths: an ancient empire of citadels and treasure hidden deep in the Amazon jungle. Spanish conquistadores ventured into the rainforest seeking fortune, followed over the centuries by others convinced they would find a lost...

Teenager Charged With Killing Mom In El Dorado Hills To Be Tried As Adult Nov. 25, 2009 An El Dorado County judge ruled Tuesday that Tylar Marie Witt must stand trial as an adult in her mother's killing, decrying the teen's alleged participation "in the death of the very person who gave you life." Superior Court Judge James Wagoner also ordered Witt, who was 14 when her mother was stabbed to death in their El Dorado Hills home, held without bail. Witt and her boyfriend, Steven Paul Colver, 19, are charged with murdering Joanne M. Witt, 47, in June after...

Yesterday, Larry Elder's radio show completed its fifteen year run on KABC in Los Angeles. It's hard to believe, but the "Larry Elder Show" is done. His departure from the airwaves - announced only the day before to the shock and disappointment of his legion of fans ("El Dorados") - puts a serious hurt on the talk radio genre.I don't think I can overstate it.I adore Larry Elder, and I will miss him.He was as unique as he was entertaining - a libertarian (with a small "l") who broke ranks with big "L" crowd on foreign policy. He dubbed...

Polygamist Leader Warren Jeffs says he never married his underage daughter to an adult, but officials say they have found evidence to the contrary. Photos, diaries, and a marriage record all suggest that Jeffs' daughter who was 15 at the time, married a 34-year-old man. The documents were filed in a report by the girl's guardian and given to a San Angelo court. Members of the FLDS sect said in past interviews that no marriage had existed. Jeffs' daughter, who is 16 and now in her mother's care, was one of the children who was taken from the Sects' ranch...

NOTE FROM A FOSTER MOTHERA FReeper mom who doesn't have time to post, has shared her experience with me and graciously given me permission to post her thoughts. Here is the first note from her:"Here’s my deal. I am totally transfixed on this polygamous cult issue but don’t have the time or inclination to actively participate on the board. It must have something to do with my six kids, one of whom is disabled. I am a foster mom BTW so I’m sorta torked out of shape about all the shoddy accusations against foster parents. I know that for...

  SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - What is happening in El Dorado, Texas almost happened here in Utah. ABC 4 News has learned recently that Utah's Attorney General almost launched a raid in Salt Lake against another polygamist group. Tuesday, ABC 4 asked Attorney General Mark Shurtleff had he ever thought about doing what Texas did, and Shurtleff said, "It occurred to us, we thought about it. I'll tell you with another polygamous sect." He then confirmed he was talking about the Kingstons. The Kingstons aren't in the news as much these days, but back in the late...

KCRA.com Related To Story SHINGLE SPRINGS SHOOTING LIVE: Latest Coverage Three Deputies Injured In Shingle Springs Shootout Incident Occurs Just South Of Highway 50 POSTED: 12:07 pm PDT June 5, 2007 UPDATED: 1:21 pm PDT June 5, 2007 SHINGLE SPRINGS, Calif. -- As many as three sheriff's deputies and a police dog were injured in a shootout in Shingle Springs shortly before noon on Tuesday, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department said. The nature of their injuries was not immediately clear, but at least one deputy was taken to Sutter Roseville Medical Center for treatment. A neighbor told KCRA 3...

I have been a Freerepublic member for many years (go ahead and look it up ;-)! As a long-timer, please allow me to take a quick moment to introduce a candidate for District Court Judge for the Kansas 13th Judicial District (Butler, Elk, Greenwood Counties). Jim Murfin is an experienced lawyer with many years spent in both the role of council and of judge. That aside, I know of Jim and his family from the perspective of a long-time friend. Jim posses a strong love of God and family, and is proud to have earned the Kansans for Life endorsement....

Gold prices rose Monday, hitting fresh 24-year highs as investor interest in the yellow metal booms. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, spot gold was up $7.70 at $527 an ounce in morning trading. In European trading, spot gold rose as high as $541.30 an ounce. Spot gold is trading at levels not seen since 1981. Traders said the contract is testing resistance at $541.80 and $543.20, and that resistance would likely be a short-term top followed by a dip to $523.10 and $531.00. Long-term charts say that if the contract breaks through $543.20, however, it would be going for...

Lima, Jul 27, 2002 (EFE via COMTEX) -- An international team of explorers claims to have found the legendary Inca city of gold that the Spanish knew as "El Dorado," deep in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. The quest began on June 30, when more than two dozen researchers began combing the wild and unexplored jungle region along the basin of the Madre de Dios River. El Dorado, called "Paititi" by the region's Indian population, is known as the last bastion of the Incas as they sought refuge from advancing Spanish conquistadors. The leader of the expedition, the...

Firefighters also were battling a 5,400-acre wildfire elsewhere in Eldorado National Forest in Amador County. The Power fire broke out Oct. 6 and had been contained at about 500 acres Tuesday, but flared up and spread wildly in high winds Wednesday. By Thursday evening, the blaze had charred 12,000 acres and was just 10 percent contained.

ELDORADO - First it was going to be a hunting lodge. Then a retreat. But as each new dormitory-style building goes up, residents here become a little more apprehensive as a secretive polygamist sect prepares to occupy a ranch four miles outside Eldorado. Locals say they have good reasons for feeling uneasy about their new neighbors. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, based in Arizona and Utah, is believed to be the largest polygamist group in the country. The 10,000-member church openly promotes plural marriage and has been subject to allegations of forced marriages, abusing the...