Home Care In Georgetown, CA

GEORGETOWN, California — A bear spotted in a backyard in Georgetown, California, in El Dorado County was shown on camera standing on its hind legs taking fruit from an apple tree, and state wildlife officials said the incident looks to be part of a "feeding frenzy" bears enter in the fall.

The video, taken by Ring camera around 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 3, was filmed in Dayna Hawes' backyard. Hawes, a retired wildlife biologist, sent it to ABC10. She said the camera was originally pointed elsewhere in the yard, but after catching bears on camera the prior two nights, she decided to point the camera at the tree.

Peter Tira, a spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said fall is when black bears, the only bear species in California, enter a temporary state known as hyperphagia, or a feeding frenzy.

"During hyperphagia, bears consume as much as they can to bring their fat stores to a level where they can prepare for hibernation and survive the quickly approaching winter months," Tira said.

Tira said there are many black bears in El Dorado County, so the appearance and behavior of the bear is not surprising.

"Throughout the year, an adult black bear typically will consume 5,000 calories a day," he said. "In the fall, an adult black bear can consume 20,000 to 24,000 calories a day and can gain multiple pounds per day."

Around 8:30 p.m., the bear walked on its hind legs, climbed up the tree and began shaking the branches in an attempt to knock apples to the ground, Hawes said.

The tree is about 20 feet from Hawes’ house she said. The area is fenced.

“Most people have said, ‘nope, nope, nope’ and that ‘it’s too close for comfort,’” Hawes said. “People think it’s a costume.”

She said what surprises her most about the incident is how many people do not know bears will walk on their hind legs without being trained.

"We recommend that property owners be especially vigilant this time in securing trash and human-sourced food so bears can’t gain access to it," Tira said. "To keep bears from entering backyards or rural properties, property owners should also pick fruit off the ground and trees."

The initiative offers free clothing for anyone in need

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An accessible community closet is now open at St. Andrew's United Church in Georgetown.

The church recently moved the room full of free clothing from the basement to the main floor to provide more equitable access for visitors of all abilities. New lighting, paint, flooring and racks complete the space.

“The goal of the clothing room is to provide clothing for people in need,” said Reverend Grant Williams, lead minister at the church.

"There are more people using it, and we’re not sure if it’s because there’s more need or that word is getting out.”

Williams said the initiative started about five years ago. The church’s youth group used to go downtown Toronto the second Sunday of every month to distribute clothing and necessities to the homeless community in Moss Park.

But after a safe injection site began operating at that location, parents expressed concern about kids being exposed to drugs, he said.

With these worries in mind, Williams said, “We decided that more needed to be done closer to home.”

Using the stream of clothing donations they already had, the youth ministry set up a room in the church.

Now on the main floor, the clothing room is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon, and is accessible on other days by appointment.

Every week there are about 15 people visiting the clothing room, said Williams.

“We tend to see more visitors near the end of month,” he added, reasoning this is because people on social assistance are between payments and short on cash for shopping.

About eight per cent of Halton residents are considered low income, according to a 2020 Population Level Indicator report. With Halton Hills being a largely affluent community, often the existence of poverty can become invisible and easily forgotten.

Donations of all clothing are welcome, but the church is encouraging donors to drop off clothes for the upcoming season. Currently, spring and summer clothes are preferred.

St. Andrew’s also hosts community suppers on the third Friday of every month.

“We get about 100 people. We usually have live entertainment too,” Williams said.

The menu changes every month. Attendees are often seniors who live nearby, but everyone is welcome, he added.

For more information visit https://www.standrewsuc.ca.

This story was made possible by our Community Leaders Program partner.

Thank you to Denise Dilbey / Royal LePage Meadowtowne Realty for helping to expand local news coverage in Halton Hills. Learn more

People have stepped up to help their neighbors do basic tasks. Now, a gas station in Georgetown wants to give back.

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GEORGETOWN, Calif. —

Many communities remain in the dark as power outages in the Sierra continue.

PG&E says 30,000 people are still without power after days of heavy snowfall and fallen trees. As of Saturday night, there were more than 14,000 people in Nevada County without power. In El Dorado County, 9,200 customers are impacted. And 6,000 people are being impacted in Placer County.

Those who live in Georgetown, located in El Dorado County, are also still dealing with no power and downed trees. But some people in the community have stepped up to help.

Sarah Johnson lives in Georgetown and her home has been without power since Sunday because of the massive winter storm. She is using a generator, but it powers only a few things inside.

"This single light here that helps us to see," Johnson said.

But what is more concerning to Johnson are the downed power lines and fallen trees. Some power lines in town have fallen into the middle of roads. Tree branches have also fallen into the power lines in front of Johnson's home. It's been a stressful few days for her.

"Sleepless nights, a lot of them, because you hear the snow coming down and you're not sure if it's going to be a branch or a tree," Johnson said.

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Others are still stuck in their homes because of the damage. That is why Logan Rush has been using shovels and chainsaws to help those in need, clearing debris from the roads and driving people to get much-needed supplies.

"I've been leaving my house at around 8 [a.m.] and then coming back around 8 [p.m.]," Rush said. "Just all day, running back and forth to the gas station, to the grocery store, just keeping people moving."

And this is not part of Rush's job. He is doing this all out of the goodness of his heart.

"It's just what you have to do up here," Rush said. "If there's people that can't make it, you got to do what you can to help them. It's just really important in this community."

The local gas station, the Georgetown Gas & Go, has set up a donation box for people like Rush, who they are calling "unsung heroes."

"They've been doing endless work around here, cutting trees, getting people out of their driveways, bringing supplies to families," Georgetown Gas & Go employee Meggan Majaika said. "And they're doing it all on their own time, and so we thought we could give back to them."

It is a simple way to say thank you – and it is not going unnoticed.

"It's just been really eye opening how great the community is up here," Rush said.

To people like Johnson, the acts of kindness from Rush and the Georgetown Gas & Go are reminders that there can be light, even in the darkest of times.

"It really, truly gives me hope that there are good people in this world," Johnson said.

Georgetown Gas & Go has also set up a Venmo account where the community can donate money to help those "unsung heroes" get reimbursed for gas and other expenses.

Community pre-registration for a Divide Christmas Food Basket is just around the corner and will end Dec. 9.

Last year, 235 baskets were prepared. Details will be given to each family when they register for a food basket.

The program is sponsored by the DCB and nine local churches, plus volunteers from the community. Registration will continue until the deadline at community registration sites — Cool Community Church (office), 863 Cave Valley Road in Cool; Georgetown Library, 6680 Orleans St., Georgetown; and the Divide Wellness Center, 6065 Highway 193, Georgetown (Monday through Friday during normal business hours).

The DCB supplies a week’s worth of non-perishable foods plus meat products (turkeys) to all registered families living on the Georgetown Divide. Along with the food baskets, hand-knitted or crocheted caps, coats and blankets will be available. Angel Tree Gifts will be given to all children from infancy to age 17 whose parents pre-register for a Christmas Food Basket. Toys, food baskets, warm winter coats and some bicycles will available to families that have not pre-registered for a food basket.

Distribution of food baskets will be a drive-thru only event again this year. It will be Dec. 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The process will begin with a check-in at St. James Catholic Church (2831 Harkness St., Georgetown), where warm coats and blankets will be available for registered families. Directions to the IOOF hall will be provided where there will be a drive through to pick up the Christmas Food Baskets. Families will next proceed to the Georgetown United Methodist Church (2853 Church St., Georgetown), to pick up Angel Tree gifts and additional toys for people with children. There may be bicycles available at this location.

Sponsoring churches include the Georgetown Community United Methodist, Trinity Lutheran, New Hope, St. James Catholic, The House of Prayer, the Cool Community, Mother Lode, Kelsey Bible and Calvary Chapel. The DCB also receives substantial assistance from the Food Bank of Placer County, a nonprofit, non-governmental agency.

Community groups and individuals interested in contributing to the DCB are invited to contact DCB Chairman Gary Johnson at (530) 457-7759. Checks may be made payable to the DCB and mailed to Divide Christmas Food Basket c/o Mike Grgich (DCB Treasurer) at PO Box 989, Shingle Springs, CA 95682.

For more information call or email Johnson at (530) 457-7759 or [email protected].

Jan. 25

The Afternoon Book Club meets at 1 p.m. at the Georgetown Library. The book selection for January is "One Amazing Thing," by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

Free nursing services are offered from noon to 2 p.m. at the Georgetown Library. Call Hub 4 Navigator Rebecca to make an appointment at (530) 620-8175. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Jan. 26

Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the Georgetown Library.

Lego Fridays will be held from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Georgetown Library. The library supplies the Legos.

Open mic and karaoke at 5 p.m. at BarmHaus Brewery in Garden Valley.

Jan. 27

Local artist Jacque Brown will teach a free beginning jewelry-making class at the Georgetown Library. The class begins at 1 p.m. Pre-register by calling the library at (530) 333-4724.

The community market is held from 1-4 p.m. at Marshall Gold State Historic Park in Coloma. Artisans, makers and farmers selling their goods. For more information email [email protected].

Jan. 28

Sundays at BarmHaus and Barm Bargains Farmers Market from noon to 4 p.m. with live music from 1-4 p.m. Friendly dogs and kids are welcome. Located at BarmHaus Brewery in Garden Valley.

Jan. 29

Trivia night at the Georgetown Hotel and Saloon in Georgetown.

Jan. 30

The Georgetown Library is offering another opportunity to receive a free phone on Jan. 30 from noon to 5 p.m. for those who qualify. Please arrive no later than 4:30 p.m. Participants must bring a photo ID, proof of address and proof to show they qualify, such as benefits cards, W2, pay stubs, bank statements, EBT card with recent receipts, social security benefit letter, veterans or survivors pension benefit or supplemental security income. For more information call (530) 333-4724.

Bingo and Taco Tuesday at Cool Beerwerks in Cool from 4-9 p.m., with bingo beginning around 6 p.m.

Jan. 31

Storytime is held at 10:30 a.m. at the Georgetown Library.

Knit and crochet group meets from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Georgetown Library. All ages and experience levels welcome.

Mommy and Me Toddler Playtime program will be held from 9-11 a.m. The program is held in the Cool Community Church sanctuary, 863 Cave Valley Road in Cool.

Stitch and Bitch gatherings are held from 6-8 p.m. at the Pilot Hill Grange in the Cool Grange Hall, 1701 Highway 193, Cool. For more information visit their Facebook page Divide Stitch and Bitch or contact Donna Seaman at (707) 666-1429.

SEATTLE – California fell behind early and dropped the series opener at No. 24 Washington 12-1 on Thursday night at Husky Ballpark.

The Golden Bears struck first with an RBI double by in the top of the second inning, but and ran into trouble on the mound as the Huskies scored in five consecutive frames en route to a double-figure advantage by the end of the fifth inning. It was Cal's (22-26, 10-18 Pac-12) second straight loss and third in four games since May 12, while Washington (33-14, 17-10) picked up its seventh consecutive victory.

Becerra (2-5) and Sullivan walked seven combined batters in the first 4.2 innings, allowing the Huskies to capitalize with four extra-base hits, including a grand slam by Will Sullivan in the fifth that made it an 11-1 ballgame. Washington took the lead on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the second and did not look back, racking up 15 total hits on the night.

and shored up the final 3.1 innings on the mound, allowing just one run while striking out three Huskies.

Cal gave itself run-scoring opportunities by putting multiple runners on base in each of the first six innings, but stranded 11 on the night. Souto (2-for-3) and (2-for-4) tallied three combined doubles and led Cal with multi-hit efforts.

UP NEXT Game two between the Bears and Huskies in Seattle will be played at 6 p.m. PST on Friday. The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Network.

STAY POSTED For coverage of Cal baseball, please follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalBaseball), Instagram (@CalBaseball), and Facebook (/CalBaseball/).