Independent & Assisted Living apartments available for immediate move-in! Call 530-387-4806 today. Spacious senior apartments with up to 1,482 square feet, full kitchens, in-suite laundry, and a private, attached garage. Schedule a tour today!
Ask about our Winter Special for new move-ins. 3081 PONTÉ MORINO DRIVE | CAMERON PARK, CA 95682 | PONTEPALMERO.COM | LIC #097004177
173
rd
C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24 , 2024
mtdemocrat.com
– E S T. 18 51
VOLUME 173 • ISSUE 9 | $1.00
ROOFING • SOLAR • SIDING
1,750
$
up to
OFF
Mention CODE: MD
Your Next Project!
*Call for details. May not be combined with other offers, estimates or prior purchases. Quantities Limited.
3811 Dividend Dr., Suite A, Shingle Springs (916) 985-9995 • (530) 672-9995 www.straightlineconstruction.com
Mountain Democrat
2010 2023
2022
Placerville man arrested in PJ’s stabbing Eric Jaramishian
Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco
Staff writer
JUSTICE FOR TINA — Tina Humlick’s friends and family were in attendance at El Dorado Superior Court as Michael Thompson pleaded guilty to her murder. The group wore T-shirts they had made with a picture of Humlick and the phrase “Justice for Tina.” Many said they intend to return for Thompson’s sentencing in March to read victim impact statements.
El Dorado County sheriff ’s deputies arrested Aaron McLam Friday on suspicion of stabbing a victim at PJ’s Roadhouse in Placerville. McLam, 43, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and DUI, and is being held in the El Dorado County Jail on $65,500 bail. Sheriff ’s deputies responded to the incident around 8:30 p.m. and found a 51-year-old suffering from stab wounds, according to Sgt. Kyle Parker. McLam, a Placerville
Boyfriend pleads guilty to murder of Placerville woman Odin Rasco Staff writer
A Placerville man faces a possible life sentence in prison after pleading guilty in El Dorado Superior Court Friday to the murder of his girlfriend Tina Humlick. Friends and family of
Humlick, wearing T-shirts with a picture of her face and the phrase “Justice for Tina,” looked on from the courtroom gallery as Michael Thompson, 43, pleaded guilty to the Oct. 5, 2023, killing. Thompson had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges when arraigned on Oct. 12, but changed his plea as
part of an agreement offered by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. As Thompson entered his plea, some in the audience began to cry. Humlick was found dead at a home off Prado Vista Court in Placerville when deputies with ■ See GUILTY, page A5
MANDALA SWEPT AWAY
Blackstone burglary suspect held without bail
Buddhist monks from the Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery closed out their return visit to Placerville’s Federated Church by holding a consecration and mandala dissolution ceremony Saturday. The same group of Tibetan monks visited the area last year as part of their tour away from the South India monastery where they live in exile. Tibetan monks have been visiting Placerville as guests of the Placerville Friends of Tibet since 2003.
Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
A Stockton man suspected of burglarizing homes in El Dorado Hills’ Blackstone community pleaded not guilty to charges against him during his arraignment Jan. 18. Marcus Anthony Wright, 63, will be held without bail, as ordered by Judge Thomas A. Smith in El Dorado County Superior Court Department 1. Smith deemed the action “necessary for the protection of the public and victims. “These are very serious charges that carry multiple counts (and) 25 years to life,” Smith added.
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Mountain Democrat photos by Odin Rasco
The dissolution of the mandala begins with pinches of sand taken from each of the four quadrants of the mandala, followed by straight lines scraped toward the center made from specific points along the circumference. Sweeping away the result of nearly two weeks of diligent and precise work put into creating a mandala representing the palace of the Buddha of Compassion, the monks spoke on the transcendent nature of embracing impermanence.
1 Dentist Dentist!
#
nine times! New Patients Always Welcome!
Jeff Little, DDS
General & Cosmetic Dentistry
“Look For My Column On Page 3 Today!”
resident, was found nearby and taken into custody. He also suffered injuries and was hospitalized before being booked into jail Monday. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Parker on Tuesday told the Mountain Democrat the victim was still being treated in the hospital and their condition is unknown. EDSO did not provide further details due to an ongoing investigation. Those who witnessed the incident are asked to contact Det. Parker Driscoll at (530) 6424709 or at driscollp@ edso.org.
Wright is charged with four felony counts of first-degree residential burglary, one count of prowling and one count of possession of burglary tools, offenses that reportedly took place between October and November 2023, according to the criminal complaint filed by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. The complaint notes Wright is suspected of committing the crimes while on state prison parole. Wright was previously convicted of first-degree residential burglary in 1986 in Alameda County and 1991 in San Mateo ■ See BURGLARY, page A3
GOING SOLAR? 1515 5.250%3.61 5.55% YEAR3.250 YEAR 3.250 3.61 Let us Quote Your Project! HOME HOME LOAN LOAN Fixed RateFixed Rate
Annual Percentage Annual Percentage Rate Rate
• ReÀ• nance Purchase ReÀnance PLACERVILLE Purchase PLACERVILLE 4040 ElRoad Dorado• 622-1492 Road • 622-1492 • 4040 El •Dorado
180180 Monthly per $1,000Borrowed Borrowed MonthlyPayments Payments of $8.04 $7.03 $1,000 180 Monthly Payments of $7.03 ofper $1,000per Borrowed
Check the El Dorado Advantage: Check the El Dorado Advantage:
VOTED #1 FOR A REASON START SAVING TODAY!
PLACERVILLE • (Downtown) Main • 622-0833 PLACERVILLE • (Downtown) 247 Main247 • 622-0833
✓ No application ✓ No application fee fee W. PLACERVILLE l e Dr.Lawyer & Ray• Lawyer W. PLACERVILLE • Placervi•l ePlDr.acervi & Ray 626-3400• 626-3400 ✓ No prepayment ✓ No prepayment penalty penalty • 694 Val Plelasant Road • 626-5701 DIAMONDDIAMOND SPRINGSSPRINGS • 694 Pleasant ey RoadVall•ey626-5701 Local processing and servicing CAMERONCAMERON ✓ Local✓processing and servicing PARKCameron • 4060 Cameron Drive • 677-1601 PARK • 4060 Park DrivePark• 677-1601
2022
(530) 344-3237
3867 Dividend Drive, Suite A, Shingle Springs info@SolarSavingsDirect.com • solarsavingsdirect.com
PINESPony• 6462 PonyTrai Express Trail • 644-2363 POLLOCKPOLLOCK PINES • 6462 Express l • 644-2363 EL DORADO HILLSPark• 3963 Drive • 933-3002 EL DORADO HILLS • 3963 DrivePark• 933-3002 GEORGETOWN 193 • 333-1101 • 6310 Hwy.• 6310 193 Hwy. • 333-1101 Serving local over 54 years GEORGETOWN Member Member Serving our local our communities forEspanol over 54foryears Se communities Habla Serving our local communities for 65 years
Habla Espanol 800-874-9779 Espanol 800-874-9779 Maximum loan$417,000.00, $650,000, primary vacationresidence. residence. Se HablaSe loan vacation Maximum Maximum loan $417,000.00, primary orprimary vacationororresidence. NMLSR ID 479256 20%cash minimum downonpayment on purchase. equityonrequired on refiOther nance.loansOther loans under available underterms. different terms. 20% minimum downcash payment purchase. 25% equity25% required refinance. available different