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Denis Cuff

(SUSAN TRIPP POLLARD/Contra Costa Times) In the spray of Yosemite Falls, Shane Proctor, 28, tries to shield Danielle Cottingham, 24, from the cold in Yosemite, Calif., recently. The pair from Sonora was dressed for the warm temperatures in the valley, as high-elevation snowpack provides tourists a spectacular view of waterfalls and the Merced River. Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in the United States.

Big snowmelt feeds big falls at Yosemite Valley

Contra Costa Times, Denis Cuff McClatchy Newspapers

Last updated Friday, July 1, 2011 - 12:05am

YOSEMITE VALLEY, Calif. -- Pam Courtney had never seen Yosemite Falls so big and powerful until last week, even though she has visited the area since childhood.

Camping, Disabilities, Disabled, Hiking, Photography, Travel, Water, Yosemite National Park, Featured, Fourth of July, Holiday Read more Comments

Energy company to pay $2.5 million, replace wind turbines to reduce raptor deaths

Contra Costa Times, Denis Cuff

Last updated Monday, December 6, 2010 - 7:22pm

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- The largest wind energy producer in the Altamont Pass area in California's Alameda and Contra Costa counties has agreed to replace 2,400 wind turbines within four years and pay $2.5 million in a legal settlement to reduce deaths of eagles, hawks and other raptors hacked by turbine blades.

The settlement between NextEra Energy Resources, the state and several environmental groups was announced Monday by state Attorney General Jerry Brown.

One environmental leader praised the deal a model for producing wind energy while minimizing the heavy toll the whirling turbine blades take on hundreds of raptors each year.

Business, Raptors, Wildlife, Wind energy Read more Comments