Pollock Pines restaurant owner released from jail

By Carlos Alcala, Sacramento Bee

Kevin Cairns, owner of Dante’s on the River, east of Pollock Pines, was released on bail Friday after three weeks in jail.

Cairns had been jailed unexpectedly on $250,000 bail at his first court appearance March 15 related to charges of assault with a deadly weapon and felony vandalism for incidents in November and February.

He was denied a bail reduction April 1 but had his bond reduced to $87,000 Friday, which he was able to post with the assistance of friends, Cairns’ wife Nancy said.

Cairns’ jailing took place after a third incident the weekend before the March 15 court date.

The El Dorado County District Attorney’s office filed amended charges that morning, although Cairns had not been arrested in that latest, nonviolent confrontation.

Cairns has argued he is only defending his property in the face of an onslaught of motorists who abuse his parking lot by vomiting or going to the bathroom there.

The restaurant is on a windy and isolated stretch of road.

Dante’s restaurant has closed to avoid further incidents, Nancy Cairns said, and her husband is pursuing a business opportunity opening 10 restaurants with an old friend.